New to Blu? Buy a PS3: the most featured BD hardware available... - Page 3

Romier S · 01-06-2008, 04:59 PM

Well this should resolve some issues those on the fence for a "fully featured" stand alone..

Specs from Panasonic's new DMP-BD50 - Engadget

Quote:

BD-Live

The DMP-BD50's Ethernet terminal is a gateway for Internet connection, which paves the way to an entirely new form of movie-plus-Internet entertainment. In the future, BD-Live users will be able to participate in quizzes and challenge each other to interactive games that are linked to bonus movie content on BD discs. BD-Live also supports other interactive functions, such as Picture-in-Picture and Audio Mixing.

Interactive Functions

Picture-In-Picture

With Picture-in-Picture, a small sub-window is displayed over the main image. There are four examples of Picture-in-Picture modes, each offering distinct functions. They include Enhanced Commentary, Backstage Pass Function, Peek Behind The Animation and Audio Mixing.

Enhanced Commentary*

BD media goes considerably beyond the kind of audio commentary provided in many DVD movies, such as a director discussing the film. Enhanced Commentary makes it possible, for example, for the director or actors to appear in the sub-window (as if they are standing in front of the screen) and point to actors or equipment as they make their comments.

Backstage Pass Function*

This lets you access additional information provided about people, places or things in a BD movie. Use the remote control to select an element highlighted on the screen, and a sub-window opens with the information. For example, there could be notes about the clothing or accessories an actor is wearing or the restaurant in which a scene is set.

Peek Behind The Animation*

While playing back a movie with dubbed-in voices – for example, a feature-length animation – this feature lets you watch in a sub-window as the actors read their parts. You can see the actors' gestures and expressions as they speak, giving you an inside look at a whole facet of moviemaking you've never seen before.

Audio Mixing*

The Audio Mixing function lets you choose which soundtrack to listen to: the one from the content playing in the main window, the one from the sub-window, or both at the same time. The sub-window soundtrack can also be reproduced in 5.1-channel surround sound.

*Depending upon program contents.

Other BD-Live Possibilities

The future is expected to bring a host of imaginative new features. For example, the DMP-BD50 will be able to connect directly to the Internet and download additional content from Websites to an SD Memory Card for more viewing and playing enjoyment.

HIGH-DEFINITION PICTURE AND SOUND QUALITY

UniPhier®
Combining a PHL Reference Chroma Processor with advanced P4HD imaging technology, Uniphier, the Precise Digital Video processor reproduces crisp, natural colors that are extremely faithful to the original movie. The beautiful images are complemented by an exceptionally pure, accurate sound achieved through Audio Re-master and other leading-edge audio technologies. Uniphier reflects the advanced encoding and authoring technologies developed by Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory (PHL) in collaboration with film industry professionals. With Uniphier at its heart, the DMP-BD50 provides a level of image and sound quality that meets Hollywood's stringent demands – so you experience movies just the way they were meant to be experienced.

Precise Digital Video
PHL Reference Chroma Processor
The PHL Reference Chroma Processor up-samples (4:2:0 to 4:2:2) the color information in decoded video signals. Using proprietary Panasonic technology, this innovative circuit faithfully reproduces the fine details and nuances of Blu-ray video streams that have been recorded with high quality image compression system. It generates images with all the clarity and depth that BD-Video movies have to offer.

P4HD (Pixel Precision Progressive Processing for HD)
To get the best HD images from a BD-Video disc, you need a player that renders high-quality progressive images, expresses motion smoothly, and draws sharp diagonal lines. The DMP-BD50's P4HD processes more than 15 billion pixels per second and applies the optimum processing to every pixel in the video data on the disc. The result is images with exceptional resolution.

Deep Color*
The DMP-BD50's HDMI output is Deep Color compatible. While the earlier HDMI V.1.2 offers 8-bit, 256-step gradation on 4:4:4, HDMI V.1.3 enables video signals to be sent on 12-bit, 4,096-step gradation at any format. This helps the DMP-BD50 reproduce natural looking colors with smooth gradation and minimal color banding.
*An HDMI™ V.1.3 compatible TV is required.

1080/24p Playback The DMP-BD50 provides 1080/24p output (via HDMI) for Blu-ray titles and DVD titles. It reproduces movie images from a Blu-ray Disc in their original 24p form, with no need for conversion.

HD Audio Format Decoding and Output The DMP-BD50 is equipped with decoders for the high-quality, lossless Dolby® TrueHD and DDTS-HD Master Audio™ audio formats. These formats theoretically contain the information to reproduce original sound sources in their entirety. Connection to an AV amplifier with 7.1-channel input capability enables sound quality on the level of a studio master system.

Audio Re-master for All Media
The DMP-BD50's Audio Re-master function compensates for data lost in the compression process used in BD and DVD recording. This helps create a fuller, richer sound that is extremely faithful to the original. It also brings re-mastering to the Blu-ray Disc for the first time ever.

HD Networking with SD Memory Card
The DMP-BD50 comes equipped with a slot for SD Memory Cards. Just take the SD Memory Card from your HD camcorder or digital still camera, and you're ready to view high resolution photos and motion images on your TV.

Linking with an HD Camcorder
The DMP-BD50 can play back AVCHD-format images shot with an HD camcorder, such as the Panasonic HDC-SD9. Images recorded onto the camcorder's SD Memory Card are output directly from the DMP-BD50's HDMI terminal in their original, high-quality 1920 x 1080 resolution. The DMP-BD50 also provides an AVCHD Direct Navigator function that makes it easy to search for particular scenes.

Linking with a Digital Camera The DMP-BD50 can play back JPEG still images on an SD Memory Card, such as those recorded with a Lumix FZ3 digital camera. The DMP-BD50 can output the images to 1920 x 1080 resolution – ideal for a full-HD TV – and output them via the HDMI terminal*. Using the Slideshow playback feature, you can play a music CD at the same time you're showing the photos, so viewers enjoy both beautiful images and their favorite music.

VIERA LinkTM
Seamless GUI
You Can Control Your Blu-ray Disc™ Player with the TV Remote Control* When the TV is on, the VIERA Link function lets you switch to home theater mode using just the Panasonic VIERA TV's remote control unit. Simply press the VIERA Link button on the TV's remote control and select "BD Player" on the VIERA Link Menu screen. The BD player's menu will display on the TV screen, and you can begin playback of a Blu-ray Disc or select from the Blu-ray disc

No word on pricing but I would imagine it will come in anywhere between $399-$499 price point and it looks like *THE* player to get when its released.

**HTF Ads**

Scott Calvert · 01-06-2008, 05:16 PM

No analog outs is a huge dealbreaker for me, and I assume many others.

Edwin-S · 01-06-2008, 05:44 PM

Man. So far, I don't like the styling on any of these players. For some reason, the all come across looking cheap. The specs look pretty good. However, lack of analog outs would be a big weakness. What is with all these manufacturers? Is "analog" suddenly a dirty word or something. For the time being my audio chain is going to have to remain analog. Come on, put out some BD players that would allow me to gain access to the lossless tracks.

Norman Matthews · 01-06-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas Monce

My buddy who has one says that the PS3 will pillerbox upscaled 4x3 SD DVDs

Doug

Good to know. Thanks.

Douglas Monce · 01-06-2008, 07:01 PM

I think its a riot when Panasonic lists deep color as being a feature of HDMI on their player. Too bad deep color isn't a feature of HDTV.

Doug

Romier S · 01-06-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas Monce

I think its a riot when Panasonic lists deep color as being a feature of HDMI on their player. Too bad deep color isn't a feature of HDTV.

Hopefully you found it an equal riot when Toshiba did the same. Go take a look at thier A35 "Benefits and Features" list on thier website..

Toshiba | HD-A35: HD DVD Player

Quote:

HDMI™ with Deep Color
Benefit: Deep Color™ provides smoother image transitions, improved contrast and detail, and displays up to a billion possible colors all in the comfort of your own home theater.

DaViD Boulet · 01-06-2008, 09:11 PM

Guys:

relevent to anyone reading this thread. Panasonic just announced at CES their BD50 player which will:

* be fully 2.0 profile (BD Live) enabled
* Full 1.1 profile (PIP)
* interal decoding of both DTS-HD MA and TrueHD
* 7.1 analog output for those without HDMI for lossless sound (!!!)
* bitstreaming of advanced audio over HDMI 1.3 for external decoding.

wow. This is indeed "the player" to beat right now. Does everything it should. The problem: rumored price around $699. Of course, that's "retail" and it's just a rumor... I'd expect that to end up selling closer to $500-550 on line. But still, a steep price for a full-spec BD player.

In any case, THERE IS an alternative to the PS3 for anyone wanting a fully-featured BD player.

Wayne_j · 01-06-2008, 09:47 PM

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll probably go with the Panny because of the following:
1. I'm not a gamer.
2. 5.1 analog outs as I don't have any digital inputs left on my receiver.
3. Best Buy currently has a 5 free Blu-Ray discs instantly on the Panny and other standalones but not on the PS3 that should easily cover the $100 price difference between the players.

Romier S · 01-06-2008, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaVid Boulet

relevent to anyone reading this thread. Panasonic just announced at CES their BD50 player which will:

Might want to look up a few posts David.

Looking at the spec list again I completely hadn't noticed the full audio decoding capabilities and 7.1 input connections. I would then have to imagine the price of the Panny is going to be in the $700-800 range and will end up being thier "high end" BD solution. If it hits at less than that (say $599) well that will be just gravy. Either way, that's a BEAST of a player and I'll likely look into adding it into my collection.

Stephen_J_H · 01-06-2008, 09:49 PM

That BD50 player sounds like the right one for me. If I go Blu, I'm not going to buy a game box.

DaViD Boulet · 01-06-2008, 10:12 PM

Oops... just realized there was already a post. Thanks!

Quote:

No analog outs is a huge dealbreaker for me, and I assume many others.

The panny as 7.1 analog outs... so you can get lossless audio over analog if you don't have HDMI.