Entries for the ‘Players’ Category

Playstation 3 Failures - Sony Says Not to Power On

Posted in Players, Playstation 3 on March 1st, 2010 by Dave

sonyps3.jpgIf you have not heard already, be sure to not operate your ‘fat’ Playstation 3 until advised that it is ok by Sony.

Last night a new bug manifested itself  that renders the old style PS3’s for the most part inoperable.

Sony expects to have a fix soon, and advises that it is best to avoid using the older PS3’s until the fix is available.

The newer slim Playstation 3 units are not affected.

Panasonic Demonstrates 3D Blu-ray on 152 Inch 4k2k Plasma

Posted in 3D, BD Live, Players, Technology on January 8th, 2010 by Dave

img_0822.jpgPanasonic has amped up their CES 3D demonstration this year with a presentation on a 152 inch 4k2k plasma display.

The demo covered a number of Panasonic technologies, including the new live 3D cameras and the improved plasma technology needed to work with their 120Hz shutter based 3D.

img_0823.jpgPanasonic also had a wide range of Blu-ray support elsewhere in their booth, showing their range of players including their portable model.

It is great to see Panasonic bringing so much innovation to their players and displays.

Be sure to follow Blu-rayStats on Twitter to see more CES news.

Sony Offering Free Blu-ray in VIAO Laptop, BDP-n460 Pre-order

Posted in Players, Sony Style, Technology on September 16th, 2009 by Dave

sonyplayer.jpgThe Sony Style store has an interesting offer right now - a free Blu-ray drive upgrade ($80 value) when you purchase a customizable Sony FW series notebook (VGNFW490).

It is interesting to see that a Blu-ray playback is only an additional $80 these days…!

Alternatively you can also add a Blu-ray burner for $100, saving $80.

In any case, this offer is valid through October 3rd.

Also of potential interest, the new Sony BDP-n460 Blu-Ray Disc Player is available for pre-order.

This new Sony player will instantly stream internet movies, music, and more.

It looks like Blu-ray players are fast becoming internet appliances.

Pioneer Demonstrates Blu-ray Managed Copy

Posted in Players, Technology on September 11th, 2009 by Dave

pioneerlogo.jpgI see over at Engadget HD that they have some video of a demonstration of the Managed Copy feature for a special test Blu-ray version of Bolt.

This long promised technology has not had much exposure until now, with a status of ‘it’s still in the spec’ being about as much as we knew.

With this demonstration it looks like the technology is still being developed, though with no information on what the studios will charge for making use of the feature, it remains to be seen if it will have any value to consumers.

Is managed copy something that interests you?

BDA Announces Plans for 3D Blu-ray Specification

Posted in Players, Technology on September 4th, 2009 by Dave

bda.jpgI see over at Home Media Magazine that the Blu-ray Disc Association is working out a standard for ‘true’ 3D Blu-ray releases, with full 1080p resolution streams for both left and right eyes.

The standard will also ensure that future 3D releases will also work in 2D on ‘regular’ systems.

Current 3D releases have used colour filtering to achieve the 3D effect, though this method creates significant artifacting.

It will be interesting to see if any of the core parameters like maximum bitrate and capacity get increased, since we are looking at a large increase in the amount of data needed on the disc no matter which way you slice it.

It is certainly clear that the BDA will continue to grow the Blu-ray format - it would not surprise me in the least if 4k2k Blu-ray is in store for 2011.

In any case, I look forward to hearing more about this as this will become another key differentiator between Blu-ray and other formats.

Toshiba Plans to Release a Blu-ray Player… So What?

Posted in Commentary, Players on August 11th, 2009 by Dave

toshiba.jpgNo doubt you have read as well as I have that Toshiba is applying to join the BDA and will release players in the future.

Now there is some shock value to this news I guess, but otherwise, does this really matter?

I for one couldn’t care less and see a Toshiba player as yet another contender in a sea of Blu-ray players.

I have never really seen Toshiba products as innovative, and won’t be holding my breath here.

So in case you wondering why I haven’t been all over this one, it is because I don’t see it as valuable news.

What do you think?

Save $50 on the BDP-S360 Sony Blu-ray Disc Player

Posted in Amazon Bargains, Players, Sony Style on July 20th, 2009 by Dave

sonybdp360.jpgAt Sony Style right now you can save $50 instantly on the Sony BDP-S360 Blu-ray Disc Player, now only $249.99.

This promotion starts July 19th and ends August 1st.

Alternatively you can also buy the at Sony BDP-S360 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player at Amazon for $217.99.

Prices on players are certainly coming down - right now you can get the  Panasonic DMP-BD60 1080p Blu-ray Player at Amazon for only $194.50.

80GB Playstation 3 is $50 Off at Amazon Today Only

Posted in Amazon Bargains, Players, Playstation 3 on June 11th, 2009 by Dave

ps3_80gb.jpgToday’s Amazon Gold box special is the  80GB Playstation 3 for $50 off the regular price.

You don’t see these discounted very often, so not a bad day for in impulse buy!

Additionally, until 10am you can get the twin pack of Alien vs. Predator and AVPR: Aliens vs Predator - Requiem for only $25.45.

No doubt there will be further interesting bargains throughout the day.

Save $125 on Samsung Blu-ray Players and Four Blu-ray Discs at Amazon

Posted in Amazon Bargains, Players on May 20th, 2009 by Dave

samsung.jpgAmazon is looking for new Blu-ray customers and Blu-ray owners seeking a player upgrade with a new promotion from Samsung and Warner.

Right now you can save $125 on select Samsung Blu-ray Players and four qualifying Blu-ray Discs from Warner and New Line Home Video.

There are two players and some nice titles to choose from, including Pan’s Labyrinth, Twister, L.A. Confidential, 300 and I Am Legend.

A great deal if you are in the market for a new player!

New BD60 Panasonic Blu-ray Player Available

Posted in Players on April 7th, 2009 by Dave

panasonicbd60k.jpgThe next generation of Blu-ray player is now in the stores.

For example, the new Panasonic DMP-BD60 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player is now available at Amazon.

Pricing is in the $270 - $280 range right now, though that can change on a daily basis.

This player features all the usual stuff including BD Live, but also has online capability such as Amazon Movie download and ‘Viera Cast’, connecting the player with YouTube, Picasa and Weather.

In the very least it offers a player for those who missed out on the BD35, which apparently sold so well that the supply ran dry well before it should have.