Panasonic has posted the highly anticipated DMP-BD50’s manual on their website and it is available for download. You can find all details including features, functions, outputs, design, etc…If you are looking into buying a stand-alone Blu-ray player but is still not sure which one, the Panasonic DMP-BD50 is an excellent choice. For about $699.95 you will get the lastest features available with high quality. This Panny should arrive to US stores very soon. Click here for more info on this player!

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Popularity: 21% [?]

The Blu-ray player Insignia NS-BRDVD is already being sold by Best Buy. Insignia is another one of those players manufactured by Funai, just like the Magnavox NB500MG9 and the Sylvania NB500SL9, that we covered on a previous post. Insignia also targets the lower end, cheaper market; according to them: (they are) “All about affordable and well designed technology”. The NS-BRDVD hasn’t even made to the Insignia website but is already available at a few Best Buy stores! They are sold exclusively at their stores for $349.99.

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The specs on the player are not very clear but this is what we could find out:

• Playback formats: Blu-ray, DVD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, CD, CD-R/RW, MP3, WMA, JPEG
• Profile 1.1
  
• Video Output Resolutions: 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
• DVD Upconversion to 720p, 1080i, 1080p
• Built-in decoders for Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD high-resolution surround, plus lossless Dolby TrueHD (2-channel)
• No Media Card Slot
• No USB Port
• 1 Optical Digital Audio Output
• 1 Coaxial Digital Audio Output
• 1 Composite Video Output
• 3 Audio Outputs
• 1 Component Video Output
• 1 HDMI Output
• 1 Stereo Audio Output

I personally have not hear good things about Insignia. If I were to buy a BD-player today, I would spend the extra $50 and buy a PS3, which has higher quality and almost all desired features in a Blu-ray player. That’s just my humble opinion…

Popularity: 15% [?]

Today Panasonic introduced the MN2WS006, the first single chip signal processing LSI for Blu-ray Disc players. The new chip will allow mounting surface to be 50% smaller, it will use 25% less power and it is compatible with profile 2.0 standards, which include functions such as dual-screen simultaneous video playback, high-quality audio playback and network compatibility. The MN2WS006 will have the Panasonic’s updated UniPhier platform and will support all high definition video and audio formats. Before this chip, players required seven external memory chips and separate front and back end LSIs. This new technology will allow Panasonic to make players slimmer.

Panasonic will start having samples shipped out on June.

Here you can find the original press release!

Popularity: 8% [?]

Yes, that is right! Amazon is wasting no time to bank on Iron Man’s movie success. They are already accepting pre-orders for the blockbuster on Blu-ray… Don’t believe me? See it with your own eyes here! This is actually a neat strategy because they are using the power of the theater influence to increase their sales. So Mr. Joe Doe leaves the movie theaters all pumped up and excited, looks it up on the web, finds Amazon already selling and doesn’t think twice! Bam! Orders a copy. Every one is happy!

According to the site, it is a Special Collector’s Edition but no further details are disclosed. No release date, no specs, no extras and nothing on what’s included on this Blu-ray disc. One thing they did disclose is the price: $27.95.

Popularity: 11% [?]

First presented at the CES 2008, Marantz’s first Blu-ray player, BD8002, is just getting DivX certified. This means that the player probably will not be released on the second quarter as first announced. After some more research it seems that this really expensive, but high quality machine, will be out some where at the beginning of summer.

The Marantz BD8002 includes a secondary audio and video decoder which allows for simultaneous playback of secondary tracks, making it fully keeping in the guidelines of BD-ROM version 1 profile 1.1. It features a 10-bit Silicon Optix Realta video processor for direct pixel by pixel noise reduction and upconversion and IP scaling to 1080p HD. New HD audio format are supported including Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and is capable of outputting both 7.1-channel analog signals and PCM audio via HDMI 1.3. DVD, VCDs, SVCDs, MP3s, WMA and DivX video files plus Jpeg images are also supported.

It seems as if the Marantz BD8002 is currently the very best profile 1.1 player so far, but of course, you get what you pay for… expect to pay just over $2000 for the privilege.

You can find the DivX press release here! Marantz’s website already features the machine as “Coming Soon”…. Check it out!

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Popularity: 29% [?]

Game developers will soon be able to use DivX video encoding when making Playstation3 (PS3) games. DivX, Inc announced that the console will be the first to be able to use the encoding technology to compress lengthy video segments into small sizes while maintaining relatively high visual quality. The DivX codec uses lossy MPEG-4 Part 2 compression, also known as MPEG-4 ASP, where quality is balanced against file size for utility. In other words, PS3 will be able to have much bigger videos using the same amount of BD disc space.

“We are excited to work with Sony Computer Entertainment to offer DivX video encoding to PS3 game developers,” said Kevin Hell, CEO of DivX, Inc. “PS3 users can already use their PS3s to watch their own DivX videos, and now they’ll also be able to enjoy the quality of DivX in the games.”

Popularity: 6% [?]

Yesterday Denon announced the release of a “lower priced” Blu-ray player. The new DVD-1800BD player will sell for $749, about $450 less than their DVD-3800BDCI model currently available on the market. The new player will only have Profile 1.1, disappointing many people who want to have the Ethernet port and BD-Live capabilities of Profile 2.0 players. At this point it is not clear why manufacturers keep releasing profile 1.1 players. Maybe the objective is to sell all their players twice?? Sell everyone a 1.1 player, then next year sell them a 2.0 player. We would expect Denon to start putting out player with BD-Live already but we should have guessed as they are known for great quality, not the most cutting edge technology. As far as price $749 is still way more than what most people are willing to spend on a Blu-ray player.

Denon’s DVD-1800BD is expected to hit stores on October 2008. The new “bargain” features HDMI 1.3a with Deep Color and Bonus View support, full bitstream output of Dolby and DTS-HD audio formats, as well as 1080p scaling from DVDs and 2-channel analog audio output.

Bellow is the full press release:

DENON EXPANDS ITS BLU-RAY LINEUP WITH NEW MODEL DVD-1800BD PLAYER

New More Affordable Player Brings Denon-Quality Blu-ray Performance Within Reach of More Consumers; Features HDMI 1.3a with Deep Color Support

Mahwah, NJ, May 20, 2008 — Denon Electronics, one of the world’s premier manufacturers of high-quality home entertainment components, today announced the introduction of the third member in its highly successful and critically acclaimed Blu-ray DVD family, the model DVD-1800BD Profile 1 version 1.1 Blu-ray Disc Player (SRP: $749). Offering consumers extraordinary video quality and audio excellence at a more affordable price point, the DVD-1800BD features HDMI 1.3a with Deep Color and Bonus View support, full bitstream output of Dolby and DTS-HD audio formats, as well as 1080p scaling from SD DVDs and 2-channel analog audio output. The Denon DVD-1800BD is scheduled for availability in October 2008 Like Denon’s two recently introduced Blu-ray products, the DVD-3800BDCI Blu-ray Disc Player ($1,999) and the DVD-2500BTCI (SRP: $1,199) Blu-ray Disc Transport, the DVD-1800BD allows owners of advanced A/V receivers to add Blu-ray capability to their system and enjoy high definition video. The VD-1800BD will natively output an HD audio bit-stream to a connected receiver via HDMI. Once this signal is accepted in the receiver, it can then be decoded into its native format including Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio. For those listeners who want to use the DVD-1800BD as a step-up CD player, this unit features a dedicated 2-channel analog output, equipped with high-class Burr-Brown D/A convertors and superior analog components to ensure the high level of sound quality for which Denon is renowned.

In keeping with the guidelines mandated by the Blu-ray Association for BD-ROM Profile 1 version 1.1 players, the Denon Model DVD-1800BD incorporates a secondary audio and video decoder. This allows for simultaneous playback of a secondary audio and video track which may be used for interactive audio and commentary and for picture-in-picture capability (respectively). Additional information (subtitles, audio streams, camera angles, trailers, games, etc.) can be downloaded from the Internet via computer and stored on a SD card that the player will accept. This content can be played with the original content of Blu-ray Discs.

Popularity: 25% [?]

Hitachi has released a pretty cool new toy! The DZ-WR90 is a Blu-ray burner that can save all your HD movies on the go…directly from your HD camcorder via a eSATA port. No need for the old buddy PC! Not sure how many people will actualy carry this around but… There is always a looney for everything.

The drive also works with DVD-R discs, and can support double-sided media although you’ll have to flip them yourself. Hitachi is claiming a Blu-ray disc will fit around 3 hours of full 1920 × 1080 footage and burn in 1.5hrs; alternatively, you can fit on up to six hours in 1440 × 1080 resolution. The downside from this gadget seems to be that you won’t be able to edit or fool around much with the videos, it will stay pretty much as recorded on the camcorder.

The DZ-WR90 will be released in Japan in mid-July but no pricing has been disclosed yet.

And it seems that learning how to read Japanese is the way to go…Look at picture to see the video flow, going from the image on your HDTV to the BD media.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Cloverfield follows five New Yorkers from the perspective of a hand-held video camera. The movie is exactly the length of a DV Tape and a sub-plot is established by showing bits and pieces of video previously recorded on the tape that is being recorded over. The movie starts as a monster of unknown origin destroys a building. As they go to investigate, parts of the building and the head of the Statue of Liberty come raining down. The movie follows their adventure trying to escape and save a friend, a love interest of the main character.

You can buy it from Amazon here!

Popularity: 3% [?]

Sony has released a list of upcoming games for the remainder of the year as well as early 2009! Some of them we already knew about but… we are still looking forward to trying them out. Many other exciting games are also coming since PS3 is just “getting started” :p The console should have some years ahead before a newer, better and meaner comes out!

Here is just a small list:

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SOCOM: US Navy SEALs Confrontation - (Available September 2008 / Not Yet Rated)

With the power of PS3, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation will deliver the most intense and authentic high definition modern combat action. Delivering a global-scale combat experience that has been refined over four generations of the SOCOM franchise, SOCOM Confrontation gives players the opportunity to battle against the best and brightest from the U.S., Europe and Asia. Players will be able to modify their appearance through facial and physical customization and battle across seven North African environments, including a 32-player version of the most popular SOCOM map of all time “Crossroads.” Additional themed packs containing new Special Forces, weapons, maps and features will be made available for download via the PLAYSTATION Store. We already covered this game in more detail here!

Little Big Planet - (Available October 2008 / Not Yet Rated)

Developed by Media Molecule, LittleBigPlanet is a new aPS3 title that establishes a new genre called “creative gaming.” LittleBigPlanet allows players to Play, Create and Share inside a glued-together and hand-stitched 3D landscape. Players customize and control their burlap Sackboy (or Sackgirl) character and can PLAY alone or with up to three others, exploring a variety of developer-created levels. Also, using a simple tool system, players can CREATE their own objects and even full levels. Players can then SHARE these creations with their friends or with the world through the online PLAYSTATION Network community.

NBA 09 - (Available Fall 2008 / Not Yet Rated)

NBA 09 builds on the technology and features of NBA 08 with more advanced graphics and gameplay control to deliver an experience catering to hardcore basketball fans and casual gamers alike. For the first time, NBA 09 brings “The Life” mode to PS3, delivering gamers the most detailed and engaging NBA experience both on the court and behind the scenes. Additionally, NBA 09 will feature a full Franchise mode, where gamers can run their own virtual team on every level - from determining salaries, to deciding playing time, to making trades. Progression mode, where players are rewarded experience and attributes during gameplay, returns with players now able to track “team progression” for all five characters. Extending playability, NBA 09 will bring back NBA Replay mode, where players will be able to re-enact highlight performances from the real NBA season to gain additional rewards. Other key features include expanded commentary, a variety of mini-games, and full online gameplay action.

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About BUZZ! Quiz TV - (Available Fall 2008 / Not Yet Rated)

This fall BUZZ!, the popular quiz showfranchise, makes its way for the first time to PS3 with BUZZ! Quiz TV. It comes stocked with five different channels of questions including Music, Movies & TV, Sports, Brainiac and Lifestyle, combining to deliver over 5,000 questions. Extending the quiz show network beyond the disc, up to four players from anywhere in the U.S. can team up for trivia showdowns in the online multiplayer mode, Sofa vs. Sofa, and new quiz packs to be available for download from the PLAYSTATION Network. Also, for trivia fans wanting to see if they can trump others with their own vast library of knowledge, Mybuzzquiz.com will provide a global community for players to create and share their own quizzes online and make available to download on PS3.

MotorStorm Pacific Rift - (Available Fall 2008 / Not Yet Rated)

The most brutal offroad racing festival is back, with players this time attempting to tackle the diversity and unpredictability of a remote Pacific island environment. Developed by Evolution Studios exclusively for PS3, MotorStorm Pacific Rift revisits the intense racing action introduced in last year’s MotorStorm, this time allowing players to navigate a radically different tropical environment chock full of lush jungle, towering peaks, and crystal-clear water. Players will experience a greater selection of tracks and vehicles to choose, as well as extensive multiplayer options including four player split screen and races with up to 20 players online. Additionally players will be able to utilize a new photo mode to save images within the game and for the first time be able to take music from their PS3’s HDD to create a customized soundtrack.

Resistance 2 - (November 2008 / Not Yet Rated)

On the brink of annihilation, mankind resumes the fight against the unstoppable Chimera on the shores of the United States. Thus the stage is set for Resistance 2, the follow-up to Insomniac Games’ best-selling PS3 launch title. Players will once again step into the war-torn boots of Sgt. Nathan Hale, who not only faces near impossible odds on the battlefield, but also struggles with the Chimera virus raging inside his own body. In addition to an epic single-player campaign, Resistance 2 will offer a truly unprecedented eight-player, class-based online co-op campaign and 60-player online competitive multiplayer built upon a massive battles, greater intimacy mantra. Also, players can expect tightly integrated community support via MyResistance.net.

Killzone 2 - (Available February 2009 / Not Yet Rated)

Developed by Guerilla Games, Killzone 2 is a first-person shooter created exclusively for PS3. Killzone 2 brings a highly detailed, ultra-realistic “theater of war”, where players encounter lifelike and adaptable artificial intelligence (A.I.) from enemies as well as fellow soldiers, destructible environments, and stunningly detailed scenery. Set on the hostile enemy planet of Helghan, players will once again join the ranks of the ISA with a directive to battle through the harsh environment to capture the Helghast emperor and bring the enemy war machine to a halt. With an extensive single-player campaign and thrilling multi-player mode, Killzone 2 delivers a host of new weapons, vehicles, and gameplay elements all wrapped in an intense storyline.

Popularity: 24% [?]