Two weeks ago the Magnavox NB500MG9 started being sold and its low $300 price has definitely made an impact on the market. We all know that it is not the best player out there but aparently people are not exactly looking for the best, they want something affordable that will do the job! That’s the main reason for this player’s success. We have been getting many questions about its features and capabilities but up to now (with the exception of those who bought the player) you could not find much information about the NB500MG9 on the web. Today we were able to download the owner’s manual from Funai and decided to post it here for you!

You can get all the info about this Magnavox NB500MG9 here!

Enjoy! This will help you make an educated purchase…

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Popularity: 80% [?]

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% [?]

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% [?]

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% [?]

Sharp announced three new Blu-ray Digital Video Recorders with different hard drive capacities. The BD-HDW22 with 250 Gigs, the BD-HDW25 with 500 Gigs, and the great BD-HDW30 that will be able to store 1 Terabyte! Even though this sounds exciting the DVRs will not record from BD to HDD, so not ripping Blu-ray discs will be possible with them.

These babies will be available in Japan in early July and have no set prices yet. All three media. DVRs record video in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, with three different Bitrates (4.8, 8 and 12Mbps). They are equipped with both digital and analog TV Tuners. and will do not support the AVREC function, which allows recording of High-def broadcasting on DVD. As far as Blu-ray player capabilities, they are pretty ordinary…nothing really cool. The HDMI interface outputs 1080/24p content, and bit stream DTS-HD Master, Dolby NR TrueHD, DTS-HD HRA, and the Dolby Digital plus audio.

As usual Japan is always leading the pack when is comes to new technology and this time is no different! Apparently Sharp has really decided to invest on Blu-ray players and maybe shifting a little its focus on HDTVs to our “Blu” friend. We can’t complain! The more players on the market the more competitive things will get and consumers will see the benefits!

You can see the original press release here! Let me know if you need help with your Japanese…

Popularity: 14% [?]

Samsung and LG will no longer produce players that are capable of playing both HD-DVD and Blu-ray Discs as of this fall. This move will help both companies to cut costs.

Here is what they have to say about this piece of news:

“Surely, it is a very tough decision for us to halt the production of the combos, however, we will stop manufacturing the Super Blu series from the second half of this year,” said a spokesman from LG Electronics.

“Since February this year, we have no longer been producing combo players that support the playback of HD-DVD and Blu-ray high-definition discs,” a spokesperson from Samsung Electronics told The Korea Times, Monday.

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So basically if you have HD-DVD discs, you are now on your own if something happens to your current player. Once the players that are available on the market now are gone, you can kiss HD-DVD bye bye…You see? That’s what you get for choosing a format that has no future!

You can find combo players here as long as inventory lasts. After that - Try E-Bay!

Popularity: 6% [?]

MagnaVox started selling a 1.1 profile Blu-ray player for 298 bucks, which has been spotted at Wal-Mart. This is definitely the cheapest option out there…Is this what many people have been waiting for to take the plunge and invest on a Blu-ray player? Maybe… MagnaVox is a second tier brand from Phillips but this player has been manufactured by the Japanese Funai, which also makes a few products for Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Sharp, Denon and others. Also hitting the market is the Sylvania NB500SL9, which can be pre-ordered at amazon.com at an affordable price of $349.99. This Sylvania player is also manufactured by Funai and basically the same as the MagnaVox NB500MG9, only different brand. If you are looking for a “entry level” stand-alone player, these two are a great affordable option but think twice if you are looking for more performance, you are still better off with a Playstation3!

Specs

- Profile 1.1 BonusView Picture-in-Picture
- Video Output Resolutions: 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p (1080p/24 and 1080p/60)
- DVD Upconversion to 720p, 1080i, 1080p
- Support for HD Audio Formats: (bitstream output, no internal decoding)
- HDMI Ver. 1.3
- Weight 9.5 pounds

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Here is a diagram of the MagnaVox Blu-ray Player:

Popularity: 76% [?]

The new Elite BDP-05FD and BDP-51FD are definitely not following the trend! Pioneer is making a bet on higher component quality and while most other large manufacturers are releasing profile 2.0 (BD-Live) players, their Elite BDP-05FD and BDP-51FD will have only BonusView (profile 1.1). According to them, these quality components are nothing like the others and will deliver a much better audio and image, also much faster! Pioneer’s exclusive new chip makes significant strides in speed performance improving disc load, power on, power off and disc eject times.

The new players are two of the industry’s first to have the ability to decode Dolby® TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus, DTS® HD and DTS HD Master high resolution audio formats, which also enables advanced connectivity that makes compatibility a minimal concern. This will allow you to hear even subtle nuances and deep bass in home your theater.

I am not sure if their strategy will pay off specially at the price these players are going for-$799 for the Elite BDP-05FD and $599 for the BDP-51FD! Would you play this much for a player that doesn’t have BD-Live even though they say it has a better performance? A lot of people are too hang up on the BD-Live feature and if you ask my opinion I think Pioneer’s strategy will tank!

Here is what Chris Walker, senior manager of marketing and product planning for Blu-ray Disc at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. has to say about the new players: “Our new Blu-ray Disc players continue to demonstrate Pioneer’s unwavering commitment to delivering an immersive seeing and hearing experience for those who want the absolute best in form and function,” “In offering a full line of players, we are solidifying Pioneer’s reputation as a brand that is continually meeting the needs of consumers who are designing or upgrading their home theaters.”

Both the Elite BDP-05FD and BDP-51FD will start shipping this summer! In case all the “superiority” of these players didn’t impress you, and you’d still rather wait…the alternative is waiting for their 2.0 player in the fall…I am sure that if they follow the same price strategy it have a very healthy price tag!

Specs

      (a) DTS HD and DTS HD Master Internal Decoding requires future firmware upgrade

via: Press Release

Popularity: 7% [?]

Panasonic has just announced the price on their new profile 2.0 Blu-ray player. The DMP-BD50 will have a MSRP of $699.95. This is still a lot of money and certainly much more than most consumers are willing to spend to make the move from a DVD to a Blu-ray player. However, keep in mind that this is the first stand-alone player to have BD-Live (profile 2.0) to be available. For that reason there is a lot of hype and expectations around this player. The only other one at the moment is the Playstation3, selling for much less. This new Panasonic will have internal decoders for the Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio lossless audio codecs and will play images at 1080p/24. This third generation Blu-ray player will be available this spring. As soon as we have more info available we will update you

For more details and specs read our previous post here!

You can also find the press release here

Read the full story

Popularity: 16% [?]