It sounds amazing but Pioneer has developed a 16 layers Blu-ray Disc, which will be able to store up to 400GB. No, I did not add a zero by mistake! That is a lot of storage space for a disc, specially comparing with the 700MB CDs of a few years back. Even more amazing was the time frame between the dual layer 50GB, currently available and the new upcoming 400GB. Pioneer will release more details during the Symposium on Optical Memory and Optical Data Storage 2008, which is being held on the 13 July in Hawaii.

Apparently, the new Blu-ray would technically work in existing Blu-ray players because both use the same technology (not sure if I believe this part…). Unfortunately multi-layer discs have had problems in the past with cross-talk between layers but Pioneer says it was able to leverage its experience in optical disc production to dramatically reduce the data “bleeding”. Pioneer also spun the disc as a green product, noting that discs with larger capacities mean fewer resources are consumed to deliver the same data.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Pioneer announced details, including (European) releasing info, on 4 new Blu-ray players!

• BDP-LX91: LX Line Reference Blu-ray disc player (BD-Live / Profile 2.0)
• BDP-LX08: LX Line ‘Designer’ Blu-ray disc player (BonusView / Profile 1.1)
• BDP-LX71: LX Line Blu-ray disc player (BonusView / Profile 1.1)
• BDP-51FD: Blu-ray disc player (BonusView / Profile 1.1)

Although we already knew of the BDP-LX71, we had no specifics but now we know that the BDP-LX71 will be available in September. The BDP-51FD and the BDP-LX08 will arrive in October; the BDP-LX91 later on in winter.

All four players feature 1080p/24, HDMI-12-Bit Deep Color, KURO Link, 7.1 analog output, and are compatible with DTS-HD Master Audio / Dolby True HD. No pricing is available yet.

Specifications

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Out of the four BD players mentioned, the one we want more details is the BDP-LX91, mainly because it will be Pioneer’s first 2.0 player, so as soon as we get more information we will post it here.

Popularity: 38% [?]

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: 13% [?]