Good news for all those caught out by disk and player updates. Pioneer’s new BDP-LX53 and BDP-330 Blu-ray players will now automatically query Pioneers servers for firmware updates and prompt the user to install them. This is the way PC’s do updates so it’s about time your Blu-ray player did the same. In addition to wired internet connection both players can be upgraded to Wi-Fi wireless internet access.
Pioneer also announced that both players will be supported by their iControlAV iPod/iPhone app.
Released today in the UK, follow the link for a review of Zombieland on Blu-ray
Announced at CES Panasonic has unveiled a range of new 3D displays and a Blu-ray player.
First up is a new line up of Viera Plasma TV’s with 3D support.
The VT25 series includes four screen sizes ranging from 50-inches to 65-inches – the TC-P65VT25 class (64.8″ measured diagonally), the TC-P58VT25 class (58″ measured diagonally), the TC-P54VT25 class (54″ measured diagonally) and the TC-P50VT25 class (49.9″ measured diagonally). One pair of 3D Eyewear is included. In addition to providing 3D viewing, the VT25 series of VIERA HDTVs features the enhanced VIERA CAST service with Wireless LAN Adaptor ready on its USB port, video call capability(2), VIERA Image Viewer to view JPEG digital still images and HD video recorded on an SD Memory Card; VIERA Link, a PC input, two USB Ports, THX certification and THX Movie Mode, 24p cinematic playback, 600Hz Sub-field Drive (produces 1080 TV lines of moving picture resolution) and Infinite Black Pro display with 5,000,000:1 native contrast.
I have to say only including one pair of 3D glasses is a little singly, do they really think that only one person will be watching. It would have been better to include two or three pairs with discounts for more so the whole family can enjoy the experience.
Panasonic also introduced a range of new displays in the G25 Series lacking the 3D support but including Wi-Fi for that low-fi streaming experience. Screens range from 54 to 42 inches.
Also announced was a new line up of Viera LCD TV’s with LED backlighting. The D2 Series support 1080p with high contrast, fast response IPS panels.
For potential Blu-ray 3D fans the DMP-BDT350 is Panasonics first 3D capable player or which more information should be announced soon. The new BD65, BD85, and BDT350 players all feature a USB port for an optional Wi-Fi adapter with Viera Cast technology to enable internet streaming.
Available this summer, the BRAVIA XBR-LX900 series features integrated 3D functionality and screen sizes including 60 (XBR-60LX900), 52 (XBR-52LX900), 46 (XBR-46LX900), and 40-inch (XBR-40LX900). Sony is using its own active shutter glasses which fly against their recent announcement of a partnership with ReadD which uses passive glasses. The models also include integrated Wi-Fi for streaming video from the internet including services such as YouTube and Sony’s own Bravia Internet video platform. Perhaps more interesting is that these sets couple 3D with full-array LED backlighting improves contrast and dynamic range by local dimming that controls the LED backlight level by area so that detail is maintained in the dark areas
The XBR-HX900 series 3D ready (with the addition of Sony active shutter glasses and transmitter, both sold separately) full HD (1920 x 1080p) models feature Intelligent Dynamic LED backlight and Sony’s new Monolithic Design. These can be upgraded with an optional wireless adapter for internet streaming. These models are lit by edge LED backlighting.
Your new Sony TV will also watch you, with face detection the new presence sensor will detect if you’ve left the room and dim the TV to save power and if you’re out for an extended period of time the TV will turn off.
New 3D Blu-ray options
The BDP-S770 is Sony’s new top of the range 3D capable Blu-ray player. Featuring 802.11n high speed Wi-Fi and a wired Ethernet connection, this player also allows streaming on internet content. This player can also be controlled from Sony’s BD Remote iPod/iPhone application.
The BDV-HZ970W 3D capable home theatre system features S-Air wireless speaker technology to enable wireless (excluding the power) rear speakers or you can stream wireless audio to another room. With wired connections the system delivers 1000watts of power over its 5.1 channels.
There were a number of announcements from LG at this year’s CES, below is a summary
LG reaffirmed its commitment to Plasma technology with the announcement of new ranges which are lighter and thinner than previous TV’s. Perhaps under pleasure from thinner and thinner LCD sets and future OLED displays weight has been reduced by up to 40% on some models and depth to two inches (5cm for those in this century). Surprisingly LG is still producing 720p models, with the industry pushing 1080p even at smaller sizes this could be simply be to keep up with lower pricing from other manufacturers. Also included is most of the internet streaming partner technologies including YouTube, VUDU, Napster and Netflix. In addition the sets have the capability to make Skype calls if you want to make video calls you will need to purchase a separate video cameras.
On the LDC front new screens where announced with sizes from 19 to 60 inches.
A summary is below:
LD650 Series (47- and 55-inch class sizes*) – A Full HD 1080p HDTV, this LCD HDTV series boasts TruMotion 240Hz performance for reduced motion blur. Other features include: NetCast Entertainment Access, USB Video DLNA, and Wireless-ready technology.
LD550Series (32-, 42-, 46-, 52-, and 60-inch class sizes*) – Also a Full HD 1080p series, these HDTVs are equipped with TruMotion 120Hz. Other features include: NetCast Entertainment Access, USB Video, DLNA, and Wireless-ready technology.
LD520 Series (32-, 42-, 47- and 55-inch class sizes*) – Combines Full HD 1080p with TruMotion 120Hz performance with a variety of screen sizes.
LD450 Series (32-, 37-, 42-, 47-inch class sizes*) – A Full HD 1080p HDTV in a variety of sizes to fit almost any room in the home.
LD350 Series (19-, 22-, 26-, and 32-inch class sizes*) – Provides smaller screen sizes for consumers in a 720p HD model.
INFINIA LE9500 Series (47-, and 55-inch class sizes*) – Full HD 1080p HDTV features uni-layer design with ultra-slim (8.5MM) bezel, Full LED Slim technology with Local Dimming, TruMotion 480Hz and THX Display Certification. Also includes NetCast Entertainment Access, DLNA, wireless broadband ready capabilities, wireless HD ready and 2 USB ports.
INFINIA LE8500 Series (47-, and 55-inch class sizes*) – Includes all the same features of the LE9500 with the exception of the 3D capability, 8.5mm bezel and the Magic Wand remote control. It also features TruMotion 240Hz technology.
INFINIA LE7500 Series (42-, 47-, and 55-inch class sizes*) – Provides consumers with a Full HD 1080p experience, TruMotion 120Hz, and LED Plus technology for local dimming capability. With NetCast Entertainment Access, Wireless HD Technology content is easier to access than ever before without the fuss of too many cords.
LE5500 Series (22-, 26-, 42-, 47-, 55-inch class sizes*) – Includes TruMotion 120Hz, LED Plus Technology, and NetCast Entertainment Access. (Except 22- and 26-inch class sizes).
LE5400 Series (32-, 42-, 47, 55, 60-inch class sizes*) – Full HD 1080p HDTV series includes LED lighting, TruMotion 120Hz, NetCast Entertainment Access, Wi-Fi ready and two USB ports.
LE5300 Series (19-, 22-, 26-, 32-, 37-inch class sizes*) – Brings the slim profile of LED technology to smaller screen sizes. Thirty-two and 37-inch class sizes are Full HD 1080p and feature TruMotion 120Hz technology, while the 19-, 22- and 26-inch class sizes provide a 720p HD picture
LG’s LE9500 incorporates a unique “Magic Wand” remote system that provides an immersive interaction with the set. This “Magic” user interface brings together menus, component controls and even embedded games, which can be accessed using a simple remote that combines minimal buttons and gestures to control the on-screen activity, mirroring a “Wii-like” experience.
LG Blu-ray – LG announced a range of Blu-ray player featuring their NetCast technology allowing streaming of YouTube, VUDU, Napster and Netflix. The top of the BD590 features 802.11n high speed wireless and a 250GB hard disk for storing streamed content. Completing the range is the LHB975 Blu-ray Home Theatre system featuring wireless speakers (yeah if you forget about the power) and built in drawer for iPod/iPhone docking. The LHB535 and LHB335 systems forego the wireless speakers with the LHB535 including a Wi-Fi connection.
3D systems manufacturer which created the ReadD 3D system used my many cinemas for showing 3D movies has now signed up Toshiba, Panasonic and us TV broadcaster DirectTV to use its 3D glasses system. Recently ReadD announced that they had alliances with Sony (who they have worked with in digital cinemas for a while), Samsung and JVC. That’s pretty much most of the large TV manufacturers signed up and it looks like as previously reported that the RealD 3D system will be the default system for 3D in the home.
Disney has announced that it will release a 3D Blu-ray of it hit animated movie ‘Disney’s A Christmas Carol 3D’ this year.
No further details have been released but Disney will also release a 3D Showcase Blu-ray disk to player manufacturers featuring in addition to A Christmas Carol 3D, 1953 animated short – Working for Peanuts (think we all know that feeling) and 3D trailers for up and coming movies including Toy Story 3 and Alice in Wonderland. I can see the disk getting quite a following for those early adopters looking for something to show off their new setups.
See my impressions of A Christmas Carol 3D here

Sony and ReadD announced a partnership to use ReadD’s 3D technology in future Sony Bravia TV’s. The ReadD system is currently used in hundreds of cinemas worldwide. Sony will product new LCD TV’s that will work in conjunction with ReadD’s glasses, to bring 3D technology to the home. It has already been announced that the final specification of the Blu-ray 3D standard will work with the Playstation 3 so coupling this with the new Bravia 3D TV’s should be an exciting prospect.
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You can now manage your Blockbuster movie rentals via your iPhone. The new app allows you to check store availability, check their complete catalogue and schedule future rentals. In future version you will be able to reserve movies and games as well as movie downloads.
Today the Blu-ray Association announced the final specification for 3D Blu-ray. The specification used a new version of the existing video compression currently used called H264 MVC (MultiView CodDec) this uses two separate transport streams, one for each eye. However this will mean that there will be around a 50% overhead for decoding 3D. The good news is that by decoding just a single stream existing players should be able to play the 3D disks however in plain old 2D. The specification also means that the Playstation 3 will be able to play these disks in full 3D. The new disks can also contain new 3D options for the interface in the disks menu’s which would make for some nice 3D views of scene selection a 3D version similar to Apple’s coverflow for album artwork would be a nice 3D navigation feature. As well as backwards compatibility the new specification is display agnostic meaning that any display can be used, the two video streams once decoded can be displayed by and means which stops Blu-ray 3D being tied to any specific display technology.
Semiconductor company Broadcom has announced two new single chip Blu-ray solution. This is great news for Blu-ray as a single chip solution can help drive down the cost of Blu-ray players, the fewer components the cheaper the player can be (depending on the quality of those components). The first new chip is the BCM7630 which supports Blu-ray optical control and decoding as well as streaming of video from the internet including BD-Live, Netflix 2.0, Pandora Internet Radio, Vudu and CinemaNow. However perhaps more interesting is the announcement of the new BCM7632 chip that has all of the above features but also includes 3D support. It supports stereoscopic 3D at full 1080p resolution. It is anticipated that the BCM7632 will comply with the Blu-ray standard for 3D disks when it’s finalised. We won’t see players with these new chips anytime soon as they are just sampling to manufacturers to design into new players but we could see them in the second half of 2010.

Yes Lord of the Rings will be released on April the 6th 2010, that’s the good news. The not so good news is that it will be the theatrical release. No high definition special edition extended version for you. Most of the extras have been seen before on the various DVD releases. Each movie will also include a digital copy (glad I just upgraded to a 32GB iPhone.
Now I’m not sure about this, yes I love these movies but the extended versions add so much and if it’s an April release why not delay them a little to accommodate the extended versions. Could this be another studio trying to make us all buy multiple copies of the same movie again? I already have the theatrical releases and the extended versions on DVD so I might just skip the initial Blu-ray release and wait for the inevitable extended versions which will probably be announced a few months after these releases as it was with the DVD versions.
Processor and Graphics company (as well as other parts of today’s PC) AMD today announced it will demonstrate 3D Blu-ray at the CES show in Las Vegas in January. AMD is a member of the Blu-ray consortium so the demo should be close to the final release however the group has yet to release the final specification for 3D Blu-ray but it is expected to go on sale in the second half of next year.
Read the release here
Universal Studios Entertainment has announced that it will introduce combination Blu-ray and DVD disks with the launch of the Bourne trilogy. What sets these disks apart from the current combo disks is that they will be different sides of the same disk; Blu-ray one side and DVD on the other also known as ‘flipper’ disks. Current combination packs include two separate format disks. This was a feature the now defunct HD-DVD format offered and it was developed in response for Blu-ray but no disks where ever released. It’s hopped that these new disks will encourage people with DVD players who have not yet taken the step to HD that they can still invest in DVD’s with an eye to upgrading their player at a later day and not have to reinvest in their collection.
Looking through the crystal ball at how the movie and music companies (and perhaps to a larger extent the IT and hardware companies) would like the market to evolve we may have few Christmas’s left where people can actually give real physical movies and music. Giving music has been a long tradition since the first days of vinyl and with the advent some thirty years ago of video tape movies have also been a main stay of recent festive gift giving. However with these industries pushing to move to digital downloads where we do not actually own anything but just licence everything what are we all to do? Doo all give each other iTunes or Netflix vouchers? The reason I still buy CD’s and Blu-ray is that I want to own what I spend my money on and I want to be able to consume it whenever I want to. I don’t want to wait for it to download and I don’t want to have watched it several times only to be told that my licence for it has expired and I have to pay more to enjoy it again. A lot of people within the industry say that the time for physical media is nigh. Well I for one intend to keep growing my collection of hundreds of CD’s and movies and perhaps this is a movement we can grow. Blu-ray can keep the fight alive by providing far better audio and video than any download service but I fear music may be lost. We (the 40 something’s – ouch that hurt to type) could be the last generation that appreciated good sound quality, looking at my own children they prefer convenience over sound quality and with the growth of downloads I fear that will only get worse.
Give the gift of high quality audio and video this Christmas, while you can…
















