Prototype HD players: A glimpse.

[Smokey]

These pictures of Blu-ray and HD-DVD prototype players are from coverage of Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) 2005, which was held from September 2-7, 2005 in Berlin, Germany (full report at bottom link).

Panasonic BDP100 Blu-ray player:
http://www.blu-ray.com/images/ifa2005/panasonic_12.jpg

Sharp BD-HD100 Blu-ray/DVD player & HD recorder:
http://www.blu-ray.com/images/ifa2005/sharp_06.jpg

Toshiba HBS-A-001 HD-DVD player:
http://www.blu-ray.com/images/ifa2005/toshiba_03.jpg

Sony's prototype Blu-ray player:
http://www.blu-ray.com/images/ifa2005/sony_05.jpg

Samsung's Blu-ray player (BD-P1000):
http://www.blu-ray.com/images/ifa2005/samsung_03.jpg


Samsung's Blu-ray recorder (BD-R1000):
http://www.blu-ray.com/images/ifa2005/samsung_06.jpg

Philips' Cineos-brand Blu-ray player (BDP 9000):
http://www.blu-ray.com/images/ifa2005/philips_07.jpg

Pioneer's prototype Blu-ray player (BDP-1000):
http://www.blu-ray.com/images/ifa2005/pioneer_02.jpg

SD vs HD demonstration:
http://www.blu-ray.com/images/ifa2005/toshiba_06.jpg

http://www.blu-ray.com/ifa2005/

[L.J.]

Preedeee pictures

[ericl]

They kinda remind me of the original top loading VCR's from the early 80's!

[nightflier]

In the post iPod / LG / Samsung, where miniaturization is king, they look a bit bulky, no?

And what will they cost? Are they just making them chunky to make us believe that they should cost more?

[Smokey]

If you look at back most of units (in the provided link), thay all have a cooling fan. That might explain why some of them are so chunky ( I wonder why is that...too much heat?).

The only that look slim is Sony :)

[JES14]

What about sound? I only see DD and DTS logo's.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

What about sound? I only see DD and DTS logo's.

Keep in mind these are prototypes, not actual production models

[JES14]

Yes, but if they are at the demo stage I thought they would want to show all the bell's n whistles off.

[csukasem]

Hi Smokey,

Excellent job !! So who is the winner, Blu-ray ? Lately, I have slowed down my DVD purchase, waiting for the new version. And I am pretty starving.


Sukasem

[Smokey]

Thanks Sukasem

As far as who is the winner, it still might be too soon to declare a winner. When they start rolling out the production (in February or March 2006), we may have better picture of a winner since other factors are involve such as unit and disc cost, connectivity, privacy issue, and being consumer friendly :)

[csukasem]

Thanks Sukasem

As far as who is the winner, it still might be too soon to declare a winner. When they start rolling out the production (in February or March 2006), we may have better picture of a winner since other factors are involve such as unit and disc cost, connectivity, privacy issue, and being consumer friendly :)

Hi Smokey,

Please untangle this. I have a, perhaps, foolish understanding that HD DVD is 1080i and Blu-ray is 1080P. So according to that, if HD DVD wins, the format will be 1080i and 1080p for Blu-ray.

Thanks

Sukasem

[Smokey]

Hi Sukasem

Both HD-DVD and Blu-ray will be 1080i since that will native to both players. But players or TVs can have (may be down the line) an inside up scaler to convert 1080i to 1080p format. Same as current DVD players where native is 480i, but DVD player or TV can up convert to 480p progressive scan.

I hope that helped :)

[csukasem]

Hi Sukasem

Both HD-DVD and Blu-ray will be 1080i since that will native to both players. But players or TVs can have (may be down the line) an inside up scaler to convert 1080i to 1080p format. Same as current DVD players where native is 480i, but DVD player or TV can up convert to 480p progressive scan.

I hope that helped :)

Hi Smokey,

That's a great relief to me. Since I am using Marantz VP12S2 which is 1080i compatible and not up to 1080p.

Therefore, for watching movies from HD DVD/Blu-ray, there is no need for me to buy new projector with 1080p spec., right ? In other words, buying 1080p projector wouldn't improve anything, right ?

Thanks a lot

Sukasem

[Smokey]

Therefore, for watching movies from HD DVD/Blu-ray, there is no need for me to buy new projector with 1080p spec., right ? In other words, buying 1080p projector wouldn't improve anything, right ?

Sukasem

Well, answer to that question is yes and no.

If HD player or projector does not have up scaler which can upconvert native 1080i to 1080p, then the answer is no. But if either one have upscaler, then answer is yes.

Remember that progressive mode (either 480p or 1080p) is not product of software (Disc), but rather product of hardware. So in order to benefit from progressive mode, either your HD player or TV have to have capability to upconvert interlaced signal (from Disc) to progressive signal :)

[csukasem]

Thank you, Smokey

Sukasem

[snodog]

The designs are hideous. They look like they took a step backwards in time. I want some new shapes in the future, but as long as they accomplish the HD mission and make a difference I'll buy.

[nightflier]

Will 1080p really be noticeably better than 1080i?

[Smokey]

Will 1080p really be noticeably better than 1080i?

1080P probably make the picture more smoother. Progressive is much more preferable in high action sequences (such as sport) than interlaced mode. Although one will probably have a hard time distinguish between 1080i vs 1080p for more motionless materials (especially at such a high resolution) :)