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Vizio Launches a Google TV Powered Blu-ray Player and Streamer
Mon Jan 16, 2012 at 02:00 PM ETTags: Vizio, Blu-ray Players, Google TV (all tags)
Both will be shipping in 2012 with prices yet to be announced.
Remember when Vizio was a brand that home theater enthusiasts scoffed at or just plain ignored? This year's CES really goes to show that those days are behind us. They may not be the highest rated company around, but they're definitely not slouches when it comes to cool new products.
Their latest Blu-ray player, for example, handles 3D movies, boasts Vizio Internet Apps, and comes with a QWERTY remote. Oh, and the VBR430 also packs the Android powered Google TV platform which gives you access to thousands of apps, the Chrome web browser and a glut of content.
If you've already got yourself a Blu-ray player but you still want Google TV you can check out the VAP430 streaming player. It offers the Google TV platform of course, but a few other bonuses like HDMI inputs with pass-through functionality so you can hook whatever you like up to the streamer and switch sources without having to change the channel.
Both the Blu-ray player and streamer will be available this year, but pricing hasn't been announced for either.
Source: PR Newswire
Panasonic Reveals Six New Blu-ray Players - Four of Which are 3D Capable
Fri Jan 13, 2012 at 12:00 PM ETTags: Panasonic, Blu-ray Players, 3D Blu-ray Players, CES 2012 (all tags)
The 3D players can convert streaming content from Netflix, YouTube and more to 3D.
While some of the biggest news from CES has been the launch of new TV technologies, Blu-ray players aren't to be forgotten. Panasonic has six that they'll be releasing in 2012, a few of which offer some potentially exciting features.
All four of Panasonic's new 3D Blu-ray players are capable of smartphone control, 24p output for VOD movies, a new processor and the ability to convert 2D content to 3D. That includes DVDs, Blu-rays and anything on Viera Connect aside from Skype, which means 3D Netflix is possible. Three out of the four players also give you a 192kHz/32bit Audio DAC.
Panasonic's whole line of new players get some nice new features, like the ability to play back FLAC files. They also feature what they call "Digital Tube Sound" which helps to simulate the warmth of an actual tube amplifier.
Source: Panasonic
Samsung's 2012 Blu-ray Player Lineup Includes One Compact and One Sporting HDMI Inputs
Wed Jan 11, 2012 at 12:00 PM ETTags: Blu-ray Players, 3D Blu-ray Players, Samsung, Ultraviolet, CES 2012 (all tags)
As you might expect, they also come packed with UltraViolet Disc to Digital for DVDs.
Samsung has more than a few Blu-ray players coming out in 2012 but they're highlighting two in particular as their flagship products. The first is a player with a surprisingly compact form-factor and the other can operate as a makeshift receiver.
Samsung's new BD-ES6000 changes things up significantly in terms of size. Samsung says that their new compact player is only slightly larger than a Blu-ray disc. It looks more like a Blu-ray drive for a computer than a player, but Samsung says you can still expect the kind of high-quality playback for both 2D and 3D discs as its bigger brothers.
The BD-E6500 goes in the other direction. Instead of the minimalist approach taken with the ES6000, Samsung has added a new function to the Blu-ray player. The E6500 gives you a pair of HDMI inputs on the back of the player that you can attach other components to, just like you would a receiver.
All of Samsung's players have at least one thing in common - a new video processor that can upconvert DVDs and low-resolution streaming video to 1080p. They also support Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD bitstream outputs.
Samsung's new players also give you the ability to register DVDs with UltraViolet and then access digital versions of those movies any time you want on any registered device. You can then pay to upgrade that copy to HD if you like.
Source: Samsung
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Samsung's New Home Theater Systems Offer 2D to 3D Conversion and Tube Amplifiers
Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 02:00 PM ETTags: Samsung, Home Theater Systems, Blu-ray Players, Home Theater In A Box (all tags)
You'll also find built-in Wi-Fi and access to Samsung Apps.
Samsung has been making some changes to its home theater systems in the last few years and this year's models are certainly taking things up-market a bit.
The company's new home theater systems - the 7.1 channel E6730W and 5.1 channel E5500W - include more than just the traditional receiver and speaker combination. For starters, they pack a Blu-ray player that does 2D to 3D conversion so you can enjoy your existing Blu-rays with a bit of extra pop.
More interesting though is the addition of tube amplifiers to the higher end E6730W. The system combines "The crystal clear sound quality from a digital amplifier with the warmer tone qualities of vacuum tubes." The tubes are visible from the front and top of the system too, giving you a piece of hardware that's bound to impress some folks.
Source: PC Magazine
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THX is Giving Away Blu-ray Players, Receivers and More Through the Holidays
Thu Dec 01, 2011 at 02:00 PM ETTags: THX, Giveaways, Blu-ray Players, Receivers (all tags)
You can even get yourself a full THX Certified system by authorizing their Facebook page.
What's better than getting a new piece of gear for your home theater? Getting free gear for your home theater. THX is offering it up through their Facebook page and there's plenty to be had.
From now until January 13th, THX will be giving away prizes to those that visit, 'like,' and authorize the page. The current prize is a $100 gift certificate to an AMC theater, but future giveaways will include Blu-ray players, receivers, and an integrated system - all THX certified of course.
Swing on over to the THX Facebook page and register if you want to get in on the potential swag. Of course, authorizing THX to post to your Facebook wall is a bit of a strange request, so make sure you read up on what you're authorizing before clicking.
Source: THX Facebook
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Blu-ray Players a "Phenomenal Success" for Sony on Black Friday
Thu Dec 01, 2011 at 12:00 PM ETTags: Sony, Black Friday, Sales Figures, Blu-ray Players (all tags)
The company did quite well over all, with increased sales despite a lack of huge discounts.
Sony has been going through a real rough patch over the last few years, but 2011's Black Friday performance is looking very promising for the company. CEO Phil Molyneux says that despite not having any crazy discounts or doorbuster product, the company performed quite well. He calls out Blu-ray players in particular as "a phenomenal success."
Molyneux, who was put into position just over a year ago, says that one of the big influences on increased sales was a new corporate philosophy. "We were an organization that made an effort to ship and forget," he says. "I had to drive a cultural change. The relationship with the retailer is important but the focus on the consumer is paramount."
Numbers aren't in across the board yet, but Sony reported a significant increase in the business done through its online call center and a 21 percent increase at sales in Sony stores.
Source: Twice
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Black Friday Sales Reach an All Time Record
Tue Nov 29, 2011 at 10:00 AM ETTags: Black Friday, Blu-ray Players, Blu-ray Discs (all tags)
Electronics are up across the board, with Blu-ray players and Blu-ray discs accounting for a good chunk of business.
Black Friday is always a big shopping day, but this year's post-Thanksgiving sale day was particularly good to the electronics industry if estimates are any indicator.
According to the National Polling Data Group (NPD) over 226 million shoppers converged on stores, up significantly from the 212 million last year. The estimate for money spent by these consumers exceeds $52 billion.
Of those that braved the lines and the cold, 40 percent bought electronics items - up from 37 percent last year. Those items include Blu-ray players and Blu-ray/DVD movies which were in the top three for home entertainment purchases.
Cyber Monday looks like it was good for the industry too, with 123 million Americans making purchases. Last year's number was just 107 million.
Source: Home Media Magazine
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Best Buy is Giving Out a Free Blu-ray Player with Purchase of Samsung Epic 4G Touch
Tue Nov 15, 2011 at 02:00 PM ETTags: Blu-ray Players, HD Deals (all tags)
Not a bad way to get an extra player without having to shell out for it.
Best Buy is offering up a nice deal for folks that are picking up the new Samsung Epic 4G Touch. With the purchase of the phone and a two year contract, you'll get a free Samsung Blu-ray player.
It's not a top-of-the line player and it retails for $89 normally, but it's not bad by any means - especially for free. The free BD-D5100 was released back in 2008 so it doesn't have features like Wi-Fi, but it does include Netflix and Pandora streaming for those willing to plug in.
Best Buy hasn't said how long this deal's going to last, but we're guessing it won't be around next week.
Source: Home Media Magazine
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Blu-ray Player Sales Still on the Rise
Fri Jun 10, 2011 at 01:30 PM ETTags: Blu-ray Players, DVDs, Industry Trends (all tags)
Sales are up, but 57 percent of people say they're still using a standard DVD player.
Unlike LCD and plasma televisions, players have increased in growth during the first quarter of 2011. Displays may be in a slump, but Blu-ray players went from a nine percent sales increase in the first quarter of 2010 to a 16 percent increase in the first quarter of 2011.
Blu-ray still isn't making up for all the lost sales from the decline of DVD, but it's certainly helping slow the effect. The NPD group estimates that the number of physical disc buyers has decreased by 22 million since 2009, but 26 million Blu-ray players have been sold.
"While Blu-ray may not be the replacement for DVD that many once hoped for," says NPD analyst Russ Crupnick, "it is certainly adding strength to the physical video-disc market. This added stability is helping to extend the life of discs, even as digital options gain in popularity."
Source: NPD
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Data Points to a Strong Year for Blu-ray
Tue May 03, 2011 at 10:00 AM ETTags: Blu-ray Players, Blu-ray, Industry Trends, High-Def Retailing (all tags)
Things are looking good for Blu-ray this year, with both hardware and disc sales expected to rise.
If you've been to a Best Buy recently, you've probably noticed that Blu-ray has all but taken over for DVD in electronics stores across the country. Stores with a broader appeal - like Walmart or Target - still carry quite a few DVDs, but Blu-ray is on the rise again this year according to analysts.
The folks at IHS Screen Digest expect a 93 percent increase of Blu-ray hardware in households this year and FutureSource says that by the end of 2011 there will be nearly 50 million Blu-ray playback devices in homes across the country. Doubling the hardware would, of course, result in increased software sales.
FutureSource has a prediction there too, stating that software sales are projected to reach 120 million units, up from 85 million last year. Streaming and VOD services may be up, but Blu-ray and DVD sales still make up for 80 percent of the average entertainment budget.
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MORE BLU-RAY NEWS TAGGED "BLU-RAY PLAYERS":
- Mitsubishi Japan's New Blu-ray Player Features BDXL Support and a Double Sided Remote Apr 26, 2011
- Sony's PlayStation 3 Hits 50 Million in Worldwide Sales Apr 20, 2011
- Onkyo Announces its First 3D Blu-ray Player Apr 14, 2011
- Samsung's Smart Blu-ray Players Now Available Mar 18, 2011
- Sharp's New 3D Blu-ray Players are Available Now Mar 16, 2011
- Blu-ray Players Could Sell For Under $40 This Year Jan 26, 2011
- The State of Blu-ray At CES 2011 Jan 12, 2011
- Audiovox Intros the First In-Dash Blu-ray Player Jan 12, 2011
- Goodbye Component - From Now On Only HDMI Will Do HD Jan 12, 2011
- Sharp Announces New Line of 3D Blu-ray Players Jan 11, 2011
- Philips Announces World's First Wireless HDMI Blu-ray Player Jan 11, 2011
- Blu-ray Sales Up, DVD Sales Down Dec 28, 2010
- Oppo Reveals the BDP-95 Audiophile Blu-ray Player Dec 22, 2010
- Toshiba Offers Up Two New Blu-ray Players – One 2D and One 3D Sep 07, 2010
- Five Promising Blu-ray Players from CES 2009 Jan 29, 2009
- News From CES 2009: Panasonic Focused on High-Def Jan 08, 2009
- Amazon Offering Sony BDP-S300 for Under $200 Sep 22, 2008
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