New 2012 Blu-ray Players

Every year major manufacturers announced a slew of new players to replace last year’s models and hopefully maintain their year end financial figures at a healthy level.

Panasonic showcased its latest BD player line-up with four new 3D, and two new 2D models all featuring Panasonic’s new Viera Connect functionality and an improved UniPhier chip processor. The Panasonic DMP-BBT01, DMP-BDT500, DMP-BDT320 and DMP-BDT220 support Panasonic’s VIERA Connect, while the 2D models, the DMP-BD87 and DMP-BD77, are limited to Netflix, Vudu, CinemaNow and YouTube. In the audio department, the numbers game continues unabated. The BDT-500, 320 and 220 feature onboard 192kHz/32bit audio DACs. The flagship 500 comes with high quality terminals and capacitors.

Samsung revealed the BD-ES6000, a 3D player with lots of new intuitive features. Buyers will be able to install Samsung Apps, control the device via a USB keyboard, mouse or a Wi-Fi remote control app, connect to the internet and stream content around the house. But perhaps its best feature is its size, coming in at only slightly bigger than the diameter of a Blu-ray Disc.

Sharp introduced two new Blu-ray players for 2012, both of which are set to launch in a few months time. The Sharp BD-AMS10U and BD-AMS20U both incorporate features from the SmartCentral interface – a new super picture setting which improves image resolution. Alongside a DLNA and optimized color palette, the BD-AMS10U also has a USB interface for storage and easy integration with other devices such as digital cameras or camcorders.

For Toshiba, which has been on the back-burner since their unsuccessful attempt with HD-DVD, launched their 2012 collection comprising two new 2D and two new 3D models. Wi-Fi is available for all models and the new Aero design includes plenty of smart features. 2D players come with BD-Live functionality, True HD and DTS HD for 7.1 channel surround sound, as well as media streaming and USB video support. 3D players include all the functionality of 2D models, plus 1080p 3D HD playback.

LG announced plans to release four new Blu-ray home theater systems this year, with all but the BH6720S model featuring wireless rear speakers. Promising to deliver what LG dubs ‘3D sound’, the front and rear speakers in the BH9220BW and BH9420PW models come with top-firing drivers. Bluetooth connectivity is also now included throughout the range, allowing users to stream seamlessly from both iOS and Android devices. Here are reviews of the standalone players LG BP220 and LG BP320 that features LG Smart TV and streams a lot of video file formats like AVI, DIVX, XVID, MKV, MP4, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 & more.

New Entry-level Blu-ray Players By Samsung

In CES 2011, Samsung rleased a fresh new batch of blu-ray players. Among them were quality blu-ray players such as the Samsung BD-D6500, Samsung BD-D6700, Samsung BD-D7000 and the Samsung BD-D7500. These were new breakthroughs as the BD-D7000 has the compact and minimalist 3D Blu-ray disc player design and the BD-D7500 is the world’s slimmest 3D Blu-Ray disc player. However, Samsung also released two entry-level blu-ray players.

1. Samsung BD-D5500 – Blu-ray player with 3D capabilities
2. Samsung BD-D5700 – Blu-ray player with built-in WiFi

These entry-level blu-ray players come with Samsung AllShare DLNA technology which allows you to play videos, music, and photos saved on your DLNA-compatible devices through a network connection. Both players are also Smart blu-ray players with web-connected apps, hence allowing you to connect to your your favorite digital content such as movies from Netflix or Blockbuster, TV shows from Hulu Plus, videos from YouTube, music from Pandora, and social updates from Facebook or Twitter.

Both players weigh at an astonishing light 3.8 pounds as well. Being easy to set up and having the minimal required features, both blu-ray players would be a good choice if you are looking for one that can allow you to enjoy your blu-ray movies with minimal waiting time due to the Ultra Fast Play.

Blu-ray Player With 3D

The BD-D5500 may be affordable but it allows you to upconverts your 2D blu-ray titles to near 3D image quality as well as playing 3D movies. It does not have built-in WiFi but you can purchase a WiFi adapter to connect to your distant router wirelessly. Its performance and features can also compete against its higher-priced rivals despite being a low-end model.

Blu-ray Player With Built-in Wifi

The BD-D5700 may not have 3D capabilities but it has built-in WiFi, allowing you to connect to your router without a Ethernet Cable. Along with the Samsung AllShare DLNA technology, you can now get rid of all the extra wires you needed with older blu-ray players. Being able to play numerous multimedia formats and discs, this is one basic blu-ray player that you should purchase.

Samsung Unveils Blu-ray Players For 2011

As of 5th January 2011, Samsung unveiled fresh Blu-ray players with ground breaking features in the 3D Blu-ray line. Presenting the Samsung Smart Hub via integrated 802.11n wireless as well as Smart Blu-ray features. 3 of the new models have Samsung’s innovative system-on-chip (SoC) for exceptional pictures, 3D up-conversion of movies and streaming video. Samsung, the market leader and award-winning innovator when it comes to consumer electronics has garnered the recognition of the most up-to-date Blu-ray players.

1. Samsung BD-D6500 – Blu-ray with built-in Wi-Fi and 3D
2. Samsung BD-D6700 – 3D Blu-ray with Dual HDMI and Mobile Phone Control Options
3. Samsung BD-D7000 – Compact and minimalist 3D Blu-ray disc player design
4. Samsung BD-D7500 – The world’s slimmest 3D Blu-Ray disc player

With the increase in 3D content in 2011, more people would take hold of 3D. Sangchul Lee, Senior Vice President, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics said that people can enjoy the depth of the features provided by Samsung’s Smart Blu-ray and the capability for the players to up-convert content with the 2D-to-3D conversion. He also further added that as he is seeing that even more individuals want to improve their home entertainment systems and adopt a refreshing, immersive 3D experience, Samsung has the capacity to provide a great deal of choices.

Samsung’s latest Blu-ray players incorporate a symmetric, slim, slot-in design which aims to create a more classy feel aside from the benefits of ease and convenience. Further, doing without loading trays which most players include makes the player less noisy and more efficient. Similar to their TV’s, Samsung’s Blu-ray players possess a sleek design. The whole range will in addition, feature Samsung’s unique patented One Foot Connection feature when utilized in addition to the Samsung wireless router. Through the preliminary set-up of the router, all you have to do is place the Blu-ray or other compatible systems within one foot from the router to establish a connection. You can thereafter move the device to anywhere in your home yet sustaining this connection.

Blu-ray Player with 3D and Wi-Fi

The BD-D6500 can be described as reliable performer sporting a top quality style and design. It includes a complete High Definition 3D experience with accessibility to flexible streaming services by means of the Smart Blu-ray features. The BD-D6500 also upconverts content to Full HD and possesses Ultra Fast Play, One Foot Connection, DLNA certification and integrated Wi-Fi.

3D Blu-ray with Dual HDMI

A 3D Blu-ray player with full HD upscaling and 3D conversion, the BD-D6700 offers wireless connections to a host of content through Smart Blu-ray features. Packed with two HDMI ports, the player delivers both advanced 3D (HDMI 1.4) and 7.1 channel surround sound audio features through legacy AV receivers (HDMI 1.3).

Compact and Unique Minimalist Design

With a unique minimalist design for the Samsung BD-D7000, what is not seen by the naked eye is the hidden slot for disc loading that pops up from the center of the unit. It also boasts a stylish silver metal casing that wraps around the compact, squarish-looking BD-D7000.

World’s Thinnest Blu-ray Player

Samsung BD-D7500 packs industry-leading features into its 0.9-inch height without forgoing image quality. Using the innovative 2D-to-3D conversion capabilities that enable customers to enjoy a 3D experience with pictures, movies and streaming video coupled with Samsung’s innovative video processor, the BD-D7500 is packed with state-of-the-art video display quality improvement algorithms as well as other high definition codecs. The processor’s outstanding conversion engine can even up-convert content, including streaming content, to HD so you can get the very best pictures and satisfaction from your very own HDTV. Just about all these content sources, as well as the unit’s built-in Wi-Fi along with Smart Blu-ray features, alllow for practically countless playback possibilities.

Panasonic’s Newest Blu-ray Players Unveiled At CES 2011

The newest line-up of Panasonic Blu-ray models have been unveiled at the CES 2011. They include 3 full HD 3D models namely the Panasonic DMP-BDT310, the Panasonic DMP-BDT210 as well as the Panasonic DMP-BDT110 and a new 2D model the Panasonic DMP-BD75. The HD 3D models are high-quality Blu-ray Disc players with a 2D-3D Conversion coupled with natural depth perception. The players are able to adjust the amount of depth. These players boasts higher picture quality with the new UniPhier chip which concurrently reduces energy usage.

The energy sustainability and efficiency are vital to the overall performance of these models. All the models offer light-weight designs and simplified packaging till as much as 50% less than the 2010 models, reducing the CO2 emissions. The 3D model’s energy-saving design lowers your utility bills with a 48% power reduction. Vertical color reference process was increased by 1.5 times to portray finer specifics and detailed aspects in movie scenes with the Adaptive Chroma Processing. As compared with the previous models, the natural bass sound reproduction produced by the HDMI Pure Audio with marginal noise betters the audio quality.

VIERA CAST’s popular sites, including Netflix™, Amazon VOD™, You Tube™, Pandora, twitter, Bloomberg News, a weather channel and Skype carry on to the 2011 models and in addition, are accompanied by a variety of interesting features and applications. Furthermore, Skype has been included on the remote controls. Features such as the Touch-Free Sensor, Home Screen Wallpaper and Skype allow you to effortlessly personalize your entertainment experience to suit your lifestyle and appreciate the advantages of Skype from any HDTV. For instance, you can simply insert an SD card into the Blu-ray Disc player to transfer an image to use as your screen saver or wallpaper. Its updated design features user-friendliness which incorporates simple icons and text indications.

Oppo Introduces Flagship Blu-ray Player BDP-95

Shortly after launching its new BDP-93 blu-ray player, Oppo has revealed the specs and features for its upcoming flagship model, the Oppo BDP-95. A lot of new features and improvements have been added to make this truly an audiophile’s delight. In addition to being fully network compatible to stream video content from the internet it is also a 3D capable universal blu-ray player that plays all know disc formats.

Although it shares the same platform as the BDP-93, it is a heftier player. It is designed from the ground up with a different chassis and many different components optimized for analog audio performance. For this reason owners of the BDP-93 will not have the option to upgrade to the 95. The audiophile improvements include the SABRE32 Reference audio DACs, a toroidal power supply, dedicated stereo outputs, and XLR balanced stereo outputs. A look at the back of both models will confirm that the BDP-95 is not just a modified 93 but a completely new product.

The rear panel of the BDP-95 shows some serious upgrades. Most obvious of course is the pair of XLR balanced outs as well as dedicated RCA stereo outputs for high performance analog audio. In addition there is also a fan on the back of the BDP-95. It probably runs a bit hotter due to internal upgrades which includes a toroidal power supply which is a first in an Oppo player. That shows how serious they are about delivering a no holds barred performance.

Top quality video is also a top priority. Oppo now uses the Marvell Kyoto-G2 video processor with the second generation Qdeo™ technology. Qdeo video processing promises to deliver an immersive viewing experience by rendering quiet natural video free of noise and artifacts for all types of content.

But there is a premium to be paid for all these. There is no price yet but rumor has it that it will retail for $999.99, almost twice that of the BDP-93. It will be available in February 2011.

Visit Oppo Digital for detailed features and specs.

Look out for the full Oppo BDP-95 review as soon as the unit is available to us.

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