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Panasonic’s New Strada - Blu-ray For The Car[teaser]At $5000, Panasonic's newest creation is a luxury item to be sure. [/teaser] Thanks to the magic of Google Translate, we’ve got full specs on both the CY-BB1000D car Blu-ray player, and CN-HX3000D Panasonic’s matching in dash GPS and media player. The CY-BB1000D is a fairly capable in dash Blu-ray player, with a signal up to 1080p over HDMI. While not BD-Live compliant, the player is fully compatible with Bonus View. Standard HD audio formats are supported including Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio. Retailing at just over $1,000, this is due out September 10th in Japan. Of course, you’ll need something to watch those Blu-rays on. Panasonic suggests the CN-HX3000D navigation system. The CN-HX3000D features a seven inch 720p display, 5.1 surround processing, and an 80GB hard drive for audio and video playback. Also included are iPod connectors, an SD card slot, and even a digital TV tuner. Releasing September 10th as well, the navigation system can be yours for right around $3,800.Posted Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
HD Advisor in the 25th CenturyEditor's Note: Each Friday, High-Def Digest's own HD Advisor will answer a new round of questions from our readers. If you have home theater questions you need answered, send an email to [email protected]. If you've already sent a question and don't see it answered yet, please be patient as we work our way through them. To browse through previously answered questions, visit the main HD Advisor page. Answers by Joshua Zyber HDMI 1.3 Q: I was thinking about upgrading from an HDMI 1.1 output Blu-ray player to one with a HDMI 1.3 output. I have a new 58-inch plasma that has an HDMI 1.3 input and supports Deep Color and x.v.Color. I have heard that an upgrade from 1.1 to 1.3 HDMI will eliminate gradation banding among other things. Not sure if that is true. Will I be able to notice any difference in quality by up grading or is it unnecessary? A: On the video side of things, HDMI 1.3 has minimal advantages over earlier versions of HDMI when it comes to Blu-ray playback. HDMI 1.3 offers compatibility with the Deep Color and x.v.Color formats, but these are not in use on Blu-ray. Blu-ray video is still encoded in only 8-bit color. Any version of HDMI is fully capable of transmitting Blu-ray video at its highest quality. There are some Blu-ray players that offer the ability to upsample the color channel to a higher bit-depth, which may slightly reduce the appearance of banding artifacts. If your plasma is Deep Color or x.v.Color compatible, it probably offers a similar feature internally anyway. You don't necessarily need to perform that action in the Blu-ray player. In any case, this is not likely to be offer a dramatic improvement in picture quality. Any change will be subtle. HDMI 1.3's main advantages are on the audio side of things. You need an HDMI 1.3 connection to transmit the raw digital bitstreams for any of the high-res audio formats available on Blu-ray to a receiver. However, if your Blu-ray player is capable of decoding those formats internally, it can transmit them as PCM in full quality over any version of HDMI. Keep in mind that in order to use HDMI 1.3, every piece of equipment in your signal chain must be compatible. If you route your video from the Blu-ray player to an A/V receiver and then to the TV, each one of those components must support HDMI 1.3. See my earlier Is HDMI 1.3 Really Necessary? column for more information. Backwards Compatibility of HD Audio Q: Am I correct to assume that HD audio formats are backwards compatible, so that if your receiver couldn't support them, then you would still hear a Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS version of the soundtrack? If this is true, then why would they even offer the older formats as an option on a disc, or worse yet, make them the default track? A: I covered this a while back in my Blu-ray Audio Explained article. Be sure to check that out for the full run-down. The highest-quality audio from Blu-ray comes in three main formats: lossless Dolby TrueHD, lossless DTS-HD Master Audio, or uncompressed PCM. All are bit-for-bit identical to the their studio masters, and equivalent in quality to one another. Technically, Dolby TrueHD is not backwards compatible with older forms of Dolby surround sound. However, every disc with a TrueHD track is also required to have a backup track in standard Dolby Digital format. On some discs, this is selectable from the main menus. On others, it's hidden. If your equipment is not compatible with TrueHD, the player will automatically fall back to the lossy Dolby Digital option. Warner Home Video is the only major studio that has ever authored their Blu-ray discs to default to the lossy Dolby Digital track even if the equipment could support TrueHD. There was never any need for that. It was a poor design decision, and the studio has recently stopped doing it. DTS-HD Master Audio works a little differently. This format is designed in what's known as a "core + extension" configuration. At the heart of every Master Audio track is a standard lossy DTS "core." The parts that make the track lossless are contained in the extension. If your equipment isn't compatible with the full Master Audio format, your player will disregard the extension and only read the core. PCM Audio can be transmitted in 5.1 format over HDMI, or converted to analog and output over multi-channel analog connections. If your receiver lacks either of those input types, and you're forced to use a Coaxial or Toslink S/PDIF connection, the PCM track will be downmixed to 2-channels. S/PDIF only has enough bandwidth for 2 channels of PCM. As a result, discs with PCM 5.1 should be authored to include a standard Dolby Digital or DTS backup track as well. In at least one instance ('Kung Fu Hustle'), the studio made a stupid decision to only include the original Cantonese language soundtrack in PCM 5.1 form, while the Dolby Digital 5.1 track was for the English dub only. Therefore, viewers reliant on S/PDIF were forced to choose between a 2-channel rendition of the original language or the dub in 5.1. Is BD-Live Worth Upgrading For? Q: I got a Magnavox basic Blu-ray player for Christmas that does not have any online capabilities for upgrades. I think the picture quality is excellent but do I need to buy a Blu-ray player with upgrade capabilities now? Should I just wait a couple of years? Are the new updates really worth it? A: The internet connection on a Blu-ray player is useful primarily for two things: downloading firmware updates or connecting to BD-Live for web-enabled bonus features. If you don't have an internet connection on the player, most manufacturers will make their firmware updates available for computer download from their web sites, where you can burn them to a CD or load them to a USB drive. There's little need to worry about having an internet connection on the player for this. As for BD-Live, that's a decision you'll have to make for yourself. To be frank, few Blu-ray discs have yet made very compelling use of the BD-Live features. There are a few neat things here or there (I enjoyed the dynamicHD features on 'Star Trek: The Original Series'), but little that I would personally go out of my way for. Perhaps more interesting things will come along in the future. Of course, your mileage may vary. I invite our other readers to post about their favorite BD-Live features in the forum thread linked below. Homework Assignment: You Be the Advisor Some questions that the HD Advisor receives are best answered with a consensus of opinions from our readers. If you can help to answer the following question, please post your response in our forum thread linked at the end of this article. Your advice and opinions matter too! Soundbar Recommendations Q: Any recommendations for a decent soundbar around $300 or less? This is going in a room where I can't have full-blown surround sound, but want something at least a little better than the TV speakers. Check back soon for another round of answers. Keep those questions coming. Joshua Zyber's opinions are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of this site, its owners or employees.Posted Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
Extend HDMI Over Cat-6 Cable With Gefen[teaser]Send HDMI 1.3 up to 175 feet over Cat-6.[/teaser] Gefen announced today their new extender, the “Gefen Extender for HDMI Over One Cat-6a Cable”. Sure, it’s not a catchy name, but Gefen isn’t known for product names, they’re known for the products themselves. The new extender is able to send a 1080p HDMI 1.3 signal as far as 175 feet over Cat-6 cables with 100% signal integrity. Deep color, Dolby TrueHD, DTS Master Audio and all other HDMI 1.3 features are completely supported by the extender. Additional reach can be gotten from lower signal qualities, with 1080 signals having a 250 foot range. Hagai Gefen, president and CEO of Gefen says that this product is mainly geared towards high end home theater and commercial use. “This extender was designed to offer professionals a reliable alternative to the use of two CAT-5 cables.” He explained, “"If a building is already wired with one CAT-5 cable, installers can tap into the existing infrastructure at a shorter distance and avoid new cable runs. But with one CAT-6 cable, this system will streamline the installation even further and extend the range of extension."Posted Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 11:30 AM PDT by: -
Mitsubishi Unleashes a Trio of Blu-ray DVRs[teaser]The line-up will run the gamut from 320GB to a full terabyte. Oh yeah, there's a VHS deck too! [/teaser] Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric has released a new line of Blu-ray DVRs, according to Akihabara News. At the lower end of the spectrum, the DVR-BV530 will offer users 320GB of recording space and feature a VHS recorder. At the mid range, the BZ-320 features 500GB of recording space, and like the other models, a Blu-ray player and recorder. At the higher end of the spectrum, the BZ-330 offers a full terabyte of space. Those opting for the higher end model will be glad to know it features Mitsubishi’s Diamond HD technology, ensuring the finest image quality available.Posted Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony’s Television Stimulus Plan – Cash for Junkers[teaser]Trade in strategy used in attempt to bolster lagging sales in UK.[/teaser] Sony’s sales in the UK have been less than impressive as of late, and they’ve taken a bit of inspiration from the US and UK governments by offering a trade in program for old televisions. Seeing the success of Britain’s “New for Old” program and “Cash for Clunkers” in the US, Sony is now offering up to two hundred Euros (around $300 US) to customers who trade in old television sets to purchase new ones. Irish news site RTE reports that British motorists have bought over 150,000 new cars due to the government’s program, and Sony is hoping their incentive program will provide a similar effect. Of course, there’s an ecological claim as well, as a Sony spokesman says, “The campaign itself offers customers the advantages of swapping old for new rather than simply throwing away - encouraging old televisions to be responsibly disposed of.”Posted Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
McIntosh Unveils Universal Blu-ray Player[teaser]The storied audio specialists are making the move to Blu-ray.[/teaser] Though not yet listed on their site, McIntosh has announced their first venture into Blu-ray. The MVP881BR Universal Audio/Video player was a project long in the making, though according to company president Charlie Randall, the decision was made to hold off until McIntosh could offer a universal player. The McIntosh MVP881BR features BD-Live support, according to CEPro, a 1080p/24 output, a fully balanced 2-channel audio design, and a custom linear power supply. Audiophiles will be happy to know the player will also include on board decoders for DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD and multichannel analog outputs. No price has been announced, but with the McIntosh Universal DVD player retailing around $5,500 it would be no surprise to see a higher price tag on the Blu-ray player.Posted Thu Aug 20, 2009 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
New Mitsubishi LCD Features Blu-ray Recorder and DVR[teaser]Five new televisions have been announced in total.[/teaser] Mitsubishi announced today that they’ll be releasing two new lines of LCDs in Japan this October. With the MZW300 series, available in 40,” 46,” and 52” sizes, Mitsubishi states that image and audio quality are greatly improved over previous models. Diatone HD technology enables virtual 5.1 surround sound to enable a home theater like experience without the setup. The BHR300 series, also announced at the press conference, is available in 32” and 37” models and features the same audio and video quality as the MZW300 line, but with the added bonus of a Blu-ray player and 320GB DVR. Connectivity solutions abound in the BHR300s as well, as it features not only an SD/SDHC slot, but a USB port as well.Posted Thu Aug 20, 2009 at 12:25 PM PDT by: -
Windows 7 Adds Dolby Digital Plus Support[teaser]Dolby announced recently that Microsoft will add support for Dolby Digital Plus to its Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Windows 7. [/teaser] “A solid media experience is a critical part of [the] computing experience” stated Mike Nash, VP of Windows Product Management at Microsoft in a recent press release. “We are delighted to be working with Dolby Laboratories, the leaders in high-quality audio and surround sound, to provide Dolby Digital Plus to our mutual customers.” Supporting Dolby Digital Plus is a strong step forward for Windows 7, and certainly not the last announcement that will be coming out of Microsoft, who seem to be interested in becoming a part of your home theater now more than ever.Posted Thu Aug 20, 2009 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
DivX Support Coming To More Devices Soon[teaser]A deal with NEC Electronics ensures DivX capabilities in more hardware.[/teaser] Thanks to a deal between DivX and NEC Electronics Japan, we’ll be seeing more DivX capable devices in the future. DivX announced yesterday that DivX Plus HD technology would be integrated into NEC’s Enhanced Multi-Media Architecture (EMMA) chips. EMMA chips, designed to power Blu-ray players, set top boxes and digital televisions, will be present in many new products in the coming year, and thanks to DIVX, now have an added value for customers. “Partnering with DivX enables us to incorporate their latest DivX H.264 digital video technology into our state-of-the-art EMMA chips and provide added value to our customers,” said NEC’s Masao Hirasawa of the partnership. "With these new chips, our consumer electronics manufacturer customers will be able to offer Blu-ray players, DTVs and set-top boxes that support DivX Plus HD video playback up to 1080p."Posted Thu Aug 20, 2009 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony and Best Buy Join Forces on ATLUS Audio Line[teaser]Promise multi-room audio freedom throughout the home.[/teaser] After two years in the works, Sony and Best Buy are ready to debut their new ATLUS line of audio devices. "We're breaking new ground in the consumer electronics industry with this unique cooperation between manufacturer and retailer," states Mike Fasulo of Sony in an announcement yesterday. Among the new products announced as part of this partnership were setups for wireless speaker and subwoofer setups for the iPod and iPhone, as well as add on speaker units for the system. Much like the Sonos multi-room music system, Sony is focused on using one source and multiple receivers able to select different streams from the source. Perhaps most interestingly, a Blu-ray disc home theater system was announced in connection with the new ATLUS line. Sony’s BDV-E500W is a 5.1 Channel Blu-ray home theater setup that can act as a base for wireless audio streaming of up to 10 different sources. While the new line will not be available until September from Best Buy, Sony Style offers them for preorder now.Posted Thu Aug 20, 2009 at 07:00 AM PDT by:
