Agreed but neither my Samsung nor my Toshiba have a display option for time remaining when playing back a movie, something all of my DVD players have been able to do for several years. For whatever reason the hardware companies are withholding some of the most basic features on the 1G players.

Not to start anything, but the $500 HD-A1 can play CDs and decode the audio types. It's absolutely ridiculous that $1000+ machines cannot. I think that's a little more significant than the inability to display remaining time for movies.

Yes, that is certainly part of the issue. They are leaving this stuff out because they can't be bothered to put it in, not for any valid cost reasons.

I couldn't remember exactly. But I figure it will be available a bit cheaper, anyway. I could probably get it under a grand through my bro-in-law if I wanted to.

I'll just sit here and be satisfied with my $600.00 PS3 for now. no need paying 2x as much for the same.

CD and DVD use two different laser wavelengths. For either BD or HD DVD drives to be able to playback CDs, they have to employ a three-laser system to be able to read all three formats. Some manufacturers have gone that route for full backwards compatibility, but it looks like Pioneer isn't bothering.

Yes, somewhat different, but they have been in the same laser assembly for years. I doubt anyone even makes a red laser that isn't able to do both, anymore.

As far as I know, you can get the time remaining display on the Toshiba readout by pressing a button on the remote. I can't remember which one, but I believe Josh Z has pointed it out before. So yes, the Toshiba DOES have that feature, AND it can play CDs, AND it can decode the new audio formats. For $500. The Pioneer is 3x the price and can't play CDs. Absurd.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love Pioneer. I have a Pioneer Elite receiver and it's one of the most glorious HT items I've ever seen. I've used some top of the line Pioneer DVD players, and they too are incredible. It's just a shame Pioneer doesn't seem dedicated to BD in the way they are to DVD.

To be fair, it cannot do DTS-HD. Which doesn't actually matter to either format yet. Since there are no discs.

Word is they are trying to implement DTS-HD via firmware update. But for the moment, you are correct. Still, at least they're working on it, whereas Pioneer has clearly just wiped its hands of the whole thing.

Detail. Info. Whatever it is. When you press that button and get the on-screen display listing the video/audio codecs and whatever else, the remaining runtime is listed on the player's front-end display.

Well what button does this then? Just saying it doesn't make it so. Tell me so I can see this feature in action for myself.

The two features are hardly analogous. The PS3 not being able to decode the new codecs would be one thing, but these are the premium players we're talking about.

I don't think it can be excused in this case

1) This is the "flagship" BD player. It NEEDS to bring something better to the table than the existing players to justify the price and delay.

2) This thing has been delayed so many times that they've had PLENTY of time to add the support for this and any number of additional features.

Ah, okay, so it's the "Display" button. Most of us only look at the info on the screen, not the readout on the player, and that's where the time remaining shows up.

Actually Fox released a bunch of discs (Ice Age 2, Fantastic Four, Kingdom of Heaven, etc.) in DTS-HD Master Audio.

All Fox DVD's have DTS MA I believe.

It does have additional features (Home Media streaming, 1080p/24, longer warranty, ethernet). I'm sure build quality is a factor as well, as I wonder why the Denon 5910 cost five times as much as my 2910.

And as far as all this CD stuff goes, I actually wish that none of my DVD or Blu-ray players had it and just concentrated on the format that the player is purchased for. I wouldn't even care if my BD players didn't play DVD either.

Ok newb question: Does HDMI carry the sound signal or just the video?

It carries both.

both.

ahh so if I dont want the sount to play through my TV speakers, I need a receiver that has HDMI inputs?

A workaround would be to use the HDMI to the TV for video and get sound to a non-HDMI receiver via the other outputs that the player would most likely have (optical/coaxial for digital surround or the L/R composite jacks). You'll need 5.1 analog outs/ins for advanced codecs though.

Ok good. Sorry for the confusion. Id want to use the optical on my receiver for sound and HDMI on my TV--I guess sound on the HDMI wont output when it detects the optical sound is being used.

Depending on the player, it may output the audio to both connections simultaneously. If that's the case, just mute the volume on your TV.

Great points, well taken.