Link?

+1

Considering how many times Transformers crashed on me when trying to access the web enabled features, the last thing I want is online connectivity.

When I was looking for information on the new Sony players I came across people who were told at the CES that the players would be 2.0 capable. It is believed that they will be released as 1.1 and later upgraded to 2.0. I guess we'll know when we can see if the players have an ethernet port.

Based on past information, the local storage capability of 2.0 is supposed to be 4x that of 1.1.

I wonder if those machines would already have it, or would you have to use something like a memory card to bridge the gap.

From an engineering perspective, I suppose this could be a way to provide a "transitional" player. Build a player with an Ethernet port and an SD slot for local storage, and then program it to scan the slot, either when the player is turned on or a disc is inserted. If there is a memory card in the slot that meets the 2.0 minimum, then behave as a 2.0 player for that disc. If not, then behave as 1.1. I'm not sure how much cost that would really save, but it would be technically feasible, and it would allow the consumer to add even more storage, if they wanted to.

The same person at blu-ray.com is now reporting that these players will be Profile 2.0 BD-Live.

I believe the early word at/around CES was that these would both be 2.0. I hope it turns out to be true. I'll be curious to see what price the Panasonic BD50 comes in at if these hold.

This just confirms that the BDP S550 will be mine along with the OPPO.

So far as I could tell, the $299 price was just a WAG by a poster in another forum. I've seen nothing credible to support it.

Almost forget we had an ignore list. Thanks for reminding me.

As far as the 2.0 players I really can't wait for the reviews. I'm hoping we finally get standalones that perform the same or better than the PS3.

I'm hoping so too. If not, pretty soon I'll be buying a second PS3 for the bedroom. :lol:

Here is an interesting article about DVD v. Blu Ray..seems to echo a lot of the comments here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/bu.../25dvd.html?hp

Seems to me indicate the problems of trying to promote Blu Ray while also promoting DVD / VOD (downloading).

People can talk about downloading all they want, but they can never convince the dvd collector to go for something that is not tangible.

You know, I call BULLSHIT on these reports that say DVDs are declining. Sure, you have the guy who downloads his movies on shady websites, but for the most part, I'd say DVD purchasing has never been better. Just by viewing DVDTALK you know DVD purchasing is alive and well, and I wouldn't be surprised if avid collectors are picking up the slack where some are not buying as much.

And what about those massive box sets which, though discounted, are still a chunk of money. Box sets were rarely available back in 2000, and the manufacturing of them has gotten cheaper--as many of us can tell by the quality of them.

So, I call the movie studios out. It's more about whining and complaining of them not seeing higher profits and more greed, which is causing the "DVD is going to leave us!" comments.

At least there is the mention of internet downloads being a non-issue for DVD media. And it will continue to be so for a very long time. Apple may have the Spiderman 3 download for your iPod, but does it output HD to your HDTV? No, it doesn't. For those using the iPod for movies, I would bet they also have a decent movie collection as well.

Wanna increase DVD sales? Do away with the fucking insane region coding. It's stupid. It's does not makes sense. And don't even try to argue the "But movies are released at different times in different countries" bullshit. Just let people buy what they want. That's the key, people. Let me buy what I want with as few obstacles as possible.

Polizei, you're posts are priceless, man! :D

EXCEPT, that Microsoft is obviously making a strong effort to support downloadable HD content via the 360 before they make anything with the words 'blu-Ray' on it. Luckily, their films have ridiculous restrictions on them, but with the success of Xbox Live the prospect of downloadable HD 'taking over' isn't a joke.

...and the studios are the ones who are letting Microsoft do it as they receive a % of the money taken in. Feel free to blame Fox, Disney, MGM, Paramount etc as well. There are movies that are available in HD on the 360 that are not on Blu-ray or HD DVD either. And before you cry foul on Microsoft, you will have to do the same to not only Apple, but Sony very soon. Sony will be jumping on the downloadable Movies/TV shows as soon as they can. What will you say you then?

Press Release hit this morning for the new Sony Blu-ray Players.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/st...4762264&EDATE=

Key facts:

S350 + S550 are BD Live 2.0 players
S350 ships as a 1.1 player and will later be upgraded via firmware to 2.0
S550 will ship as a 2.0 and you can upgrade the memory via expansion to however big you want
400 for S350, 500 for S550
S350 decodes TrueHD and Bitstreams DTS HD MA
S550 Decodes all formats possible including DTS HD MA and has 7.1 Analog Out

And other good stuff. Read the article for more info.

Those look like nice players. Let's just hope the load times improve vastly over the S300.

Nice.

I wonder if these players are why Sony as held back DTS-HD for the PS3.

Looks like my next player may be the S550.

Good info Quepaso. I've said it before that I would get the S550 and having the memory expansion just reinforces that.
I was expecting the S550 to be priced at about 700 or so so it's quite a surprise to see it priced at 500 as well.

The S550 ships with a 1 gig storage device.

I don't want Ethernet on my player, especially if using it is mandatory, precisely because I don't want studios uploading lockout codes and other nasty stuff without my permission.