Among the new products Pioneer introduced last week in New York is its second-generation Blu-ray Disc player, the Elite BDP-94HD. The new Blu-ray device offers playback capability of the newest high resolution audio formats, home networking capabilities and is easily integrated into even the most complicated home theaters. Unlike Pioneer’s previous BD model, the BDP-94HD now plays back CDs also.

A key feature of the BDP-94HD is its capability to utilize 24 fps (frames per second) instead of the standard 30 fps found on most players. Most feature films are recorded to reels at 24 frames per second (fps or Hz), which is the film frequency audiences view at a movie theater. Blu-ray discs are also authored at the same 24 fps. Instead of 3:2 pulldown, Pioneer developed Advanced PureCinema or 3:3 pulldown. Each film frame is shown three times every 1/24 of a second equaling 24 frames per third of a second. Unseen by the human eye, the “flashing” of each frame three times is synchronized with the original film content. The result is a natural appearance with unmatched precision.

The BDP-94HD also offers seamless home theater integration via HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) technology. The new feature allows users to synchronize the Blu-ray Disc player with multiple CEC-enabled home theater products to manage an entire system with a single remote control. The newly designed graphical user interface enables simple navigation with easy to read icons. 

Additionally, the BDP-94HD offers an enhanced version of Pioneer’s proprietary Home Media Gallery home networking feature. Home Media Gallery offers faster navigation; consumers can stream video and music content as well as view photo slideshows directly from their computer in high definition, the company says. With IP networking and a new user interface, Pioneer makes it extremely easy for users to access and load protected content and even download new digital media files straight from their computer for immediate viewing through the player on a large flat screen television. It is compliant with Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), Windows PCs using Windows Media Connect, and Microsoft’s playsforsure DRM technology. The new player also features internal decoding of premium Dolby TrueHD lossless audio technology for high-definition content and Dolby Digital Plus, for up to 7.1 channels of surround sound.

The BDP-94HD will be available at specialty retailers later this month, and will be bundled with two Blu-ray Disc film titles. The BDP-94HD has a suggested price of $1,000.

Visit www.pioneerelectronics.com for more information.