Recently Filed in Blu-ray

Q. If money did not matter, what is the best TV on the planet that’s 50 inches or more? - Matt Ubel, Minn. A. The easy answer is the Pioneer Elite Kuro plasma, but Pioneer is phasing out of that product. So if you’re going to buy one, you should do it now. You should also look into products from Runco and Panasonic. Many people these days, however, are investing into projection systems (projector and screen). These have larger screen sizes and the ability to… View this story
AV Components • Blu-ray • Receivers • Cables, Wires and Tools • HDMI • Video Cables • Displays • HDTV • Plasma • Ask a Pro

What makes the best Blu-ray releases—is it the film itself, the prospects of incredible and improved audio/video, or the boatloads of extras? If you checked all of the above, sounds like you’ll be bolstering your collection when Paramount starts letting loose its “Sapphire Series” of Blu-ray releases in September that will receive special treatment for the format. From the looks of it, this series of releases will cover all the bases with Blu-ray discs that may be worth owning over just renting, as top jaw-droppers… View this story
Blu-ray • Movies and Music • Product News

Has it really been almost a year-and-a-half since the death of HD DVD, and we’re still talking about a format war with Blu-ray? Oh, we don’t mean a high-def optical disc format war. We’re talking about what some are already calling an irrelevant and in a death spiral, against one that’s the trendy future. It’s Blu-ray vs. Digital Downloads/Rentals, and we’re taking a look at the tale of the tape for this prizefight. Yes, we know what you’re thinking – no contest, why even bother… View this story
Blu-ray • Digital Media Stores • DVD Players • Set Top Boxes • Info and Answers

Kaleidescape’s Mini System, one of the company’s latest DVD media servers, is meant to be a starter system for consumers looking for an all-in-one solution. The system, which imports DVDs and CDs for play without the disc, features Kaleidescape’s slick user interface in a case about the size of a cable box. I recently checked out the new Mini System, which Kaleidescape shipped to me filled with content from the first season of “Mad Men” to kids’ programming to recordings by Tony Bennett. System Setup,… View this story
AV Components • Blu-ray • Digital Media Servers • Product News

Consumers will soon legally have the right to make one copy of each Blu-ray disc they own. However, there won’t be Blu-ray players that allow them to do it until the first or second quarter of 2010. The Advanced Access Content System License Authority (AACSLA) has finalized digital rights management (DRM) specifications that allow for limited “managed copies” of Blu-ray discs to be made by consumers. Studios, which will have the option to charge for the copies, will have to sign the AACS license agreement… View this story
Blu-ray • Product News

Sony may not have a permanent price cut coming on the PlayStation 3, but Amazon has a nifty one-day sale going on for the popular Blu-ray player ... er ... gaming console. The mega online retailer has the PS3 as its gold box special for today, June 11, marked down fifty bucks to $349.99. Since it’s release, it’s been well-argued that the Sony machine is the best Blu-ray player going, as a side note to the gaming and media streaming capabilities. At $399 regularly priced,… View this story
Blu-ray • Gaming Systems • Deals • Product News

For most heavy home theater and gaming users, Sony’s PlayStation 3 has been the best option as a Blu-ray player. It’s got storage, streaming options and ... oh yeah, it even plays games. But the system’s control options have always been criticized by those who plan to integrate it into their home theater system. The PS3’s remote uses Bluetooth—the same technology many cell phones use to connect to ear pieces—instead of IR, the most prevalent technology used in many universal remote controls. So, in an… View this story
Gaming • Blu-ray • Remote Controls

Last year we reviewed the Oppo DV-983H universal DVD player which, while a couple years too late to market, was still an impressive product that redefined the price points for universal players. Now, with the only other universal Blu-ray/DVD player coming in at almost 10x the price, Oppo has finally beat the market and brings a true universal disc player to the home theater market that not only plays Blu-ray discs, but also DVD-Audio, SACD and, of course, DVD videos and CDs. This is exciting… View this story
Blu-ray • Reviews • Home Theater • Product News

You may want to spend even more time out in the summer sun based on the relatively lightweight Blu-ray release schedule. There are a few gems this month to shine on your home theater, including some instant classics for music lovers, but this isn’t the hottest month. Music fans looking to rock in high-def will be able to get their fill with the likes of Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood: Live from Madison Square Garden, Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & Music, and a 70th… View this story
Blu-ray • Movies and Music • Info and Answers

If one is an innovator, then two means it’s becoming a trend, right? Well, the bandwagon may still have a few good seats available, but Bang & Olufsen has followed in Sharp’s footsteps by incorporating a Blu-ray player as part of the TV. B&O’s flagship BeoVision 7 40-inch LCD has been given an upgrade from integrated DVD player to integrated Blu-ray player (plus it comes with an integrated full-throttle stereo or center-channel speaker too). After DVD had gone through its commoditization stage and became as… View this story
HDTV • Blu-ray • Enhancements • Product News

Renting movies has never been so easy, with so many choices these days it’s enough to make your head spin—and see Netflix, Blockbuster, Amazon, iTunes, CinemaNow and other on-demand options while you’re spinning. Just two months ago we took a look at how Netflix was extending its “Watch Instantly” reach from the computer to the living room, including a preview of things to come later this year with connected TVs from LG and Vizio that will incorporate Netflix when they arrive. In the meantime, more… View this story
Blu-ray • Digital Media Servers • Digital Media Stores • Enhancements • Info and Answers

U2, Monsters vs. Aliens, My Bloody Valentine, Chuck, the BCS National Championship, NBA All-Star Saturday Night—can you name the common theme? If you said, “They’ve all been filmed and broadcast in 3D,” then you win the grand prize. OK, maybe no prize, but it does mean that you’re up on the latest video trend. We’ve come a long way from 20th-century campy sci-fi 3D movies, as anyone who’s attended an IMAX 3D showing can attest to. Yes, we’re still wearing glasses to get the full… View this story
DLP • Front Projection • Blu-ray • Movies and Music • Product News