Sony, Samsung offer best value in Blu-Ray players

Feb. 28 (Bloomberg) -- Now that Toshiba Corp. has conceded the battle over next generation DVD technology to Sony Corp.'s Blu-ray, it's time to evaluate high-definition players.

Unlike current DVDs, Blu-ray can store a full-length, high- definition movie on a single disc. When viewed on an HD television, a Blu-ray movie should look amazingly sharp and rich in color. The selection of movies should improve, too, as Hollywood focuses on one standard.

I tested Blu-ray players from four companies: Sony, Panasonic, which is owned by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Tokyo-based Pioneer Corp., and Samsung Electronics Co., based in Suwon, South Korea. I also played Blu-ray movies on my Sony PlayStation 3 game console to see how it stacks up against the standalone players.

The image quality on all five devices was impressive, ranging from very good to excellent. I connected each player, one at a time, to my plasma TV and watched the Blu-ray versions of ``Planet Earth'' and ``Spider-Man 3,'' as well as the standard DVD versions of ``Lord of the Rings'' and the animated film ``Tarzan.''

Samsung's BD-P1400 and Sony's BDP-S500 showed a slight edge over the other devices. Images looked extra sharp on my plasma and colors were truly vivid. Even standard DVDs looked better because the Blu-ray devices I evaluated can perform a technique called upconversion which takes standard definition content and converts it to high definition by adding pixels on the screen. Both of my DVD flicks looked great on the HDTV, although movies on Blu-ray discs appeared even richer.

Start Speed
Startup speed -- the time between pressing the power button on the remote and the player showing the movie on screen -- was where I noticed a difference. The PlayStation 3 and Panasonic's DMP-BD30 were the fastest at 31 and 32 seconds, respectively. The Samsung came in next at 55 seconds, followed by Sony's BDP- S500, clocking in at 1 minute and 1 second. The Pioneer Elite BDP-95FD was the slowest at 1 minute and 11 seconds.

In general, Blu-ray players cost between $400 and about $1,000. Based on my tests and online research, the higher priced models don't provide noticeably better performance or features than their lower priced counterparts. For most users, I don't see a significant advantage to buying a more expensive player. The $999 Pioneer BDP-95FD was slower than the others and has features almost identical to Samsung's $400 BD-P1400.

The key difference is the additional infrared port on the Pioneer, which allows you to connect an external infrared box for a specialized remote control designed to access the Blu-ray player even through cabinet walls. This would be useful for someone who wants to hide their equipment. Pioneer said you can also access movies and photos from your computer with the BDP- 95FD player using an Ethernet cable.

Play Music

The four Blu-ray players can be plugged in to high-end, surround-sound speakers and they all support high-definition audio. They all play music CDs, although to play MP3s on the $600 Sony BDP-S500, you must have the content saved on a DVD.

The BD30 from Osaka-based Panasonic is the only player I looked at that's designed with a SecureDigital memory card slot, which can let you view videos from a camcorder or photos from a digital camera. Convenient, but you can also just plug your camera or camcorder directly to a TV with a standard audio/video cable.

The Samsung and Pioneer Blu-ray players, as well as the Sony PlayStation PS3 game console, have an Internet connection, allowing software upgrades. They all come with remote controls, though only Samsung's and Pioneer's are designed with handy, glow-in-the-dark buttons.

Good Looks

Sony's BDP-S500 is the most aesthetically pleasing for my taste, thanks in part to the glossy blue, auto-sliding front cover. Pioneer's 95FD looks classy and would fit right in with an audiophile's home theater setup. The $500 Panasonic BD30 is the lightest and smallest -- ideal for tight spaces.

All companies plan upgrades this summer or fall. Sony said this week that it will introduce two models, the $400 BDP-S350 and the $500 BDP-S550. Enhancements will include an Internet connection for software updates and the ability to access interactive content, a feature that the industry calls BD-Live.

Sony's new players will also have a feature called Bonus View or Picture-in-Picture. Typically, this is used for extra material on a movie disc, such as a director's commentary while the movie is playing. Panasonic,

Pioneer and Samsung also promise to add Bonus View to new Blu-ray models. None of the Blu-ray players I reviewed have Bonus View and BD-Live. The PlayStation 3, though, can be upgraded for those features through its online connection.

Samsung's BD-P1400 and the Sony PlayStation 3 have the most bang for the buck, although I read several reports on Amazon.com from people complaining that the Samsung machine wouldn't play new releases in Blu-ray format. Samsung said it will provide software updates that users can download via the Internet. To possibly avoid such hassles, consider the pricier Sony DBP-S500 or Panasonic BD30.
One advantage of the PlayStation 3: You can also play video games on it.

Blu-ray Players Scorecard
Panasonic DMP-BD30 $500 7/10 http://www.panasonic.com/
Pioneer Elite BDP-95FD $999 6/10 http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/
Samsung BD-P1400 $400 7.5/10 http://www.samsung.com/
Sony BDP-S500 $600 7.5/10 http://www.sonystyle.com/

IT News - Feb. 25, 2008

HDTV News:
· Electronic House – The myth of plasma “burn-in” - http://www.electronichouse.com/article/the_myth_of_plasma_burn_in/D1/
· The Roanoke Times – U2 on the big screen: The real thing? - http://www.roanoke.com/extra/wb/151695
· TWICE – LCD, 1080p drive Super Bowl sales - http://www.twice.com/article/CA6534273.html
· E-Gear – With Wii in mind, Panasonic prepping “unbreakable” TV - http://www.e-gear.com/story/story.bsp?sid=91418&var=story
· Content Agenda - Updated Apple TV makes it even more tempting; Silver box lets you download movie rentals and buy TV shows right from your TV - http://www.contentagenda.com/articleXml/LN748307981.html
· Engadget HD – SOYO announces 22 inch LCD HDTV, fails to name it - http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/22/soyo-announces-22-inch-lcd-hdtv-fails-to-name-it/
· Engadget HD – Can your HDTV even properly display 1080p24? - http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/21/can-your-hdtv-even-properly-display-1080p24/


Blu-ray / DVD / Home Theater News:
· CE Pro – 18 Blu-ray players for your next install - http://www.cepro.com/article/18_blu_ray_players_for_your_next_install/
o CE Pro – 18 Blu-ray players for your next install (BD-UP5000) - http://www.cepro.com/slideshow/image/2177/
· The Seattle Post-Intelligencer – Consumer Tech: Try to wait to buy improved Blu-ray players (BD-UP5000) - http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/lifestyle/352218_bluray22.html
· E-Gear – After the war, LG evaluating next step - http://www.e-gear.com/story/story.bsp?sid=91751&var=story
· CRAVE – CNET – Blu-ray will not be the success other formats have been - http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9876100-1.html
· The Salt Lake Tribune – Television: Blu-ray wins disc battle, but download war looms - http://www.sltrib.com/themix/ci_8328624
· E-Gear – Should you buy a Blu-ray player? - http://www.e-gear.com/story/story.bsp?sid=91820&var=story
· The Street – Blu-ray victory won’t budge Microsoft - http://www.thestreet.com/s/blu-ray-victory-wont-budge-microsoft/newsanalysis/techsoftware/10404412.html?puc=googlefi
· TWICE – Onkyo officially drops HD DVD - http://www.twice.com/article/CA6534576.html?desc=topstory
· CrunchGear – Sony inks deal with Ensequence for interactive Blu-ray content - http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/02/21/sony-inks-deal-with-ensequence-for-interactive-blu-ray-content/
· Yahoo! Tech – Blu-ray buying guide, Part I - http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/12983/blu-ray-buying-guide-part-i
· Gearlog – HD-DVD optical drives down but not out? - http://www.gearlog.com/2008/02/hddvd_optical_drives_down_but.php
· AV Guide – HD DVD players become just powerful DVD players - http://www.avguide.com/news/2008/02/21/hd-dvd-players-become-just-powerful-dvd-players/
· Engadget HD – How to future proof your HD DVD collection - http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/22/how-to-future-proof-your-hd-dvd-collection/
· Gizmodo – Toshiba thinking about Blu-ray for laptops - http://gizmodo.com/359248/toshiba-thinking-about-blu+ray-for-laptops
· Gizmodo – X-Box 360 HD-DVD player to drop to $50 - http://gizmodo.com/359572/x+box-360-hd+dvd-player-to-drop-to-50
· Xbox Circle – 18 million Xbox 360’s sold, Blu-ray drive unlikely - http://www.xboxcircle.com/xbox360/2008/02/22/18-million-xbox-360s-sold-blu-ray-drive-unlikely/


MP3 Player / PMP / Camcorder / Camera News:
· LAPTOP – Samsung P2 Review - http://www.laptopmag.com/Review/Samsung-P2.htm
· Fortune – Apple 2.0 analysts: Effect of iPod shuffle price cut is a wash - http://apple20.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2008/02/20/analysts-effect-of-ipod-shuffle-price-cut-is-a-wash/
· Engadget – Ilife Technology’s S5 PMP can emulate everything…except true love - http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/21/ilife-technologys-s5-pmp-can-emulate-everything-except-true/
· Gizmodo – iPod Video 5G hacked with Bluetooth module - http://gizmodo.com/359545/ipod-video-5g-hacked-with-bluetooth-module
· Gizmodo – Video tour and details of Zune games and SDK - http://gizmodo.com/359374/video-tour-and-details-of-zune-games-and-sdk
· I4U – DLO introduces videoshell for iPod Nano - http://www.i4u.com/article15011.html
· PC World – New iPod game: Pirates of the Caribbean - http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,142662-c,games/article.html


MP3 Player / PMP / Camcorder / Camera FYI:
· Chosun Ilbo – ‘Pocket theaters’ emerge as new trend (P2) - http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200802/200802220015.html


General Industry / Trade / Competitor News:
· PC World – Microsoft plans significant announcement - http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,142696-c,techindustrytrends/article.html

Get smaller HDTV for $1,000 or less

By Jeff BertolucciKiplinger's Personal Finance
Published: Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008 12:13 a.m. MST

Maybe your den is already filled with the Big Screen, and now you want something less gargantuan for crystal-clear viewing in your bedroom. We have the hardware for you.

For less than $1,000, you can own a 32- or 37-inch LCD high-definition TV to fill the video void. Note: None of our four picks offers 1080p (also called full HD) resolution. But with their smaller screen sizes, you won't notice the difference.

— Samsung LN-T3253H (suggested retail price: $1,300).

This stylish 32-inch TV is a bit pricier than other HD sets its size, but its excellent contrast, brightness and color do justice to high-def imagery. Plus, the frame's glossy black finish and rounded edges give the Samsung an elegant air, and the swivel base is convenient for turning the screen from bed to treadmill.

A USB port on the side lets you easily connect a digital camera (or an iPod or other music player) for viewing photos on the TV. And the set's three HDMI ports — two in back and one located conveniently on the side — are handy for hooking up equipment. You can find the Samsung LN-T3253H at big-box discounters and online stores for $800 to $900 (what we call the street price).

— Sharp Aquos LC-32D43U (suggested retail price: $1,100.)

The LC-32D43U is a very good 32-inch HDTV that costs about $100 less than the Samsung model. Its brilliant, crisp picture is as good as the Samsung's. Its slim shape and thin black frame are attractive (although it's not as pretty as the Samsung). We have only a few quibbles: The Aquos lacks a swivel base and a USB port and includes only two HDMI ports. Street price: $700 to $800.

— Toshiba Regza 37HL67 (suggested retail price: $1,200).

If a 32-inch screen is too small but your budget is capped at $1,000, the Regza is a solid pick. This 37-inch HDTV has a good picture overall, although we found its image quality, including contrast and color, to be a slight step down from that of the Samsung and Sharp models. The Regza's boxy black frame lacks panache, but it will blend with any decor. It lacks a USB connector, and all three HDMI ports are in back. Street price: as low as $900 to $1,000.

— Vizio VX37L (suggested retail price: $800).

Upstart Vizio has built a thriving business by selling quality HD sets for a lot less than the big guys. The VX37L follows this formula perfectly. Picture quality is pretty good, but it lacks the crispness and vibrant colors of the top-of-the-line screens. The Vizio's design is merely OK, and its two HDMI inputs are located in back. Street price: $750 to $800.