Blu-ray Disc
The High Definition revolution is being televised
Offering ultra-high-quality High Definition pictures, stunning surround-sound audio and amazing interactive features, Blu-ray Disc takes everything we love about DVD and tunes it to the max. While the new format is still in its infancy, there are already plenty of options to choose from, from entry-level to audio/video enthusiast. Here are three of the newest and best…
For beginners: Sony BDP-S300
Available now, the new BDP-S300 is an affordable way into Blu-ray Disc performance. A dedicated full-width disc player, it’s optimised to offer maximum picture quality for your cash, providing both full support for 1920 x 1080p High Definition video and the ability to send pictures at their intended, film-quality 24 frames-a-second speed. Team that with an appropriate TV or projector (Sony has plenty to choose from) and you’re guaranteed a cinema-quality, film-like picture, with smooth, accurate movie panning and beautiful colours.
The S300 can also output high-quality audio from its HDMI socket (up to PCM quality), while internal surround-sound decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio means it can be usefully teamed with an older surround-sound receiver to deliver the most bang-up-to-date home-cinema audio available. Naturally, it will also play your CDs, DVDs and MP3-encoded discs.
For connoisseurs: Sony BDP-S500
For a modest extra sum over the already impressive BDP-S300, you could invest in Sony’s other new full-width Blu-ray Disc player, the BDP-S500. Available now, this product is aimed squarely at the home-cinema enthusiast. Both players offer similar picture performance, but the S500 justifies the higher price by offering additional sound-orientated features, including – most importantly – the ability to digitally stream the latest High Definition surround- sound audio formats from its HDMI output.
What does that mean in practice? Simply this: team this remarkable new player with a suitable surround receiver, such as Sony’s STR-DA5300ES, and you’ll get pure, digitally transferred multi-channel movie sound, with the potential for audio up to 50 – that’s five oh – times better than existing DVD.
The S500 also includes a sleek motorised fascia, which drops down to reveal the disc tray. Not that you’ll be looking at your player very often, mind – not with those stunning high-def pictures on your TV to distract you…
And for Junior: Sony PS3 40GB
If you like the idea of Sony’s mighty PS3 console (be honest – who doesn’t?) but don’t see yourself utilising all its features, the new 40GB PS3 should interest you. Designed to offer all the performance of its older sibling – including, crucially, HDMI picture connectivity and Blu-ray Disc support – it’s been simplified in a few areas to help deliver a more competitive price.
The new model has two USB 2.0 ports rather than four; it no longer includes a multi-memory card port, nor is it backwards compatible with PlayStation2 games. But with many other features on offer, that shouldn’t trouble anyone looking for an affordable Blu-ray Disc platform at an enticing price. A PS3 can provide a full 1080p video output at movie-quality 24fps speeds, and its HDMI audio output will stream surround sound to PCM quality.
It also stores music, movies, pictures and games, making it a complete multimedia solution in one elegantly curvaceous box.
And don’t forget – a Spider-Man 3 DVD comes free with every purchase of a Blu-ray Disc player.
Story by Andy Kerr