Blu-ray

LG Electronics announced this week that their latest Blu-ray player, the BD390, not only has Wi-Fi, but is also the first Blu-ray player to support DivX HD video.

We all know that HD video uses a huge amount of digital storage space. What's good about the player supporting DivX is it allows you to keep the HD quality of the video while reducing the file size. Approximately two hours of DivX HD video can fit on an 8GB media card. With the BD390, you can play DivX video up to HD 1080p burned to DVDs or stored on USB flash drives. DivX HD 1080p content can also be streamed directly from a network with a DLNA server.

The BD390 has 1GB of built-in memory so you can view BD-Live content from your Blu-ray movies without the need for an external flash drive. You can also stream movies, videos etc. to your TV using Netflix and YouTube by connecting it to your home network through its WiFi connection or ethernet port. Other features include 7.1 channel audio outputs, NetCast Entertainment Access, LG SimpLink Connectivity and Standard DVD Up-Scaling via HDMI output.

The LG BD390 is available now for $399.99.

GE just announced the development of a new optical storage technology – micro-holographic discs. These discs will be able to read and record on systems similar to a DVD player, but can support 500 gigabytes of storage (!!) in a standard DVD-size disc. Think about it…that's like 20 Blu-ray discs, 100 DVDs or the hard drive for a large desktop computer!

What is a holographic disc and how is holographic storage different? DVDs and Blu-ray discs store information only on the surface of the disc; holographic storage technology uses the entire volume of the disc material. Holograms (or three-dimensional patterns) are written into the disc and can then be read. GE says that the hardware and formats are so similar to current optical storage technology that the micro-holographic players will be able to play back CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs.

"GE's breakthrough is a huge step toward bringing our next generation holographic storage technology to the everyday consumer," said Brian Lawrence, who leads GE's Holographic Storage program. "Because GE's micro-holographic discs could essentially be read and played using similar optics to those found in standard Blu-ray players, our technology will pave the way for cost-effective, robust and reliable holographic drives that could be in every home. The day when you can store your entire high definition movie collection on one disc and support high resolution formats like 3-D television is closer than you think."

For more information on Holographic storage visit GE Global Research at www.ge.com/research.

Okay, so I've seen a few reports on the new in-car Blu-ray player from Panasonic. Cnet is talking about it, as well as GadgetVenue and a few others. Supposedly the Panasonic CN-HX900D is the "world's first" portable Blu-ray player. Let me take that back…it is the first in-car Blu-ray player. I told you about the first portable Blu-ray in January at the 2009 CES trade show- the DMP-B15 (also from Panasonic).

Details on the CN-HX900D are kind of sketchy, but this is what I've read: It is Windows powered with GPS, and is a CD / DVD player with 5 channel amplifier. It also has Bluetooth, a 7-inch LCD screen, a 40 GB hard drive and is iPhone / iPod compatible. You do need to hook it up to the optional CY-BB1000D Blu-ray player. My question is this: if the optional CY-BB1000D is required, why doesn't this come bundled into one unit (or maybe they will prior to launch?). Only time will tell, I guess.

Pricing and availability have not been officially announced, but most are saying it will be available fall 2009.

Sony has announced a new WiFi Blu-ray player that connects to the Internet via your wireless home network. The Sony S560 is due to hit stores in July with an MSRP of $349.

It is said to feature a "quick start" function that will play Blu-ray discs in just six seconds and will also have BD Live capability, so you can connect to the Internet and download BD Live content such as additional movie scenes, shorts, trailers and more. The S560 also lets you wirelessly stream digital photos from your PC to the player and view photos on your HDTV. In addition, it upscales your existing DVD collection to (near) HD quality via HDMI.

Other features include TrueHD and dts-HD audio codecs for up to 7.1 channels of high-definition sound, a built-in USB port, BRAVIA Sync capability, Picture-in-picture capability, and is 24p True Cinema capable, so you can watch movies the way they were shot and mastered.

For more information visit www.sonystyle.com.

Available in April is Panasonic's new Blu-ray-VHS dual player – the DMP-BD70V. Now you can get the latest technology, yet still hang onto your old VHS tapes without taking up extra home theater space.

The DMP-BD70V is not only a Blu-ray and VHS player, but it also includes VIERA Cast's internet functionality which gives you access to Amazon VOD's selection of movie/TV titles, YouTube, Google's Picasa Web Album, Bloomberg and a weather channel…all without the need of a PC or external box.

Other features include: high definition audio decoder (Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio Essential), SD Memory card slot, USB slot, 96kHz surround re-master, P4HD (Pixel Precision Progressive Processing for HD) technology, 1080p up-conversion and more. The BD70V's Auto Power Stand-By and Stand-by Power Save also help you save money by reducing the power consumption used in the Blu-ray player.

Sound good? You'll be able to get yours in April for $399. Visit Panasonic's website for more info.

Not looking for a Blu-ray with VHS? Panasonic also introduced several other Blu-ray models for 2009.