Across the pond Pioneer has showcased two new Blu-ray players in the typically sexy glossy black shapes of the Elite BDP-05FD (top) and BDP51FD BonusView (bottom).
Pioneer says it has redesigned the entire platform to significantly improve performance, with both players carry 12-bit video digital-to-analogue converters and support 12-Bit Deep Color.
Nifty features include the much-heralded picture-in-picture interactivity, support for all advanced audio formats and internal decoding of every next-gen multi-channel lossless codec.
Both models obviously support 1080p 24p playback, with PureCinema Deinterlacers that upscale standard DVDs to 1080p equivalent for playback on HDTVs.
Where Pioneer is bucking the trend is with features, primarily BD-Live, which is absent from both models. Pioneer has instead concentrated on unrivalled picture and sound quality, and speed. These players are apparently the fastest in the Blu-ray industry, eliminating a real bugbear for users, with 22-second load time and 15-second eject (though there's no mention of how long start-up takes).
The 51FD will retail for $600, with the Elite 05FD costing $800. For the extra couple hundred bucks you'll get a longer warranty, gold connectors, a superior video decoder, nicer finish and an upgraded faceplate with capacitance touch keys.
More info about UK pricing and release dates as we get it.
www.pioneerelectronics.com
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