CES: Samsung, Panasonic, Sharp and Philips to bow new Blu-ray players

Set-top will offer picture-in-picture functionality

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 1/6/2008

JAN. 6 | LAS VEGAS--Samsung in May will bow its fourth-generation Blu-ray Disc player, the manufacturer’s first straight Blu-ray set-top to offer picture-in-picture functionality.

Samsung announced on the eve of the Consumer Electronics Show here that its BD-P1500 will be priced at $399, its cheapest starting price for Blu-ray hardware. The company’s third-generation player, the BD-P1400, began widely selling at retail this fall for $499, later dropping to $399 and lower during the holidays.

The addition of picture-in-picture capabilities appears to be the main difference between the BD-P1400 and BD-P1500. These latest Blu-ray specifications, part of what is known as Profile 1.1, went into effect for Blu-ray hardware launched after Oct. 31.

Like the third-generation model, Samsung’s latest BD-P1500 will carry an Ethernet port. That high-speed connection will enable firmware upgrades. But the player is not certified BD Live, the moniker given to Blu-ray hardware that can playback Web-enabled software. PlayStation 3 offers similar connectivity for gaming downloads and is expected to soon be updated to a BD Live player.

Lionsgate’s War, which streeted Jan. 1, was the industry’s debut BD Live title. By the end of December, no Blu-ray players were BD Live-certified to playback War’s Web-enabled feature, an online fighting game.

Blu-ray picture-in-picture software also first started launching in 2008, including 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment’s Sunshine and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s Resident Evil: Extinction.

In May, Samsung will bow a value-priced, second-generation dual-format player for $599. The BD-UP5500 is similarly ‘Profile 1.1 Ready’ and compliant with rival HD DVD format's interactivity requirements. However, the player is not BD Live certified. Samsung’s first dual-format player, the BD-UP5000, rolled out at retail for $799 in December. The BD-UP5000 will be able to playback picture-in-picture once a firmware upgrade is made available at the end of January. 

Outside of the high-def realm, Samsung also will be highlighting its P2 portable media player, currently available at retail for $199 (4GB) and $249 (8GB). In time for CES, Samsung inked a content deal with Starz Entertainment’s online TV and film provider Vongo. Going forward, Samsung P2 users can immediately access Vongo through a $9.99 monthly subscription plan and choose from a selection of 2,500 titles.

In other CES news:

> Panasonic is expected to create some waves upon Monday's opening of the Consumer Electronics Show with demonstrations of a BD Live player at its booth. Company executives gave few details, including street date or pricing, when they first talked about their model during a Sunday CES press conference. But Panasonic is one of the first manufacturers to commit to this type of Web-enabled Blu-ray set-top.

> Sharp Electronics said it would display a second-generation Blu-ray player. Part of its Aquos line of products, the Blu-ray player will be Sharp's first to meet the requirements of Profile 1.1, which includes picture-in-picture functionality. The model, BD-HP50U, also will be enhance with Aquos Link, which allows for easier control among Aquos TV products and the Blu-ray player.

> Philips also will show off its first Profile 1.1 player at its CES booth. Pricing and street date haven't yet been specified. During its Sunday presentation, company management touted its Blu-ray advancements and other industry developments as a reason for the format to win with customers. "Warner has committed exclusively to Blu-ray, there are more titles being brought to market every day, Target is only offering Blu-ray set-top in store--the future for consumers is only Blu," said Stewart Muller, Philips senior VP of U.S. sales.

> LG is using CES as a backdrop to launch a new ‘super slim’ line of LCD HDTVs. The manufacturer is not expected to announce any new high-def media hardware and is instead emphasizing its current second-generation, dual-format player, the LG Super Blu BH200.The company also will show off a hybrid portable DVD player/digital photo frame, featuring an 8-inch LCD screen.