Looks like the first half of 2006 will really see the launch of HD-DVD and Blu-ray readers, and that this is going to be one of the first noticeable trends at the CES 2006. Moreover, a crowd of films are lining-up for next Spring (see our dedicated article). So, is this finally the Big Bang?
1. March: Toshiba will roll out its HD-A1 and HD-XA1 HD-DVD players (in the USA). The crucial point of back-compatibility is now cleared: HD-DVD will be back-compatible, and that's a very strong point for the consortium -and for us, simple mortals.
They will include HDMI, normally feature built-in multi-channel decoding for DTS and DTS-HD, and the Dolby family -Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD in two channels. Toshiba machines will use the Broadcom video decoder chip, and support MPEG-4 AVC and VC-1, and MPEG2 video compression standards. Highly performing DSP (Digital Signal Processing) engines will be able to decode a large number of audio formats.
Toshiba HD-DVD comes as early as in March, at affordable prices
The HD-A1 and HD-XA1 HD-DVD players will both support native HD in 720p and 1080i, but four DSP engines for audio output and two front USB ports will equip the more sophisticated HD-XA1.
One of the many problems engineers had to face when they developed the HD, or Blu-ray technology is the higher revolution spin, which results in unsollicited vibrations. To deal with this problem, Toshiba (and we guess every manufacturer) have built a double chassis. The HD-XA1, in addition, is equipped with feet stabilization.
As for pricing, well, a new technology -and we are talking about a major leap here- comes normally at higher average prices than the one it replaces. Yet, at a suggested $800 pricing for the HD-XA1, and about $500 for the HD-A1, we are still far from the prices of today's high-end DVD readers. We would think more of mainstream consumers for the latter, and techno-addicts for the former.
Pioneer Blu-ray device, at... $1800
2.- Enter the Blu-ray family -- Pioneer's BDP-HD1 will enter the US market in May, but at the price of $1800, which is much more than the two Toshiba brothers... But it comes with its own pack: 1080p output and 1080p video upconversion, Dolby Digital, DTS-HD, and DTS decoding. HDMI jack for a one-cable hook-up is present as well. On the network side, the BDP-HD1 will be able to talk to any Windows Media Connect equipped PC, or any DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance, a standard body) compliant server.
Samsung BD-1000 Blu-ray reader
Now Samsung. They claim that they will launch the first Blu-ray in the US, namely the BD-1000 player, at the price of $1000, twice as much as Toshiba's HD-DVD entry model. Samsung announces back-compatibility with almost every existing DVD standards -DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD RW, and DVD R. HDMI is in the loop, too. They announce it for early Spring (March?), which could also mean that Sony would not launch the Blu-ray PS3 at that time of the year.
The Xbox 360 - Will it go for HD-DVD games?
3.- Xbox 360 with HD-DVD for this year? Well, rumours again, and no specific details available, BUT an announcement was made by Peter Moore during the Bill Gate's keynote speech. Just as a reminder, Peter Moore is no one else than the "Corporate Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business, Entertainment and Devices Division", Moore is responsible for leading both the Xbox and Games for Windows... Now cool down: It will be an external drive carrying an HD-DVD, it will be released sometimes in 2006 (probably late in the year). But one question is still hovering: External, yes, but HD-DD games or not? Listen to Moore: "the new drive will offer millions of Xbox 360 owners the ability to easily enjoy HD DVD movies and will provide consumers with even more choices for experiencing high-definition content, in either physical or digital form." Now what does this exactly mean?
Visit Toshiba website here
Visit Pioneer website here
Visit Samsung website here
Visit Xbox website here