Ultra Cool Gadgets

Elevating the high definition experience in home theaters, Pioneer Electronics presents the BDP-51FD BonusView Blu-ray Disc player with support of next generation high resolution audio and video formats that fulfill the emotional experience of high end entertainment. Featuring picture-in-picture interactivity and a redesigned platform that significantly improves overall performance, this player works in tandem with Pioneer’s KURO displays and A/V receivers to provide film enthusiasts the most true-to-life reproduction of HD feature films.

Technical Details
* The BDP-51FD provides up to 1920 x 1080p resolution for an unrivaled picture quality. And with True24FPS, now see your movies as the director intended.
* Single-Wire Connection: One HDMI 1.3a digital connection is all you need from the BDP-51FD to output both HD audio and video signals.
* HDMI Control: Master your home theater universe. The BDP-51FD supports HDMI Control.
* Wolfson Audio DACs: Each DAC features a signal-to-noise ratio of 117db.
* Independent High-Definition simultaneous video streams. Watch your Blu-ray disc movies while watching the bonus features at the same time.

FEATURES:
- Cinematic Picture Quality.
- Dynamic Audio Enhances Emotional Experience.
- Robust Build Quality.
- Pioneer Home Theater Synergy.
- Consumer Convenience.
- Spectacular 1080p Picture Quality.
- Single-Wire Connection.
- HDMI Control.
- Wolfson Audio DACs.
- Exclusive Jitter Reduction Circuit.
- Frequency Control Circuit.
- Picture Control Suite.

Pros: This one right out of the box shines quality, Only player that seems to upscale to 12 bit deep color, loads fast, responds to menus well, quiet operation, will pass all HD audio bit stream and decodes HD audio, some people complain when there is no backlight on the remote.
Cons: Firmware came as 1.00, it won’t let me play The Matrix on Blu-Ray.

Go beyond standard processing with the ultimate Blu-Ray/DVD/CD digital transporter for the digital purist. Combining top-of-the line audio/video standards with a rigid, multi¬layered construction, this breakthrough transporter eliminates outside interference to deliver unrivaled playback from a wide range of digital sources. And all this performance is delivered to your HDTV via HDMI. The DVD-2500BTCI is a Blu-ray disc transport that outputs video and digital audio signals via an HDMI port. When connected to a Denon A/V surround amp with an HD-format decoder, such as the AVR-4308CI, the DVD-2500BTCI’s transport features can be used on their own to enjoy high-quality video and audio.

Technical Details
* Complete digital-only transport to eliminate interference.
* Single-cable HDMI connection and Digital HD output up to 1080p.
* Fully 10-bit processing for i/p and scaling circuit.
* Blu-ray 1080p/24fps output capability.
* Up to 36 bit Deep Color support via HDMI.

Features
* Separate blocks to suppress interference between circuits.
* Precision Drive Mechanism — a Denon original.
* 1080p output to bring out the full quality of film.
* HDMI 1.3a output for HD video and audio signal transmission with deep color and high bit-rate audio output.
* High-grade I/P conversion and scaling up to 1080p.
* Supports DivX file playback.
* Includes easy-to-use control unit.

Unit performs well. For regular DVD’s picture is about the same as the Denon 3910. Blu-ray disks are comperable to HD television. Uses the same remote codes as the older 3910, so no need need to get Pronto universal remote re-programmed — a real advantage. Remote is OK, reasonably well laid out.

Few things to keep in mind. The only method of connecting the device is via the HDMI. This is fine for me, but not if you plan to hook this to an older AMP.
Playback will only play DVD-R not +R.

Add more muscle to your home theater with the Sony BDP-S5000ES Blu-ray Disc/DVD player, which not only plays Blu-ray Discs in stunning full 1080p high definition, but also upscales standard DVDs. It features Sony’s new 14-bit HD video processor, which improves standard definition and high-definition picture quality with the help of HD Reality Enhancer and Super Bit Mapping technologies, enabling extraordinarily smooth and detailed picture quality. And with its BD-Live capabilities, you can access BD-Live features and easy firmware updates through the Internet via an Ethernet connection.

Technical Details
* High-end Blu-ray Disc player with Sony’s 14-bit HD video processor plus HD reality Enhancer and Super Bit Mapping technologies.
* Full HD 1080p output for Blu-ray Discs and upconversion of standard DVD video to 1080p.
* BD Live capable for accessing bonus content from BD-Live Blu-ray Discs; Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD; 1 GB built-in memory.
* Outputs: 1 HDMI, 1 component, 1 S-Video, 1 composite, 1 analog audio (2-channel, 7.1-channel), 1 digital optical audio, 1 digital coaxial audio, 1 Ethernet, 1 RS232.
* Includes remote control and composite AV cable; measures 17 x 14.37 x 4.92 inches (WxDxH).

Key Features
* True 1080p Output.
* HD Reality Enhancer/Super Bit Mapping.
* Isolated Audio Circuit Board and High Quality Parts.
* Rigid Beam Chassis and Dual Shield Construction.
* Dolby TrueHD and dts HD- 7.1 Analog.
* R-Core Transformer: Because of the unique design of this transformer, there is an inherently low radiated hum and noise ratio compared to other types of transformers.
* RS-232C & IR Input for Flexible Custom Installation.
* BD-Live Technology allows you to download and stream bonus content such as additional scenes, shorts, trailers, movie-based games, and more. And with Bonus View, you can enjoy “picture-in-picture” capability with select Blu-ray titles.
* Backwards Compatible and Upscaling: All existing Blu-ray Disc players will play your standard DVD collection without a problem. And with built-in 1080p video upscaling, they’ll look even better.
* Emmy-Award Winning Xross Media Bar Interface: Sony’s exclusive xross media bar user interface makes it simple and intuitive to navigate television menus, controls, and user settings.
* x.v.Color output plays AVCHD-format discs with support for the international xvYCC color standard, producing images with nearly twice as many viewable colors as the existing RGB color standard.

PROS:
- Stunning picture.
- Sound is impressive.
- Set up is quick and easy.
CONS:
- Quite expensive.