Statement from Sony regarding the future of Blu-ray

[Moon Toxins]

I hope this is of help to anyone concerned about the future of Blu-ray technology.

Shortly after buying a Sony Blu-ray player earlier this month, I read online about the changes planned for the technology - specifically the change in manufacturing standard from Profile 1.0 to Profile 1.1. Concerned about my purchase, I wrote to Sony asking them whether this meant my Blu-ray player would be rendered obsolete.

Their reply came this morning, Recorded Delivery:

(I quote) "With regards to the specification of Blu-ray, specifically the imminent transition from Profile 1.0 to Profile 1.1 for Blu-ray players. I can confirm that this only relates to the implementation of optional features and functionality. The core ability to play a Blu-ray movie, in full high definition (1080p) with an uncompressed LPCM soundtrack will not be affected."

[Bald Monkey]

Unfortunately new tech always seems to have problems at first and so far neither HD format has been any different. I don't believe anything any companies PR department tells me without proof to back it up.

[Duncan Harvey]

this tells us absolutely nothing that hasnt been known since day one.

[peterweg]

It is a solid given that playback of 1080p films and LPCM sound will always work fine. That is the main reason to we chose Blu-ray over lesser formats, after all.

[Avi]

Originally Posted by peterweg

It is a solid given that playback of 1080p films and LPCM sound will always work fine. That is the main reason to we chose Blu-ray over lesser formats, after all.

Maybe Sony can comment on their profile 1 players performance with regard to current BD-J titles ? I don't fancy waiting several minutes for BD-J titles to load when they become more feature laden and more common place.

Waiting 4+ plus mintues from power off to play screen just to watch the movie is a real bind.

AVI

[miceri]

Is it really 4 minutes? Wow, that's a bugger.

I thought my Pioneer DVR took a long time.

I take it these new fangled machines will all be receiving regular firmware updates to change this once the issues are discovered and resolved...

[Bald Monkey]

It seems to me Sonys 'spin' to smooth over the transition from profile 1.0 to 1.1 is to rename profile 1.1 'Bonus View' and then anyone who complains that their player doesn't support such features will be happy once they have been informed that it's only a 'Bonus' to view such features.. That these are only optional features and functionality.. They will then continue to explain to users experiencing very slow load times or discs that refuse to play to contact their player manufacturer and request an update as has already been happening...

[Avi]

Originally Posted by miceri

Is it really 4 minutes? Wow, that's a bugger.

I thought my Pioneer DVR took a long time.

I take it these new fangled machines will all be receiving regular firmware updates to change this once the issues are discovered and resolved...

It was 4 minutes and 25 seconds to reach the point where I could select play from the menu and that's skipping past the trailers. That's just to play the movie not access any interactive content. Most current titles are not BD-J but once Bingo View is out I'm sure it will become more common place.

I wonder how many people buying brand new players today are aware that they may/will not support new mandatory features ? Not good for the consumer.

AVI

[peterweg]

The newer 1.1 players (the BD30 for instance) have considerably better performance. The older models will be sold off cheap, which is good news if you don't care for the pip features.

Apparently the mandatory features aren't so mandatory after all.

[Avi]

Originally Posted by peterweg

The older models will be sold off cheap, which is good news if you don't care for the pip features.

I'm sure those who have aready or are about to purchase "older models" like those that are on sale in stores now will really apprecite that. Even those that don't care about PIP might just care about long disc load times as POTC type titles become more common place.

The only reviews I've read on the new models appear to use non BD-J titles. Are there reviews that provide feedback on performance of these players with BD-J titles ?

AVI

[peterweg]

Originally Posted by Avi

I'm sure those who have aready or are about to purchase "older models" like those that are on sale in stores now will really apprecite that. Even those that don't care about PIP might just care about long disc load times as POTC type titles become more common place.

The only reviews I've read on the new models appear to use non BD-J titles. Are there reviews that provide feedback on performance of these players with BD-J titles ?

AVI

Here's my advice to anyone about to buy electronic equipment - don't. Ever. The price will come down and spec's wil go up. Wait and save your money.

[MAW]

Inluded in another 'statement' in 'further info' is the dropping of mandatory 'bonus view' compatibility. The deadline is no longer today, it's never.

[Bald Monkey]

Not only are mandatory requirements dropped, but 'profile 1.1' or 'Bonus View' as they now want to call it... or 'Full Profile' as Panasonic seem to want to call it doesn't include ethernet connection, so no web enabled features..

Is this term 'Full Profile' from panasonic an indication that they will not be releasing a player with ethernet connection, or is the BDA announcing that Web-enabled features will not appear on BR ??

[Avi]

Originally Posted by peterweg

Here's my advice to anyone about to buy electronic equipment - don't. Ever. The price will come down and spec's wil go up. Wait and save your money.

Especially true with currnet standalone Blu-ray players.

I think most people would expect a "next gen" player to support next gen interactive features just like those shown in the trailers on some current Blu-ray discs. No mater how the BDA or fans try to spin it these features and the necessary performance to properly support BD-J should have been in from day one. Very poor really .


Very mixed messages over next gen interactivity makes it sound like it's just too hard to achieve with Blu-ray.

AVI

[peterweg]

'Full Profile' is what we refer to as 1.1.

There isn't such a thing as 1.1 profile - its an un-official name we use.

I think most people would expect a "next gen" player to support next gen interactive features just like those shown in the trailers on some current Blu-ray discs.

Or maybe nobody cares. We all have a computer or two already, how many want another in their Blu-ray player especially as it will be crappy and limited. Good comparison is Digital TV interactivity, how popular is that?