See this review of the BluRay version of "Tears of the Sun:" http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/tearsofthesun.html
BluRay is headed in the right direction in terms of PQ. With Warner using VC-1 and with improved sources and improved MPEG2 encodes it has at least equalled some HD-DVD releases. I just want to see more hardware announcements in the next few weeks. I hope I can audition the Panasonic or the Pioneer soon.
The CEDIA Expo 2006 just started today in Denver. I'd watch for media and forum updates. We should be getting news on the new hardware offerings soon.
Pioneer news from CEDIA '06: http://www.hdbeat.com/ http://www.audioholics.com/cedia/cedia2004/PioneerBluRay.php One source says "within weeks" - the other says Spring of 2007.
Yea the Pioneer rep told me that their player should be out before christmas of this year (2006). That 2nd article is just wrong. Ced
The Generation 2 final prototype HD-A2 and HD-XA2 from Toshiba were also unveiled at CEDIA '06. Interesting specs on the HD-XA2: Improved load time (by about 20 seconds) over the A1 True 1080p native max output HDMI 1.3 output Analog 5.1 output Completely redesigned and improved backlit remote Bi-directional RS232 port MSRP $999 Late 2006 or early 2007 release I'm going to look for more info but these units should be able to decode DolbyTruHD and DTS Master out of the box.
Ced: Thanks for the news from the Pioneer rep. Looks like word from CEDIA's Pioneer guys indicates a late fall release.
