[Alpine]

For rich geeks and commoners

TWO NEW Blu-ray Disc players are set to join the (limited) fray, Sony announced today.


The new players, dubbed the BDP-S300 and the BDP-S500, will cater to audiences at different ends of the Blu-ray spectrum. The BDP-S300 will be your bog standard player and is directed at your common user, while the BDP-S500 is a super-high-end alternative for rich geeks and movie buffs.

Both models can handle HD1080p through a single-cable HDMI interface as well as featuring a 1080p upscaling feature which will work with HDMI-equipped 1080p capable HDTVs, which Sony claims will increase the quality of all your old DVDs. x.v.Colour standard is also equipped which means players are able to handle AVC-HD discs recorded by new-generation camcorders that run the standard.
Interestingly, Sony's trying to tempt potential UK customers into splashing out by supplying a free copy of the Spider-Man High Definition Trilogy with each purchase. These are part of the 40 existing Blu-ray Disc format movies currently available, with 30 more on the way before Christmas bringing the format up to a grand total of 70 films in it's catalogue.

The INQuirer