LG's BD590, with a built-in 250GB hard drive
Photo: LG Electronics

LG Electronics: LG announced several new Blu-ray players with access to LG’s NetCast online service, which offers streaming movies from NetFlix, CinemaNow, and Vudu, plus Pandora Internet radio. The BD590 is the only Blu-ray player we’ve so far seen with a built-in 250GB hard drive that can be used to store music, photos, videos, and movies purchased from Vudu. The flagship player, which has built-in Wi-Fi, is DLNA compliant, and it includes Gracenote’s MusicID-Stream, which provides info on a song or artist playing in a movie or video. Other models include the BD570, which has the same features as the BD590 except for the hard drive, and the BD550. 

LG also announced several new Blu-ray home theater systems, including the LHB975, a 5.1-channel system with NetCast access and wireless rear speakers and subwoofer.

Panasonic: Panasonic’s 3D-enabled Blu-ray player is the DMP-BDT350, which features dual HDMI outputs, one HDMI 1.4, and the other HDMI 1.4-compliant. I was told that the player will send 3D TV Blu-ray signals to a newer 3D TV via the HDMI 1.4 output, while the HDMI. 1.4-compliant output (presumably it's lacking the 3D feature) is used to send audio-only signals to an A/V receiver equipped with with either HDMI 1.3 or HDMI 1.4 inputs.

Panasonic's 3D-ready DMP-BDT350
Photo: Panasonic

The company also announced three standard Blu-ray models that will be available this spring: the entry-level DMP-BD45, the DMP-BD65, a step-up model, and the top-of-the-line DMP-BD85. The BD65 and BD85 models have access to the company’s Viera Cast online service, which includes streaming movies from Amazon and Netflix and Pandora Internet radio, plus internal decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master audio. The BD85 has 7.1-channel analog audio outputs and a “tube sound” simulator, and comes with a wireless Wi-Fi adapter; the adapter is an option on the BD65 player.

Panasonic, which launched the industry’s first portable Blu-ray player last year, announced two new portable Blu-ray models: the DMP-B500 and DMP-B100. The B500 has a 10.1-inch screen, the B100 8.9 inches, plus built-in wireless capability and access to the Viera Cast online service. Both have SD card slots; the B500 supports high-def AVCHD video files.

Samsung: Samsung unveiled several new Blu-ray players that will support its Internet@TV online service, now with Samung Apps, which includes access to streaming movies from Blockbuster, Netflix and Vudu. The BD-C6900 is its entry into the 3D sweepstakes. The player has a glossy transparent top, 7.1-channel analog outputs, and built-in Wi-Fi. It’s also wireless DLNA compliant.

A super-slim flagship player, the BD-C7500, is just 1.1 inches high. The player, which can be wall mounted, placed on a 25-degree stand or placed flat, has a grayish woodgrain design. The BD-C6500 player, a step-up model, shares many of the C6900's features, except for the 3D capability, and has a more conventional design. A third model, the BD-C5500 lacks some features found on other models, such as built-in Wi-Fi support. All the new players will launch this spring at still-undisclosed prices.

Sharp: At Sharp, the big news was Blu-ray players with access to streaming movies from Netflix: the mainstream BD-HP24U ($280) and a step-up player, the BD-HP70U ($500), a wireless-ready model that has a second USB port that accepts an optional Wi-Fi dongle. Both are slim-line models with piano-black finishes, and they'll be available during the fourth first and second quarter of this year, respectively.

Sony's 3D-ready BDP-S770
Photo: Sony

Sony: At CES, Sony was one of a handful of companies announcing a 3D-enabled Blu-ray player, the BDP-S770, as well as several standard models that feature the same “monolithic” design used in several new TV series.

The 3D-capable BDP-S770 player, available this summer, comes with built-in Wi-Fi, internal decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTD-HD Master audio, and access to Sony’s Bravia Internet Video platform, with access to streaming movies from Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand, plus Pandora and Slacker Internet radio. It can also play SACD audio discs, and it can upscale both standard DVDs and Internet video. It’s DLNA compliant, allowing you to share content stored on a home PC via a home network. Two other Blu-ray players arrive this spring. The BDP-S570 is a step-up model with many of the same features as the S770, but without 3D capability. The BDP-S370 is a Wi-Fi-ready model.

Sony also announced three new Blu-ray home-theater systems, which include access to the Gracenote entertainment database to get artwork or information about an actor. The models can be controlled using an iPhone or iPod Touch using a free app that can be downloaded from the Apple app store. One model, the BDV-HZ970W, is 3D-capable.

Toshiba: Toshiba hit CES with three new Blu-ray models, including the 3D-enabled BDX3000. The player, as yet unpriced, will arrive in the second half of the year. All the new models will have access to online services, including streaming movies from Netflix and Vudu, plus Pandora Internet radio.

Two more mainstream models, the BDX2700 ($250) and BDX2500 ($200), will arrive this spring. The main difference is the 2700 has built-in Wi-Fi, while the 2500 is wireless-ready. Both have 7.1-channel analog audio outputs and support for AVCHD video.

Vizio: Vizio's newest Blu-ray player is the VBR200W, a full-featured, Wi-Fi-enabled model that includes the new Vizio Internet Apps (VIA) platform, with access to services including movies from Netflix and Vudu, plus Pandora Internet radio. The player will be available in March for $200.

—James K. Willcox