Wize Blog

NME HD VMD Player Takes on Blu-ray

Wize.com recently peaked over into NME's website to learn that they created a low cost HD VMD Player (High Definition Versatile Multilayer Disc).

The website states,

"HD VMD is a true HD format with 1920 x 1080i/p resolution, up to 40 Mbps bit rate playback, DVD up-scaling so users can watch their existing DVD collection and achieve premium picture quality through their HD TV monitors. The HD VMD player is suitable for playback on all HD-capable display devices and will support existing optical disc formats: CD, DVD (DVD 5 & DVD 9). HD VMD players also feature Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and all region codes for greater film viewing flexibility."

Before you go running out to stores to purchase this ramped up high quality player, keep in mind that currently content in this format is not king.  Right now, few titles exist in HD except for much older titles, and no word has been expressed when the newer releases will hit stores.  For now this might be a development for the super user who wants to be the first on the block to have the nifty cool gadget. 

The Word of the Day is "Player"

That's right.  Between LG's new BH200 HD DVD / Blu-ray hybrid player which was debuted at CEDIA, Pioneer announcing their new BDP-95FD Blu-ray player today, and as random as it sounds, Bryston releasing their BCD-1 CD player (that's correct, a CD player) it seems only appropriate that today's word of the day should be "player." 

Taking a look at these new toys, we'll quench your thirst on the Bryston BCD-1 CD player.  It comes with the hefty price point of $2395 for the high quality player.  Surprising, yes, but if that price turns your face white, and you are one of those people who have yet to switch from the good 'ole tape player, why not try the Pioneer PD-M426 6 disc CD changer.  You can get it here on Wize.com for a mere price range of $149 to $199. 

Next, LG's new BH200 HD DVD / Blu-ray hybrid player is a 2nd generation player which was debuted at CES this past January.  It is due to be in stores in mid-October and has a price point of around $1,000.  The new version does adhere to all of the features mandated by the Blu-ray Disc Association. The difference here between the older version and this new BH200 is the ability to support interactive features in both HD DVD and Blu-ray.  Pretty cool, but our guesstimate is that soon there will be more on the market to push this price down a bit.

Finally, the Pioneer BDP-95FD Blu-Ray player is one of its kind, in that it offers all bit stream outputs of advanced audio formats.  You can also network a computer to the player, which in its own right sounds pretty slick.  As expected, it packs a price punch of $1,000 when and will be in stores at some point in October.   

If you still don't have player overload, have you ever heard of a company called Oppo? You may be surprised to find it has the top ranking DVD player on Wize.com.   Okay, so it's not Blu-ray, but see for yourself and check out the Oppo Digital DV-981 HD and others here.