AfterDawn: News

Samsung will sell first Blu-ray Disc player

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has unveiled the first Blu-ray Disc player that will be available in April. The price tag is quite high at $1,000. The BD-P1000 was unveiled at the International Consumer Electronics Show. The device will play video content from BD discs at 720p or 1080i which the player will output to HDTV using High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI). Toshiba also unveiled the first two HD DVD players that will be released in March, for up to half the price.

"Samsung's Blu-Ray player will be the first available to consumers, and we will continue to innovate with our introduction of a Blu-ray recorder later this year," said President Geesung Choi of Samsung Electronics' Digital Media Business. "With today's announcement and those to come, Samsung is demonstrating its leadership in driving the next generation optical format."



Both the Samsung and Toshiba players do not support full 1080p output so video quality freaks will have to wait until Pioneer Corp. launches a BD player later this year that is capable of full 1080p picture output. It will cost around $1800. Samsung said it left out 1080p in the interest of speeding up development. "It allows us to get to market quicker, and so as we look at future models we’ll look at 1080p output," said Jim Sanduski, senior vice president of marketing for Samsung Electronics America Inc.’s digital and audio products group.

However, there is one complication. The April target for the BD-P1000 release depends upon BD-J (which provides interactive features on BD discs) being completed. "BD Java is one thing that is still being worked out. The timetable, as I understand it, is late March," said Sanduski. "So that’s why [our timetable is] end of April. We think we can do it." Toshiba's players utilize iHD for interactivity features.

Source:
Macworld
Samsung Press Release

Interested in Next Generation optical disc formats? Visit our HD-DVD and Blu-Ray discussion forum.

Written by: James Delahunty @ 6 Jan 2006 6:39

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• 57 comments

• ZeroTech

  $1000US Blu-Ray Player vs $500US Max Playstation 3 + Blu-Ray Player + Games Console.
  
  Hmmm. Wise move Sony.

  6.1.2006 06:41 #1

• weazel200

  So does this mean all current DVD films will get re-released on Blue-Ray?

  6.1.2006 08:23 #2

• Reasons?

  It's samsung's move not Sony's!!
  
  How sweet is a $400 PS3 going to be, it'll be such an amazing deal. Considering MS is now chargin g accessory clas sprice for an HD-DVD drive! Especially since HD-DVD will die with it's cheap design implemetation and specific intention of beign replaced sooner than BD to generate more money off another new format. How long will HD-DVD's 30GB last, and how much woudl mor elayers cost the consumer?
  
  BD-R all the way, with PS3. You'd have to be an idiot to even look at Xbox 360 right now.

  6.1.2006 08:33 #3

• Dela

  Goid help the person who turns this news comments page into an xbox 360 vs. ps3 argument

  6.1.2006 09:02 #4

• arcanix

  Quote:$1000US Blu-Ray Player vs $500US Max Playstation 3 + Blu-Ray Player + Games Console. If a plain bluray player costs 1000$, then how in the world ps3 could cost 500$? Seriously, think about it. That thing is faster than all my old computers put together. And you think it's going to cost half the price of a plain bluray player? :D

  6.1.2006 09:24 #5

• arcanix

  Oh wait, I didn't even read the whole thing before I posted.
  Quote:video quality freaks will have to wait until Pioneer Corp. launches a BD player later this year that is capable of full 1080p picture output. It will cost around $1800. Ps3 has 1080p output. So 1800$ for plain 1080p BD-player, but 1080p enabled ps3 costs 500$ :D Yeah right, just wait.

  6.1.2006 09:30 #6

• JaguarGod

  $1800 for just a player???? This stuff isn't dropping at all!!! In 2003 you could get the recorder for $4000, now it costs over $5000. And the 1080p player is also over $5000, of course that one is really meant for theaters.
  
  It is all the copy protections that they have to implement that makes the price so high. The hardware should be pretty cheap to make by now, I mean the first Blue-Ray was released in April 2003, so in theory, after 2 1/2 years, the technology should be easier to produce and cheaper. And now they want to produce it for the main market.
  
  If the PS3 will have Blue-ray, I doubt that it will be a player. Probably only a Blue-ray drive, but it will lack the copy protection so commercial BD movies will not work. That is the only way I can think of the PS3 being $1300 cheaper than a normal BD player (unless if Samsung has to pay $1500 of royalties to Sony for each BD it produces).

  6.1.2006 10:36 #7

• nuttin_88

  this is what i think so don't flame me if you think otherwise.
  
  maybe sony plans to release the ps3 at a much lower price than the hd-dvd player to get more people to buy a blu ray player since it's the least expensive(player)out of the new-generation players. Therefore more people would buy a blu-ray player and big companies will see that blu ray is doing the best out of the two and back up sony. Sony did mention that they don't really look at the ps3 as a gaming machine. So with that in mind i don't really see sony doing too bad.
  
  

  6.1.2006 11:31 #8

• GrayArea

  They charged outragious prices for VCRs, CD players, DVD players when they were introduced. The same will happen here, but it's being slowed big time by STUPID format wars and Hollywood foot dragging. Heck, if they drag it out long enough both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD will be obsolete before they even make it to market in any meaningful way. Personally I hope the media corps all choak on this format war and DRM crap. It would serve them right. Let's leave THEM holding the bag for a change...

  6.1.2006 13:11 #9

• Jasper44

  Quote:If a plain bluray player costs 1000$, then how in the world ps3 could cost 500$? Seriously, think about it. That thing is faster than all my old computers put together. And you think it's going to cost half the price of a plain bluray player? :DYou should think about that first. It is going to cost half as much. Sony is LOSING money when they sell a PS3 and they can do that because all of the games and accessories that they will sell.
  
  Samsung doesn't want to LOSE money for every blu-ray player they sell because they don't have games and accessories to sell that will make up the lost money. So yea the PS3 will be half the price of Samsung's player.

  6.1.2006 13:23 #10

• arcanix

  Quote:Sony is LOSING money when they sell a PS3 and they can do that because all of the games and accessories that they will sell. Well the 1080p player will be 1800$, so ps3 will be 1300$ cheaper than a plain player. I find it hard to believe that sony can sell ps3 with that loss. Maybe they could manage if they sell games 500 dollars a piece.

  6.1.2006 15:45 #11

• Jasper44

  It doesn't cost nearly $1800 for Pioneer to make that player. The fact that it is brand new technology allows them to sell it for that much.

  6.1.2006 15:47 #12

• ZeroTech

  Quote:I find it hard to believe that sony can sell ps3 with that loss. Maybe they could manage if they sell games 500 dollars a piece. Actually, every console sold is being sold at a loss. Microsoft loses ~$200 dollars on every 360 sold, but they gain profits from Live, their games, accessories etc. Microsoft lost $4 million dollars from the original XBOX.
  
  So, Sony pricing their Blu-Ray + Console 1/3 of the price cheaper than most Blu-Ray players on the market, is going to get alot of people to it.

  6.1.2006 16:14 #13

• neo1000

  why don`t you guys wait for sony to give the price of the ps3 and if it will be able to play movies out of the box before you rip your panties?

  6.1.2006 17:25 #14

• cnamwob

  Pioneer DVR-533H-S If you don't want games try one of these instead of the TIVO boxes or DVD'z. I got mine in early fall for $348. Pictures and sound are great on Pioneer Plasma. Check the Specs and remember no monthly fees.

  6.1.2006 18:26 #15

• PirateDan

  So what makes you think that the PS3 will cost $500 US Dollars???
  Oh because the stand alone player is $1000 or did you forget the Supercomputer Processor the Cell that is installed in it too???
  Do you think that will come on the cheap???
  Sony is taking a big risk that with this that is why they aren't saying anything. They haven't given a firm date on the first release of it or the cost.
  Maybe because the stories are true about the cost overruns and the manufacturing problems they are having.

  6.1.2006 19:54 #16

• Argg

  Do you know how Much Money Sony will make on Extra Controllers Alone?
  
  Be smart people.
  
  BTW, Sony and Microsoft don't pay Consumer Prices.
  
  If Sony needs a BLU-Ray player it won't need 1000 bucks, becuase Sony will need the Technology in mas quanities so both sides will make money.
  
  Also, what makes you think Sony will need to buy stuff from Samsung. They do make thier own stuff you know.

  6.1.2006 21:05 #17

• Argg

  I just Realized I made the Most intellegent post.

  6.1.2006 21:07 #18

• arcanix

  Quote:Actually, every console sold is being sold at a loss. Microsoft loses ~$200 dollars on every 360 sold, but they gain profits from Live, their games, accessories etc. Microsoft lost $4 million dollars from the original XBOX. Yeah, I know. I've been following the console business since 8-bit nintendo. But there's thing you're missing here. A standalone player costs 1800$. Ps3 can play bluray movies, and oh yeah, it's nearly a super computer! I think standalone players won't have cell processor and all that stuff. Yes, they sell ps3 with a loss, but if it costs more than 2000$ to make it, they can't probably be selling it with 500$. By the way, that 500$ was just a guess by some guy who posted earlier. I think ps3 will cost much more.

  7.1.2006 00:35 #19

• Mik3h

  So all those who have just gotten used to a DVD player, are gonna have to shift again over to a new type of video? This will never work..
  
  -Mike

  7.1.2006 01:20 #20

• mikecUSA

  I'm looking at the evolution of this whole thing. I bought my first video recordsers in 1983. I bought a betamax and a VHS machine. In 1987 I bought replacements for both, a BETA-Hi-Fi VCR and a VHS Stereo VCR.
  
  I bought a butt-load of BETA movies when all the rental places were selling them off, at highly discounted prices---because they were becoming obselete. I bought all the basics, Star Wars, Back to the Future, Indiana Jones 1,2 and 3---you know the drill.
  
  Then mom and pop video stores started dying by the dozen and I started expanding my VHS tape Library at $10 a pop. That was around 1995.
  
  In 2000, DVD players became the newly hyped format and I resisted, but as my BETA tapes and VHS's started to get flakey I started investing in DVD's with Back To The Future, Indiana Jones, Star Wars wasn't available yet.
  
  I was working at Circuit City at the time and made sure I picked up two of those cool macrovision free APEX DVD players that enabled me to make picture perfect VHS copies of new releases. COOL.
  
  The difference in quality between DVD and VHS was very noticeable, so I pulled the plugs on my APEX's and just kept buying used DVD from the local video stores like blockbuster and hollywood video.
  
  The DVD quality is great, and Blue ray and HD DVD could be better quality, but I really don't give a rats ass. People who go that route will either be people who shit $100 bills anyway or won't be able to pay their rent because of their addiction to entertainment. I really think the hype to create an appetitie for this "new format" is obscene.
  
  
  

  7.1.2006 04:32 #21

• Reasons?

  The initial Blu-ray drives shoudl cost around $100 to manufacture.
  
  Samsing is just maximizing profit off of the initial buyers that have to own one, like companies involved with introducing BD-R content and the first wave of businesses ready to switch over to backing up data in large volumes on fewer discs.
  
  Seriously dumbasses, I'll use an analogy I always use - The Intel Pentium EE Edition 940 cost around $70 to manufacture, but is sold as the best and fastest Intel CPU to hardcore gamers for $1000+. The AMD FX-57 is similar.
  
  http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/06/28/news_6128295.html
  
  This guy predicted all the Xbox 360 things PERFECTLY. Here he mentions the hardware will cost us the end user $400 and the PS3 costs Sony $500 to manufacture. He mentions Sony will be producing BD-R drives for $100.
  
  Sony has all the rights to BD-R and will produce it's own drives more than likely. And they will be producing them non stop by th emillions for the first year of launch.
  
  PS3 will be a reasonable price, sold to us at a loss. Samsung is working like an electronics sales group, not a console sales group, every penny samsung makes off this deal has to come FROM THE PLAYER ITSELF- thus the $1000 initial price tag.
  
  I feel for ya Argg, too many 10 year old Xbox fanboys on this site that just want to hype the price, because deep deep down they subconciously know that Xbox 360 will die out and MS will be releasing a new Xbox in only 3 years rather than five. ANd all those who buy Xbox 360s (ME TOO!!) already have an absolete piece of hardware ith a DVD drive.

  7.1.2006 06:38 #22

• neurokasm

  1000 dollars?! what a ripoff!

  7.1.2006 11:05 #23

• PRCOQUI

  There is a nice article in BetaNews page call:
  
  HD DVD: Blu-ray Has Problems
  
  
  http://www.betanews.com/article/HD_DVD_Bluray_Has_Problems/1136673259

  7.1.2006 15:08 #24

• Argg

  Thank you Reasons?. How can people stupid huh?

  7.1.2006 20:22 #25

• Reasons?

  Betanews? I coudl not find any journalistic credentials for that author aside from an e-mail address. AT this point I'm taking it with a grain of salt, think of it this way -
  
  My newspaper the Fargo Forumn Head lined "14 Miners found alive" with the viginia mining incident, the next day people go tto find out that they had "mis interpereted" and that 14 miners were dead, not alive.
  
  COnsider that a beautfiul example of how wrong much less you shoudl consider of an internet tabloid telling this info.
  
  For all we know it is propanganda spread by HD-DVD group.
  
  Oh and a side note, HD-DVD and Blu-ray can both use the same codecs.
  
  And on a luaghable note - "Regarding the notion of limited content in the HD DVD format, BetaNews was told that while HD DVD does not have the number of studios its rival touts, the Blu-ray Disc Association simply wanted "as many logos as possible on their PowerPoint slide."
  
  LOL, what HD-DVD forgot to mention is that they wanted as many logos too, but because their product is inferior, the comapnies wouldn't dare let them!!! Haha, oh wow, this is some serious propaganda.

  7.1.2006 20:55 #26

• akitchens

  I'm a huge fan of all of the game consoles and will continue to by them all as I have in the past. Some games are only on certain consoles and everyone has that certain game that they just love to play.... As far as watching movies in format, that time will come for me eventually.... as for now DVD is fine to me and my family and they will continue to be produced on all formats just as they are today with VHS. I without a doubt will have a PS3 when they release just as I did the XB360, but that doesn't mean I will stop buying normal DVD format and switch to blu ray or HD-DVD.

  8.1.2006 12:55 #27

• clueless1

  lmfao get real.
  
  the ps3 _will_ be in the 400-500 $ price range. Do you honestly think they will be able to do the sales necessary for a console to survive @ a price higher than that? They will be in direct competition with the xbox360 which goes for around $400.
  
  As with all brand spanking new technology, the Blu-ray players will begin at rediculously high prices, and will go down from there as the magic of competition takes place.
  
  In short, read this post from someone who has some sense:
  "The initial Blu-ray drives shoudl cost around $100 to manufacture.
  
  Samsing is just maximizing profit off of the initial buyers that have to own one, like companies involved with introducing BD-R content and the first wave of businesses ready to switch over to backing up data in large volumes on fewer discs.
  
  Seriously dumbasses, I'll use an analogy I always use - The Intel Pentium EE Edition 940 cost around $70 to manufacture, but is sold as the best and fastest Intel CPU to hardcore gamers for $1000+. The AMD FX-57 is similar.
  
  http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/06/28/news_6128295.html
  
  This guy predicted all the Xbox 360 things PERFECTLY. Here he mentions the hardware will cost us the end user $400 and the PS3 costs Sony $500 to manufacture. He mentions Sony will be producing BD-R drives for $100.
  
  Sony has all the rights to BD-R and will produce it's own drives more than likely. And they will be producing them non stop by th emillions for the first year of launch.
  
  PS3 will be a reasonable price, sold to us at a loss. Samsung is working like an electronics sales group, not a console sales group, every penny samsung makes off this deal has to come FROM THE PLAYER ITSELF- thus the $1000 initial price tag.
  
  I feel for ya Argg, too many 10 year old Xbox fanboys on this site that just want to hype the price, because deep deep down they subconciously know that Xbox 360 will die out and MS will be releasing a new Xbox in only 3 years rather than five. ANd all those who buy Xbox 360s (ME TOO!!) already have an absolete piece of hardware ith a DVD drive."

  8.1.2006 14:28 #28

• seanymac

  Blu Ray and HD DVD will start at the same price range. You can already purchase (thru lay-away) an HD DVD player with 1080i output on Amazon for 499.00 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E1PTGK/qid=1136769146/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-7507129-1810419?n=507846&s=electronics&v=glance
  499.00 will probably be the standard start price for most of these machines, with Sony essentially setting the benchmark with the PS3. A Company charging anything more than this without some sort of other bonus/better technology will push them right out of the competition.

  8.1.2006 15:22 #29

• molsen

  Here is how I see it. Most companies know it is a new tecnology. 1-5% of the people will be able to afford v1 of the players. To make up for R&D costs. Why they have not come down in price is simple. Marketing thsi as the next big thing. Most will not remeber, but in the earily 80's cd were around $25-30USD. I rember I did not want that kind of technolgy, plus my parents would not allow me to spend that kind of money. It is no diffrent for today. Why the P$3 will be able to offer this for so much less than the stand alone players, is that $ony was in this from the beginning, therefore have the ability to enjoy the spoils. Personally I cannot wait to get a modded P$3 and see what it is all about. That is also why xbox 360 was out so quick, because they did not fully develop the HD-DVD at time of launch. It seems a wait and see aproach. Although I must say I do like 360's graphics on the wide screen ;)

  8.1.2006 15:50 #30

• mudearies

  who needs a Blu-ray player when my future ps3 will play them.
  
  nuff said.

  8.1.2006 16:50 #31

• firefox19

  I am pretty sure that in order to own an ipod, one must first surgically remove his testicles. Ipods are chick players...
  You can probably understand my relief when I heard that I can keep my balls and have a flash memory mp3 player!
  Thats great news!

  8.1.2006 17:32 #32

• clueless1

  think you have the wrong topic buddy.

  8.1.2006 17:48 #33

• Jasper44

  Yea man, Ipods have nothing to do with blu-ray

  8.1.2006 17:58 #34

• nanu-nanu

  
  Ok...why do I as a "Home End user" need or what HD DVD or Blu-ray? Especially since all my DVDs are tradtional format?

  8.1.2006 19:29 #35

• duckNrun

  huh....what.... please...I repeat PLEASE....
  
  keep your testicles to yourself.... and whatever you and and iPod do is none of my biz.....lol
  

  8.1.2006 20:13 #36

• JaguarGod

  Because the man says so!!! If you are happy with DVDs, then don't even bother with the new stuff. HD is not as big an improvement as people say, especially when you consider how much both formats will be compressed. You may get a similar picture with Superbit, but I am not sure of that one.
  
  Also, do not think that these formats will be the end of DVD. All they can do is raise the price of DVD Movies on us and that will only lead to tons of piracy. DVDs will definately not stop being produced because this will cause the consumers to become very angry.
  
  I figure, that these formats will be popular with people that have a $100,000 TV and a $50,000 sound system at the beginning (the only people who may actually benefit from the formats as well). I see HD-DVD as having the potential to grow because this one is cheaper ($500 vs $1000+). However, the fact that these are two different formats and that each format will have different movies will make them both fail unless if price goes way down for the players (I'm talking about a Cyberhome BD player for $29 down!!!).
  
  Bottom line, on the initial release, you will have these things take up about 1% to 2% of the market (sales only). If there is a mind blowing difference in quality that justifies the price, then you will see a steady increase and in 3 to 4 years, the next gen will be on top or nearly equal to DVD. If the quality is similar to Digital Cable or Satellite, both will probably die out since it will not justify the high price.

  8.1.2006 20:27 #37

• IMG

  I just LOVE wrong information, lies and total bullshit!
  
  Besides the fact that the Samsung IS NOT the very first BD-R drive on the market, there are two other very big misnomers that most people have missed:
  
  1) The Blu-ray drives, like the brand new Pioneer BRD-101A, will read DVD+/-R, burn BD-RW 25 & 50 GB non-cartridge discs, but will NOT read / write CD-R or DVD-RAM media.
  
  2) The first movie titles that will be released, which are already completed from the likes of Disney and Sony pictures, will NOT use the h.264 specification, nor will it actually have any HD content, but instead will use the same old MPEG2 compression scheme. The exact same thing is true for the HD-DVD camp for all of their original releases as well.
  
  Here is a cool first look at the world's first released consumer BD-RW drive for computers: http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news_10120.html
  
  This drive will be available to the general public in the USA in early January 2006. Cost is expected to start around $350-$500 initially,and drop a bit later on as market saturation occurs and as the competition rolls out their respective units as well.
  Initial blank media costs are anticipated to be around $30 US for the 25 GB BD-R, $50 for 25 GB BD-RW, $55 for 50 GB BD-R and around $75 for BD-RW media. As is typical, these prices will drop as supply outweighs the market demand, and as the number of deployed drives increase.
  
  Additionally, Pioneer will release its set-top BD-ROM drives for consumer television viewers in the late spring. The cost on those units looks to be a MSRP of a whopping $1800!
  
  In September of 2006, a even larger capacity optical media will be available. It is called HVD, which stands for Holographic Versatile Disc. This new, cartridge style blank media will have initial capacities of 300 GB's, and on up to a full Terabyte (1,000 layers on a single disc!).
  
  The forerunner of this technology was a now-defunct company called Constellation 3D, whose research dates back to around 1998. It uses indirect, or "incoherent" laser light, and a much tighter bandwidth on the laser than the present orange, red, yellow or blue book specs at this time.
  
  The 300 GB media have already been demonstrated at various trade shows recently, but have actually been available in development and testing for at least 5 years.
  
  Media prices are expected to be on the expensive side, with a 300 GB cartridge listing for $350+ in its initial release. IT guys will love its capacity for data backups, ISO and Ghost images of disc arrays on servers, etc., but this will be far too expensive for the average consumer's daily use. Eventually prices are expected to drop, as is usual with all new optical media formats.
  
  Microsoft has even been developing a PXE (Pre-Install Environment) optical disc only OS that contains built-in virus, spam and spyware protection in an unmodifiable form. This could be another way that MS ensures a no-piracy scheme, by having the OS embedded in the media, but not installed on a HD. A HD would still be used for additional data storage of local files. This is similar to the already existing Knoppix or Morphix flavors of Linux that are currently available.
  
  I think the Blu-ray is going to win the hearts and minds of the general populace in the early battles, edge out HD-DVD due to its later appearance in the marketplace and lack of manufacturer and movie studio support, but could lose its edge if player, burner and media prices remain too high early after the initial product releases.
  
  It will be interesting to see when the H.264 codec will finally be implemented, and displace the MPEG2 codec for these new mediums.
  
  BTW, HP / Compaq, who at first were firmly behind Blu-ray, is the only manufacturer to jump ship back over to the HD-DVD camp recently due to the interactive programming language being implemented. Blu-ray will be using a variation on Javascript, and HP wants the industry to use Microsoft's more robust XML based programming for its interactive media content.
  
  A lot of food for thought!

  8.1.2006 20:43 #38

• mikecUSA

  you're rockin steady IMG! HELLO, I'm jazzed by getting a glimpse of the internal Blue Ray computer drive, you definitely got your feelers out. Talk about connected, I'm really impressed. Thanks for all the juicy 411 and the photo's---hot hot hot!!!

  9.1.2006 12:29 #39

• IMG

  Thanks, Mike, I appreciate the kudos very much. As an industry professional (DVD Authoring & Multimedia design), it is my job to stay abreast of emerging technologies.
  
  Just an interesting side note, back in July of 2005 I did three very cool podcasts that warrant listening to on the website http://www.wedvidtalk.com whereI discuss the future of Blu-ray, HD-DVD and even HVD, which I have been following since around 1998 or 1999. As a matter of fact, I was their very first 3-part interviewee, am about to be interviewed again this month for the fourth time! We did all three segments back-to-back, which took about 5 hours to record the 3 one-hour segments. This next one should be a lot shorter, but I will be discussing how all of my early predications are now coming true, like the announcement that TDK made yesterday concerning a QUAD LAYER, 100 GB BD-R disc that they have successfully created! Here is the article, and thanks again! I'll try to keep everyone up to date as I glean info from my various sources, but please do pop in to wedvidtalk.com and give a listen to the podcasts, I am eerily accurate on the HD wars stuff, amongst others!
  -------------------------------------------------------
  TDK Shows Quad Layer 100 GB Blu-ray Disc
  January 08, 2006
  Las Vegas, NV - At CES 2006, TDK showed a prototype recordable Blu-ray Disc with 100GB capacity. As a founding member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, TDK has played a key role in the development of Blu-ray.
  
  The prototype 100GB bare Blu-ray Disc doubles both the capacity and recording speed of the current Blu-ray Disc specification. Blu-ray’s industry-leading capacity means a single disc can store a vast assortment of content without making quality compromises. According to the company, a single, prototype 100GB Blu-ray Disc can store approximately 9 hours of high definition video on a single side.
  
  TDK’s prototype Blu-ray Disc records data at 72 megabits per second, double the 36Mbps rate of the current Blu-ray Disc specification. The initial Blu-ray Disc standard allows for 25GB single layer Blu-ray Discs and 50GB dual layer Blu-ray Discs. To achieve 100GB capacity, the prototype Blu-ray Disc incorporates four 25GB layers.
  
  “Blu-ray is changing the future of high definition digital recording and content distribution as well as proving to be the ideal, cost-effective, removable storage medium for large amounts of data. As the only media company that's a founding member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, TDK is pleased to take the lead in realizing many of the format's most significant advancements,” noted Bruce Youmans, TDK Vice President of Marketing. “Nearly a decade of experience in developing blue laser recording media technologies and the devotion of TDK's massive R&D resources have enabled us to be the first company to successfully create a prototype 100GB Blu-ray Disc with double the recording speed of the current specification. TDK advancements validate the company’s position as a leader in extending the capabilities of optical media.”
  
  Youmans concluded, “CES 2006 attendees can not only preview the 100GB Blu-ray Disc prototype, but can also learn more about the technologies behind the format from a detailed cross-sectioned model of the disc created exclusively for this showcase at the TDK kiosk in the BDA booth.”
  
  TDK says that their advanced sputtering technology played a key role in enabling the creation of the prototype 100GB Blu-ray Disc. Additionally, TDK specially designed recording materials with characteristics to accommodate the Blu-ray Disc format's short 405nm blue-violet laser wavelength and small laser spot size, narrow track pitches and high recording densities. The materials interact with the laser with such stability that TDK says it has already been able to achieve 6x (216Mbps) recording speed with prototype discs.
  
  Blu-ray Disc media’s data tracks are quite narrow in comparison with DVD media; precise, stable interaction between the laser and the recording material is especially critical to ensuring error-free recording and playback. To enable high density data storage, the Blu-ray Disc’s recording layer is close to the disc surface, separated only by a 0.1mm cover layer. As a result, the disc surface itself must function as a protective shield for the recording layer. That’s why TDK developed DURABIS, an innovative hard coating technology that the company says protects the disc surface against common contaminants such as scratches and fingerprints. DURABIS makes TDK Blu-ray Discs 100 times more scratch resistant than they would be without a protective coating, as demonstrated in standardized laboratory testing, according to TDK.
  
  Hard coating technology TDK reports to have pioneered, helps eliminate the need for cumbersome cartridges to protect the media’s recording layer and is allowing the production of bare Blu-ray Disc media. Eliminating the need for a cartridge not only minimizes manufacturing costs, but also allows for the same user experience as with today’s CDs and DVDs.
  
  To protect the rights of content providers, TDK Blu-ray Disc media adheres to managed copy guidelines.
  
  For more information go to:
  TDK Blu-ray Quad Layer

  9.1.2006 14:31 #40

• Reasons?

  As an "industry proffessional" don't you have something better to do? Cause forms are time killers man, and I would hope anyoen holding a senior position in this industry has something better to do.
  
  All you just did was make a big advertisment...

  9.1.2006 15:11 #41

• Rikoshay

  Quote:I just Realized I made the Most intellegent post.Argg, you rock! :D
  
  That's some very cool info, IMG, and welcome to AD!
  
  Reasons?, even if he isn't a hot-shot, he still did provide some pretty decent info, even if it doesn't have a link.
  
  ♫Try to be happy, please?♫
  
  I also found the source on TDK:
  http://www.tdk.com/tecpress/20060103_bd100gb_ces.html
  

  Need help fast? Lookie here:
  http://adbuddies.ccsau.com/chat/irc.php
  Find the tweak you need here:
  http://www.mdgx.com/
  
  

  9.1.2006 15:28 #42

• lfzombie

  well this is my first post here and i have been reading this stuff for a while and here is my views on the blue-ray
  
  sony will sell the ps3 at a loss it has been said from other game systems the money is in the game not the system every game company has to split the profits the game makes with sony and from the 80's and 90's they pay and up front fee to sony to have the game on that system (this might have changed as of 2000)tthat is why there are so many big titles that come out with a new system sony dose not have to release a game ever but they do because the full profit is sonys alone ...
  and from what i see right from day 1 there will be a large market for blue-ray movies an instant market close to a a quater of a mil.world wide and just starting to grow with that instant market sony will get money from movies games and everything that the blue-ray can do that can be put in the market place and if ms or nintendo go to blur-ray sony will get profits from them that is why the other systems do not support it and lets not forget the pc market that will drag the blur-ray format well past its use before something new comes out. i may be wrong on some stuff but you get the ideaon the ammount money that is set to be made by sony

  9.1.2006 15:54 #43

• IMG

  First of all, I would suggest to you that this is a FORUM, not a "FORM".
  
  Secondly, who in the world ever mentioned I was holding a SENIOR POSITION in the industry?
  
  I own my own, very successful privately held company who has released over 2o DVD's in the last 2 years in addition to all of the other corporate and local event work that we do. If I want to take time off, I'm in a postition to be able to do so, even though I never do because I like to work - A LOT. It's called being a workaholic, which also means I am typically multi-tasking like crazy. We have nearly 20 workstations and 4 servers in the old facility, and are about to add that same numer again for the new, million-dollar production facility we are building right now. None of this was given to me, it was all blood, sweat and tears every step of the way. LOTS of hard work. We now employ artound 15 people, with plans to add another dozen or so in the next year as business warrants us doing so.
  
  Also, even though I personally use 5 workstations and a laptop as well, I still have insane render times, which I use for business administration tasks, like answering e-mails, Internet research and replying or posting in around 2 dozen forums. Through all of my hard work, and that of my excellent team members, we have driven our company and domain name to the very top of almost every search engine. We are currently in the midst of a complete site overhaul, and are 80% complete with a few tweaks and some clever programming left to do until we finish.
  
  So, yes, I am DAMNED busy. Last week, I worked 20 hour days ever single day, except for the 72-hour marathon I pulled last weekend to finish some edits in a timely fashion.
  
  Our clients are happy, business is booming at a steady pace, and we are growing bigger and stronger every single day.
  
  As for the "advertisement", that's a very lame and unappreciative way of slapping someone in the face who is sharing inside info with those who are interested.
  
  Timely tips like, "Adobe is about to release its new Video collection later this month or in early February 2006." Where ELSE are you going to hear facts that ALWAYS pan out to be true, except from someone who has their ear to the ground and their nose to the grindstone.
  
  Most people like to hear about new developments as they are occurring. Afterdawn is not as current as the info I have when its posts news blurbs, and in fact have been wrong on a frequent basis. I feel it incumbent on me to help set the record straight, provide current, factual, interesting and informative trivia about extremely important industry trends.
  
  Trends like the advent of DVD, Blu-ray, HD-DVD, HVD, HDV, HD, etc.
  
  If you don't like the content, switch gears and go somewhere else to piss and moan about how miserable your life is. Maybe one day YOU will have your own books, DVD's, podcasts, magazine, radio and TV interviews to deal with.
  
  For me, I've got video to edit and render...

  9.1.2006 16:09 #44

• Reasons?

  Forum sites tend to have a general disclamer, normal people don't edit their posts and type as fast as they can.
  
  Proffesional implies experience and, keyword here, senority. Junoir programmers wouldn't be caugth dead calling themselves proffesional programmers. Senoir programmars can do that. As with any comapany, there are senoir employees, and the interns aren't susposed to be able to cal themselves pros cause they work there.
  
  Hey, maybe it's a short and quick analogy. But, who can blame anyone for being a little tired of havin gto beleive every [Name](Newbie) that comes along and says they work for SOny or Microsoft. I am not sayin gyou're a lier, I'm just saying I don't take your's or anyones word. It's just the only logical explanation to your purpose and post is quite indicative of a Blu-ray promo. cynical with good reason

  9.1.2006 18:42 #45

• mikecUSA

  IMG I'm glad you're here, and I'm not sure what got someone agitated. I think it's cool that you're here offering some cool facts.
  
  As far as I can tell, 90% of us here on the forum are just regular joes, some with insight and some barely above clueless (like me Mike C).
  
  Any insider knowledge of the industry that we can get is welcome and exciting info, so please keep it coming. There are no litmus tests for becoming a forum member other than following the forum rules and playing well with others, which you clearly are doing, and sharing awesome insight.
  
  So Thank you and please keep sharing, I'm sure that you have insider knowledge on a host of different products in addition to Pioneer, and I can't wait to hear about them.
  
  I'm sure you have your pet favorites, most of us are advocates of one product over another, that's another great thing about this forums, and opinions are what keeps this palce bumpin and groovin.

  10.1.2006 04:18 #46

• IMG

  No problem.
  
  We actually have been very fortunate to have tapped into the founder of "The Firm" workout studio / video series, as they are based here in Columbia, SC. The founder, Anna Benson, hired me to create DVD's for her new workout series called "FitPrime" 2 years ago. We did about 15 titles in all for her.
  
  Then, after about 6 months in development, several of the original FIRM instructors, and specifically, Tracie Long, contacted me to work with her new company in Charleston, SC. Her company is called TLP / V, for Tracie Long Productions, and her fitness center (which is an AWESOME multi-million dollar facility, very upscale, like a Bally's), is called "V", based on the latin root for vitality, etc. We did some minor work in changing graphics, video editing, and overall DVD re-Authoring on a couple of titles last year for her. She has pledged to use my company this Spring (if we are ready to handle the challenge equipment-wise) for production on several new DVD workouts.
  
  Finally, last year, we also did the DVD mastering (only) for a singer / songwriter / musician / poet / artist named Niko Papasideris. He completed a masterful compilation of a music CD, DVD of his musical journey, including the creation of many of the songs, a lot of silliness and fun, and some poetry and artwork all bound together in a single production. Very unique, different than anything out there, and super creative. Certainly a breath of fresh air, musically speaking. Since then, Niko has become a friend via e-mail and phone correspondance. He also just won the new USA TV series competition for best new artist performing original music in the last couple of months.
  
  Here are the links verifying all of my statements:
  
  http://www.justv.net = Tracie Long's Studio website
  http://tracielong.net = Tracie's Video sales site
  
  We worked on the very first one at the top, which is two DVD's on one, called "Core Cardio" and "Core Strength", affectionately known as "The Yorktowns", as they were shot aboard the USS Yorktown, which sits visably across the harbor from her studio in Charleston, SC. Very cool, great view!
  
  Anna Benson has changed her companies again for the third time in the last 5 years. She sold "The Firm" to create "FitPrime", then sold "FitPrime" to create "Women's Health & Fitness Network", or WHFN for short. This, just like "The Firm", is also based right here in Columbia, SC. Your can do various web searches on the original titles for "FitPrime" and get tons of hits, thousands of copies are still out on the market, but basically, all 15+ titles are considered out of print just 2 short years later. The first couple of titles were "Mix and Match Vol. 1", which has 5 workouts on it, and a lot of intersting features that had never been done before on ANY workout DVD, like: Easter egg (with my credit on it as well!), hidden bonus DVD-ROM features, like WM9, QT and WinDVD trial software player installs, etc. Neat stuff. Other titles are: "From the ground up", "Strong Bear", "Just Right - Weights, Cardio & Yoga", and "Crunch Time", "Steamin' Cardio", "Floor Burn" and "Flex Posture" amongst others. I did a LOT of video editing on these titles, but believe it or not, Anna did the majority of the video production herself. She is very talented, but very hard to with with. Usually creative types are that way, it seems.
  
  Anna's current website, where she has taken old workouts and revamped them with new instructors, is:
  http://www.whfn.com/
  
  Finally, here is my friend Niko's website. Check his music, definitely worth listening to:
  http://www.nikoonline.com
  
  So, yes, a lot of people BS their way through life on the Internet, but some of us are they real McCoy. You can donload and listen to the 3 existing podcasts I did in July (it was the 12th) 2005 on http://www.wedvidtalk.com for a TON of info on video production, DVD, Blu-ray, HD-DVD, HVD, HDV (not a typo!) and HD in general, as well as computer tips for both PC and Mac (I'm a computer technician with 30 years experience, too, as well as a musician who has played for TWO world-famous bands, one with a top ten hit song. No BS, really! Jack of all trades, you know how it goes...I just don't do plumbing very well at all, just ask my wife! LoL!).
  
  Here are the links to a direct download:
  
  http://www.wedvidtalk.com/uploads/WVT-2005-07-12-Pt1.mp3
  
  http://www.wedvidtalk.com/uploads/WVT-2005-07-12-Pt2.mp3
  
  http://www.wedvidtalk.com/uploads/WVT-2005-07-12-Pt3.mp3
  
  So, at least I can back up my statements with published PROOF, both on numerous websites, and with tangible, physical products distributed world-wide.
  
  Anyhow, I hope all of the info I have provided in all of these posts has been helpful. I know some people enjoy them, I hope that you do, too.
  
  Scot
  Owner / Producer
  IMG - Interactive Media Gurus
  http://www.imgvideos.com

  10.1.2006 04:29 #47

• mikecUSA

  Cool man, You're one of those rare birds that's got talent & ability connnected in the industry and still connected with hose like us who are basically not in the industry, but consume the industry. It's great to know how inviolved you are in all these different projects.
  
  I used to do what you do, but I did it for Armed Forces Radio and Television (I was a non profit soldier/broadcaster).
  
  Used to work with AVID and SaDIE. So I know the fever that drives ya....it's like a disease, in your blood and so it's in your heart too. Unless you're in it, no one can quite understand.

  10.1.2006 05:14 #48

• IMG

  Mike, that's awesome. I was in the US Air Force band as a guitarist, stationed down in Biloxi, MS at Keesler, and worked for the department of the Army at Ft. Jackson, SC (here in Columbia, SC) shooting video of troops in training and providing all of the narrations for the basic training videos, command briefings, change of command ceremonies, etc. In fact Clinton actually got a tape that we had done and had to sit through listening to me drone on about the fort...LOL! I wonder if Monica was with him at the time!
  
  Also very interesting, when Penny Marshall came to Ft. Jax (as we call it for short), she hired the company I worked for to shoot the "Behind the scenes, making-of" the movie, "Renaissance Man", which starred Gregory Hines, Danny Devito and Mark Wahlberg. We got to meet everyone, it was great. They were all so very nice, humble people EXCEPT for "Marky Mark", he was a conceited, arrogant ass.
  
  So, anyway, I have a warm place in my heart for our military personnel. I salute you for you work that you did, that is so awesome. And also, THANK YOU for supporting our troops and the United States of America!

  10.1.2006 06:43 #49

• Rendering

  I attended the 2006 CES and had a chance to compare firsthand the video quality of HD-DVD and Blu-ray. The presentations were on HD Plasma TV's, and included already released theatricals like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, scenes from certain EA boxing games, etc. Quite frankly, the clarity and depth of the image is noticeable better, but surprisingly it was not mind-blowing. Keep in mind that the movie industry, except for some blockbuster movies last year, is experiencing sagging demand for many of its movie products. Hi Def is seen as a way to pump some life into sales. The biggest part of the presentation actually dealt with the increased interactivity of HD DVD and Blu-ray menu systems, the portability/compatibility of the media (can play in your PC, home entertainment unit, car player, etc.), and the allowance of limited legal backup copies. Also keep in mind that you can burn a regular DVD to either Blu-ray or HD DVD discs, AND burn Hi Def content to the same disc. Also, HD DVD and Blu Ray players are backwards compatible with existing DVD discs.
  
  Another entry in the Hi Def format wars, overlooked and possibly underestimated, is High Definition-FVD (Forward Versatile Disc). I also visited their booth to check out their technology. FVD is being positioned as the Asian (China, Taiwan, etc.) alternative to both HD DVD and Blu-ray. Some key benefits of Hi Def FVD: 1) Uses red laser at same wavelength as standard DVD (650nm) so discs and players can be produced on existing manufacturing equipment, which will mean the Hi Def FVD players and discs can be sold at a fraction of the prices announced for both HD DVD and Blu-ray, 2) Storage capacity of 5.4-6 GB but uses WMV-9 codec (compared to MPEG-2 used for standard DVD, and currently for Blu ray and HD-DVD). WMV-9 allows for hi def video resolutions of 1920x1080x24p, 1920x1080x60i, 1280x720x24p and 1280x720x30p. With the WMV-9 codec, 135 minutes of high definition content can be stored on a single-layer FVD disc, 3) Can use common video adapters such as S-Video, Component, Composite, as well as DVI and HDMI. Note that Blue ray will exclusively use HDMI, 4)Multi sequence menu/index structure (Again, this will be one of the biggest selling points of both Blu ray and HD-DVD), 5) FVD can upscale standard DVD video to High Definition video by a special interpolating process.
  
  So, Blu-ray and HD DVD are only the tip of the multimedia iceberg. There are other current (albeit ignored) competing technologies, like Hi-Def FVD, and possibly superior ones, like holography, on the way.

  10.1.2006 12:37 #50

• mikecUSA

  we'll have to chat of-forum, i definitely want to comiserate with ya, but i have to run to a sales call right now.

  10.1.2006 13:15 #51

• Reasons?

  Topic? This is getting to far off. Stick to Blu-ray, Next-gen content, HD-DVD, PS3 and othe rBD-R players.
  
  When a word count would lean in favor of off topic posts, it's pretty sad.

  10.1.2006 13:37 #52

• Rikoshay

  I agree. There is some very good additional info, but there is too much off-topic plugging and conversation. Let's all just keep within the margins of the topic at hand.

  10.1.2006 16:59 #53

• IMG

  As I accurately predicted earlier this month, Adobe just released the Video Collection 2.0, with Premiere Pro, Encore, and Audition 2.0, and After Effects 7. The deluxe bundle comes with Illustrator and Photoshop.
  
  They have direct timeline support for HD, and you can mix any tupe of HD and SD content IN THE SAME TIMELINE, unlike any other NLE (like Avid, or Final Cut Pro, who can't touch PPRO 2.0).
  
  Encore DVD has full support for authoring Blu-ray HD DVD projects as well, which is exciting an development.

  24.1.2006 18:13 #54

• Rikoshay

  IMG, can I ask you a question?
  
  What do you think of Amiga machines, and do you think that they and their products may come back someday?

  26.1.2006 00:37 #55

• IMG

  Nope, Amiga is dead.
  
  We used to use one for the Video Toaster system for grafix & titles back in the early and mid-90's.
  
  It was a neat idea, just like the Atari ST systems we had, but technology zoomed past them at light speed, plus corporate problems & nonsense killed them both.
  
  Kind of a shame when you think about it. The Amiga was the only real competition that the Mac had back in those days.

  26.1.2006 01:43 #56

• IMG

  Has anyone seen the Pioneer BDR-101a yet? They said it was going to be released in early to mid January, but as of this date (Feb. 8, 2006) I have not seen it appear for sale on the market yet.
  
  Also, my initial research showed the MSRP on that unit to be $995, with no mention of its successor, the BDR-102a, already in production.
  
  Anyone hear anything on either of these units yet?

  8.2.2006 03:13 #57