Sony introduced two additional Blu-ray Disc (BD) players today offering a full range of features.

Optimized for the home theater enthusiasts, the new BDP-S2000ES model is the first Blu-ray Disc player in Sony?s "Elevated Standard" (ES) line. This model, as well as the new BDP-S500, which complements Sony?s current BDP-S300 BD player, features full high-definition 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema output. They support 7.1 channel linear PCM and Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, as well as dts-HD High Resolution Audio bitstream output via HDMI (ver1.3).

The BDP-S2000ES model features dual shield construction, which prevents dust from collecting on the BD drive, and a rigid drive bracket to minimize vibration. The player also sports a rigid beam chassis that reduces internal vibration, improving playback.



Similar to other Sony ES products, the unit?s aluminum insulator feet help isolate the player from external vibrations, while separate audio and video boards deliver better sound and picture quality. The unit also includes the IR-in feature for custom installation market.



The BDP-S2000ES and BDP-S500 units both offer 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio bitstream output, which is optional specification of HDMI ver1.3. The new BD players also feature Dolby TrueHD, along with the Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio decoding function via HDMI, to offer a better sound experience with existing receivers.

The Blu-ray Disc players feature 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema output. They are compatible with most standard DVDs and feature 1080p upscaling through HDMI to capable HDTV sets, improving the picture performance of existing DVD libraries.

The new players support AVCHD discs encoded with x.v.Color? (xvYCC) technology, an international standard for wide color space. The standard expands the current data range of video by about 1.8 times, allowing the players to output more natural and vivid colors similar to what the human eye can actually see. The players also feature compatibility with an array of video formats, including BD-R/RE (BDMV mode), DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW (Video Mode), CD, CD-R/RW (CD-DA format), MP3, and JPEG on DVD recordable media.

Both the BDP-S2000ES and BDP-S500 players incorporate BRAVIA TheatreSync through HDMI. This allows for integrated operation with a compatible BRAVIA flat-panel LCD HDTV sets and audio/video receivers.

The units offer optical and coaxial digital audio outputs, along with 5.1 channel decoding capability for backward compatibility with existing A/V receivers.

The new BDP-S2000ES and BDP-S500 players will be available this fall for about $1,300 and $700, respectively.