Toshiba expands its range of Blu-ray players with the introduction of three new players, the BDX2500, BDX2700 and the BDX3000. The company is also introducing the ZX900 Series CELL TV into the U.S. market.
All three Toshiba's new Blu-ray disc players feature online connectivity, offering consumers access to online streaming entertainment from Netflix, Cinema Now and Pandora. These Toshiba Blu-ray models will also feature access to 1080p VUDU content.
With the recent announcement of the finalized Blu-ray 3D format specification, Toshiba will also add the new BDX3000 Blu-ray player with 3D playback to complement the Toshiba 3D television products. The BDX3000 is planned to become available in the third quarter and adds 3D playback in addition to the full slate of features found on the BDX2700.
All models feature 1080p/24fps playback of Blu-ray titles, as well as upconversion of standard definition DVD, are BD-Live capable, offer online streaming capability, playback of MP3, HD-JPEG, WMA and AVCHD for home movie viewing. Audio features of all models include on-board decoding of Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio Essential via the analog 7.1 channel outputs or pass through via HDMI interface for outboard decoding. The BDX2500 will be "wireless ready" via its USB port, with an optional Toshiba USB wireless "dongle" for connection to a wireless home network. The BDX2700 is packed with the same features of the BDX2500 but adds built-in wireless connectivity. The BDX3000, which will ship later in the year, features a fresh new design, 3D capabilities and a wide-range of added features, with full details to follow closer to launch date.
The BDX2500 will have a suggested price of $199.99, the BDX2700 $249.99; both will become available in spring 2010. The BDX3000 is planned to become available in the third quarter.
Toshiba CELL TV
Toshiba also introduced the ZX900 Series CELL TV into the U.S. market. CELL TV will be available in the U.S later this year.
At the heart of the CELL TV is the CELL Broadband Engine, designed for superior multimedia processing and previously used in advanced PCs and Sony's PS3 gaming console.
"By combining the CELL Engine with the new KIRA2?LED panel technology, Toshiba engineers have developed all-new levels of stunning performance and comprehensive functionality. CELL TV provides more brightness, more contrast, more detail, more 3D, more robust connectivity, and more fun than anything we have ever created. CELL TV is the new gold standard," said Scott Ramirez, VP TV Marketing for Toshiba America Consumer Products.
The heart of CELL TV is the powerful CELL Engine which has 143 times the processing power available in current TV models. True Super Resolution Technology ensures precise image accuracy by sampling multiple frames and restoring the native pre-sampling signal curve. This process enhances both SD and HD signals for the clearest possible 1080p Full HD picture. Net Resolution+ adds Compression Noise Canceling to significantly enhance Internet content. This system detects noise compression inherent in low resolution internet content and separates and corrects the image data to produce sharper, cleaner internet images, even on super large screens. In addition, AutoView RGB combines an ambient light sensor, and a new RGB sensor, to automatically set the brightness, contrast, gamma, sharpness, color saturation, and now color temperature, to ensure the best possible picture in any lighting condition. CELL TV also boasts ClearScan 480Hz Frame Rate, for a clear picture for fast motion video.
For the flagship ZX900 Series, Toshiba combined the power of the CELL processor with its new KIRA2 Super Local Dimming LED Display. KIRA2 is positioned as "Twice as Bright!" as it has an amazing 1,000 cd/m2 brightness. In addition, KIRA2 also has 512 controllable zones (5X that of previous local dimming models) for precise control over black levels. This allows the KIRA2 to create a 9M: 1 Dynamic Contrast.
CELL TV has also 3D TV capability. For native 3D content, CELL TV utilizes a Frame Sequential System that changes from 240Hz in 2D mode, to 120Hz for the right eye and 120Hz for the left eye in 3D` mode. This system accepts multiple 3D input formats, including MPEG4-MVC, RealD, and more. However, when true 3D content isn?t available, CELL TV has the solution. TriVector 2D to 3D Conversion takes any 2D content and converts it into 3D in real time.
CELL TV also comes with a built-in 1TB HDD, BD Player and 802.11n Wi-Fi capability. Content can be downloaded from the Internet, transferred from a PC, or recorded directly onto the HDD from the BD Player. Other conncetivity features inlclude an Ethernet Port with DLNA, and Wireless HD, which allows the CELL Set-Top Box to connect to the display without running any wires to the wall.
Taking connectivity to another level, CELL TV also includes new Video Phone capability. This Home Video Conferencing over IP allows consumers to see and hear people with compatible devices. By combining this with Net Resolution+, Cell TV can provide clear images, even on super large screens.
The CELL XV900 Series is the first CELL TV Series, and will be available in large 55" and 65" (diagonal) screen sizes. This two piece system features a sleek Set-top Box, and a display in the new Genesis Design with a black brushed aluminum bezel with acrylic trim.