Samsung Electronics formally kicked off the era of Blu-ray last week at CES, as it demonstrated its BD-P1000 Blu-ray disc (BD) player.
The new device will let consumers take full advantage of high-definition displays, playing content at native 720p or 1080i video resolutions. The player will ship in early spring and shortly thereafter will become the first BD player from any manufacturer to be sold in the U.S. It is expected to retail for approximately $1,000.
The BD player includes a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) output, an industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface on a single cable, allowing users to easily connect the Blu-ray player to their existing home televisions. It will also decode standard multi-channel audio.
Samsung developed all components of the BD-P1000 internally. Samsung’s unique technology–one pickup with two lenses–allows it to also play standard DVDs and CDs in addition to Blu-ray discs while allowing for more cost-effective production.
