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CableLabs Eyes IP-Based Video
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jul 17, 2006  |  1 comments
CableLabs is working up a new version of the OpenCable Application Platform, according to Cable Digital News. OCAP is the R&D program that gave birth to the CableCARD. The new Version 1.1 would support IP-based video and multimedia streams. That would give the cable ops a leg up in their coming struggle against the telcos, especially AT&T, which is rolling out IP video delivery. OCAP 1.1 would also mesh with mobile applications to be launched this fall by Sprint, Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, and Advance/Newhouse. It would support home networking, switched broadcast, advanced graphics, and other goodies. And it would allow cable companies to more easily insert commercials into VOD programming (yippee). The technology would likely take the form of a new set-top box. Whether it would migrate directly into television sets is up to the TV makers, but for the moment, they're not thrilled with the outcome of the existing CableCARD agreement.
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Blu-ray Player Reviews
Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray Disc Player
Thomas J. Norton  |  Jul 16, 2006  |  0 comments

The battle is starting to heat up. HD DVD has been out for just two months. Two weeks ago Samsung launched its first Blu-ray player, the BD-P1000 ($1,000), the subject of this report.

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Marantz DV9600 DVD Player
Thomas J. Norton  |  Jul 16, 2006  |  1 comments

At $2,099, the DV9600 is Marantz' flagship "universal" DVD player. You can read about this player's many features in the Specifications section of this review, or on Marantz' own website. Some of the more significant ones are:

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Denon DVD-2910 DVD Player: Short Take
 |  Jul 16, 2006  |  0 comments

<UL CLASS="square">
<LI>$739</LI>
<LI>Digital Video Output: HDMI and DVI</LI>
<LI>Video Upconversion: 720p and 1080i</LI>
<LI>Audio Decoding: DD, DTS, DVD-Audio, SACD, HDCD, MP3, WMA</LI>
<LI>Ins and Outs: HDMI, DVI, component, composite and S-Video, coaxial and Toslink digital audio, two-channel and 5.1-channel analog audio </LI>
<LI>Feature Highlights: Universal player with HDMI and DVI outputs, Faroudja deinterlacing w/DCDi, 12-bit/216MHz video DACs, full bass management with delays for all formats except SACD </LI>
</UL>
<IMG SRC="/images/archivesart/706denon2910.jpg" WIDTH=450 HEIGHT=247 BORDER=0>

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Arcam DV78 DVD Player: Short Take
 |  Jul 16, 2006  |  0 comments

<UL CLASS="square">
<LI>$999</LI>
<LI>Digital Video Output: No</LI>
<LI>Video Upconversion: No</LI>
<LI>Audio Decoding: CD, MP3 </LI>
<LI>Ins and Outs: Component, composite and S-Video, RGB/SCART, coaxial and Toslink digital audio, two-channel analog audio </LI>
<LI>Feature Highlights: CD performance designed to be on par with dedicated CD players</LI>
</UL>
<IMG SRC="/images/archivesart/706arcamdv78.jpg" WIDTH=450 HEIGHT=167 BORDER=0>

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Simaudio Moon Orbiter DVD Player: Short Take
 |  Jul 16, 2006  |  0 comments

<UL CLASS="square">
<LI>$6,500</LI>
<LI>Digital Video Output: DVI (video compatible with HDMI)</LI>
<LI>Video Upconversion: No</LI>
<LI>Audio Decoding: DD, DTS, DVD-Audio, SACD, MP3</LI>
<LI>Ins and Outs: DVI, component, composite and S-Video, optional SDI digital video, coaxial (one on RCA, one on BNC), Toslink and AES/EBU digital audio, two-channel and 5.1-channel analog audio </LI>
<LI>Feature Highlights: Universal player w/DVI output, Silicon Image deinterlacing, advanced switch mode power supply w/shielding and eight stages of regulation</LI>
</UL>
<IMG SRC="/images/archivesart/706simmoonorbitor.jpg" WIDTH=450 HEIGHT=173 BORDER=0>

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Arcam FMJ DV29 DVD Player: Short Take
 |  Jul 16, 2006  |  0 comments

<UL CLASS="square">
<LI>$2,999</LI>
<LI>Digital Video output: HDMI</LI>
<LI>Video Upconversion: No</LI>
<LI>Audio Decoding: DD, DTS, DVD-Audio, MP3, WMA</LI>
<LI>Ins and Outs: HDMI, component, RGB/SCART, composite and S-Video, coaxial and optical digital audio, 5.1-channel analog audio, RS-232 </LI>
<LI>Feature Highlights: HDMI output, integrated Zoran decoding engine w/deinterlacing, 12-bit/216MHz video DACs, HDCD decoding, bass management with level and delay settings, critically damped, three-layer "Full Metal Jacket" Accousteel chassis </LI>
</UL>
<IMG SRC="/images/archivesart/706arcamfmjdv29.jpg" WIDTH=450 HEIGHT=101 BORDER=0>

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Blu-ray Player Reviews
Sony BDP-S1 Blu-ray Disc Player: First Look
Ultimate AV Staff  |  Jul 16, 2006  |  0 comments

<UL CLASS="square">
<LI>$1,000</LI>
<LI>Digital Video Output: HDMI</LI>
<LI>Video Upconversion: 720p, 1080i/p</LI>
<LI>Audio Decoding: DD, DTS, MP3, WMA</LI>
<LI>Ins and Outs: HDMI, component, composite and S-Video, coaxial and Toslink digital audio, two-channel and 5.1-channel analog audio</LI>
<LI>Feature Highlights: Blu-ray Disc Player, upconversion of standard-def DVDs to 720p or 1080i/p via HDMI</LI>
</UL>
<IMG SRC="/images/archivesart/706sonybdps1.jpg" WIDTH=450 HEIGHT=166 BORDER=0>

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Blu-ray Player Reviews
Pioneer Elite BDP-HD1 Blu-ray Disc Player: First Look
Ultimate AV Staff  |  Jul 16, 2006  |  0 comments

<UL CLASS="square">
<LI>$1,500</LI>
<LI>Digital Video Output: HDMI</LI>
<LI>Video Upconversion: 720p, 1080i/p</LI>
<LI>Audio Decoding: DD, MP3, WMA </LI>
<LI>Ins and Outs: HDMI, component, one each composite and S-Video, coaxial and Toslink digital audio, two-channel and 5.1-channel analog audio, Ethernet </LI>
<LI>Feature Highlights: Blu-ray Disc Player, upconversion of standard-def DVDs to 720p or 1080i/p via HDMI</LI>
</UL>
<IMG SRC="/images/archivesart/706pioneerbdphd1.jpg" WIDTH=450 HEIGHT=135 BORDER=0>

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Blu-ray Player Reviews
Panasonic DMP-BD10 Blu-ray Disc Player: First Look
Ultimate AV Staff  |  Jul 16, 2006  |  0 comments

<UL CLASS="square">
<LI>$1,300</LI>
<LI>Digital Video Output: HDMI</LI>
<LI>Video Upconversion: 720p, 1080i/p</LI>
<LI>Audio Decoding: NA </LI>
<LI>Ins and Outs: NA </LI>
<LI>Feature Highlights: Blu-ray Disc Player, upconversion of standard-def DVDs to 720p or 1080i/p via HDMI</LI>
</UL>
<IMG SRC="/images/archivesart/706panasonicdmpbd10.jpg" WIDTH=450 HEIGHT=115 BORDER=0>

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