High-Def FAQ: Blu-ray Profiles Explained

[jed]

Just posted Josh Zyber's latest High-Def FAQ. This time, he offers up a quick primer on Blu-ray profiles, and what they really mean for consumers.

Full story:
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/1186

[jonocop]

What does that mean for the PS3? Is it 1.1 compatible?

[HDTV1080P]

What does that mean for the PS3? Is it 1.1 compatible?

No one knows for sure accept Sony. Since the PS3 is not considered a standalone player it might not be covered by the BDA October 31st/Nov 1st mandate. Hopefully some or all PS3 models can be updated to profile 1.1 and profile 2.0.

[jcc]

What does that mean for the PS3? Is it 1.1 compatible?

My guess is that you will find out for sure when you pop in a 1.1 disk. There is no reason why it can't be. It doesn't need hardware video decoders, since the CELL chip handles the decoding, and has plenty of power to spare. SONY still needs to provide a firmware update to do it though.

On the separate question of why the BDA was stupid enough to allow a 1.0 "grace period" of over a year, I think it was done to allow the greatest possible number of hardware makers feel comfortable about being able to produce players profitably during the early adopter phase.

1-2 years ago, you may have needed to put in 2 discrete decoder chips, and now (I think) there are dual channel decoders available. They can reduce the chip count, and make the players cheaper.

Why did this not affect Toshiba? It did. They cut costs elsewhere in the hardware design, and also sold players at a loss. That is good for HD-DVD consumers, because they get extra features at a lower price.

The BDA did not want to try to convince Blu-ray manufacturers to do the same, because they would not have done it.

[HerculesBeast]

So when one goes out and buys a 1.1 player now, in time one would be buying discs with features one would not be able to use when 2.0 movies come out.

I don't understand why the prices of profile 1.0 players are still so high.

Profile 1.1 is "final standard profile" and profile 2.0 is "final profile"

I don't understand why Sony is getting so much Studio support. Manufacturers yes but studios i don't get. Oh wait. Each blu-ray movie can be re-released with added features to support each new profile.

[Dyers Eve]

3:10 to Yuna?

[bodin]

It must be so people always have to get a new player, like once every second yet or so?

[MNTWISTER]

As usual, a thread in a non-smackdown forum about a particular feature, attracts all the hd-dvd fanboys. Why don't you go away, you don't want blu-ray so why bother us that do? Grow up and keep with the subject at hand!

Since Blu-ray is a brand new technology, not one built upon a former technology, things are just happening slower. By mid next year everything will be finalized and available. Anyone who was there for the first year or two of dvd also remembers many problems with different features on different players. I do agree that the BDA made a mistake in not forcing all the final specs from the beginning, that was not a smart move. But so be it, it is the way it is. As for the Playstation, that will be upgraded and from what I understand will be able to be upgraded to 2.0.

Personally, I could care less about picture in picture and connecting to the internet. I buy a movie to watch the movie in the best available quality. 1080p high def and uncompressed sound, and blu-ray has delivered that beautifully. Every single disc from Fox, Disney, Sony/Columbia, MGM all have uncompressed sound, usually PCM or Dolby True or DTS Master. That's good enough for me. I have a large dvd collection and I have yet to watch 95% of the extras or commentaries. The movie is what is important to me, always has been and always will be, the bells and whistles are nice to have but I don't need them, though my brand new Panasonic blu-ray player I bought today has spec 1.1.

[HD Guru]

Personally, I find the whole notion of separate hardware Profiles needlessly confusing and not in the best interest of consumers. Whether intentionally designed that way or not, it leaves the impression that the manufacturers are trying to force existing Blu-ray early adopters into upgrading their equipment only a year into the format's life cycle, just to gain some new features that should have been included from the beginning.

Yup, this article is definitely from Josh.

As for 2.0, didn't Daewoo and LG both announce their new players would be profile 2.0 compatible?

[jonabbey]

There have been a number of references in the media to Sony preparing a BD-J 1.1 firmware update for PS3, with release date due before the end of the year.

[BrutalDeluxe]

Anyone else think that if it is necessary to write an editorial to explain the differences between profiles on a dedicated Hi Def website, what chance does the average consumer have?

Nice write-up though.

[Josh Z]

3:10 to Yuna?

Fixed, thanks.

[Josh Z]

Yup, this article is definitely from Josh.

Do you disagree with what I wrote? If you believe that separate player Profiles are good for consumers, please do explain, thanks.

[Obreeze]

This is pricely why I think the player price is so critcal. I have a lot of friends that would like to have a HD DVD or Blu-Ray player but are not willing to pay more than $200 for a player that could be obsolete in a year. For under $200 they can start to rationalize the purchase because they are getting an upconverting DVD player and even if the other format becomes the standard, they are only out a couple hundred. I'm waiting until Profile 2.0 player are available before buying a Blu-Ray player (unless Sony annouces a Profile 3.??, then I'll wait some more).

[Don Borvio]

That's why the PS3 is THE blu-ray player, and will be for a while. Add DTS-HD and profile 2.0 support via firmware, which is totally possible with the PS3's hardware, and why would you buy anything else?

Problem is, Sony is boxing consumers into that corner, and all the other CE options are rendered irrelevant. Unless you see <$200 1.1/2.0 players in the next few months.

I think Blu-ray is a decent format, I like the disc coating, the extra space will be good for BD-Rs and PCs that use them (once that price comes down). But, I think this profile nonsense, extra "security", and region coding made them stumble out of the gate a bit. At least there's only 3 regions vs 5 for DVD. Sony may have the faster horse, but the horse came to the race with a banged up leg.