Sharp Introduces BD-HP20U Blu-ray player

[jed]

just posted:

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/939

After months of rumors, Sharp has finally unveiled their first next-gen disc player for the US, the AQUOS BD-HP20U Blu-ray player.

Due in stores later this month at an MSRP of $549.99, the new player will be the first non-LCD product in Sharp's US line to carry the AQUOS moniker.

Key features include 1080p/24 fps video, onboard decoding for Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD, and a built-in HDMI 1.3 AV interface.

The company says that all of the key components of the player were built by Sharp itself, including the Blu-ray laser, the pick-up beam, and the driver unit.

Athough the player doesn't appear to offer bit-stream audio output, Sharp's press release boasts of a "Quick Start" feature, which promises load-times of less than 10-seconds.

Cosmetically, the player features a black piano finish, and a "slim-profile" design. Gizmodo posted a series of photos of the unit earlier today, and indeed this puppy looks to be thin.

[balpho]

Good god, again, ANOTHER ce company not confirming if their bd player is 1.1 compliant! Agh! Put the public's unease at rest here people!

[biggdavetay]

Ok, now this one is $549.99 and have the nerve to have something missing, no (bit-stream audio output) WOW.

[supra2jzgte]

Hardware Inconsistency! Where is the DTS-HD Master Audio decoding??? Hello!! All of Fox's BD's are encoded with it. And no bitstream out! No thanks. I am really getting fed up with Blu Ray disc. Seriously.

-dad

[ccphilly1984]

wow all these announcements and nothing about interactivity. when is sharp coming out with an hddvd player?

[HDAlien]

Another 1.1 compliant, for over $500. What is with Blu

[Rob.D.inToronto]

Honestly, I love Sharp stuff. But WTF?

This one is a pass. I am honestly surprised at all the BD releases, it's like they are fighting last springs format war.

They're looking pretty dumb.

[biggdavetay]

They say it has real quick boot-up, less than 10 secs. I didnt know the bootup time was such a big selling point. $549.99, and dont have the capabilities to actually let you get the most out of your Discs like DTS-HD. Sorry, can I get whats behind door #2 please

[jgantert]

Doesn't look like there is an ethernet port on it based on the Gizmodo photos. What is the port just to the left of the coax digital audio port?

[mmmmDoNut]

Originally Posted by jgantert

Doesn't look like there is an ethernet port on it based on the Gizmodo photos. What is the port just to the left of the coax digital audio port?

Its the HDMI port

[Rob.D.inToronto]

Gizmodo said the bootup time is not 10 seconds. Closer to 50 seconds.

[evivbulgroz]

I would still call this a step in the right direction. A MSRP at launch of $549.99 means that this might be the first player to eventually cross the $400 mark? Plus Sharp is super present at BB, CC & Costco. Let's see the rest of the announcements...

[mmmmDoNut]

No ethernet, unknown profile spec, guess I might as well spend my money for a BD player on a couple more HD DVD players for the rest of the house.

[aloneindark]

lol, another soon to obsolete player. Way to go, BDA!

[jgantert]

Originally Posted by mmmmDoNut

Its the HDMI port

If that's HDMI, then what is the port that has the big black cable connected? Does this unit have two HDMI ports?