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Hardware Sony Announces Commercial BD-ROM Playback with BWU-100A
Anh Tuan Huynh (Blog) - September 29, 2006 10:01 AM

30 comment(s) - last by JNo.. on Oct 2 at 5:28 AM

PC Blu-ray movie playback for Sony BWU-100A owners

Sony announced its recently released BWU-100A Blu-ray burner will be able to playback commercial Blu-ray movies. This will be made possible with a new software update for the included copy of Cyberlink PowerDVD. The new software update will arrive next month. Sony will be providing the update as a free download to BWU-100A owners.

Although Cyberlink will be releasing the software update to allow Blu-ray movie playback on PCs, a decently powered PC is still required. Nevertheless, systems equipped with ATI Radeon X1000 series or NVIDIA GeForce 7 series video cards should have no troubles with Blu-ray DVD playback as the cards support hardware decoding of H.264 videos—one of the formats used by Blu-ray movies. Due to DRM restrictions, Blu-ray movies will not playback via DVI if the video card and display aren’t HDCP compliant. Cyberlink suggests users with non-HDCP compliant DVI video cards and display connect displays using an analog d-sub connector.

A system advisory tool that scans systems for Blu-ray playback capabilities is available from Cyberlink. It is unknown if other drive manufacturers will provide the update to its customers.

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Things I have discovered lately

By RogueSpear on 9/29/2006 10:57:55 AM , Rating: 5

In the last couple of years I have discovered that life is much richer without so much time devoted to watching TV. That you really don't need HD in order to enjoy something. 720p is certainly nice, but who the hell even needs 1080p. I thought that 5.1 sound was bordering on overkill, but apparently that's considered a bit ghetto these days. I've also come to realize there isn't too much worth watching. You really have to seek it out. Most TV shows suck and they suck bad. Most movies suck just as bad but cost $100 million to make. I decided a couple of years ago that what I have now is just fine and will be fine for years to come. I would rather read, write code, ride my motorcycle, or go for the occasional skydive.

To be constantly worried that you're missing out on the latest HDMI, HDCP, deep color, 7.1 super mega ultra DTS... it's time to put things into perspective.

RE: Things I have discovered lately

By bob661 on 9/29/2006 11:28:18 AM , Rating: 5

quote:
I would rather read, write code, ride my motorcycle, or go for the occasional skydive.

quote:
it's time to put things into perspective

I would rather watch movies in 720p. Or play BF2 on my computer. I've got GREAT perspective. To each his own.

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RE: Things I have discovered lately

By exdeath on 9/29/2006 12:34:33 PM , Rating: 2

I'm with you on this. TV sucks. I don't have network broadcast of any kind. My cable bill is for internet only. I just feel sick when I see the dumbed down crap on the air at others' homes; even commercials for viagra and tampons are on the order of barney and teletubbies flics now. Can anyone make an adult oriented show or ad on TV anymore that doesn't use cartoon CGI and funny voices?

My 1080p projector is used for the occasional DVD and mostly gaming, nothing more. And because I took my time, saved up some serious cash, did my research, and bought nice high end audio gear years ago in the first place, I've had 7.1 DTS ES & THX EX gear for the last 4 years and don't need to constantly keep up with anything.

I find that if you do your research and plonk and whole chunk of change down on good exotic gear the first time around (the stuff that looks plain and boring without 100 flashing lights and clear plastic on it and is measured in AMPS not WATTS) that even years later, your stuff is still better than the latest whirly gadget at Best Buy everyone just has to get.

The only thing I foresee myself needing in the distant future is a new AV processor with HDMI switching capabilities. As it stands now only my HTPC, and possibly the PS3 if I get one, are the only devices that I'll have using HDMI, so I may just make due with a simple external 2to1 HDMI box.

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RE: Things I have discovered lately

By patentman on 9/30/2006 3:52:31 PM , Rating: 2

"...that even years later, your stuff is still better than the latest whirly gadget at Best Buy everyone just has to get."

Correction... "Best Buy" shoudl read "Worst Buy," just as "Dell" should read "Satan's Computer Store."

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RE: Things I have discovered lately

By exdeath on 9/29/2006 12:50:18 PM , Rating: 1

And yeah the sound system monikers are just totally stupid now. THX used to stand for quality control, now it’s just a down-market marketing tool.

All the companies involved sold out to the sheepish masses wanting to keep up with the Jones'. Now we have a tiered system of Ultra, Ultra2, Select, blah, blah, blah, etc. that basically serves the same purpose of having trim level designation letters on the trunk of your car (HX, DX, LX, PX, LE, XL), etc.

As far as Lucas and all of them are concerned, they basically did to THX as Mercedes and BMW did with their C class and 1 series respectively: to get money from people that can’t afford the stuff in the first place so they can brag and feel good about themselves.

Other than that it just doesn't stand for anything anymore.

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RE: Things I have discovered lately

By exdeath on 9/29/2006 12:56:01 PM , Rating: 2

LOL I wonder why the RAZR doesn't have THX yet hah. Would be the biggest spike in cell phone sales in recorded history. *rolls eyes*

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RE: Things I have discovered lately

By h0kiez on 9/29/2006 3:02:13 PM , Rating: 2

You guys are such a bunch of whiners. Funny how you know what "deep color" is despite the fact that you never have to be "constantly worried that you're missing out on the latest...".

I like TV and I like movies, and the prettier they are, the better. I do enjoy being outside and doing other things, but that doesn't mean I don't like to veg out sometimes. For some of us, reading about the latest and greatest is fun, not a chore...not something that makes us angry or feel some compulsive need to upgrade all the time. If it's the latest and greatest today, that means I'll have it in 5 years...so it is interesting.

All movies suck? Gee, there are thousands of movies, literally hundreds of major movies that come out every year. Most of them suck...but there are several good ones as well. Big surprise.

And oh...you'd rather write code than watch HDTV...talk about an instant credibility destroyer.

Believe it or not, we spend very little time in our lives dedicated to acquiring what we actually "need" (food, water, basic shelter). The majority of our time is spent acquiring things that we want. Period. How's that for perspective.

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RE: Things I have discovered lately

By rushfan2006 on 9/29/2006 3:45:34 PM , Rating: 2

I agree with you 100%. But at least they entertain us. ;)

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RE: Things I have discovered lately

By exdeath on 9/29/2006 4:17:11 PM , Rating: 2

"You guys"

?

Hey all I said is network TV sucks, I never said all movies suck.

And I added my additional comment in context with the OPs comment about people worrying about keeping up with stuff. Spend the time to research and buy for yourself and get the really good stuff to begin with, even if it takes a bit longer. It will last longer and peform better, unlike the incremental consumer grade crap you end up buying and tossing out weekly while trying to keep up with the Jone's the minimal amount necessary.

As an example, the SATA Raptor RAID setup many people are just now enjoying is nothing new to somebody who’s had SCSI RAID Cheetah X15s for the last 8+ years. In other words, instead of buying a slightly bigger SUV than your neighbor ad infinum, just get a f'ing electric diesel dump truck and just end it.

Anyway, I totally agree with you on need vs. want. ^_^ I can’t stand people who feel you have to justify your wants vs. needs, etc, but I sure have fun observing and poking fun at sheeple who buy what their friends and neighbors want because the network TV ads told them so!

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RE: Things I have discovered lately

By Diesel Donkey on 9/30/2006 2:25:21 PM , Rating: 3

quote:
Believe it or not, we spend very little time in our lives dedicated to acquiring what we actually "need" (food, water, basic shelter). The majority of our time is spent acquiring things that we want. Period. How's that for perspective.

I would say that's a fairly limited perspective, as a large portion of the population of this world spends most of its time attempting to acquire the basics for survival. But perhaps you were referring to the majority of Americans only.

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RE: Things I have discovered lately

By Samus on 9/29/2006 6:36:31 PM , Rating: 2

you sound like some sorta tree-loving hippie roque ;)

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RE: Things I have discovered lately

By FliGuyRyan on 9/30/2006 12:59:03 AM , Rating: 1

Man, have you ever hit the nail on the head. I've never heard a better sum of words in my life - and yeah, I get out a lot for all you smart @$$es out there who want to write - "hehe, sarcasm."

I mean, good Lord, all I hear is arguments about iPod vs. Zune, AMD vs. Intel, and friggin ATI vs. the Geforce line... shut the hell up already. And you fockers who continually biatch at the fact that the author makes mistakes, well, quick fix - READ ANOTHER SITE AND QUIT BITCHING!!!!!

Buy a motorcycle, go ride it, and try to find a woman to complain to. Not us, the ones who are here for decent facts...

Thanks RogueSpear for some sense to the site finally...
Ryan

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RE: Things I have discovered lately

By Clauzii on 9/30/2006 3:38:41 PM , Rating: 2

Since I gave my TV away, I've been making more music, had more time to leave stress behind, seen more beutiful REAL women, saved some money on the cable etc etc.

WHAT a relief :)

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RE: Things I have discovered lately

By Clauzii on 9/30/2006 3:40:07 PM , Rating: 2

beutiful should of course be beautiful :)

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RE: Things I have discovered lately

By GhandiInstinct on 9/30/06, Rating: 0

RE: Things I have discovered lately

By Clauzii on 9/30/2006 5:17:33 PM , Rating: 2

But these type (read 'quality')of movies are unfortunately far and few :(

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RE: Things I have discovered lately

By GhandiInstinct on 9/30/06, Rating: 0

RE: Things I have discovered lately

By JNo on 10/2/2006 5:28:54 AM , Rating: 2

Exactly! And most of the European / Asian / art house non-Hollywood-crap that I'm interested in, is rarely ripped, posted, torrented at decent 720p/1080 levels anyway. The problem for me is much less the hardware, but finding enough films I want to watch at decent quality. Apart from the odd film like Renaissance, Fearless or Sin City which look definitely look stunning at higher res, most of the beautiful story telling films like Volver, Wong Kar Wai films, Studio Ghibli films etc do not need to be hi def to have their very strong emotional impact. Decent quality standard definition is enough..

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This DRM is ridiculous

By Solema on 9/29/2006 3:38:22 PM , Rating: 3

Well, it looks like I won't be hopping on the HD-DVD/BD bandwagon any time soon. It's nice to know that, thanks to asinine DRM, my one month-old $300 video card and $400 20" widrescreen monitor don't qualify me to be priveleged enough to watch blu-ray movies on my PC.

I have to say I got a good laugh out of the concept of me purchasing a drive for $750, and adding in my previous cost for video card and monitor, would give the grand experience of spending $1500 to watch blu-ray movies on... DSUB!

Screw that and screw this hi-def garbage. And these companies wonder why there is serious consumer resentment towards studios and major media companies like Sony. Who would be happy at the prospect of $1500 in computer upgrades NOT being able to play back a stupid movie in HD?

RE: This DRM is ridiculous

By rushfan2006 on 9/29/2006 3:48:56 PM , Rating: 2

Pretty much agree...Yeah it would be cool and all to be able to play high def movies...but and this why I smirk all the time I've been reading people ranting about the HD-DVD, PS3/Blu-Ray topics...

I already have HDTV at home and a quality progressive scan DVD player...for the prices they want for HD-DVD/Bluray (and craziness like this article to just play it from your pc)....my CURRENT DVDs look PLENTY good and sound great...its not like I feel deprived in my home movie experience.

Certainly not at the premium prices...

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RE: This DRM is ridiculous

By michal1980 on 9/29/06, Rating: -1

RE: This DRM is ridiculous

By rushfan2006 on 9/29/2006 4:32:42 PM , Rating: 2

Actually your post is/was my point....

In easier terms "wait for the stuff to come down in cost...its not going to kill me to live with what I have right now, which IMHO is already quite good anyway."

;)

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RE: This DRM is ridiculous

By exdeath on 9/29/2006 4:35:47 PM , Rating: 2

No, this isn't the same thing (not that it concerns me, but for the sake of argument)

HDCP does not provide any additional benefit to consumers for having to buy their gear all over again. It’s something the DRM Nazis want to sneak in after the fact because they are paranoid control freaks.

It would be like all current cars without black boxes and tracking systems being outlawed and you are left with no choice but to buy a new car with those things to drive on the road, even though its the same car and even if you didn’t want or need a new one.

Improved technology is always a legit reason to buy new things to replace older things, even if the rate of that technological advancement is artificially inhibited in order to milk.

But things like DIVX and HDCP are not improvements. HDMI is improvement. HDCP is hindrance and lacks any additional benefit to the person who is paying for it.

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Wow

By 05SilverGT on 9/29/2006 10:47:07 AM , Rating: 4

That's a lot of crap to go through just get play Blu-ray movies on your PC. This copy protection crap is for the birds. All it does is make it hard for the 95% of us who pay for content to view it. Those who steal will steal no matter what protection is in place.

RE: Wow

By Ckilla on 9/29/2006 10:57:56 AM , Rating: 1

Word...samething applies to guns :)

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RE: Wow

By exdeath on 9/29/2006 12:37:48 PM , Rating: 2

Word to that!

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Rest of movie industry hasn't caught up to HD resolution

By heulenwolf on 9/30/2006 3:43:04 PM , Rating: 3

I saw a Blue Ray demo at a Sony Style store recently showing the Underworld: Evolution trailer. The level of detail was so great that all the flaws were visible. The vampire costumes looked plastic. Kate Beckinsdale's makeup was blotchy and, honestly, made her look ugly (no small feat). In the same footage on DVD, the lower resolution smoothed out these defects and things looked great. The display technology achieved its goal: making everything look more like it would in real life, as it would if you were sitting in the studio as it was shot. In this case, that realism detracted from the movie-watching experience. The costume designers, makeup artists, directors, etc. have to catch up with that technology.

Point being - I'm not interested in being an early adopter of Blue Ray because the content is likely to look worse until the rest of the industry catches up. Discovery Channel shows would look better (those are real animals, not costumes) but I don't buy those on disk.

RE: Rest of movie industry hasn't caught up to HD resolution

By jtesoro on 10/2/2006 1:19:32 AM , Rating: 2

I can't imagine the movie looking that bad on HD. After all, the flaws you mentioned had to withstand scrutiny in the movie theater which has a bigger screen, higher "resolution", etc.

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Still not available . . .

By jpearn on 9/29/2006 1:12:55 PM , Rating: 2

'Sorry, the PowerDVD Upgrade with BD-ROM support is not yet available. Please check back in early October.'

This is what you get when going thru to get the upgrade.

I personally use WinDVD 8 BD with my Sony, and it works quite well :)