NEWS: Sony Announces Two New Blu-ray Megachangers

Sony Electronics Inc. has announced the impending release of two new Blu-ray disc “megachangers,” each capable of storing and playing a whopping 400 Blu-ray, DVD, or CD discs. One model, the BDP-CX7000ES (about $1900, and slated for release in August), will become part of Sony’s high-end oriented “Elevated Standard” ES range, while the other model, the BDP-CX960 (about $800, and slated for release this Fall) will take its place as part of Sony’s standard product line.

According to a Sony press release, “both models feature the ability to download information from Gracenote’s MusicID® and VideoID™ products to organize music and movies.” When a new disc is inserted into either megachanger, Sony explains, “Gracenote technology automatically downloads information across and existing Internet broadband service and saves title, director, some cast information, release year, and genre information for most titles…”

Highlights of the BDP-CX7000ES:

• Outputs 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema™.
• RS232 and IR-In control connections.
• Built to “high-quality ES standards.”
• Said to offer “exceptional audio quality with 7.1 channel analog audio output.”
• Incorporates Sony’s HD Reality Enhancer and Super Bit Mapping technologies.
• Upscales DVDs to 1080p (via HDMI) “through Sony’s Precision Cinema HD Upscale technology.”
• Supports Deep Color through HDMI (v1.3).
• Onboard decoding (with both 7.1-channel analog audio outputs, and digital bitstream support via HDMI) for Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio, and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio.
• Ethernet port for Gracenote access, software updates, and access to BD-live content.

The features set for the BDP-CX960 is similar to that of the BDP-CX7000ES, although the less expensive player is of course not built to ES standards and does not provide Deep Color support.

For more information, visit: www.sonystyle.com