Despite all their recent supply problems, Sony announced they have finally begun shipping their first dedicated Blu-Ray Disc player, the BDP-S1. This player is capable of a 1920 x 1080p (progressive) resolution through HDMI, backward compatibility with DVDs, upscaling to 1080p, and most of the features you expect to have in a high-end player.  You can expect to see this player in all major consumer electronic shops just in time for the holidays for a retail price somewhere around the $1000 mark. This price tag will surely make many consumers think about it twice, especially because of the limited movie library which is no better than HD DVD's, while the player itself does come at an added cost.

Sony's BDP-S1 model outputs 1920 x 1080p (progressive) high-definition video. It is the highest resolution HD signal currently available through an HDMI connection. The player supports various high quality video codecs, including MPEG2, MPEG4-AVC and VC1. For those consumers who own an HDTV set without HDMI, an analog component output for 1080i (interlaced) has been included. The model is compatible with standard DVDs with the added feature of 1080p upscaling through HDMI, giving new life and improving the picture performance of existing DVD libraries. Enhancing the entertainment experience further Sony's BD player outputs its signal at 24 frames per second, reproducing a film like image.

The BDP-S1 unit offers uncompressed multi-channel linear PCM digital audio output via HDMI, delivering optimum surround sound to an appropriately equipped receiver. The player also has optical digital audio out and 5.1 channel decoding capability for backward compatibility with existing receivers. In addition, it has a separate audio circuit board, finely tuned audio components, rigid beam chassis construction, drive brackets and off-center insulator feet, reducing image de-stabilization and unwanted vibration.

This player supports BD-ROM, AVC-HD and DVD playback from DVD/DVD+R/+RW encoded discs, as well as MP3 audio files and JPEG images stored on DVD+R/+RW discs. Sony will be offering firmware updates in 2007 to allow the BDP-S1 model to play back BD-R/RE recorded media and enhanced BD-Java functionality. Further information on the free upgrades is available online at www.sony.com/blurayupdate.