Sony Australia today announced the new BDP-S5000ES high-end Blu-ray Disc player, featuring newly developed HD Reality Enhancer and Super Bit Mapping technologies that deliver even sharper and more vibrant images from today’s Blu-ray Disc movies.
The model, which is fully BD-Live capable, features an Ethernet connection that allows users to connect to the internet via their existing service provider to access BD-Live features and easy firmware updates. It is also equipped with an external flash memory port and includes a 1GB Sony Micro Vault Tiny flash storage device.
The BDP-S5000ES also features Quick Start Mode, improving boot-up times to approximately six seconds, which is seven times faster than previous models.
Unique to the model is Sony’s new 14-bit HD video processor, which improves both standard and high definition picture quality with the help of HD Reality Enhancer and Super Bit Mapping technologies. HD Reality Enhancer continually analyses bit by bit of the original source, sharpening edges and reproducing detail, while reducing the effects of film grain. Super Bit Mapping delivers smoother colour gradation, realising true 14-bit equivalent colour tone from 8-bit sources connected via HDMI.
Holding true to Sony’s ES standard, the BDP-S5000ES was designed to match pristine video performance with exceptional audio. The model’s analogue audio circuit board is isolated from the video board to avoid interference. Additionally, the unit’s rigid frame and beam chassis helps to reduce vibration and a low-leakage R-core transformer minimises the interference of digital noise.
Since many consumers own extensive DVD movie libraries, the BDP-S5000ES incorporates Sony’s new Precision Cinema HD Upscale technology that converts standard definition signals (480i) to 1080p and outputs a full HD equivalent resolution signal to 1080p TVs via HDMI. The model even improves analogue component video output thanks to 14-bit/297MHz video D/A conversion.
Additionally, the model adds Sony’s new Precision Drive HD, which helps to detect and correct wobbling discs from three directions, stabilising playback of bent or scratched Blu-ray Discs and DVDs.
The model offers 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio decoding and bit-stream output, as well as analogue 7.1 channel output with Advanced Current Segment Audio D/A converters for legacy A/V receivers and decoders.
The BDP-S5000ES supports Deep Colour video output and AVCHD discs encoded with x.v.Colour (xvYCC) technology. The player also features compatibility with an array of video formats, including BD-R/RE (BDMV and BDAV modes), DVD+R/-RW, CD, CD-R/RW (CD-DA format), and JPEG on BD/DVD/CD recordable media.
The player also incorporates Sony’s XrossMediaBar (XMB) inspired graphic user interface for easy menu navigation, Sony’s BRAVIA Sync that connects selected Sony home theatre and television products for easy operation and a backlit remote control. For custom installation, the model also features RS-232C and IR input.
Price and availability
The BDP-S5000ES is available in late November, at an RRP of $2,299.
Source: Sony
