DVDs HD - DVD in High Definition

Sony has introduced two new models to this Blu-ray player line, these are the BDP-S350 and BDP-S550 and come with some brand new new features. Both players support BonusView (Picture-in-Picture) and the BDP-S350 model is BD-Live ready featuring an Ethernet port for an easy firmware updates and access to Internet-based interactive content features. Both models also feature an external port for local storage, so users can add optional flash-based memory. The BDP-S550 comes with a 1GB storage device.

Chris Fawcett, vice president of marketing for Sony Electronics says “Building on the exceptional picture and sound quality of previous players, Sony´s next-generation Blu-ray Disc models bring exciting interactive features to life and offer consumers a ground-breaking experience. These new devices bring home movie experience beyond the cinema and into a whole new realm of entertainment.”

There is a cut price PS3 due to be released in the UK and Europe bringing the game station and Blu-ray technology to a wider group of consumers. In the UK the console will be offered with a smaller 40GB hard drive than the normal 60GB unit.

In a statement made by Ray Maguire, head of PlayStation UK, he confirmed:

“the release of the 40GB PS3 was a “strategic decision” and not the result of lower-than-expected sales of the PlayStation 3. We have done market research, looked at fans’ forums and the feedback from consumers is that they are anxious to get into PlayStation 3 but it is too expensive”

The new low cost units should be available by early November 2007.