Sharp Ships Three Blu-ray 3D Players

Funny how quickly 3D found its way into just about everything. Blu-ray players seemed sufficient for awhile, but it didn't take long for movie companies to realize just how profitable 3D could be if you allowed it into the home. The BD-HP75U, BD-HP35U, and BD-HP25U, all from Sharp, start shipping this month. All of these players have one major thing in common. Well, two really. They all handle Blu-ray Discs, and they all handle 3D Blu-ray Discs as well. You'll get HD 3D 1080p/24 fps video output, Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD audio format decoding, Wi-Fi, DLNA streaming and built-in compatibility with Netflix, VUDU, Pandora and YouTube.

That's a pretty wild list of features, making it just a game system away from being a PS3, and a few content portals away from a Boxee Box (without an optical drive). The nicer two (BD-HP75U and BD-HP35U) feature IP control, and there's also AQUOS LINK and AQUOS PURE modes for connecting these players to TVs via a single HDMI cable. The Wi-Fi connection also enables BD-Live access to real-time bonus content, and every single model has two USB ports and can play back still and video images recorded in Divx Plus HD, JPEG and MP3 audio files.  All models can perform auto software updates over the Internet to quickly enable the latest features and enhancements.

March 14th is the date, with the prices as follows: BD-HP35U (MSRP $299.99), BD-HP25U (MSRP $249.99) and the BD-HP75U (MSRP $329.99.

Sharp Ships Three 3D Blu-ray Disc Players in March

BD-HP75U, BD-HP35U, and BD-HP25U offer maximum picture resolution and full

Enjoyment of 3D/2D Blu-ray™ content with advanced installation and control features

·         HD 3D 1080p/24 fps video output with Dolby® True HD and DTS® HD audio format decoding
    * Wireless LAN Ready for Netflix® / VUDU™ / Pandora® / YouTube Streaming
    * Playback video content streamed from DLNA® servers throughout the home
    * BD-HP75U and BD-HP35U feature IP control
    * All models are ENERGY STAR® qualified
    * BD-HP35U (MSRP $299.99) and BD-HP25U (MSRP $249.99) are available now, and the BD-HP75U (MSRP $329.99) ships March 14

Sharp Electronics Corporation is shipping all three of the 3D wireless Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) players it introduced at CES in March. Each model offers full HD 1080p/24 fps video output, the maximum picture resolution available, for superior 3D and 2D home entertainment experiences, as well as advanced installation and control features. In addition to 3D Blu-ray discs, the BD-HP75U, BD-HP35U and BD-HP25U provide consumers access to content from a wide variety of Internet sources, including Netflix®, VUDU™, Pandora® and YouTube via Wireless LAN. (The BD-HP25U requires optional Wireless LAN dongle VR-WL25).  These models also enable consumers to take advantage of the latest surround sound formats such as Dolby® TrueHD, with lossless 7.1 channel audio reproduction that is bit-for-bit the equivalent of the master recordings, and DTS®-HD Master Audio.

Each new model plays standard-definition DVDs and files stored on USB drives, as well as AVCHD, DIVX Plus HD, JPEG and MP3 files. The HDMI® upscaling capability of each model even enhances the picture quality of standard definition DVDs by upconverting content to 1080p pixel-by-pixel, not just frame by frame as is the industry standard through Sharp Super Picture function.

When paired with a Sharp AQUOS® LCD TV, the BD-HP75U, BD-HP35U and BD-HP25U enable consumers to take advantage of exclusive performance and convenience features. Sharp AQUOS LINK and AQUOS PURE Mode provide seamless interoperability between Sharp AQUOS TVs and these Blu-ray Disc™ players via a simple one cable HDMI® connection as well as enhanced image accuracy.

The wireless LAN compatibility of each model also enables BD-Live™ access to real-time content from the Internet such as movie scene extras, new previews, games, chat and more. The Bonus View function delivers picture-in-picture special features, allowing for viewing of favorite movie scenes and added bonus features simultaneously on compatible Blu-ray discs.  Each model in the line can playback video stored on DLNA® servers located anywhere in the home.

All models also provide two USB ports, one each in the front and rear, which enable easy playback of still and video images recorded in Divx Plus HD, JPEG and MP3 audio files.  All models can perform auto software updates over the Internet to quickly enable the latest features and enhancements.

The flagship BD-HP75U model features home theater control via an RS232 port. Both the BD-HP75U and BD-HP35U feature IP control.