Blu-ray has been with us for several years, and so an ever-restless marketplace seems to clamor "What else can you do for me?" To that end, Sharp showcased a pair of snazzy new Blu-ray Disc players at The Consumer Electronics Show.
The BD-AMS10U and BD-AMS20U bring a host of state-of-the-art features that take them way beyond HD disc playback. Both models incorporate features from Sharp's new SmartCentral interface, and are DLNA-compliant for versatile integration with modern digital home setups. SmartCentral is particularly exciting, as it creates a neat portal to the ever-growing range of games, apps, social media and a host of online entertainment choices.
A "Super Picture" setting improves image resolution by integrating pixel information from lower resolution video (such as from a DVD or streaming content) and restores missing image information while enhancing image details, while AQUOS Pure mode creates an optimized color pallet for Sharp's AQUOS TVs.
The BD-AMS10U Blu-ray player offers a USB interface that will accept external hard drives for storage and playback, in addition to easy integration with other media sources, such as digital cameras. The BD-AMS10U is wireless-LAN-ready for streaming web content, with support for Netflix subscriptions, VUDU and YouTube videos. It will be available in March, at a suggested price of $179.99.
The step-up BD-AMS20U deck features wireless LAN connectivity right out of the box to easily access online content, the USB interface, and a unique smartphone interface via Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL). Via MHL, Android users can access and engage their mobile apps and music and videos via their home entertainment system. While connected to the system, the mobile device also receives power and can even recharge its battery. We'll have to wait until April for this one, and fork over $199.99.
New home theater audio products are on the horizon as well, providing flexible positioning with a variety of TV placements. The 2.1-channel Sharp HT-SL75 system includes one-inch-thick speakers that esthetically match the 60-/70-inch AQUOS TV line, with a convenient automatic On circuit, HDMI 1.4a connectivity with 3D pass-through, and an active 100-watt RMS subwoofer for fuller sound. The HT-SL75 incorporates a digital amplification system with 50 watts each to left and right, for 200 watts of total system power. Wall-mounting hardware, vertical stands and an HDMI cable are packaged with the unit. It's available now for $329.99.
The upcoming 2.1 HT-SL77 has similarly slim speakers that can fit smaller as well as larger AQUOS (and other) TVs, but the subwoofer here is wireless, with a 25-foot range. Hardware, stands and cable are again supplied, with a suggested price of $449.99 and an expected arrival of this April.
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