Blu-Ray Macbook Pro?

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  • Reply 21 of 23
    marzetta7marzetta7 Posts: 1,323member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Fran441

    On the Blu-Ray front, Sony announced likely European prices for the PS3 console to be between 499 and 599 Euros (between $612 and $734 in US dollars) and stated that the reason for the PS3 launch was:



    If the DRM for Blu-Ray still isn't standard yet, there's even more reason to expect that Apple won't have a Mac with a Blu-Ray drive out this year.




    I figured you'd post this information, see here



    http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=15937

    Quote:

    Just glanced at that article, which predates the PS3 delay, and Sony expects those Vaio laptops to ship, 'around September'. The PS3 was supposed to launch in the "Spring of 2006". Now we're looking at a November launch at the earliest.



    In fact, looking at the article a bit closer, Sony doesn't have model numbers, mock-ups, or demo machines while Toshiba is releasing a laptop with HD-DVD drive in the UK this month.



    So in this case, I'm not sure how Apple could release laptops with Blu-Ray drives this year when it doesn't even look like Sony is ready to launch them.



    As I've said in other threads, I expect new MacBook Pros from Apple at WWDC in August. If Sony isn't able to deliver a laptop with a Blu-Ray drive until 'around September' at the earliest, I don't expect Apple to have them in August.



    And because YOU expect the MacBook Pros to SHIP in August, this is true? We never know what Apple plans to do. You never know if Apple will just plan on announcing Blu-ray capable MacBook Pros in August and ship them in October or something. Moreover, if you are trying to get technical per dates of articles, here's one that post dates the official PS3 delay which I believe occured on March 15th. In addition, this is a bit more official than the article I posted earlier, as it comes from Sony (I've added my empasis in bold)...



    http://news.sel.sony.com/pressrelease/6582



    SONY ENHANCES HIGH DEFINITION EXPERIENCE WITH INTRODUCTION OF FIRST BLU-RAY DISC PRODUCTS

    Quote:

    LAS VEGAS, March 16, 2006 - Sony Electronics today debuted its first Blu-ray Disc? (BD) products in the U.S., along with details on suggested pricing and availability for some of the new offerings.



    These next generation devices include a home player, VAIO® desktop and notebook computers, an aftermarket internal computer drive, and recordable/rewritable media. All will offer the highest-definition experience available from a five-inch optical disc.



    "We're in a unique position to be unveiling a full line of HD products that capitalize on Blu-ray Disc's technological advantages," said Hideki "Dick" Komiyama, president and chief operating officer of Sony Electronics Inc. "Blu-ray Disc will set the bar for the high-definition lifestyle that consumers have been anticipating."



    Headlining Sony's new product debuts are the BDP-S1 Blu-ray Disc player and the VAIO RC desktop computer. The player is targeted to ship in July for about $1,000. The VAIO PC with Blu-ray Disc will be available for about $2,300. Both the VAIO RC desktop and notebook with a Blu-ray Disc drive will be available by early summer.



    In April, Sony plans to begin shipping 25GB BD-R (write once) and BD-RE (rewritable) discs for about $20 and $25 respectively. The 50GB BD-R and BD-RE dual-layer discs will come in subsequent months for about $48 and $60 respectively.



    BDP-S1 Blu-ray Disc Player



    The BD player is designed to deliver 1920 x 1080p output, the highest HD signal output currently available through an HDMI? connection. The player supports various high quality video codecs, including MPEG2, MPEG4-AVC and VC1. Analog component output for 1080i has been included so people who own HD-capable televisions without HDMI can enjoy the Blu-ray Disc experience.



    The new BDP-S1 model is compatible with standard DVDs with the added feature of 1080p upscaling through HDMI, which gives new life to existing DVDs libraries. Enhancing the BD entertainment experience further, BD-Java interactivity has been incorporated, allowing for the design of advanced interactive features.



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



    This robust BD-ROM/R/RE player supports DVD playback from DVD/DVD+R/+RW encoded discs, as well as MP3 audio files and JPEG images stored on DVD+R/+RW discs.



    Capture, Edit and Burn HD with VAIO BD-Enabled PCs



    The VAIO RC Series computers, Sony's first Blu-ray desktops, combine BD recording technology with high-octane performance, allowing aspiring moviemakers and videographers to capture and burn their high-definition content.



    Consumers can edit high-definition footage with a comprehensive suite of software applications. They can then archive and share it on Sony high-capacity BD-R and BD-RE Blu-ray Discs or downconverted to standard definition DVD+R/+RW dual layer discs, capitalizing on flexibility in storage, playback and recording.



    "These new VAIO PCs marry eye-catching aesthetics with powerful cutting-edge technology," said Komiyama. "Our new Blu-ray enabled computers will empower people to unleash their creativity and experience entertainment in a whole new realm."



    The VAIO RC Series will be shipped with a 25GB Blank BD-RE (rewritable) blank disc.



    Aftermarket Internal Blu-ray Disc Recordable/Rewritable Drive



    The BWU-100A, an aftermarket internal Blu-ray Disc drive for computer use, will support recording of 25GB and 50GB BD-R (write once) or BD-RE (rewritable) discs at 2X max speed. It is capable of burning a full 25GB disc in about 30 minutes. The drive will also support recording of standard single layer 4.7GB DVD+R/+RW, Double/Dual Layer 8.5GB DVD+R, DVD-RAM and CD-R/-RW media, making it a true all-in-one "tri-mode" recorder/reader.



    The new drive can be installed in a standard half-height computer bay with a parallel ATAPI (P-ATA) interface. Comprehensive authoring software will be included for capturing, editing, and burning high-definition personal content captured by an HDV format camcorder, keeping the video in native 1080i HD format for playback on a Blu-ray Disc player. Video can also be "down-converted" to standard-definition (SD) resolution for burning onto a DVD disc.



    The BD drive will be available this year with pricing to be announced prior to product shipments.



    AccuCORE Quality with Blu-ray Disc Media



    Sony's AccuCORE® technology, which was integrated into recordable DVD discs more than a year ago, has been re-engineered for Blu-ray Disc media to deliver enhanced accuracy, compatibility and reliability.



    The BD recordable and rewritable media offer:



    Scratch Guard - hard coating that resists scratches, dust and static;



    Archival Reliability - special material design that prevents data and image corruption and deterioration to ensure quality playback;



    Stable Writing - a uniform and precise cover layer that reduces fluctuation as the disc spins; and



    Temperature Durability - for the disc structure helps prevent warping during severe changes in temperature and humidity.



    Blu-ray Disc is an ideal format for recording and sharing personal content captured by an HDV format camcorder. The original high definition content can be recorded to BD-R or BD-RE discs and played by a compatible Blu-ray Disc player connected to a TV, or a BD-equipped personal computer.



    So, I'm not sure where the engadget article came up with the update information about them shipping around September. It would be interesting to know why or how they got that information though. In any case, I don't think it is necessary to nit-pick dates and times when even if these do come out in September, Apple has four more--as I would think they are already planning on how to get a Blu-ray drive in their machine--months (especially during the holiday shopping season) to get a Blu-ray player in either a laptop or desktop machine. I think it is definitely feasible, especially given Apple's knack of differentiating themselves from other computer companies in terms of quality and new technology. I think this would just add to the luster of a new Mac. And again, let's not forget that Sony is not the only one making and shipping Blu-ray drives, so who knows where Apple may get them from--Pioneer? Panasonic? Any of the other numerous consumer electronics companies in the BDA?--and in what time table. Apple may suprise us all, yet another quality that I love about them. Granted, too, dissapointment has stemmed from Apple announcements or lack thereof, but I always have hope! And given announcements from the BDA, the feasiblilty of that hope is looking better and better for a Mac equipped with a Blu-ray drive.
  • Reply 22 of 23
    hmurchisonhmurchison Posts: 12,419member
    What's the point of Apple adding an expensive Blu Ray player to an already expensive laptop?



    The screen size of a MBP even at 17" means that the extra resolution of HD is rather superfluous. With no HDMI output you can't push it to a HDTV set.



    What's needed are HD DVD or Blu Ray recorders. We'll know more about Apple's preference come NAB 2006 in a few weeks. The assumption being made is that Apple is keen on Blu Ray and that it'll be in Macs but the facts today show that Apple is further along with HD DVD tools than Blu Ray tools. The next version of DVD Studio Pro will show us exactly what's up Apple's alley. My guess is that we see both HD DVD authoring and Blu Ray authoring. I think both formats will be BTO options.



    Apple joined the BDA because they support both formats and they were already members of the DVD Forum. Thus the assumption was that they chose Blu Ray despite them clearly stating that they support both formats.
  • Reply 23 of 23
    fran441fran441 Posts: 3,715member
    Quote:

    And because YOU expect the MacBook Pros to SHIP in August, this is true? We never know what Apple plans to do. You never know if Apple will just plan on announcing Blu-ray capable MacBook Pros in August and ship them in October or something.



    This forum is for speculation, of course no one is going to get everything right all of the time, especially where Apple is concerned.



    I make my predcitions based on Apple's history, the delay of WWDC from May to August, and looking at the when the last Power Macs and PowerBooks were updated, it makes logical sense to me that Apple will update them at WWDC and demo them running Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.



    Reading the various articles posted above and other general information about Blu-Ray, I just don't believe it will be possible for Apple to release a machine with a Blu-Ray drive this year. Could I be wrong? Sure. But I've tried to outline, with some articles with supporting thoughts, the reasons why I don't believe it will be possible for a Mac with a Blu-Ray drive in August.



    Would it be an added bonus to have a high definition drive in a new Mac? Of course. I'd love to see it as I'm probably going to be in the market for a new Mac in the next 6-12 months. I'd also like to see 2 GB of RAM standard on the new towers, 512 MB of VRAM on their Graphics Cards, 3 GHz+ Dual Processor Intel chips with dual cores, etc. all for less than $1500 but it doesn't mean it's going to happen.
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