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Cambridge Audio's BD640 Blu-ray Player Does it Like the Director Intended
Posted by Kit Eaton at 1:00 AM on September 5, 2008
A new entrant to the Blu-ray player field, Cambridge Audio's first BD machine is pretty high-end. Apparently the white-painted gizmo is all about matching "the original studio masters" in audio quality with Dolby TrueHD and DTS HR surround, and in video quality with 24 fps progressive scan True Cinema, which "allows films to be watched as the director intended at their original frame rate" if you're into that sort of thing. It also upscales DVD-resolution video to 1080p, and the back of the machine is going to be pretty crowded with analogue video outputs, HDMI 1.3 outputs, ethernet, SPDIF, Toslink and separate 7.1 and stereo analogue outs. There's no word on pricing but it's expected Spring 2009. Press release below.
Cambridge Audio will release its first Blu-Ray/DVD/CD player in early 2009. Designed to be the
perfect partner to the Azur range of AV Receivers the 640BD features full HDMI 1.3 output,
including bitstream output of all the latest HD Dolby and DTS surround-sound systems plus
internal decoding of Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD and DTS HR
surround-sound. A full set of analogue video outputs is supported, HDMI 1.3 video/audio, Ethernet,
SPDIF, Toslink and separate dedicated 7.1 and stereo analogue outputs.Cambridge Audio prides itself on developing products that offer true value for money to discerning
buyers and has embraced Blu-Ray technology with enthusiasm to wring out the best possible
performance from this exciting new format.Supporting Dolby True HD means the 640BD provides audio that matches the original studio
masters. While natively supporting up to 1080p from Blu-Ray discs the 640BD is also able to
upscale DVD discs to 1080p video resolution taking the viewer to the heart of movie action.
Meanwhile, 24 frames per second (fps) progressive scan True Cinema allows films to be watched
as the director intended at their original frame rate without conversion for the most natural jog free
panning and motion possible.All this means the 640BD lives up to Cambridge Audio's philosophy of providing a passion for
performance to get the best out of any movie collection.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
joch
Posted 2:07 AM 5/9/08
@andyo: totally agree. I take "as the director intended" meaning you going to the cinema and watching it on the silver screen
joch
DaneB
Posted 2:07 AM 5/9/08
And how is this different from any other BD player on the market?
DaneB
andyo
Posted 1:59 AM 5/9/08
So, in short, nothing special. I love how these idiots tout completely normal features as if they were the first doing them and slap on the magic words "as the director intended" too.
andyo
dc-united
Posted 2:29 AM 5/9/08
You can't expect them to come to market with a slogan like "We're just like all the rest...only late"
dc-united
andyo
Posted 2:18 AM 5/9/08
@DaneB: It's white. I "the director" usually intends for their customers to have their AV equipment white.
andyo
scaught78
Posted 2:54 AM 5/9/08
I am pretty sure directors intend for you to watch movies in the theater.
scaught78
PeterRRRR
Posted 3:06 AM 5/9/08
Geez, will these hapless PR people never learn? They are "announcing" a product that doesn't actually exist yet, we cannot buy, and won't be able to buy for half a year. By Spring 2009, the goalposts will have moved and anyone who wants/needs a "high-end" BD player will have already bought one, and maybe another to replace their first.
Say what you want about Apple, but, with few exceptions, when El Jobso announces something on a Tuesday, you can buy it on Tuesday.
PeterRRRR
AdmNaismith
Posted 3:37 AM 5/9/08
These are all completely normal features.
I'm amazed that audio- and video- philes are constantly hoodwinked by completely bullshit specs, despite the smarts they must have to make to gobs of money they continually waste on stuff like this.
AdmNaismith
Log1c
Posted 3:46 AM 5/9/08
@AdmNaismith: By following 'god giveth, and god taketh', audiophiles got golden ears but that seriously snubbed them in the brain department.
Log1c
SewerShark
Posted 6:43 AM 5/9/08
Why the new Blu-Ray players look like the old bulky first gen DVD players?
This player looks a bit like my father sound amplifier system from the 80's
SewerShark