China Hualu Panasonic AVC Networks launches three Blu-ray players

Scads of individuals thought the BDA was crazy / lying / joking when it granted 11 China-based manufacturers with Blu-ray licenses earlier this year, but now we're beginning to see some fruits of that labor. China Hualu Panasonic AVC Networks -- a joint venture between China Hualu Group and Panny -- has just launched a trio of BD decks in China, the BDP0801, BDP0810 and BDP0821. Not much is known about the middle child (ain't that always the case?), but the first deck is the most basic of the bunch while the latter one handles BD-Live interactivity. Apparently, all three units are available now for 1,999 yuan ($292), 2,299 yuan ($336) and 2,499 yuan ($365) in order of mention, which is probably vastly more expensive than any of you were imagining.

[Via DigiTimes]

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 30th 2008 4:09PM]

> but the first deck is the most basic of the bunch while the latter one handles BD-Live interactivity

Wait, so the low end version doesn't?

A NEW Blu-ray player is being released that isn't Profile 2.0?

This is another thing the BDA has to fix, on top of BD+ and the issues you covered in your comment: CE manufacturers pushing obsolete players. It does BD no good whatsoever if the basic principle "Every Blu-ray disc can play in every properly set-up player" is not followed.

[DrXym Posted Dec 30th 2008 6:56PM]

Profile 1.1 isn't obsolete no matter how many times you claim it is. I am not aware of any BD Live enabled disc that does not play in non-BD Live players. Perhaps you wish to hook up your player to the internet, but not everyone does. This would be true in western countries and even more so in China.

[Chefgon Posted Dec 31st 2008 7:23AM]

I'm pretty sure they've planned all along for BD Live to be optional forever.

BD may have had bigger discs and better support, but dammit HD DVD really had it figured out when it came to universal standard features.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 30th 2008 7:45PM]

"all three units are available now for 1,999 yuan ($292), 2,299 yuan ($336) and 2,499 yuan ($365)"


LMAO

Oh dear oh dear oh dear.

One-off seasonal discounts aside, is that really the best they pump out their lowest bottom-feeder sets for?!

Cue the howls of protest that end-of-line discounts and 'fire sales' on name brands are killing even the Chinese player-producers, eh?

Yeah right, fanboys.

[DrXym Posted Dec 31st 2008 4:35AM]

And how much do CBHD players sell for? Oh about 3000 yuan.

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20081222PD214.html

Grow up baby.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 30th 2008 10:11PM]

These players look remarkably similar to the Memorex MVBD2511. Very interesting!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 31st 2008 5:45AM]

I think I'll stick with buying sub-$200 BD players that have around for the past couple of months now.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 25th 2009 3:15AM]

Looks like the BDP 0821 is a hybrid player that can have a USB drive connected and playback MKVs and stuff:

http://www.hdtvplayer.info/2009/02/chinese-bluray-player-hualu-bdp821-with-usb-playback/