Maybe just in time to catch the very tail-end of the holiday buying season, Pioneer Electronics has begun shipping its first 3D-capable Blu-ray players, the BDP-430 and two Pioneer Elite models, the BDP-41FD and BDP-43FD. All three players sport HDMI 1.4a output and support for the Blu-ray 3D format, and upconvert video from standard definition sources (you know, like ordinary DVDs) to 1080p with Pioneer’s PureCinema image processing technology. Plus, all three can be hooked up to wired or wireless home networks to access online content, and can be controlled from an iPhone or iPod touch using Pioneer’s free iControlAV application.
All three models feature a “Continue Mode” feature that enables users to pick up a Blu-ray movie right where they left off (assuming users don’t remove it from the player before powering down), and while all three models feature wired Ethernet an optional AS-WL200 wireless adapter enables folks to tap into home Wi-Fi networks to access content elsewhere on the network, streaming services like Pandora, YouTube, and Netflix, along with firmware updates and BD-Live content. For Pioneer fans, the models also feature Pioneer’s Precision Quartz Lock System for syncing audio between Pioneer components, like an A/V receiver.
The BDP-430 is available now for a suggested price of $299; the BDP-41FD features an RS-232 port for integration with home automation systems and carries a suggested price of $399; the BDP43FD steps up to an “armored” chassis and high-grade components for a suggested price of $499.
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