Pioneer have recently announced that they will be introducing a new Blu Ray Disc Player - the BDP-LX80, onto the Japanese market in late October 2007.

The Pioneer BDP LX80 supports bitstream output of the next-generation audio formats - Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, as well as linear PCM 7.1-channel output of the same formats. Users can enjoy a surround sound ambience never before possible as well as stunning piture quality.

The BDP LX80 player is designed for seamless home theater integration via HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) technology. This feature realizes syncronized operations with HDMI-control enabled home theater products including Pioneer plasma display PDP-5010HD and A/V amplifier VSA-LX70. Users can be freed from troublesome procedures such as switching remotes even when enjoying their favorite BD contents on the complicated home theaters..

With the start of terrestrial digital broadcasting and the spread of Plasma and other high-definition televisions in recent years, interest in high-definition video images is growing rapidly.

In November, 2006, the first Blu-ray Disc titles were released in Japan, and new releases of high definition content with next generation high resolution audio have been increasing steadily.

Main features

Next-generation audio format - Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus -bitstream output (via an HDMI connection) supported

The BDP-LX80 offers enhanced-quality audio performance with internal decoding of Dolby TrueHD lossless audio technology for high-definition contents that delivers studio-master-quality sound, and supports Dolby Digital Plus, a highly flexible audio technology that provides superior-quality multi-channel sound and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio.

When the BDP-LX80 is connected to a multi-channel A/V amplifier supporting bitstream input of the next-generation surround formats (ex. Pioneer VSA-AX1AH, VSA-LX70 and HTP-LX70) via an HDMI cable, users can enjoy not only the high-quality picture reproduction of Blu-ray discs but new multi-channel audio formats as well.
Since the new BD player can also convert these audio formats into a linear PCM (Linear Pulse Code Modulation) signal and output it from the HDMI terminal, it is possible to use a conventional A/V multi-channel amplifier to reproduce sound without losing any of its original quality.

HDMI control to operate Pioneer A/V devices connected

When the new Blu-ray Disc player is connected via an HDMI cable to a Pioneer plasma TV, Pioneer A/V amplifier or other Pioneer A/V devices supporting Pioneer HDMI control*2, the HDMI control function enables linked operations, and also allows users to operate the BD player on the remote control of the plasma display connected . This feature frees users from troublesome procedures such as switching remotes and allows them to concentrate more on program content.

The possible operations with the HDMI control include:

When the Play button is pressed on the remote control of the BD player, the power to the plasma display, A/V amplifier and other connected devices are automatically turned on and switched to the source from the BD player.
On the plasma display's remote control unit, the BD player can be operated. (Play, Stop, Fast Forward/Fast Return, and Disc Menu Display)

24p Direct Out*3 gives smooth movement in BD/DVD 1080/24p film material video and brings out all the possible texture of movie films

The Pioneer BDP-LX80, capable of 24-fps output in high definition, takes maximum advantage of the characteristics of the Blu-ray Disc format. The tactile quality of such movie film material is brought out to the maximum extent possible when the player is connected via an HDMI cable to the Pioneer PDP-5010HD or a similar 1080/24p-compatible display.

Home Media Gallery plays video and music content directly from a LAN-connected computer in high definition.

The Home Media Gallery - Pioneer's exclusive DLNA CERTIFIED™ Local Area Network (LAN) function - allows users to stream compressed video, music, and photo files directly from the computer in high definition. With the spread of portable audio devices and digital cameras in recent years, household personal computers contain large volumes of music and photo files. Opportunities to enjoy video file playback are also expected to increase with the growth of video download services. The Pioneer Home Media Gallery makes it easier to enjoy these files in high definition, via the user's TV and audio equipment located in various rooms such as a dedicated A/V room or living room.

Advanced devices and constructions

Dual-layered chassis to suppress unwanted vibration
The BDP-LX80 employs a dual-layered chassis, whose chassis base is reinforced with a thicker and heavier stabilizing plate, to boost its rigidity and stability of the case.
A wide range of terminals
The pin jack output terminals are all gold-plated to ensure high-quality transmission of both video and audio signals. The 2-channel analog audio output and coaxial digital output terminals are machined terminals (not die-cast terminals) to ensure solid connections. For the component video output, independent pin jack terminals instead of D terminals minimize transmission loss. Inlet-compliant power cable increases the instant power supply capacity for the internal circuit.

Other features

• HDMI cable supplied as standard
• Up-conversion of DVD video to 720/60p, 1080/60i, or 1080/60p for high-definition playback*4
• I/P conversion and output resolution changes possible even during video playback
• 192 kHZ/24-bit D/A converter each for all 6 audio channels
• Fully lead-free circuit boards; environmentally-friendly design and manufacturing
• IR input for easy customized installation
• Low standby power consumption of 0.5W or less for environmentally-friendly energy saving
• Quick 10-key track selection for music DVDs