Hi-def player roundup

It had been an exciting year so far in terms of next-generation DVDs at least. After a painstakingly slow start in 2006, things are finally looking chirpy with a "commendable" Blu-ray and HD-DVD presence in Asia. We've pegged the latest tally at a three-to-two hardware lineup, coupled with an official Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Blu-ray title launch.

From the HD-DVD consortium, we have the Toshiba HD-E1 and Microsoft Xbox 360 addon. The former is a true second-generation player, while the latter reigns as the undisputed price-buster at S$299 (US$220.14). Or so it may seem if you have already invested a tidy sum on the console. A kink here is limited movie title availability, though Toshiba has indicated a probable launch some time in August.

In the Blu-ray camp, the Sony PlayStation 3 appears to be cannibalizing sales of its standalone counterparts. At a money-losing S$799 (US$588.27) a piece, the console offers a comparable feature set with the venerable Samsung BD-P1000 and its own BD-PS1E player. And if you are curious as to why Sony is offering such as good deal for the Blu-ray capable PS3, go thank the Nintendo folks who brought us the inexpensive Wii.

The local competition is just heating up and more players will be heading our way. In fact, there will be a new entry coming in really soon. That said, if you are plain tired sitting on the HD-DVD/Blu-ray fence, here's our roundup of all options available in town.

Click here for a feature comparison table.

	1.	Sony PlayStation 3   CNET Asia rating: 8.8 out of 10 The good:  Swanky design; all games in HD; plays Blu-ray and DVD movies; built-in Wi-Fi; 60GB hard drive; Bluetooth support for wireless controllers and accessories; backwards-compatible with PS2 and PS1 titles; built-in memory card readers; online play is free; HDMI output with full 1080p support. The bad:  Pricey; no force feedback; a USB port on the back would've been nice; glossy black finish is a fingerprint magnet; HDMI cable not included. The bottom line: Sony's PlayStation 3 may be the most expensive next-gen game console, and its launch titles are not all that impressive, but its swanky design and bevy of features, including a Blu-ray drive, make it hard to resist--even at S$799. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	2.	Toshiba HD-E1 HD-DVD player   CNET Asia rating: 8.2 out of 10 The good:  Superb HD pictures; good DVD upscaling; slim design. The bad:  Lethargic operating times; not 1080p-compatible; no analog surround sound output. The bottom line: While it lacks advanced features and is very slow to respond, the HD-E1 is the first standalone HD movie player that feels and looks like a modern disc player. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	3.	Microsoft Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player   CNET Asia rating: 7.5 out of 10 The good:  Half the price of today's standalone HD-DVD players; bundled with universal remote; fast disc-loading times; two rear USB slots that let you connect USB peripherals. The bad:  Does not output next-generation surround sound; cumbersome USB interface with the console. The bottom line: While it doesn't offer HDMI connectivity, the Xbox 360 HD-DVD player matches up well against standalone HD-DVD players, and it's a relative bargain at S$299. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	4.	Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray player   CNET Asia rating: 5.8 out of 10 The good:  Plays Blu-ray discs in true high definition; upscales standard DVDs to high definition; sleek design; 1080p output via HDMI. The bad:  Twice as expensive as the competing HD-DVD player; very few titles available at launch; video quality on initial titles less impressive than HD-DVD versions; slower load time; some operational bugs. The bottom line: With video quality that's impressive but still not as good as its HD-DVD competition, the Samsung BD-P1000 will appeal only to those willing to risk a grand on a first-generation player in the middle of a format war. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	5.	Sony BDP-S1E Blu-ray player   First take After tantalizing journalists at tradeshows for close on a year, Sony has finally unveiled its own standalone Blu-ray player here in Asia--the BDP-S1E. This new entry is positioned as an enthusiast device which is a cut above the rest with its advanced capabilities. At S$1,699 (US$1,250.89), it is almost twice the price of its own versatile PlayStation 3 and S$700 (US$515.38) more than the Toshiba HD-E1 and Samsung BD-P1000. First take | See full specs | Rate this