CES 2009: P&F Unveils Philips Blu-ray Player Lineup

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, January 10, 2009

LAS VEGAS — P&F USA, the marketing arm of Funai Electronics that handles Philips branded audio/video products, took the wraps of two Blu-ray Disc players that will come to market in 2009.

The company’s showroom is set up in the Renaissance Hotel, here.

Joining the BDP-7200 Profile 1.1 Blu-ray Disc player from the 2007 Philips line later this year will be the BDP-3010 (April, $229 suggested retail), BDP-5010 (April, $249) and BDP-7310 (May, $299) models, said Cesar Martinez, P&F USA marketing VP.

The BDP-3010 will be a profile 1.1 player that will replace the BDP-7200 in the line, while the two additional step-up models support the profile 2.0 specifications for BD-Live functionality out of the box.

However, the required add-on memory (1GB minimum) will have to be added externally through the included SD card slot. The BDP-7310 will ship with a 1GB SD card included, but purchasers of the BDP-5010 will need to purchase a separate 1GB SD card to use the BD-Live functionality with some content.

Martinez said both players will support all of the base features of profile 2.0 players, while the BDP-7310 will add additional audio support and support DivX and AVCHD camcorder material.

P&F will also carry the Philips HTS 5100B Profile 1.1 Blu-ray home-theater system (shipping in June at a price to be announced), featuring FullHD 1080p/24 fps picture output, Deep Color support and the ability to eliminate onscreen color banding.

All of the Blu-ray players offer HD up-conversion of standard-definition DVDs.

P&F is also showing its 2009 Philips TV lines, which will be offered across three model series — 3000, 5000 and 7000.

All feature new styling design with thinner bezels.

Screen sizes include 32 inches, 42 inches, 47 inches and 52 inches, in the 5000 and 7000 series, and 19, 22, 32, 42, 47 and 52 inches in the 3000 series.

Certain models in the 5000 and 7000 series feature 1080p resolution and 120Hz smooth-motion processing.

The 7000 series offers Halo-Free technology that removes the faint halo accompanying fast moving action.

In related news, Funai Electronics said it will market its first LCD/Blu-ray Disc combo set under the Magnavox brand later this year at price to be announced.

Magnavox branded products are handled by New Jersey-based Funai's marketing arm and not by P&F, which deals exclusively with the Philips brand.
The 42MD459B combines a 1080p LCD TV with a built-in slot-loading Profile 1.1 Blu-ray Disc player.

The player will accept DVD videos in addition to high-definition Blu-ray Discs.