Mustek intros the BD-100, aka Sharp BD-HP20S
by Steven Kim 
posted Jan 9th 2008 at 11:32AM
Yeah, it took a while for Sharp to actually deliver their BD-HP20S Blu-ray player (top picture). So long, in fact, that it seems to have cloned itself during the process -- witness the BD-100 (bottom picture) which Mustek is displaying at their CES booth. Strong family resemblance, right? Front panel displays -- match; button locations -- match; slot location -- match. That's three strikes, Mustek. Of course there's no way to tell who actually made the box, and although we haven't spent much time with the BD-HPS20S, we do know that it doesn't live up to the expectations we have for Sharp products.
One more pic after the jump.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave @ Jan 9th 2008 11:39AM
More and more players! Yeah! That is what we are talking about! Take that Toshiba! You cant squeeze HD in 15-30 GB disc!
Larry @ Jan 9th 2008 1:58PM
Duh! 49% of Blu-Ray discs are single layer with only 25GB space. 75% of HD-DVD are 30GB.
1stGreg @ Jan 9th 2008 11:41AM
Price?
Being Mustek, I could see this being available in Walmarts pretty soon at a sub$300 (with a little luck, sub $250 even).
Cheap 1080p Blu Ray, even if profile 1.0, why complain?
For people who couldn't care less about PiP or online interactivity, could be a great deal (again, need to verify price).
Michal @ Jan 9th 2008 11:47AM
Does anyone else see the little optical illusion of the two underlined links below the top two pictures slanting a little down from left to right?
TJ @ Jan 9th 2008 11:56AM
Can't complain if its the same player but cheaper.
This or the Sylvania might make a good bedroom Blu-ray Player.
Davsot @ Jan 9th 2008 12:06PM
You can't argue with tree strikes!
EQC @ Jan 9th 2008 12:19PM
"...although we haven't spent much time with the BD-HPS20S, we do know that it doesn't live up to the expectations we have for Sharp products."
What do you mean by this? Are you saying the Mustek doesn't live up to Sharp's standards like I think you might be trying to say? Or, are you saying that Sharp's BD-HPS20S doesn't match what you'd expect for a Sharp product? Why not?
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on a different note: don't all BluRay player models that hit the market after Nov 2007 have to be profile 1.1? So, there's no way the Mustek could be 1.0 like 1stGreg suggested right?
Mike @ Jan 9th 2008 12:47PM
Agree with EQC - how can you conclude it's worse than the Sharp with such limited exposure? The way things are outsourced to OEMs these days, there's a good chance it's the same player.
Jake @ Jan 9th 2008 2:19PM
Yeah, that comment needs to be clarified. I read this to suggest that the BD-HPS20S doesn't live up to your expectations for a Sharp product, but it could also mean that the Mustek does not meet those expectations. What is the antecedent for "it" in that sentence?!
BREAK ME OFF SOME @ Jan 9th 2008 12:28PM
HD DVD AIN'T DEAD
http://www.petitiononline.com/SAVEHDD/petition.html
EQC @ Jan 9th 2008 2:39PM
whoever wrote the intro to that petition should have been more judicious with the language they chose...it's got hints of fanboy talk, and the facts aren't as precise as they could be. The writer might also be interested in knowing that there are way more companies supporting BluRay than just Sony. The BDA has 10 major CE manufacturers on its board of directors -- does the writer hate all of them too, or just Sony?
Additionally, that survey intro fails to address the reasons Warner went with Blu:
(1) Having two HD formats makes people reluctant to buy ANY HD, and it also slows down their DVD purchases as they expect to go HD eventually (see: decline in DVD sales for 2007). In the end, this means LESS MOVIE SALES for Warner.
(2) BluRay disks have been outselling HD-DVD disks, consistently averaging 60-40 for a year -- so, to end the format war faster (which is Warner's stated goal), choosing the side that is winning in media sales (Warner sells movies, not "dedicated players") makes sense.
Ron @ Jan 9th 2008 12:58PM
That is hilarious....who's up for starting a betamax one?
Winters @ Jan 9th 2008 2:32PM
Don't think I have laughed so much today as when I read those comments.
"HD-DVD is the natural evolution of DVDs. Blu Ray is a studio format that wasn't orginally created for HD movies. "
Some people need to read up more :)
Ed Younger @ Jan 9th 2008 5:05PM
Some guy on the petition said this:
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I have already stopped purchasing Warner Brothers movies in any format and seeing them in theaters. I am not at all biased towards HD-DVDs, however I do refuse to give money to a studio that exclusively creates discs on one format or another.
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so I guess that means he can only buy and see movies from the studios that still support both formats, which according to Wikipedia include First Look Studios, Image Entertainment (including the Discovery Channel), Magnolia Pictures, Brentwood Home Video, Ryko,and Koch/Goldhil Entertainment. Good luck with that.