While Syntax-Brillian proper is no longer with us, Olevia International Group LLC is (at last check, anyway). Semantics aside, that Olevia-branded Blu-ray deck we heard about way back in May has apparently made it out of the production plant and into Target's supply chain. The BD-100 has finally landed in Target stores, boasting full 1080p output, support for Dolby TrueHD, HDMI / component sockets, coaxial / Toslink digital audio ports and what appears to be a backlit remote. Of note, the unit was slated to launch this month at $299, but first-hand reports have already spotted an entirely more digestible $229 sticker in Target stores. Granted, we're not too sure who'd take a chance with Olevia when a Sony on closeout can be had for even less, but to each his / her own.

[Thanks, David]

If you were hoping to grab a new Blu-ray writer to slap inside of that new tower, you'll be sorely disappointed with Lite-On's new iHES206. The 6x optical drive simply reads Blu-ray Discs, but it will handle writing of blank CD and DVD media. As for speeds, it can digest single-layer BD-R / RE / ROM discs at 6x (dual-layer at 4x) while writing DVD±R at 16X, DVD±R DL / DVD+RW at 8x, DVD-RW at 6x and DVD-RAM at 12x. It's on track for a November release in Europe for a manageable €139 ($189).

[Via CDFreaks]

It's quite curious that Integra chose to showcase its DBS-6.9 Blu-ray player at CEDIA prior to making any official announcement, but those looking for the formal verbiage can finally put their mind at ease. A year after introducing its first HD DVD player, the company is proudly rolling out its first BD deck, which offers up 1080p24 video, bitstream output of the latest high-resolution audio codecs, an HDMI 1.3a output, front panel SD card slot, BonusView support (read: Profile 1.1) and compatibility with DivX / MP3 discs as well. Sure, it's entirely overpriced at $600, but if you bet good money on Seth Petruzelli over the weekend, what's it to you?

Similar to Walt Disney Studios' Disney Movie Rewards Live program -- which will launch alongside Sleeping Beauty on October 7th -- Sony Pictures is crafting its very own rewards program. The Sony Pictures Blu-ray Club will supposedly encourage purchases of BD-Live-enabled titles by giving owners "points" that they can redeem toward "sweepstakes entries and other added values featured in the existing Sony Rewards program." Obviously, it costs nothing to actually join the loyalty program, and while we can't help but announce this news with our heads pointed decidedly downward, at least Sony gives users the ability to register each new disc via their Blu-ray player should they choose. Launch date? October 7th, with Sandler's You Don't Mess With the Zohan driving the sure to be widespread momentum.

[Via VideoBusiness]

We haven't seen too many BD fiascoes of late, and Thomson's Technicolor is out to make sure it stays that way. As of this week, it has established the very first BDA-approved Blu-ray Disc testing facility in the United States, which promises to provide a place for advanced BD-Live / BD-Java testing before titles are publicly released. There's no specific word as to what studios it'll be stamping seals of approval / disapproval for, so we'll just assume anyone who feels like ponying up for its services can apply.

The anticipation is palpable, is it not? For those overly eager to learn more about LG's BD300 -- you know, that BD-Live-enabled Blu-ray player that can also stream Netflix content -- have we something for you. The forthcoming unit's specifications sheet has slipped out a touch early, giving us a few more snippets of information to digest before spending / not spending $350 on this thing in just a few days. Aside from the obvious 1080p BD playback, BD-Live / BonusView support, 7.1-channel audio output and unlimited access to Watch Now material, the deck also includes 1080p DVD upscaling, LG's SimpLink (HDMI-CEC) technology, a USB 2.0 port and a rather plain looking remote. Check out the linked PDF for more -- unless you're cool with being patient. Which you aren't.

[Thanks, Christen]

While not nearly as momentous as Sony's BD-Live-enabling update for its BDP-S350 (or Toshiba's latest / last HD DVD update, for that matter), Panasonic's most recent firmware issuance will still interest proud owners of the DMP-BD30. A fresh update has surfaced for users in North and Latin America, though Panny only explains that v2.5 improves "playability and stability." If that's enough detail for you, check out the read link to get started.

[Thanks, Jerry]

Billed as a one-day summit for Blu-ray developers, marketers and producers, Blu-con 1.0 will feature "experts" (whether that includes the many people who have so thoughtfully and eloquently shared their opinions in our comments since the start of the format war we have not been able to determine) discussing the various issues and opportunities presented by the format. The $325 ticket price for the December 8 event shouldn't be much of an issue, the conference is only open to DEG members, sponsors and invited guests, we'll wait and see if anyone comes out of it with the secret to lower priced Blu-ray players or more interesting uses for BD-Live.

Save yourself a trip to Epcot Center, Circlevision 360 is coming home on the new The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Blu-ray disc. Using Blu-ray Java in place of a circular nine-screen projector setup, viewers can look around a 360-degree set and call up video and text highlights on specific angles. American Journeys and O Canada O Canada might never come to the home theater but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying the best in 1960's Disney technology from the comfort of your living room.

[Image Courtesy of Walt Dated World]

For you slugabeds who missed out on seeing the DMP-BD55 get priced and dated, it's probably a bit backwards to start at the review first. Nevertheless, those mildly interested in making this their next standalone BD deck should certainly give CNET's review a glance. Put simply, this unit was deemed "a perfect example [of a solid Profile 2.0 player], hitting almost all the essential features we look for and pairing it up with pristine image quality." That being said, critics still couldn't wholeheartedly recommend it. Why? It's little sibling, the DMP-BD35. The $299 BD35 features all of the same niceties save for 7.1 analog outputs and analog audio enhancements, yet it costs a full $100 less than the BD55. Sure, if you're an analog output junkie, the extra cost will be completely justified, but it seems most everyone else should just snag the BD35 and burn the excess on a few flicks.

Amazon already delivered the pricing information we've been waiting on so patiently, and now the e-tailer has divulged the ship dates. Panasonic's DMP-BD35 and DMP-BD55 Profile 2.0 Blu-ray players will evidently begin shipping on October 25th and 28th, respectively, and pre-orders are being accepted as we speak. 'Tis a shame there aren't any free Blu-ray Disc promotions, but it's not too late to add any in -- you listening, Amazon?

[Thanks, J.D.]

Read - DMP-BD35
Read - DMP-BD55

Although you may not have heard of Sigma Designs, if you own any High-def gear, some it probably uses a Sigma chip for the heavy lifting. At CEATEC this week Sigma was showing off its SMP8644 SOC which promises to make the next generation of Blu-ray players load discs faster and perform better when rendering all that BD-J interactive content. And although it wasn't mentioned, we'd be willing to bet that the new chip can do all of this while at the same being cheaper then its older brothers.

Paramount was more than adamant that absolutely nothing was wrong with its Iron Man discs, but in what's easily one of Blu-ray's biggest releases of the year, folks are still having issues. The bulk of the problems seem to hover around clogged up pipes from everyone downloading BD-Live material at the same time. Users are reporting a handful of issues ranging from the film hanging on a "blue chest loading screen" (affectionately dubbed the Blue Ring of Death) to a muffled TrueHD soundtrack. Some PS3 owners have suggested that manually telling it to bypass the whole BD-Live download circumvents the hangs, but it seems that other players aren't having such luck. So, how has your Iron Man experience been? Do these folks have legitimate beefs, or are these fools just whining for nothin'?

[Thanks, Mark]

No matter what your current stance on Blu-ray is, one thing everyone can agree on is that the prices for discs have to come down. If you'll give Hollywood the benefit of the doubt for even a second, you can't blame them for starting disc prices high, in attempt to figure out what the market will bare. Luckily it didn't take long before the market leader woke up and realized that $40 for an older catalog title was just too much, as Warner lowered the initial price on many of its older titles to about $20. For whatever reason Fox has been the last to follow suit and if the more recent releases are any indication, even Fox is getting with the program now. The real win for consumers though, is that not only is the retail price of many older titles now $20, but the street price is coming in around $13. If this is any indication of the future of Blu, it combined with players that rival the price of upconverters, could easily carve out a solid market for Blu-ray in the future.

Read - Blu-ray Stats News Log
Read - Format War Central

We are finally getting our first Summer blockbuster in time for the holiday season, after some rumors of delays, as Iron Man is set to hit the shelves tomorrow. This is the first title to be released in some time that is expected to once again raise the Blu-ray bar and be the best selling titles to date. But this isn't the only news this week, for starters Discovery has its latest title, When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions, which we expect to sell well, but nowhere near what Planet Earth did. Universal has a decent slate as it has a few catchup titles HD DVD and DVD fans have been enjoying for some time like Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Halloween is very obviously right around the corner as all the horror flicks are being released in droves this week, like the famous Dawn of the Dead and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Another catalog we look forward to enjoying for the first time all over again is The Sixth Sense. Noticeably absent from the list this week is two Olympic titles like the Opening Ceremonies and a Michael Phelps special, that are only available on DVD. Looking forward, next week is the first time Disney is going into the vault and releasing a classic on Blu-ray with Sleeping Beauty, and there are a bunch more horror movies on the schedule as well.

• Iron Man (Paramount)
• When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions (Discovery)
• The 40-Year-Old Virgin (Universal)
• Knocked Up (Universal)
• Forgetting Sarah Marshall (Universal)
• Can't Hardly Wait (Sony)
• Daredevil (Fox)
• The Sixth Sense (Disney)
• Dawn of the Dead (Universal)
• Halloween Starter Pack (Land of the Dead / Dawn of the Dead / The Thing) (Universal)
• Land of the Dead (Universal)
• Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Dark Sky)
• The Thing (Universal)