JVC today announced a new Blu-ray player, model JVC XV-BP11. Like its predecessor the XV-BP1, it supports Bonus View, as well as AVCHD and advanced audio codecs - but not BD-Live. The main changes are a new, slimline design, a front-panel USB port and the MSRP, which drops $100 to $199.95. It is available immediately.
Thanks to Terry Shea for the tip on the lack of BD-Live.
For only $30 more the JVC XV-BP1 would be the smarter investment with a list price of $229.95. Even if one does not use BD-LIVE feature the extra $30 player allows one to connect the player to their wired home network to get firmware updates with a push of a button. I am surprised JVC would release a lower cost player without profile 2.0. We are only talking about $30 difference between the two models.
So what's the selling pointy with this unit??????????/// NO BD, No WiFi? 1.0?! Why would a manufacturer produce older technology? This would be tragic, if not more funny.
I certainly understand trying to reach the lower price demo, but how happy are those people going to be when they find out what BD Live is and that they can't connect? Chances are many of the consumers buying the lower priced players will be new to Blu-ray, and I am sure they will think they are getting it all. I think it should be in the mandatory specs, my opinion of course. On the other hand, DVD players lacked DTS when they were released initially and it took a long time for all players to have it, but this is different.
JVC is only alive because Taiyo Yuden bought a 69 % stake in the company. So anyone who loves TY media is irritated because now TY media will be called JVC media. So if anyone find TY media left, better grab it. I've used JVC media before, I'd rather avoid it. Short term the best media on the market just went bye bye. Ridata and Prodisc only one I store stuff on now. I'll wait a year before buying anything from JVC.
JVC today announced a new Blu-ray player, model 
