Harman Kardon BDP1 Blu-ray Disc Player - Product Review And Rating

The BDP1 is the first Blu-ray Disc Player from Harman Kardon. The BDP1 plays Blu-ray Discs at 1080p resolution via HDMI HDMI output and is also compatible with standard DVDs and audio CDs. Both 1080p upscaling for standard DVDs and onboard decoding or undecoded bitstream output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD is provided via the HDMI output. The BDP1 adheres to Blu-ray Profile 2.0 specifications, and a front mounted USB port provides access to both BD-Live memory and still images, music, and video files stored on USB Flash Drives. After reading this review, also check out my Photo Gallery and Video Performance Tests.

Blu-ray is one of the two major High Definition disc formats that were vying to replace the current DVD standard in the U.S. market. The other format was HD-DVD. However, as of February 19, 2008, HD-DVD was discontinued and now Blu-ray is the remaining high definition disc format available to consumers.

Blu-ray utilizes Blue Laser and sophisticated video compression technology to achieve high definition video playback on the same size disc as a standard DVD. For a more details on Blu-ray, as well as historical information on HD-DVD, check out my Guide to Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc Players.

Overview of DVD Upscaling

In addition to the ability to play Blu-ray Discs, the BDP-83 can also upscale standard DVDs to 720p, 1080i, or 1080p (in addition to 480p) to your HDTV, provided you are using the HDMI connection option.

720p is 1,280 pixels displayed across the screen horizontally and 720 pixels down the screen vertically. This arrangement yields 720 horizontal lines on the screen, which are, in turn, displayed progressively, or each line displayed following another.

1080i represents 1,920 pixels displayed across a screen horizontally and 1,080 pixels down a screen vertically. This arrangement yields 1,080 horizontal lines, which are, in turn, displayed alternately. In other words, all the odd lines are displayed, followed by all the even lines.

1080p represents the same pixel resolution as 1080i, however, the lines are displayed progressively, rather than alternately, providing a better visual look. Check out more details on 1080p

The capability of the BDP1 to upscale DVDs in 720p, 1080i, or 1080p format allows a closer match to the capabilities of today's HDTVs.

Although this is not the same as watching your DVDs in true-high definition, such as the results you get when watching Blu-ray Discs, it does provide a better DVD viewing experience on an HDTV, especially with today's larger screen sizes.

Harman Kardon BDP1 Product Features

1. Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) functionality with 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 Resolution output capability via HDMI 1.3a audio/video output.

2. Playback Compatibility: BD-Video, DVD, AVCHD, CD, CD-R/RW/MP3, DVD±R/RW, DVD±R DL.

3. 720p, 1080i, 1080p output via HDMI connection (adaptable to DVI- HDCP).

4. DVD 480i to 480p deinterlacing and upscaling to 720p, 1080i, or 1080p via HDMI output.

5. Additional video outputs: Component video (up to 1080i for Blu-ray, 480p for DVD) and Composite (up to 480i only).

6. Onboard decoding and bitstream output provided for all surround sound formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

7. Front mounted USB port for BD-Live memory expansion and digital photo, video, and music content access via flash drives.

8. Backlit Wireless remote control and easy-to-use onscreen menu interface. Having a backlight option for the remote control is very practical as it makes operating the BDP1 in darkened room much easier.

9. Ethernet port for internet access via home network for BD-Live access and direct firmware update downloads.

10. Remote IR input/output for combined control with other components.

For an additional look at the features, connections, and onscreen menu of the BDP1, check out my supplementary Photo Gallery.

Hardware Used

The additional home theater hardware used in this review included:

Home Theater Receivers: Onkyo TX-SR705, Harman Kardon AVR147.

Source Components: Sony BD-PS350 and OPPO Digital BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Players and OPPO DV-983H DVD Player (used for standard DVD upscaling comparison)

Loudspeaker System 1: 2 Klipsch F-2's, 2 Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-2 Center , 2 Polk R300s.

Loudspeaker System 2: 2 JBL Balboa 30's, JBL Balboa Center Channel, 2 JBL Venue Series 5-inch Monitor speakers.

Subwoofers: Klipsch Synergy Sub10. Polk Audio PSW10.

TV/Monitors: A Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor, and Syntax LT-32HV 720p LCD TV. Displays calibrated using SpyderTV Software.

DVDO EDGE Video Scaler used for baseline video upscaling comparisons.

Audio/Video connections made with Accell, Cobalt, and AR Interconnect cables. 16 Gauge Speaker Wire used.

Level checks made using a Radio Shack Sound Level Meter

The software used in this review included the following titles:

Blu-ray Discs used included scenes from from the following: 300, Across The Universe, Bolt, Hairspray, I am Legend, Iron Man, Night at the Museum, Rush Hour 3, Shakira - Oral Fixation Tour, Sunshine, The Dark Knight, Transporter 3, and Wall-E.

Standard DVDs used included scenes from the following: The Cave, House of the Flying Daggers, Kill Bill - Vol 1/2, Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut), Lord of Rings Trilogy, Moulin Rouge, Outlander, and V For Vendetta.

CDs: Al Stewart - Sparks of Ancient Light, Beatles - LOVE, Blue Man Group - The Complex, Joshua Bell - Bernstein - West Side Story Suite, Eric Kunzel - 1812 Overture, HEART - Dreamboat Annie, Lisa Loeb - Firecracker, Nora Jones - Come Away With Me.

Proceed to Page 2: Evaluation and Final Take