Apple to unveil 1080p TVs?

Word has it that the iPod maker will release some sweet, sweet HDTVs next week. We're so there.

More to come.

New "1080p" RPTVs from JVC

HDBlog wonders if JVC's new FireWire-enabled D-ILA rear-projection models with MaxxBass™ (in 56, 61, and 70 inch flavors) accept 1080p over their HDMI inputs.

Why would we want them otherwise, JVC? Maybe that's why they offer 720p versions of the same models.

Sony shows 1080p hand with BDP-S1

Well, excuse us for getting all hot and bothered about the Pioneer BDP-HD1. We got another 1080p BDP a-comin'.

Sony, master of the Blu-ray, announced plans for its first BD player, the BDP-S1 -- and like the BDP-HD1 it outputs 1080p full HD video. But not to be outdone, the S1 also will upscale current DVDs to 1080p to boot, making this the frontrunner in the replace-your-current-player market. (None of those crappy HD-DVD players from Toshiba output 1080p.)

Sony brags that the BDP-S1 also features "sophisticated design and exceptional build quality with rigid beam construction as well as finely tuned audio and video parts and circuits." Take that, cheap Chinese competitors!

Here's the crucial paragraph in the press release in our eyes:

Sony expects the Blu-ray Disc format to emerge as the standard in HD video performance and flexibility packaged in a convenient five-inch optical disc. The format features a robust 25GB single layer and 50GB dual layer capacity, making it ideal for feature length motion pictures with tons of extra feature material -- all in full 1080p high definition -- along with the multimedia possibilities of Java-enabled interactivity.

For those wondering if Sony was going to remain agnostic as to the output resolution for Blu-ray, the words "all in full 1080p" should settle the question.

Pioneer announces first 1080p Blu-ray player!

Okay, mad props to Pioneer Electronics Corporation. Not only do they introduce one of the first-ever Blu-ray disc players, they've gone and made it capable of full 1080p output.

If the player catches on, it bodes well for H.264 as a codec for Blu-ray discs, since MPEG-2 isn't capable of 1080p resolution.

The BDP-HD1, as it's called, offers HDMI output, DLNA-compliant IP networking (that's with Playsforsure™ technology from Microsoft, unfortunately), and Dolby Digital and DTS-HD sound. The unit will begin shipping in June under the "Pioneer Elite" brand, carrying an elite price of $1800.

If they un-tether themselves from the Microsoft teat (how's that for a mixed metaphor?), they might have a chance at setting a standard here. Otherwise, it's Apple's market to take from them.

Final Cut Pro 6 to support 1080p

Think Secret is reporting on Apple's upcoming release of its professional video editing application, Final Cut Pro 6, due at the National Association of Broadcasters convention in April, and the new version is rumored to support 1080p more robustly than version 5, both 1080/24p for film editing and 1080/30p DVCPROHD for HDTV.

As usual, Apple is on the correct side of history.

The software will reportedly also feature native editing of 5.1 surround sound, while its companion app DVD Studio Pro 5 should support burning to both Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs. (Even though Apple is officially a Blu-ray booster.) The question is, will that native 1080p video be burnable to said media?

Also mentioned by the TS rumormongers is Apple's real professional video software, the upcoming Final Cut Extreme, which will cost an order of magnitude more than the mere "Pro" version and handle 4K video (i.e. future-proof digital cinema) with ease.