Blu-ray Profile 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 explained--Ask the Editors
The now dead HD DVD format had its faults, but we always loved the fact that there was a single hardware requirement for every player since day one. With Blu-ray, there are three different profiles, and each profile has a different set of required features, which affects what kind of special features you can play back on certain discs. And even though manufacturers aren't allowed to make the older Profile 1.0 players anymore, there's still a chance there are a couple of legacy units sitting on the shelf at your local retailer. So, is a Profile 1.0 player worth buying? Should you pay extra for Profile 2.0? Let's check out the differences.
Profile 1.0 is the original hardware requirement for Blu-ray players and essentially meets the bare minimum for playing back Blu-ray Discs. You'll have no problem playing back a movie, listening to standard audio commentary, tracks or using interactive "pop-up" menus, but you won't be able to access advanced features like picture-in-picture video commentary or download any extra content online.
If you're the kind of person that never watches special features, you might be fine with a Profile 1.0 player, but be aware that you may not be able to take full advantage of more advanced Blu-ray features. Manufacturers aren't allowed to produce any more Profile 1.0 players, but it's not rare to see the older units still being sold--for example, the Sharp BD-HP20U is still widely available. With the price of Profile 1.1 players falling as quickly as they are, it's probably worth skipping Profile 1.0 players.
Profile 1.1 (also known as BonusView or Final Standard Profile)
Profile 1.1 allows for picture-in-picture commentary on certain Blu-ray Discs.
There are several different hardware requirements (see the chart below), but it basically boils down to the addition of picture-in-picture functionality, also known as BonusView. Typically, Blu-ray movies use this feature to enable a small window of video commentary, where a director or actor talks about a scene while it happens in the background. Profile 1.1 players need to have the secondary video and audio decoders necessary to play a smaller video in the corner, while also playing the main high-definition movie in the background. Movie studios were somewhat reluctant to include BonusView functionality at first, but now many Blu-ray Discs include the feature.
Profile 2.0 (also known as BD-Live)
Profile 2.0 allows for Internet-enabled features, such as downloading movie trailers.
Despite Profile 1.1 also being known as Final Standard Profile, there's actually still another Blu-ray specification, Profile 2.0, also known as BD-Live. The reason it's called BD-Live is that the major difference between profiles 1.1 and 2.0 is that Profile 2.0 requires that the player have an Internet connection, usually via an Ethernet port. Although some Profile 1.1 Blu-ray players have an Ethernet port, these are strictly for firmware updates and can't be used to access downloadable content.
In addition to Ethernet connectivity, the other major requirement is 1GB of local storage capability. All that means is that the player has to have some way of adding storage to the player, which is where the downloadable content is stored. We've seen players with USB ports or SD card slots to fulfill this requirement, while other players have some built-in storage--you'll have to check the specifications to see how the player implements this feature. While the BD-Live features we've seen on discs so far have been underwhelming, they're sure to improve as disc makers get a handle on the technology.
Technical hardware requirements
| Features | Profile 1.0 | Profile 1.1 | Profile 2.0 |
| Required local storage | None | 256 MB | 1 G |
| Secondary video decoder | Optional | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Secondary audio decoder | Optional | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Internet connectivity | Optional | Optional | Mandatory |
Chart compiled using EMediaLive's excellent Authoritative BD FAQ and Wikipedia.
Isn't there a Profile 3.0?
If you've heard of a Blu-ray Profile 3.0, you're not hallucinating. However, don't get all-nervous that your brand-new Profile 2.0 player is going to be obsolete. Profile 3.0 is an audio-only profile, intended to be used with audio-only Blu-ray Discs. It opens the door for manufacturers to make low-cost Blu-ray players that lack all the requirements in the chart, for those that are only interested in audio playback. We haven't seen any Profile 3.0 Blu-ray players released or announced, and we've only seen a handful of audio-only Blu-ray Discs, so it's not something current buyers have to worry about.
Which profile should I buy?
The easiest way to avoid all these headaches is to buy a Profile 2.0 player, which is currently the most future-proof option there is. In particular, we recommend the PS3--not only is it the best Blu-ray player according to our reviews, but it also has traditionally been updated with new features before other Blu-ray players. Additionally, because the PS3 has such a fast processor inside, we've found that special features just work better, with faster load times and smoother playback.
If you're the kind of person that never fiddles with special features and you've found a great deal on a Profile 1.1 player, there's no reason not to buy it as long as you know what you're giving up. Profile 1.1 players should have no problems playing back future Blu-ray movies, you're just won't be able to get additional content online. Profile 1.0 players are increasingly rare these days, so unless you find a fantastic deal, you can probably find a Profile 1.1 player for a similar price.
Got any additional Blu-ray profile questions? Let us know in the comments.
Consumers will go where the next generation of entertainment is and not based their opinions on the words of "experts." If we were to go with the experts' advice in the past, then CDs and DVDs wouldn't be where they are now. And if you're hedging your bets on downloadable media, make sure that you're aware of Comcast's recent announcement on the consumer 250GB per month upload/download cap and that most other ISP's may go that route-so don't place too much on that competition. But hey, if you're happy with your 480p crappy definition DVD then go with it man. I'll take my 1080p copy of The Shining over the poorly done DVD any day.
These wouldn't happen to have been the same experts that said the same for Television, VHS, DVD, iPod, and the Internet, would they?
And besides, for the next 5 years, everyone will be all over the format like white on rice. This means that your opinion would leave you out of the loop for those '5 years' until the next product that comes out. When that happens, the same experts will say again that the new product will fail miserably, and you'll be stuck in that same vicious 5 year loop. The same loop that can also cause new formats to fail. Reguardless of how great the boat is, if everyone calls it a failboat, it will eventually fail because noone wants to be part of a failboat.
As for the "profile" issue of this article, I think it should be made clear that you can watch MANY (indeed MOST) supplements just fine with 1.0. Most commentary tracks can be switched on and off -- no PIP window needed (or wanted!) in the majority of BRDs out there.
That is the only point of HD and BR - to be able to provide better resolution to an increased capacity digital medium. We're not in Kansas anymore.
The fact that you obviously don't know ANYTHING about how movies are recorded is OK. But please don't use caps to make something clear which is complete disinformation.
Why don't you view an SD VHS copy of the movie 2001, shot in 1969, on an SD monitor and compare that to a remastered Blu-Ray version viewed on a 1080p 50" plasma screen? Try to tell me there is no difference in picture quality.
Blu-Ray will be around more than 5 years, anyone who thinks HD downloads will replace it has never heard of internet caps & if I want highly compressed HD without uncompressed audio I'll watch cable!
Th profile 1 players were announced to be discontinued several months before any broken DRM's, it was always meant for there to be only profile 1.1 & 2.0 players, I wish they'd kill the 1.1 players myself & there would only be profile 2.0 players.
To the fact that older movies weren't shot in 1080p, well that's true, old movies shot on film actually have a resolution of 4K!!
That's more than enough resolution for Blu-Ray transfers.
Peter. (teccyfreak)
Seriously dude, what twisted stuff are you watching that the thought of this scares you?
Even if this does happen (and I certainly don't know that it does).... where's the big whoop?
Best Buy sells the USB wireless I think it was $70.
Yes you can get flash for pounds (or dollars over the pond) but a blue ray disc costs pennies (both sides of the pond)!
Just typical, Sony have been fighting format wars for decades, when they finally win one we end up with this patch work pile of crud!
CNET, what about the rumors that older machines lock up with newer discs, is this true?
The Philips support tech told me they don't make the firmware upgrade available on a disk (you HAVE to download it) and has no idea what to do except to go to this site and search for an app to open these files so I can burn them to a disk I can then insert into the Blu-Ray player. Needless to say, I can't find any such application. What do I do, short of scrapping an otherwise good player and buying a new one (which may eventually need another upgrade)???????
A note on Philips' tech support--you may get conflicting reports and advice when contacting them, even using the same case reference number. My husband was told yesterday that if he was unsuccessful, they'd just send him the upgrade on a disc. The first tech I consulted today told me that was not possible--they don't have discs, just downloads; and if I was unsuccessful they'd send me a new player with the latest firmware installed (sounded MUCH too good to be true, and it was). Third tech confirmed that Philips was not prepared to go that far; said he couldn't even BURN me the required files and send me a DVD-R because "our system is not set up for that--we don't have burners;" and said (while he waited for me to try the workaround I devised) that if unsuccessful I should call AppleCare. He did admit that the Blu-Ray technology is "kludgy" across the entire industry, and that regardless of brand, owners should be prepared to periodically have to upgrade firmware till their players wear out. But for consumer-playable 1080p source content, it's the only game in town right now that HD-DVD is dead and buried.
I contacted Sony, and they sent me a firmware update disc (V19). My S350 (purchased 9-29-08) now plays the 'Skynet' disc without a hitch. What I don't get is why I had a problem to begin with. We only have 40 movies on Blu-ray so far, and this was the first one that wouldn't play.
In my opinion, NO Blu-ray disc should ever freeze up just because the BD-LIVE component on a given Blu-ray player needs "updating." A lot of people (me included) don't care about that feature, period. I just want to watch movies I paid good money for on this new medium, without having to jump thru 50 dozen hoops first.
- by jrclancyjr July 10, 2009 9:41 AM PDT
- Another feature of the BD Live that I did not see discussed it the ability to register your movies. Sony has a Blu Ray Club on their website that when you register your movies you earn points and after 10 or so movies registered they send you coupons to purchase other stuff. Disney is another one with a rewards program and I am sure that they others will follow soon.
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