Blu-ray technology was no exception, so we thought we’d compile a mini round-up of the major BD announcements from the show.

Sony
Sony unveiled a new version of its Google TV-powered Blu-ray player, the NSZ-GP9. Set to arrive this summer, it’ll have voice search capabilities and a new touch-pad remote with a backlit keyboard on the reverse side. Handy for navigating those special features on Blu-ray Discs, the new monochrome unit is bound to be a hit amongst movie fans this year.

For more details visit Cnet.com.

Panasonic
Panasonic showcased its latest BD player line-up with four new 3D, and two new 2D models all featuring Panasonic’s new Viera Connect functionality and an improved UniPhier chip processor. The smallest in the new 3D collection is the DMP-BBT01 model. Arriving with Wi-Fi, 2D to 3D up-scaling and a slot-loading mechanism, it can also be stood in four different ways. So however you want to arrange your home cinema system there should be an option for you!

Check out Techradar for more.

Samsung
Samsung revealed its latest 3D Blu-ray player, the BD-ES6000, which arrives with lots of new intuitive features. Buyers will be able to install Samsung Apps, control the device via a USB keyboard, mouse or a Wi-Fi remote control app, connect to the internet and stream content around the house. But perhaps its best feature is its size, coming in at only slightly bigger than the diameter of a Blu-ray Disc. Tempted? We certainly are!

See what Pocket-lint thinks here.

LG
LG announced plans to release four new Blu-ray home theatre systems this year, with all but the BH6720S model featuring wireless rear speakers. Promising to deliver what LG dubs ‘3D sound’, the front and rear speakers in the BH9220BW and BH9420PW models come with top-firing drivers. Bluetooth connectivity is also now included throughout the range, allowing users to stream seemlessly from both iOS and Android devices.

See what Cnet.com has to say.

Sharp
Sharp introduced two new Blu-ray players for 2012, both of which are set to hit the shelves in March. The BD-AMS10U and BD-AMS20U both incorporate features from the SmartCentral interface – a new super picture setting which improves image resolution. Alongside a DLNA and optimised colour palette, the BD-AMS10U also has a USB interface for storage and easy integration with other devices such as digital cameras or camcorders.

Click here for more information.

Toshiba
Toshiba’s 2012 collection comprises of two new 2D and two new 3D models. Wi-Fi is available for all models and the new Aero design includes plenty of smart features. 2D players come with BD-Live functionality, True HD and DTS HD for 7.1 channel surround sound, as well as media streaming and USB video support. 3D players include all the functionality of 2D models, plus 1080p 3D HD playback.

Check out all the details here.

James Bond

It wasn’t just new players that made a splash at CES. To mark the 50th anniversary of the James Bond franchise, 20th Century Fox and MGM announced plans to release a giant Blu-ray box-set all of the previous 22 Bond films – from Dr No to Quantum of Solace – in autumn this year.

A firm date is to be confirmed, but we can expect a colossal 130 hours of special features, in addition to nine films that have never previously been released in high definition. We’ve embedded the trailer for the box set below.

So what do you make of the announcements? Will you be upgrading to a 3D Blu-ray player in 2012? Let us know your thoughts below.

The audiovisual aficionados announced this week an upgrade to its BeoVision 7-40 HDTV, adding an integrated Blu-ray player to the system.

The Blu-ray player has BD Live capabilities too so you can connect to the web for additional content such as deleted scenes, interviews, previews and games.

The display itself also receives an overhaul, offering a 100Hz refresh rate with in-built motion compensation to reduce blur from fast-moving images, so you can really immerse yourself in your Blu-ray’s HD picture.

Interested? Why not check out Expert Reviews for the full run down

King Kong
The original film struck fear into its 1933 audience when it first came to life in black and white. Fast forward 72 years and director Peter Jackson took to the helm of the monster hit with stunning results. Director Carl Denham (Jack Black) and his leading lady Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) run aground a mysterious island full of a world of ancient creatures, scary beasts and one almighty ape. A theatrical cut and extended version of the movie await viewers of the BD, alongside audio commentaries from Jackson and writer Phillippa Boyens, conceptual art galleries, cast and crew interviews and BD Live functionality.

True Grit
The Coen Brothers reimagining of the John Wayne classic True Grit rode a wave of critical acclaim upon its release, which saw the directing duo rack up 10 nominations at this year’s Oscars. Telling the story of a 14 year old girl who employs an ageing U.S. marshal (Jeff Bridges) to hunt her father’s killer, the Coens’ adaptation closely follows the original novel penned by Charles Portis. Bonus content on the BD includes a cinematography featurette, a short film on Portis entitled Charles Portis – The Greatest Writer You’ve Never Heard Of, and an adventurous look at the film’s weaponry, deleted scenes and extensive interviews with cast and crew.

Let Me In
With the world going gaga for all things vampire, it was only a matter of time before John Lindqvist’s celebrated novel, which was made into a Swedish film in 2008, got an English adaptation. Let Me In, directed by Matt Reeves follows 12-year-old Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee) a social misfit from a broken home who strikes up a close friendship with mysterious neighbour Abby (Chloe Moretz). Extras on the BD include an extensive interview with Reeves who touches on the advice given to him by Steven Spielberg, interviews with the cast and crew as well as deleted scenes, a picture gallery and insights into the set design, make up and costumes.

So what do you think of our choices? Hit the comments to tell us your favourite remakes, or tell us what else you’ll be looking forward to watching on Blu-ray this weekend.

If you own a smartphone, tablet device, e-reader or anything else with Android technology then you might be interested to know that it won’t be long until you can watch your Blu-ray titles on it.

20th Century Fox’s upcoming Blu-ray Disc release of blockbuster Unstoppable is the first to come with functionality that will let consumers watch the movie on the go using their Android device. The studio plans to include the technology in all its major releases this year.

Simon Swart of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment said, “For the first time ever, our customers can now access their Blu-ray titles on their Android devices with the Blu-ray Digital Copy at no additional charge, anytime, anywhere!”

Users can copy the movie to their Android devices using BD Live and the PocketBlu Android application, which is available as a free download from the Android Market app store. To enjoy the benefits they will need their Blu-ray Disc, a wi-fi connected Blu-ray player and an Android device running version 1.6 or higher. They will also be able to copy extras like interviews and the Director’s commentary along with the full movie.

IT Pro Portal has more information.

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Funny man duo Jonah Hill and Russell Brand made Get Him to the Greek a box office smash earlier this year with their outrageous, cross-country capers.¬† As with any comedy, the outtakes are often as entertaining as the main feature, and the exclusive Blu-ray content set for inclusion is no exception.¬† These include a karaoke sing along to Aldous Snow’s ridiculous songs, the actual auditions that landed Rose Byrne, Elisabeth Moss, Nick Kroll, Aziz Ansari and T.J. Miller their roles and musical performances from The Today Show and VH-1 Storytellers.

In addition, it also allows viewers to stream one of  three classic comedies, Uncle Buck, Dazed and Confused or Life, via BD-Live or a smartphone.

The European release date is to be confirmed, but keep an eye on Amazon for updates.  For more information on Blu-ray Disc special features included, HD Room has the details.

Avid Harry Potter fans will be pleased with the latest announcement from Warner Home Video that Ultimate Editions of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire are to be released on Blu-ray Disc.

These Ultimate editions are jammed packed with special features, including parts three and four respectively of the eight-hour documentary ‘Creating the World of Harry Potter’, which will ultimately span across all eight Ultimate Edition Blu-ray Discs.¬† Part three looks at the creatures from the series, while part four examines the sound and music.¬† BD-Live content is also promised for both films.

Other collectable bonus content from the Ultimate Editions includes character cards, books with over 40 pages of behind-the-scenes material, and lenticular cards.

The Ultimate Editions are due for release on October 4. The HDRoom has more details.

Unleashing the power of HD with perfect picture and the purest digital sound available, fans will get to appreciate the flux capacitor, hover boards and of course, the iconic, time-travelling DeLorean in all their glory.

The Blu-ray Disc trilogy comes with more than two hours of extras, including a brand new six part retrospective documentary featuring all the main cast and crew, the storyboard sequence of the original proposed ending, 16 deleted scenes and feature commentaries with producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton.

It will also take viewers behind the scenes showing outtakes, original makeup tests and hover-board tests, as well as revealing the secrets behind production design, storyboarding and the creation of everything from the DeLorean to Hill Valley.

For the die hard fans, it also boasts a nice selection of exclusive Blu-ray tools such as U-Control, Storyboard Comparison, Trivia Track, Set Ups and Pay Offs, BD-Live and much, much more. For more details, and to see the trailer, visit the official site.

[tweetmeme source= "blurayreporter" only_single=false] BD-Live functionality has come a long way since launch, with more and more discs taking advantage of the technology to add interactive features such as MovieIQ and Cinechat. But the latest social media capabilities on True Blood season 2, released on BD this week, have taken it to a whole new level.

Using BD-Live, viewers can link a True Blood live feed directly to their Facebook and Twitter accounts. Then, by uploading a picture, fans can literally ‘become one’ with the characters as they watch themselves morph into vampires when viewing episodes. Vampire alter-egos can be uploaded onto Facebook to share with, or, better still, scare friends! Favourite scenes can also be shared simply by pressing a button on the remote when a small icon appears on screen.

To get a feel for the True Blood live feed, Creativity Online is hosting a demo which can be viewed here.

Football fans will be hard pushed to leave the sofa this summer with Sony adding FIFA World Cup content to its internet video service on Bravia TVs and Blu-ray Disc players. Previous World Cups can be re-lived with content including the top 20 tournament moments and profiles of legendary players.

Christian Brown, Senior Category Marketing Manager for Home Entertainment at Sony UK, said: “We can make some of the greatest football moments come to life in consumers’ living rooms across Europe at the touch of a button.”

The content will be hosted through the Bravia Internet Video service, which already broadcasts Demand Five, film channel Lovefilm and YouTube, as well as social networking site Facebook.

For more information on the service, click here for more details.

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War movie fans will be pleased to learn that action thriller Green Zone is due for Blu-ray Disc release on 12th July.  The action thriller, starring Matt Damon as a rogue army officer, keeps the Iraq war firmly on the agenda following the Oscar success of The Hurt Locker.

Set in the early days of the Iraq war, the story sees Damon and his team ordered to find weapons of mass destruction believed to be stockpiled in the Iraqi desert. What is in fact uncovered is an elaborate cover-up, resulting in plenty of drama and action – the perfect mix to be captured in high definition.

Special features include a feature commentary with Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass, a behind-the-scenes look into the making of the film and the gruelling training programme Matt undertook. Exclusive to the Blu-ray Disc version, viewers can enjoy even more content with BD-Live, which allows users to access content via an internet connected Blu-ray player. Mobile app PocketBlu is also included, letting you, among other things, use your phone as a remote control. Another feature definitely worth trying is U-Control, which allows users to access bonus materials, such as Picture-In-Picture commentary, without leaving the film.

For more details, visit Blu-ray.com.