Azur 650BD Blu-ray player
Universal disc playback including SACD, DVD-A and HDCD Profile 2.0 supporting BD Live and Bonus View HDMI 1.3c supporting 10 bit and 12 bit deep colour and x.v.colour Pure Audio mode and 24/192kHz DACs for superior audio performance Onboard decoding of lossless Dolby and DTS HD audio CODECs 7.1 multi-channel analogue audio outputs to allow connection to older non-HDMI AVRs Ultra fast disc loading times and power on time
Azur Navigator remote control with Azur AVR/Amp control Standard definition DVDs scaled to 1080p HDMI output 2 USB 2.0 inputs, front and rear Energy Star certified ultra low power (<1W) standby circuits Brand new wrap-around casework design with thick brushed aluminium front panel and damped feet, giving enhanced resonance control

Detailed Specifications

Disc playback BD profile Full media list Architecture DACs Video frame rates Video decoding BD, DVD, CD, DVD-A, SACD, HDCD Profile 2.0 BD Live and Bonus View BD-Rom, BD-R, BD-Re DVD-Rom, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD+RW CDDA, CD-Rom, CD-R, CD-RW Mediatek MTK8520/MTK8575 Crystal CS4345/CSbit/192kHz 24Hz\50Hz\60Hz MPEG2, MPEG2 HD, MPEG4, MPEG4 AVC, VC-1, XviD, WMV, WMV HD, VCD, AVCHD, MPEG ISO JPEG, JPEG HD DTS HD Master Audio, DTS HD High Resolution, DTS Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital LPCM, WMA, WMA Pro, MP3 1Gb (available storage varies due to system usage) 2 x USB 2.0 HDMI 1.3c Component, S-Video, Composite HDMI, SPDIF coaxial and Toslink Optical 7.1 multichannel analogue 100BASE-T 3.5mm mini jack, isolated modulated <0.008% THD @ 1kHz >100dB Universal switch-mode 100 240V AC, IEC inlet <1W 85 x 430 x 312mm (3.3 x 16.9 x 12.3) with feet 4.1kg (9.04lbs)
Audio decoding Internal memory External storage HDMI output Analogue video outputs Digital audio outputs Analogue audio outputs Ethernet IR emitter in THD S/N PSU Standby power consumption Dimensions (HxWxD) Weight (unboxed)
Version created: Aug 2009

XXXXXXX Specifications

First tests

universal blu-ray player

For the money, you wont find a player out there that does what this Cambridge player does so well
universal Blu-ray player Cambridge Audio azur 650BD
Azur plays it all with assurance
enthusiastic adopters of new technology often have a number of players knocking about, what with Blu-ray, CD, HDCD, SACD, DVD and DVD-Audio discs to enjoy. Cambridge Audio wants to put an end to your multiple box/ extravagant power consumption misery with the Azur 650BD. As well as all the formats, the 650BD will handle eight-channel decoding of all high-def audio, and packs 1GB of memory for BD-Live access, and two USB 2.0 inputs. The casework is hefty, the remote comprehensive (though unlit and a plasticky imitation of the original metal Azur Navigator) and the on-screen menus crisp and coherent. Only the lack of wireless connectivity (the ethernet port is edge definition, assured motion handling and torrential levels of detail are amirable. A scene combining complex patterns with slow panning can provoke a smattering of picture noise, but, set against everything the 650BD does well, thats almost a gratuitous complaint. more focus wouldnt go amiss, but, for detail retrieval and midrange eloquence, this has little real competition. The 650BD may not be a universal player in the way the 5000 Marantz UD9004 is (its not a master of every format it can play), but its price and competitive performance make it one of the most capable affordable disc-spinners around.
Sturdily finished, extravagantly specified; impressive cross-format performance

AGAINST

Not quite the best Blu-ray pictures 400 can buy

VERDICT

The even-handedness and musicality make it especially enjoyable
Other aspects of home cinema performance are just as compelling. Whether sending undecoded audio to a receiver via HDMI, or taking care of high-def soundtracks on board, the 650BD sounds punchy, expansive and exciting, with nicely judged bite at the top end and a richly articulate midrange. It upscales DVD to 1080p with few alarms, and makes the most of Dolby Digital or DTS sound. DVD-Audio and SACD sound clean, dynamically potent and spacious. Its the even-handedness and musical presentation that makes the 650BDs especially enjoyable here. Even stereo CD playback isnt badly compromised a degree
The ongoing clamour for an affordable universal disc player addressed in some style
All aspects of home cinema performance are compelling
for wired connection only) prevents a nap hand. Blu-ray performance impresses. The 650BD loads discs a sight faster than most The Dark Knight was ready to go in around 20 seconds. And the lustrous colour palette, bright contrasts, smooth VIDEO REVIEW
See the video review whathifi.com/ video

REPRoduced FROM

april 2010 www.whathifi.com

TECH SPECS

Plays Blu-ray; DVDAudio; SACD; HDCD; CD/-R/RW; MP3; DivX; DVD-R/-RW; DVD+R/+RW; VCD; MKV; AVI Outputs HDMI; component; S-Video; composite; digital optical; digital coaxial; eight-channel analogue Video scaling 1080p 24fps Yes Dimensions 9 x 43 x 31cm