Azur 651BD Universal Blu-ray Player
If sound is as important to you as experiencing the ultimate in image definition, the all new 651BD is the universal 3D Blu-ray player you've been waiting for...
With support for BD-3D, all the latest surround sound formats, the 651BD is a lightning-fast, easy to use player and is guaranteed to reproduce your movies and music with all the gusto of the original performance!...Read more
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In more detail
The only player you'll ever need!
The perfect picture is only half the story and the 651BD's audio performance is every bit as impressive as its video abilities.
Cirrus Logic audio DACs and incredible attention to the design of audio circuits ensure this latest player sounds truly amazing whether playing movies or music. Indeed the 651BD not only supports Blu-ray discs - including those with 3D content - but also CD, HDCD, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio and SACD.
Twin screen connection
With twin HDMI outputs, the 651BD can deliver video to multiple displays (such as a your 3D TV and your projector) and both are fully compatible with the HDMI 1.4 standard for 3DTV and Deep Colour support.
The primary HDMI output also features a high quality Marvell QDEO video scaler with motion adaptive noise reduction for quiet and natural video, free from noise and artefacts.
As well as stunning performance with Blu-ray discs, the 651BD delivers unbeatable picture quality from existing DVDs, which can also be up-scaled to 1080p resolution.
Comprehensive format support...
The 651BD supports decoding of the very latest formats including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. And for the ultimate in user choice, these formats can be output as bitstreams over HDMI for an AV receiver to decode internally.
An audiophile extravaganza...
However it is the 651BD's musical performance that really sets it apart from its peers. The 651BD can reproduce the dynamics and scale required for the most elaborate movie soundtracks. The 651BD truly excels as an audio source supporting all high-resolution formats including DVD-A, SACD plus of course CD.
Designed for all the family...
With such a vast specification you might expect the 651BD to take some getting used to but you'll be delighted to hear that's not the case. Genuinely simple to use with essential operations available on the ergonomic front panel and more comprehensive control via a clear on-screen menu, the 651BD is as easy to operate as any ordinary player. In use it's whisper quiet and lightning fast for delay-free access to your movies and music.
Aesthetics and premium build quality are further strengths and Cambridge Audio's trademark wrap-around casework houses the 651BD's proprietary engineering within a low resonance, acoustically damped chassis.
The 651BD is ready to connect to the internet via Ethernet and supports BD Profile 2.0 (BD-Live and BonusView) and other interactive features.
With an immense combination of multi-format capability, 3D video performance and spine-tingling audio capability, the 651BD is waiting to show you how Blu-ray can really perform!
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Features -
Universal media support - Blu-ray discs (including those with 3D content),CD, HDCD, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD Marvell QDEO video processor Twin HDMI 1.4a outputs 24-bit/192kHz capable DACs for superior audio performance Ultra fast disc loading times and power on time On-board decoding of lossless Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio in Stereo, 5.1 or 7.1 CODECs. 7.1 multi channel analogue outputs Pure Audio Mode prevents any audio signal interference or degradation 1GB internal memory plus 2 x USB 2.0 and 1 x eSATA sockets for external drive connection Simple-to-operate colour OSD (On Screen Display) and set-up menus Low energy standby circuit - consumes <0.5Watt in Standby Supports Profile 2.0 - (BD-Live and BonusView) - Ethernet connection Navigator style Azur remote control All metal wrap-around casework with substantially thicker front panel and an ultra rigid, acoustically dampened chassis Fully controllable over RS232 Clear Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD)
Reviews
UK, December 2012
UK, February 2012
UK, November 2011
UK, November 2011
Specifications
| Disc types | Blu-ray (BD) including BD-3D, DVD, DVD-A, AVCHD, SACD, CD, HDCD, Kodak Picture CD, CD-R/RW, DVD+-R/RW, DVD+-R DL, BD-R/RE |
| Video outputs | 2 x HDMI 1.4a, component video, composite video |
| Audio outputs | 7.1 multichannel analogue RCA/Phono output, SPDIF coaxial and Toslink optical digital outputs |
| D/A converters | Cirrus Logic CS4382A 8 channel multi-DAC |
| Decoder | Mediatek MTK8530 |
| Video scaler | Marvell DE2750 QDEO Video Scaler (on primary output) |
| Internal storage | 1GB (Actual available storage varies due to system usage) |
| External storage | 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x e-Sata |
| Ethernet | 100BASE-T Wi-fi 802.11 b/g/n via wireless dongle (available separately). |
| PSU | WEP, WPA, WPA2 |
| Ethernet | IEEE 802.3,10 Base-T or 100 Base-T |
| USB | Universal switch-mode 100-240V AC, IEC inlet |
| Standby power consumption: | <0.5W |
| Max. power consumption: | 35W |
| Dimensions (W x H x D): | 430 x 85 x 312mm (16.9 x 3.3 x 12.3'') with feet |
| Weight: | 5.0kg (11.0lbs) |
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Click here for information about the latest firmware update -
May 2012
There are two new firmware updates, each corresponding to the different Blu-ray region versions of the 751BD/651BD. The 751BD and 651BD use the same firmware. As such, the following update applies to both models.
- Region A (North, Central and South American and Southeast Asian countries plus Taiwan, Japan, China Hong Kong, China Macau and Korea).
- Region B (most European, African and southwest Asian countries plus Australia and New Zealand).
Features of the new update (version 751BD(CU)-14-0413) include the following;
- Improved BD disc compatibility with new releases such as “HUGO 2012”, “Rio 2012”: the problem is that the VFD displays 00:00:00 and no change after this point.
- Improved disc compatibility with some new B region BD releases such as “Jurassic Park: Ultimate Trilogy”, “Kung Fu Panda 2 BD 2011”, “Fast five BD 2011”: the problem is that the BD player won’t play when you select "play" in the menu.
- Improved 720p upscaling from HDMI1 output.
- Improved audio track processing: the problem is when you use the analogue output and HDMI LPCM output, the DTS-HD MA 6.1 is decoded into 5.1ch, such as “Lord Of The Rings BD 2011”.
- Improved BD-Live functionality. The picture could occasionally freeze on some BD discs with BD-Live animated features, such as “Puss in Boots” and “The Lion King BD 2011”.
- Improved BD disc compatibility with new releases such as “Mr. Poppers Penguins BD2011”, “Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury BD2011”, “Human Planet”.
- Improved HDMI compatibility.
- Fix YouTube playback after YouTube changed their service
- Removal of ISO file playback due to copy protection issues.The update is in three parts – the Main Version (751BD(CU)-14-0413), the Sub Version (MCU751-5-0628) and the Loader Version (CN0900 8530). Note: Both the Sub Version and Loader Version updates were included in the previous firmware update from September 2011, so may not be necessary this time.
The easiest way to update your player is to connect it to the internet, via the player’s Ethernet/wi-fi connection. The next time the unit powers up, the player will see that an update is available and will automatically prompt you to update the firmware for your 751BD/651BD (so long as firmware notification is ON in the Device Setup Menu). Alternatively, select Upgrade Firmware – Via Network, also within the Device Setup menu. Updating in this way via the network updates all three parts of the firmware and no further action is necessary.
If it is not possible to connect your 751BD/651BD to the internet to update it, then you can also carry out the update via USB, following the instructions below. However, you will need to separately update all three parts of the firmware via USB.
Please note the following; You must load only the correct region version for your 751BD/651BD. The 751BD/651BD is region locked for Blu-ray, and it is not possible to load the Region A update onto a Region B unit, for example.
Please first check the rear panel of your 751BD/651BD for confirmation of the player’s correct Blu-ray region – you will see A or B clearly marked within a hexagonal globe, just to the left of the mains inlet.
Important: Loading the incorrect firmware version may corrupt your 751BD/651BD. Cambridge Audio accepts no liability for an incorrect firmware version being installed. If you are at all unsure about carrying out the update yourself, please contact your dealer, who will be happy to update your 751BD/651BD for you.-
Main Version -
For Region A units (751BDCU-14-0413)
Download the following zip file by clicking on the link below and when prompted, select ‘Save’ to save the file to an easily accessible location on your computer.
Once the download is complete, double click on the saved zip file to extract it to an easily accessible location on your computer, such as the Desktop.
The extracted file is a folder called UPG, and within this folder is the ‘751BDCU.bin’ update file. This update file must remain within the folder called UPG for the update to be carried out via USB. This update cannot be burnt to CD. To carry out the update via USB you must use a blank USB stick. Simply load (cut/copy/paste) the whole extracted UPG folder onto the otherwise blank memory stick.
Upon insertion into the 751BD/651BD, the player should automatically recognise the upgrade, and you can just select ‘yes’ to the upgrade procedure. In the Device Setup menu, under Firmware Information, the Main Version should now read ‘751BDCU-14-0413’.
For Region B units (751BD-14-0413)
Download the following zip file by clicking on the link below and when prompted, select ‘Save’ to save the file to an easily accessible location on your computer.
Once the download is complete, double click on the saved zip file to extract it to an easily accessible location on your computer, such as the Desktop.
The extracted file is a folder called UPG, and within this folder is the ‘751BD.bin’ update file. This update file must remain within the folder called UPG for the update to be carried out via USB. This update cannot be burnt to CD. To carry out the update via USB you must use a blank USB stick. Simply load (cut/copy/paste) the whole extracted UPG folder onto the otherwise blank memory stick.
Upon insertion into the 751BD/651BD, the player should automatically recognise the upgrade, and you can just select ‘yes’ to the upgrade procedure. In the Device Setup menu, under Firmware Information, the Main Version should now read ‘751BD-14-0413’.
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Sub Version -
(MCU751-5-0628) – all regions
Download the following zip file by clicking on the link below and when prompted, select ‘Save’ to save the file to an easily accessible location on your computer.
Once the download is complete, double click on the saved zip file to extract it to an easily accessible location on your computer, such as the Desktop.
The extracted file is a folder called UPG, and within this folder is the ‘MCU751.bin’ update file. This update file must remain within the folder called UPG for the update to be carried out via USB. This update cannot be burnt to CD. To carry out the update via USB you must use a blank USB stick. Simply load (cut/copy/paste) the whole extracted UPG folder onto the otherwise blank memory stick.
Upon insertion into the 751BD/651BD, the player should automatically recognise the upgrade, and you can just select ‘yes’ to the upgrade procedure. In the Device Setup menu, under Firmware Information, the Sub Version should now read ‘MCU751-5-0628’.
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Loader Version -
(CN0900 8530) - all regions
Note: if you have already updated the Loader Version during the previous firmware update, then it is not necessary to carry out this part of the update again.
To update the Loader Version, download the following zip file by clicking on the link below and when prompted, select ‘Save’ to save the file to an easily accessible location on your computer.
Once the download is complete, double click on the saved zip file to extract it to an easily accessible location on your computer, such as the Desktop.
The extracted file is a folder called UPG, and within this folder is the ‘DVD460.bin’ update file. This update file must remain within the folder called UPG for the update to be carried out via USB. This update cannot be burnt to CD. To carry out the update via USB you must use a blank USB stick. Simply load (cut/copy/paste) the whole extracted UPG folder onto the otherwise blank memory stick.
Upon insertion into the 751BD/651BD, the player should automatically recognise the upgrade, and you can just select ‘yes’ to the upgrade procedure.
In the Device Setup menu, under Firmware Information, the loader version should now read ‘CN0900 8530’.
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Click here for 651BD/751BD firmware update history -
Firmware version 751BD(CU)-11-0923 was released in September 2011. Features of this update included;
- Adds 8 kinds of OSD language
- Improves UPnP performance and USB browsing
- Improves CD performance and Blu-ray disc compatibility
- Improved the subtitle support in M2TS/TS playback through USB drive, external hard drive or UPnP streaming. Occasional reports that the movie picture could occasionally freeze up during the playback, while the time counter was still moving forward. This issue was related to subtitles and has been resolved in this release.
- Resolved the subtitle flickering or image stuttering issue during some 3D movie playback. Occasional reports of this happening randomly on some 3D movies released in Asia or Europe. Sample titles include "Step Up", "SAW" and "Resident Evil: Afterlife".
- Resolved the image vertical stretch issue observed on some legacy DVD's. Occasional reports of this happening when playing these DVDs using HDMI 1 and setting Aspect Ratio to "16:9 Wide/Auto", the pictures were vertically stretched. This issue could happen to certain 4:3 DVD's issued before or around 2000, and sample titles include "The Abyss", "Titanic", "TWELVE O'CLOCK HIGH (2002)" and "1941 (1979)".
- Improved support for user-created DVD-Audio discs. In the previous firmware, the on-screen display and the front panel time counters may stop at 00:00:00 when playback advanced from Track 1 to Track 2. This was mostly observed on user-created DVD-Audio discs which were “Audio Only” and contained no menus, backgrounds, or additional features.
- Resolved the Test Tone missing or harsh noise issues. Some customers have reported these using some special combinations of downmix mode and speaker setting.
- Improved the audio information display, e.g., previously "MLP 5.1" was shown as "5.1", "1/2 DTS 6.1" was shown as "1/2 DTS 5.1".
- Added brief chapter information (Current Chapter/Total Chapters) on-screen display when pressing PREV or NEXT button to skip chapters. This feature only applies to commercial discs which include Blu-ray, DVD and DVD-Audio.
- Further improved general disc compatibility based on recent and upcoming Blu-ray releases as well as user-submitted disc samples. Sample movies include "Avatar(3D)", "Journey to Mecca", "Alice (2009 Miniseries)" and "Pirate of Caribbean 4" (3D version released in Asia and Europe).
Frequently Asked Questions
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