Disc Compatibility
Video Features
Audio Features
USB/Network Functions
Convenience Features
Remote Controls

Disc Compatibility

Disc Compatibility: The Onkyo BD-SP309 is compatible with multiple disc types:

Blu-ray Disc Overview: Blu-ray Disc (BD) is a new high-definition disc format designed to take advantage of today's high quality HDTVs. The resolution is up to 1920 x 1080 (1080p) and the data transfer rate is up to 54 mbps. Blu-ray Disc discs and players offer several advantages over the standard DVD format:

• Better Picture Quality: Blu-ray Disc is a true high-definition format offering video at 720p, 1080i, or 1080p resolution. While standard DVDs look very good on an HDTV, they don't provide a high-definition signal (not even when you use an up-converting DVD player). Blu-ray Disc delivers an extraordinarily sharp, clean, detailed picture, with deeper, richer colors.
• Better Sound Quality: In addition to the same multi-channel sound formats you're accustomed to with DVD (Dolby Digital and DTS), Blu-ray Disc offers Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution, and uncompressed 7.1 channel PCM.
• Greater Storage Capacity: What makes Blu-ray Disc's superior picture and sound possible is the much higher storage capacity of Blu-ray Disc discs. A single-layer Blu-ray Disc can hold 25 gigabytes of data, over five times the amount a standard DVD can hold. Dual-layer Blu-ray Discs hold 50 gigabytes, which equates to nine hours of High Definition or 23 hours of Standard Definition video, plus high-resolution multi-channel audio and the added features and material that require multiple discs with standard DVD.
• Backward Compatible: To ensure backward-compatibility with your existing library of discs, Blu-ray Disc players use a dual-laser mechanism: a blue laser for playing high-definition Blu-ray Discs, and a conventional red laser for playing DVDs and audio CDs.

Firmware Updates: As Blu-Ray technology continues to evolve, new disc types with enhanced functionality will become available. In order for you to enjoy this new functionality, you will likely be required to update the firmware in your player. These firmware updates will become available for downloading from the Internet. The Onkyo BD-SP309 automaticallys check for firmware updates through the player's Internet connection every time the player is turned on. Visit http://www.onkyousa.com/download/software.cfm for the latest firmware updates.

Blu-ray Disc Java (BD-Java): The BD-ROM format supports Java for interactive functions. BD-Java offers content providers almost unlimited functionality when creating interactive BD-ROM titles.

AVCHD Compatible: AVCHD is a high definition digital video camera format used to record in high definition or standard definition video on DVD using an efficient data compression coding technology. The format is designed to compress video and audio (Dolby Digital or Linear PCM) data, enabling a high definition video signal shot on a digital camcorder to be recorded on DVD.

DivX Certified: The BD-SP309 is DivX Certified to play DivX and DivX Plus HD (H.264/MKV) video up to 1080p HD, including premium content, on DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW discs.

MP3 Playback: The Onkyo Blu-ray player supports playback of MP3 music files recorded onto DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, and CD-R/RW discs. The maximum MP3 file should be 200MB or less. The player can recognize up to 256 folders/files.

JPEG Slide Show: The Onkyo BD-SP309 supports playback of JPEG still-image files recorded onto DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, and CD-R/RW discs. The JPEG files must have a picture resolution between 32 x 32 and 7680 x 4320 pixels (File size: 20MB or less). The player can recognize up to 256 folders/files.

Video Features

HDMI (ver.1.4): The BD-SP309's HDMI output simplifies A/V connections by carrying video and digital audio in one cable. The HDMI output is version 1.4, which supports 3D video content. The HDMI resolution can be fixed at 480p, 720p, 1080i, or 1080p, or set to Auto, which selects the highest resolution accepted by your television.

1080p/24Hz Output: Through the HDMI output, BD-SP309 has a 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixel) output option, at either the 60 Hz video or 24 Hz film frame rates. Movies are typically recorded on film with a frame rate of 24 frames per second. When a movie is transferred to Blu-ray Disc at 24 frames per second the BD-SP309 will output that signal to the TV (if the TV will accept the 1080/24p format) with no need for conversion.

1080p HDMI Output with DVD Upscaling:: The BD-SP309 Blu-ray disc player is capable of scaling your standard 480p DVD to 720p, 1080i, or 1080p; via HDMI only.

Super Picture: This function enhances the quality of video streaming images with pixel by pixel processing technology.

3D-Ready: The Onkyo BD-SP309 lets you enjoy 3D Blu-ray disc movies in full HD 1080p.

Deep Color: The HDMI output supports Deep Color, increasing the number of bits available for transmission, meaning more colors. This results in greater color fidelity, smooth tonal transitions, and ultra-fine gradations between colors. It also enables many times more shades of gray, for higher contrast ratio.

x.v.Color: The BD-SP309 supports x.v.Color, meaning it's ready for x.v.Color discs when they become available in the future (JPEG only).

BonusView: The BonusView feature provides picture-in-picture capability with select Blu-ray Disc titles. You can view additional content (such as director/actor commentary) in a small display window while the movie is playing.

Audio Features

Surround Sound Decoders: The BD-SP309 has built-in Dolby Digital and DTS surround processors. High Definition audio soundtracks (Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD) are output either as a bitstream or as a decoded multichannel PCM signal through the HDMI or digital output jack (when encoded on the Blu-ray Disc).

Dynamic Range Control: This lets you adjust the range between the loudest and softest sounds (dynamic range) for playback at average volume. Use this when it is hard to hear dialogue.

• Normal: The same audio output range is played as the original recorded audio output range.
• Shift: When Dolby Digital audio is played back, the dynamic range of the audio is adjusted so that the dialogue portion can be heard easily. (If the audio sounds abnormal, set to "Normal".)
• Auto: When you play back audio in the Dolby TrueHD format, the dynamic range is automatically adjusted.

Digital Audio Output: The BD-SP309 is equipped with a optical digital output. The Audio menu allows you to select the digital audio format that is passed through the optical digital output. Settings allow you to transfer Dolby Digital and/or DTS sound tracks, or down-mix surround bitstreams to 2-channel PCM audio.

USB/Network Functions

Dual USB Ports (Front/Rear): The Onkyo BD-SP309 Blu-ray player supports the playback of DivX+HD video files (up to 1080p), JPEG still-image files (32x32 to 7680x4320), and MP3 music files (200MB or less) stored on a USB mass storage class device through its front-panel or rear-panel USB port. The player's USB interface can recognize up to 256 folders/files.

Ethernet Port: The Onkyo BD-SP309 is equipped with a rear-panel RJ-45 Ethernet terminal (10BASE-T/100BaSE-TX) to connect the player to your home network and broadband Internet. By connecting this player to your home network and broadband Internet service you can enjoy a variety of content on your TV using BD-LIVE functions, video-on-demand services, PC streaming, and also perform firmware updates.

Video On-Demand (VOD): With this Blu-ray player, you can enjoy a variety of video-on-demand streaming content by connecting the unit to the Internet via its Ethernet port. The BD-SP309 supports the following VOD services.

PC Streaming: The BD-SP309 lets you stream DivX+HD video files (up to 1080p), JPEG still-image files 32x32 to 7680x4320), and MP3 music files (200MB or less) stored on your UPnP compatible PC or digital media server.

BD-Live: BD-Live technology allows you to download and stream bonus content such as additional scenes, shorts, trailers, movie-based games, and more from a broadband Internet and home network connections (fees may apply).

Convenience Features

Start Up/Play Back Time: The Onkyo Blu-ray player has a start-up time of approximately 25 seconds. It takes approximately 43 seconds for a Blu-ray disc to begin playback.

Parental Control: The Onkyo BD-SP309 offers Parental Control settings to limit BD and  DVD video according to the age of the users. The control settings are protected by a custom 4-digit password.

• Parental control level for DVD-video:
  • 8 and Off: All DVD-video can be played.
  • 1-7: Prohibits play of DVD-video with corresponding ratings recorded on them.
• Parental control level for BD-video:
  • No Limit: All BD-video can be played.
  • 0-99 year(s): Prohibits play of BD-video with corresponding ratings recorded on them.

Auto Power Off: This functions sets the Blu-ray player so that power is automatically shut off if playback is stopped and you do not perform any operations for approximately 10 minutes.

Remote Control

Remote Control: An IR remote control provides wireless operation of the Blu-ray player. The remote can also be used to control basic functions of an Onkyo AV receiver.

HDMI Control: HDMI CEC allows components compatible with the HDMI Control function to be controlled via the HDMI connection. When this player is turned on, your HDMI-connected TV is also turned on and the appropriate external input channel will be selected automatically. The appropriate external input channel can also be selected on your TV automatically when you press when the player's "Play" button and the power is on.