Why do we need remotes for anything anymore, since many of us already have iPhones? Pioneer has just added two new Blu-ray players due in May that feature iControlAVR app support built in. Both the BDP-330 and the higher end BDP-LX53 sport the Precision Quartz Lock System with the addition of YouTube streaming and RSS feeds.

Taking advantage of the Apple tie-ins will require you to hook up to the network and a WiFi dongle is extra of course. But if you like to use your iPhone to it’s true potential, then check these out.

If you think that the 50GB capacity of Blu-ray discs just isn’t enough, then we have some good news for you. The new BDXL format will offer a capacity of up to 128GB (write once), or 100GB (rewritable).

As is often the problem with breakthroughs like this, there is some bad news as well. You will likely need a new player to use these discs. That’s because it uses three to four layers, so you need a more powerful laser. The format is an extension, so they may be made to work with existing devices, but we aren’t sure what kind of capacities that would yield.

Sharp has released two new Blu-Ray recorders in the BD-HDW55 and BD-HDW53. The BD-HDW55 comes with a 500GB HDD, while the BD-HDW53 comes with a smaller 320GB HDD. Both recorders offer 10x more recording time compared to the usual DR recording method.

The Sharp Aquos BD-HDW55 will give you up to 63-hours of HD video recording and the 50GB Blu-ray disc supports only 6-hour of HD video. We don’t have any info on pricing for these Blu-ray recorders yet, but hopefully we will have more details soon.

When we last checked in with Samsung’s BD-C6900 Blu-ray player, it was available for pre-order. However, soon after it was gone again(At least from Amazon). In any event, it is actually shipping now according to Amazon.

Amazon lists it as “In Stock.” The price is still $399.99 and for that price you’ll get 1GB of integrated memory, “explosive 3D capabilities,” and DLNA streaming. You’ll also get it’s sexy good looks to impress your friends.

DX Antenna Japan has unveiled the DXBW320, the cheapest HDD/VHS and Blu-Ray disc recorder combo on the market today. I bet this is one combo device that isn’t sitting in most of your homes right now.

If you are in the market for one, it’s priced at 70,000 Yen (or $784). The DXBW320 features a 320GB HDD, a Blu-Ray and DVD Recorder and a VHS deck all in the same unit. As a bonus this combo device also has two Digital TV tuners. We don’t have any onfo yet on when or if this one will be released in the States.

Panasonic is releasing the new DMP-BDT300. The 3D Blu-ray player uses the company’s UniPhier LSI chip which allows output of Full HD images of 1080p quality in the frame-sequential method. You simply need a pair of active shutter glasses and a 3D-ready TV and you are good to go.

The DMP-BDT300 will also upscale your DVDs. Some other features include DLNA support, USB, SD memory card slot and support for JPEG, DivX Plus HD, MP3, AVCHD, MPEG2 and JPEG content.

Denon’s latest S-5BD Blu-ray player, called Cara, is a hefty device, weighing in at 7.8kgs. It’s hefty in price too costing you £1,999. The Cara features 5.1-channel surround sound, two-source, two-room distribution capabilities, BD-Live and HDMI 1.4.

Some other features include an SD memory card slot and iPod/iPhone digital direct playback through USB. The player also supports a huge list of formats. Look for it to be released later next month. That gives you some time to save your cash.

If you have a ton of Blu-ray discs, they start to pile up and don’t always make it back into the case. That’s where a Blu-Ray disc changer can come in handy, allowing you to keep them all in one place and have them ready.

A company called S1Digital has announced a new Blu-ray changer that will hold 100 of your favorite movies within. It has an unoriginal product name, dubbed simply “the 100 Disc Blu-ray Changer”. The system is designed to be connected to a digital media center that runs Windows 7 or Vista and it even ships with My Movies software.

3D TVs aren’t even available yet, neither are 3D Blu-ray discs. But if you want to buy into the whole 3D craze I guess you better start buying stuff. How long the fad will last is anybody’s guess, but hey at least you’ll be all set right?

Samsung’s BD-C6900 is the company’s first 3D Blu-ray player, and its available now for pre-order on Amazon. Samsung wants you to buy your 3D gear now, not later when you can actually use it. You can still put on the glasses and pretend. Who’s going to know?

Panasonic Japan just launched 4 new Digital video recorders, specifically the DMR-BW880, DMR-BW780, DMR-BW680 and DMR-BR580 which come in 1TB, 750GB and 500GB capacities.

The BW series features dual Digital and one analog tuner as well as a brand new Panasonic AVC engine for superior quality video and audio. Aside from the hard drive the BW series can record on 50GB Blu-Ray discs and SDXC cards.

Netflix fans have something else to be happy about. Philips is now rolling out a bunch of Blu-ray players featuring Netflix Watch Instantly streaming. The BDP5110 and 5320 are both BD-Live players and have vTuner Internet radio.

The 5110 will arrive in Q1 for $169, while the BDP5320 comes with a WiFi dongle and will ship around the same time for $249. On the high-end, the BDP7320 sports all of those features plus DLNA access to stream video from networked devices or PCs.

LG’s new Blu-ray player won’t rip and store your movies, but the BD590 is still pretty decent. The BD590 will store your music, photos, downloaded movies, rip CDs etc, via USB or Ethernet port, though apparently not through its 802.11n Wi-Fi connection for some reason.

Unfortunately, no DVD and Blu-ray archiving. Which isn’t surprising for legal reasons. Anyway 250GB isn’t ideal for ripping Blu-Ray movies.

Sony’s new BDPorter is a portable Blu-Ray projection machine in a rollable cabinet that will look right at home in your office. It comes with a Blu-ray player inside, a WXGA projector, surround sound headphones, speakers and a 60-inch screen.

This one is targeted mainly at corporate situations to use with presentations, or when you need to move it into another office etc. If you really wanted to, you could probably import one from Japan if you have a spare $7,700.

Sony and Panasonic have teamed up to develop 67GB Blu-ray discs using i-MLSE (Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation) technology. That’s pretty damn impressive. This means that the next generation of Blu-ray discs will store 33.4GB of data on a single layer disc or 66.8GB on a dual-layer disc.

And as a bonus you won’t need new hardware to use these new Blu-ray discs. There is no info on the release date yet. When we might see them in our hands is anyone’s guess. A year maybe.

Oh joy. The Blu-ray Disc Association has now issued the official specs for 3D Blu-ray, confirming that the discs will be backwards-compatible. The PS3 will be able to play 3D Blu-ray discs, and upcoming 3D players will be able to play 2D discs as well.

The discs will use Multiview Video Coding (or MVC) and will use 50 per cent less space on discs compared to 2D content. The content will be full 1080p, so even though you’re watching your flick in 3D, the quality should be good still.