High Definition Blu-ray discs are ramping up and gaining consumer acceptance as more and more titles become available from the film studios. But the CE manufacturers are very much innovating as well. In addition to great picture and sound the next generation of Blu-ray disc players have something that is just starting to come into focus: network connectivitiy. Today at the Sun JavaOne Conference in San Francisco, Sun and Method client RCDb announced support for BDLive.com. Beginning today developers can request a developer disc that includes "sample code, definition of available API's, and the ability for developers to share their creations with each other and download applications to their home theater."

These BDLive.com applications will add new features and functionalities to Blu-ray entertainment titles that are 'unlocked' when you pop them in your connected Blu-ray disc player. Looking forward, we see the connected BD player as a platform for delivering entertainment experiences even with no Blu-ray disc title in the player.

We think that before the end of 2008 consumers will see the ability to browse a library of film or music titles from BDLive.com and be able to enjoy them without the need for a physical disc. Other media viewers/players or games will be developed in BDJ and optimized for 10ft display as well. With rumored set-top offering from Netflix, Xbox Live downloads, Sony's PS3 (which is a connected Blu-ray player today), Vudu and Amazon Unbox on TiVo all competing for shelf space in your living room we think your next disc player - your Blu-ray player - with these new BDLive.com connected features will fee right at home.