Yamaha BD-A1040 Blu-ray Player Preview

The Yamaha BD-A1040 Blu-ray player is a universal player that has been updated to include Bluetooth audio support as well as VUDU, Dropbox, YouTube Leanback, and even Miracast compatibility for wireless screen sharing from a smartphone or tablet. The $499 player is made to combine perfectly with Yamaha’s Aventage AV receivers and can stream just about any source to a connected television or AV receiver. Like the BD-A1020 it replaces, the Yamaha BD-A1040 Blu-ray player supports 3D video playback as well as Wi-Fi connectivity.

There’s a lot to like about the new Yamaha BD-A1040. The addition of Bluetooth will make for easy wireless music streaming from any smartphone or tablet that’s in proximity, and continuing the inclusion of WiFi means that any connected device can stream content to the Blu-ray player—and on to your stereo or home theater system. Setup is simple, since you can use WPA for pushbutton WiFi configuration, or dial up the Yamaha AV Controller App on an iOS or Android device and set up the player with an intuitive online interface.

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Supported Network Streaming Content and Services

• VUDU
• Dropbox
• YouTube Leanback
• Picasa Web Albums
• Miracast
• DLNA (192 kHz/24-bit FLAC, 96 kHz/24-bit ALAC)

Yamaha opted to drop direct Netflix support with this new player, perhaps in rebellion to Netflix raising prices on new customers. Or it could be due to the fact that you can just about get Netflix on your WiFi toaster. Still, if you’re a big Netflix user, be aware that you may have to use the ARC functionality on your AV receiver and access it from your smart TV as opposed to having it with your other streaming content via the Blu-ray player.

Yamaha BD-A1040 Blu-ray Player Disc Support and Formats

The Yamaha BD-A1040 Blu-ray player is universal and supports SACD playback (stereo and multi-channel) as well as DVD-Audio. If you like to stream your content, however, the BD-A1040 has a 192 kHz/32-bit audio DAC and supports a ton of HD audio formats (via bitstream out) including 192 kHz/24-bit FLAC and 96 kHz/24-bit ALAC (Apple Lossless) files. On the video side it continues to facilitate 1080p/24 Hz-compatible HDMI video output and Blu-ray 3D. It will upconvert video to 1080p for playback of DVD’s, photos and streaming video.

An Audio Pure Direct mode is accessible via a button on the front panel. This bypasses video circuitry and maximizes the sound circuitry of the player—eliminating several potential points of interference. Gold-plated 2-channel analogue audio output terminals are included on the back which lets you connect the player to a dedicated two-channel system (there are no balanced outputs on this player, however).

Miracast is the newest feature (besides Bluetooth audio)  and it lets you use your Android device to stream music from your smartphone or tablet, through the Blu-ray player to your connected television. Miracast has yet to really take off, but it’s akin to Apple’s AirPlay—just for Android devices. Miracast only works with compatible devices, but is built into Android 4.2 or later. That means that most manufacturers have access to enable it on modern devices—they just may choose to do so under a different branding and with moderate levels of success between devices.

Yamaha seems to have made the BD-A1040 very easy to configure. You can use the Setup Wizard and even automatically configure your wireless access using WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). Software upgrades are available via the Internet or USB, and the AV Controller app makes it easy to control the player and streaming content from any iOS or Android device. Lastly, custom installers shoudl take note that RS-232C and IR Input and Output connections are provided, as is a detachable IEC-style power cord.

Yamaha BD-A1040 Blu-ray Player Specs

Video / Audio Performance

• Media Compatibility: DLNA, USB, BD-Video, BD-ROM, BD-R/RE (BD-MV), DVD-Audio, DVD-Video, DVD-R DL/-RW (DVD-Video, DVD-VR, AVCHD), DVD+R/+RW (Video and VR mode), SACD, CD-DA, HDCD, CD-ROM and CD-R/-RW
• File Compatibility (VIDEO): MKV with H.264, MPEG PS, MPEG TS, MPEG-4, VOB, AVI, ASF, WMV, DivX Plus HD, AVCHD (AUDIO): MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC, ALAC (PHOTO): JPEG, GIF, PNG
• Blu-ray 3D
• Video Output: 1 Vp-p/75 ohms
• Component Video Output Y : 1 Vp-p/75 ohms, Pb : 0.7 Vp-p/75 ohms, Pr : 0.7 Vp-p/75 ohms
• Output Level (1 kHz, 0 dB): 2 ± 0.3 V (BD/DVD/CD-DA)

Connectivity

• HDMI Output: 480i, 576i, 480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 1080p @ 24 Hz
• USB Port (Front Panel / Rear Panel): 1 / 1
• Digital Audio Output (Optical / Coaxial): 1 / 1
• 2-Channel Mixed Audio Output
• Ethernet and Wi-Fi built-in
• Bluetooth
• Remote Control Input / Output: 1 / 1
• RS-232C Interface
• Detachable power cable

General

• Standby Power Consumption: ≤ 0.5 W (HDMI control off, Standby Through mode off)
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 17-1/8” x 3-3/8” x 10-1/8”
• Weight: 6.4 lbs.

The Yamaha BD-A1040 Blu-ray player will retail for $499 and be available for purchase starting July 22, 2014.