Corel has released a new version of its video playback software WinDVD. The latest edition, called "WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray" drops still includes support for HD DVD playback, which was introduced with version 8, but has now a much stronger focus on Blu-ray playback functionality.

The software adds BD-Video profile 1.1, now called BonusView, which includes access to pop-up menus or picture-in-picture features with BD-J capability. Corel says that Blu-ray playback in WinDVD is complemented through Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD surround sound and support for playback of video on AVCHD camcorders.

Standard definition playback also sees some improvements with a new upscaling engine, a feature to remove the judder effect from fast-motion scenes and filters that removes digital noise and block artifacts from MPEG, H.264 and VC-1 low-resolution videos.

WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray is available now for $100.