CES: New BD players from Panasonic. DMP-BD60, DMP-BD80, DMP-BD70V

[Ian H]

PANASONIC’S EXPANDED 2009 BLU-RAY LINE UP FEATURES VIERA CAST®, BD LIVE™, WORLD’S FIRST VHS-BLU-RAY PLAYER AND REDUCED POWER CONSUMPTION

Amazon Video-on-Demand Included in VIERA CAST For 2009

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 7, 2009) - Panasonic, a major developer and contributor to the success of the Blu-ray format, today introduced the successors to last year’s award winning DMP-BD35 and DMP-BD55 players, as well as presenting the world’s first Blu-ray-VHS dual player. All three of the new Blu-ray players – DMP-BD60, DMP-BD80, DMP-BD70V – combine high quality images with enhanced networking functions, including VIERA Cast’s improved internet functionality that provides access to Amazon VOD’s huge selection of titles. Continuing its commitment to producing products that stress ease of use, the 2009 line of Blu-ray Disc™ players continue to incorporate VIERA Link™, allowing the consumer to operate their audio/video components, via HDMI, with one remote. And, in keeping with Panasonic’s pledge to reduce the planet’s carbon footprint, the new Blu-ray players have been designed to reduce power consumption.

Each of the three models employs the PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus. Developed in collaboration with Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory, this high image processing technology reproduces clear, vivid colors that are faithful to the original film. Recognizing that audio is important to the overall entertainment experience, Panasonic’s three 2009 Blu-ray Disc players feature a high definition audio decoder (Dolby® Digital Plus, Dolby® TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio Essential) to take advantage of the exceptionally high quality 7.1 channel surround sound now integrated in Blu-ray Discs. The DMP-BD70V distinguishes itself as the world’s first dual deck VHS-Blu-ray player, providing the consumer with a video product that features multi-format playback allowing the user to play VHS, CD, DVD and 1080p high definition Blu-ray Discs. The BD70V allows for premium 1080p up-conversion for all video formats.

VIERA CAST technology, introduced in Panasonic’s PZ850 2008 VIERA Plasma, is now available in Panasonic’s 2009 Blu-ray players. The internet enabled technology lets the consumer access the internet without the need of either an external box or a PC and enjoy the entertainment value provided by such targeted sites as Amazon VOD, with an extensive library of streamed titles, YouTube™, Google’s Picasa™ Web Album , Bloomberg and a weather channel. The DMP-BD60, DMP-BD80 and DMP-BD70V include an SD Memory card slot and USB slot, making it easy for the consumer to view and share both digital still images and HD video recorded with an HD camcorder in the AVCHD format.

“With the expansion of the unique VIERA Cast functionality and the introduction of the industry’s first dual VHS-Blu-ray deck, Panasonic’s 2009 line cements our position as technology leaders and places Panasonic in the forefront of the Blu-ray arena,” said Richard Simone, Director, Panasonic, the Entertainment Group. “Panasonic was the first company to produce a Blu-ray player with Bonus View and the first to incorporate BD Live functionality into a stand alone player. Now we are the first to bring to market a dual VHS-Blu ray player. When coupled with a Panasonic HDTV, Blu-ray gives the consumer the essential 1080p high definition experience.”

In order to produce the ultimate picture quality, Panasonic’s Blu-ray players employ high precision 4:4:4 signal technology, which working in tandem with PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus processes each pixel of the Blu-ray Disc video signal in the horizontal direction, to compliment vertical direction processing. P4HD (Pixel Precision Progressive Processing for HD) is another technology that contributes to the superior picture quality of the Blu-ray players. P4HD processes more than 15 billion pixels per second and applies the optimal processing to every pixel. Panasonic’s Blu-ray players further utilize 16-level motion detection to categorize the image motion of each pixel into one of 16 levels; diagonal processing to detect diagonals and correct the pixels accordingly; 1080p up-conversion to up-convert content recorded in the 480i/p or 720p format to 1080p. The Blu-ray players also provide 1080/24p output, thereby reproducing cinema images from a Blu-ray Disc and DVD in their original 24p form with no need for conversion. This allows the user to enjoy cinema images in the same format used in cinema with a 1080/24p compatible TV.

Complimenting the HD audio codecs the three Blu-ray players feature 96kHz surround re-master, a function that enhances the sound quality of CDs and other sources, and even improves the quality of the multi-channel audio data on Blu-ray Discs and DVDs. The DMP-BD80 further enhances the audio experience with 7.1 channel analog out to produce true 7.1 surround sound, thereby affording the consumer a home theater environment that rivals the movie theater. The BD80 also includes a playback information window that can be used to display detailed image information while a movie is playing.

In order to obtain a reduction in power consumption the 2009 Blu-ray players use Auto Power Stand-By, a function that automatically turns off the player when you return to TV operation using the VIERA Link menu. In addition, the Stand-by Power Save automatically turns off the player’s Quick Start function. When VIERA is turned on, Quick Start also turns on. In addition, the development of the UniPhier® single chip LSI makes it possible to pack an entire video signal processing circuit onto a single chip. This helps lower power consumption, reduces the number of parts needed and allows for a more compact design. The BD60 consumes 16% less power in standby mode than last year’s model, the DMP-BD35.

[Ian H]

I wonder how long this new batch of players will last.

I must say, its nice to see Panasonic thinking ahead and including a VHS deck in the BD70V.

[Muad'Dib]

Good combination that, VHS and Blu-ray. I'm suprised Toshiba didn't think of that one.

[Dark Knight]

Blimey....... they are coming out quick now, i wonder how quick the load up will be on these ones !!!

[Smackos]

Good question mate, I must admit when I ordered my BD35 just before christmas and found out just after that they'd discontinued the 35 and 55 what they had up they're sleeves. To be honest I actually don't think there's much there on paper at least that stands out and makes me wish I'd waited for one of these right now. I certainly don't feel I've got good enough equipment to be in any position to show the sort of minor differences for the chroma enhancement features etc.

Certainly not interested in Viera Cast anymore than I am in the nintendo "Wii channels".

Certainly think with the recent price rises we're seeing at the moment I'd be really interested as to what prices these new players will come out at when they do actually launch! Think anybody with a decent profile 2.0 player right now will be laughing in the short term..

[chelsea.tone]

Good combination that, VHS and Blu-ray. I'm suprised Toshiba didn't think of that one.

Toshiba are secretly developing a Betamax/HD-DVD combi, but its very hush hush

[Smackos]

Without taking the pee, is there honestly anybody here that actually still uses VHS right now???



Surely there isn't still a market for this sort of thing!!?

[Ian H]

I've got a VHS player in my system, the clock comes in handy.

I've do have a few VHS tapes that I watch on occasion, thats mostly Mini stuff though.

[Drongo]

Toshiba are secretly developing a Betamax/HD-DVD combi, but its very hush hush

Sssshhh! Don't talk about it.

When RC gives you your present next Christmas, you're supposed to act surprised...





What's the shelf life of a Panny BD player nowadays - two months?

I still have a VHS player tucked away somewhere for the few VHS tapes that still haven't made it to DVD yet.

Yes, I've copied them DVD but I like to be able to play the 'masters' in case the copies are ever lost or destroyed - and even I think the idea of a BD/VHS combo is a farce.

[Muad'Dib]

It would make more sense if this was a VHS/Blu-ray writer so you could copy your VHS tapes to Blu-ray. If its a Blu-ray Rom only player then....

[Drongo]

It would make more sense if this was a VHS/Blu-ray writer so you could copy your VHS tapes to Blu-ray. If its a Blu-ray Rom only player then....

Other than being able to copy lots of VHS tapes onto on one BD disc, I can't see the advantage of copying onto BD over DVD.

The resolution will still be VHS quality, so you might as well copy onto DVD - it will be a lot cheaper!

[Smackos]

It would make more sense if this was a VHS/Blu-ray writer so you could copy your VHS tapes to Blu-ray. If its a Blu-ray Rom only player then....

They'd never go for that, the studios would be up in arms in case you were trying to copy across your beloved Muppets Chirstmas Carol/ Cher-Fitness Workout VHS and there-by not giving them the opportunity to make you double dip...

[waltie]

Hey Buddies:

I bought my BD 35 at the end of the year and since it was shipped by sea I haven' gotten it yet. Last news I had it was on the way.


As to the 2009 new players, according to what I read, the only difference is the viera link, which allows you download material from Amazon. In USA most people think it is a disaster. There's no diifference in the chip of the units so the performance of the players probably will be the same as the predecessors. Exceptional, as i could read in reviews. The only downside is the slow loading.
I thought I was with problems in my eyes when I saw the bd 35 being sold at Amazon today at the price of US$ 900.

[Smackos]

I'm so glad I went for my BD35 when I did, if I'd left it a week later I wouldn't have been able to import it. The BD35 really isn't "slow" at loading anything in my opinion, honestly.. there's very little between it and the PS3 in the majority of cases. I'm sure the same can be said of the Sony S350's and later too. I'm glad I held out on a stand alone Blu-ray player as long as I did and went deliberately for the PS3 as a blu-ray player from the start, but I'm even happier I jumped in when I did.. timing was perfect.

[Ian H]

Prices for the new batch of Panasonic players are as follows.

• BD60 £299
• BD80 £399

The BD 80 should be in the shops later this month, with the BD60 following in April. No news on pricing or availability of the BD70V (I know this is the one you're all waiting for!), but there is a portable coming, the B15, which should be available from May for £599.

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news...e-player.phtml

I wonder how much benefit you'll get over SD on a 9" screen.