Panasonic DMP-BD60, DMP-BD80 and DMP-BD70V

[Sansho]

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.

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Note, they also announced a portable blu-ray player, not detailed in this press release.

[Blu Titan]

PAnasonic had a very strong Blu-ray showing n the Blu-ray side. A portable Blu-ray player, a BD/VHS BD player, and two additional Blu-ray players. Let see what Sony has to offer on the Blu-ray side today.

[Sansho]

Let see what Sony has to offer on the Blu-ray side today.

Nothing ... they reannounced the S550 and S5000ES. Lots of new TV's, camera's, etc, but no new blu-ray players.

[HDPlasma]

VHS ?????
Why not throw a betamax player in there as well.

[Chevypower]

Originally Posted by HDPlasma

VHS ?????
Why not throw a betamax player in there as well.

Don't knock that idea, i really want a Betamax/HD-DVD combo player! In the SECAM format! With a Swedish plug!

[bootman]

Originally Posted by Chevypower

Don't knock that idea, i really want a Betamax/HD-DVD combo player! In the SECAM format! With a Swedish plug!

What no 8-track?

[Sussudio]

Panasonic's new DMP-BD70 plays both Bluray's (and obviously DVDs) and VHS's, making it one of the first to play all 3 of the major consumer video formats released. The player is 2.0 compliant, supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio onboard decoding, and features an SD slot and USB input.

I'd love to see a VHS movie upconverted to 1080p
(yes I realize that's not what a combo player does)



Full story: http://ces.cnet.com/8301-19167_1-101...CmoreStories.0

[Kirsty_Mc]

Can't you just imagine it. All those Panasonic guys around a table at the Karaoke bar, swilling it back hard with the Sake / Johnie Walker and some inebriate comes up with this idea. Then to take the pi$$ somebody actually goes and does it .

I just hope that they have got the copy protection sorted out, or there will be plenty of bootleg BDs on VHS shortly... won't they be grand on that Toshiba up-scaling TV

[primaz]

The Panasonic website still has nothing on the new models yet so I called them on the phone. They told me that they expect product around the end of March or early April but they have nothing official yet. The online retailer whom cancelled my order along with 400 others said they were told the end of February but that was probably a total guess?

What is the problem was Panny thought the surplus they just made and what was given to retailers would last until the new models were made as they thought the economy would make selling Blu Ray players tough. The customer service guy said Panny is experiencing the same in other products where they stopped production assuming stock would last until a new model was made.

I'm going to wait as the Panny 55 was so highly rated and the BD80 replacing it has got to be better than the BD55 so I assume it is still the best in class for that price range of a Blu Ray player? I am still wishing I have a player now as I have a handful of disc's with nothing to play them on

[primaz]

Panny really made a mistake by not being able to ramp up production for these new models. Also I am shocked they are not putting information on the new models on their WEB site!

[gonno1]

Originally Posted by Kirsty_Mc

Can't you just imagine it. All those Panasonic guys around a table at the Karaoke bar, swilling it back hard with the Sake / Johnie Walker and some inebriate comes up with this idea. Then to take the pi$$ somebody actually goes and does it .

I just hope that they have got the copy protection sorted out, or there will be plenty of bootleg BDs on VHS shortly... won't they be grand on that Toshiba up-scaling TV

for you to make this comment,you obviously dont know much about the vcr as most people.the vcr wont crash like a hard drive and lose all your recordings.it wont skip scenes like a dvd recorder.that is,when searching[fast forwarding during play].try doing this between points on a tennis match on dvd and youll see what i mean.the video cassette wont easily scratch like a dvd and again spoil your recording.even still,im surprised anyone would make a machine like this but good on panasonic for doing it.i say,bring back the vcr to its glory days

[HDPlasma]

Originally Posted by gonno1

for you to make this comment,you obviously dont know much about the vcr as most people.the vcr wont crash like a hard drive and lose all your recordings.it wont skip scenes like a dvd recorder.that is,when searching[fast forwarding during play].try doing this between points on a tennis match on dvd and youll see what i mean.the video cassette wont easily scratch like a dvd and again spoil your recording.even still,im surprised anyone would make a machine like this but good on panasonic for doing it.i say,bring back the vcr to its glory days

But a simple walk by a high power speaker can magnetize the tape and render it unwatchable. Not all speakers enclosures are shielded.
Also, tape stretches after each repeated playback/FF/RW/Pause-Resume & can be damaged by heat quicker than a disc.

[Paul.R.S]

Is there any updated word on when these players may street?

[primaz]

Panasonic better get their act together by April as they said the last time I called the 800# as I was reading the preliminary reviews of beta versions of the OPO blu ray player that also plays DVD's at a very high quality level. I've heard that many of the blu ray players do not play DVD's as good as a good quality DVD player so this OPO looks to be right in the same price range $499?

I am still undecided but I can not wait forever and Panny not even putting info on their WEB site is the most idiotic thing they could do as they will loose customers if they can not get the product out soon.

[gonno1]

Originally Posted by HDPlasma

But a simple walk by a high power speaker can magnetize the tape and render it unwatchable. Not all speakers enclosures are shielded.
Also, tape stretches after each repeated playback/FF/RW/Pause-Resume & can be damaged by heat quicker than a disc.

yes i know that videocassettes arent perfect but ill bet anything theyll last longer than dvds or cds.those things scratch so easily.also,which do you think would last longer; a vcr or a dvd player? let me tell you,id be giving odds of $1.01 that a vcr would.the lasers on dvd players are so unreliable

[hamisht]

is it possible to upscale vhs?