Panasonic Announces DMP-BD10 Blu-ray Player for September

[Marwin]

Panasonic Announces Its First High-Definition Blu-ray Disc Player's Availability, Pricing

Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company today announced the upcoming availability of the company’s first Blu-ray Disc player, the DMP-BD10, available this September.

Blu-ray Disc is the next generation optical disc format that features capacity as large as 50 gigabytes on a dual-layer disc and will be capable of holding high-definition movies, tens of thousands of songs, and extensive capacity for extraordinary video games and PC storage. Blu-ray Disc has the support of more than 170 leading companies including the top studios and consumer electronics manufacturers.

"With the DMP-BD10, Panasonic proves its commitment to providing the best high definition entertainment experience for the home," said Reid Sullivan, vice president, merchandising, Panasonic’s entertainment group. "Our goal is to focus on the total solution for an uncompromised high definition experience. In addition we want to ensure that the consumer experience is as easy as possible, so we’ve added EZ-Sync HDAVI control function to make it simple to connect and control multiple products, such as a Panasonic Plasma TV, Blu-ray Disc player and receiver. Plus, with the BD10 we respect the legacy content that consumers have in their entertainment libraries, including virtually all DVD and CD formats, as well as video and image formats."

The introduction of the DMP-BD10 is timed to coincide with Panasonic’s release of its first 1080p Plasma TVs this fall, which can make full use of Blu-ray’s high definition entertainment capabilities.

Pricing in the United States on the DMP-BD10 has not been finalized, but will be less than $1,500. Panasonic will also release a high-definition receiver that when matched with the Blu-ray Disc player will provide an unparalleled entertainment experience.

[zombie]

Good to hear Panasonic is finally getting on the ball but...

Pricing in the United States on the DMP-BD10 has not been finalized, but will be less than $1,500.

Say what? Close to $1500 for a Panasonic? I don't think so. They don't exactly have a great track record with their DVD players.

[rhiohki]

Originally Posted by nyg

...
Say what? Close to $1500 for a Panasonic? I don't think so. They don't exactly have a great track record with their DVD players.

Yes but they did make one of the most highly revered DVD player with the RP-82. Just like how OPPO has now sprung to fame with its one DVD player, Panasonic did release quite a few spectacular DVD players at substantial cost below the higher-end. Not to mention, they have done well in the Plasma market as well. Their price is most likely partially based on their success in both of those fields. Let's think about it in terms of Sony's BD player at $1800.00 (I believe). They have a far worse track record of DVD player performance than Panasonic. It's all about who brings the best features to the table. Prices will always decline as more market penetration happens. Although, I can understand someone coming from a $200 Panasonic DVD player, to suddenly having to pay in the $1500 area range for BD might be shocked