Panasonic DMP-BD60, DMP-BD70V, DMP-BD80 Blu-ray Players

[hugh]

The 2009 Panasonic Blu-ray line will be available in April.

The following is U.S. pricing so I suspect the Canadian pricing will be $75 to $100 more per unit

• DMP-BD60 - $299.95;
• DMP-BD70V - $399.95;
• DMP-BD80 - $399.95.

Post #2 has some highlights from the Panasonic Press release

[hugh]

Edited for brevity from press release

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 and incorporate VIERA Link allowing the consumer to operate their audio/video components, via HDMI, with one remote.

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.

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.

[David Susilo]

Canadian pricing pricing for the VHS/BD combo will be $599 and the BD80 will be $549. That's according to the Pana dealer buddy of mine yesterday. BD60 will be $449.

[rvp819]

Good grief, has Panasonic lost its mind?

$449 for a BD60 which replaces the BD35 that could be had on sale for ~$250

Someone tell them the economy is in the dump... or is this April 1st a little early?

[David Susilo]

I personally think the crazy MSRP are there to create "save story" such as "$299, save $150!!" type of dealie.

[jumpy27]

Originally Posted by David Susilo

Canadian pricing pricing for the VHS/BD combo will be $599 and the BD80 will be $549. That's according to the Pana dealer buddy of mine yesterday. BD60 will be $449.

Why aren't the 70 and 80 the same price in Canada? They are the same price in the US.

[David Susilo]

I don't know the reason. I'm just passing the information.

[hoodlum]

Panasonic also increased MSRP for their new plasma TVs which are now a 42-60% premium over the US MSRP. This could explain why we haven't seen any sales on the EOL stock. I wonder if Sony and Samsung will follow with these types of increases for all of their new product.

[David Susilo]

Sony S360 according to him will be $349 MSRP but that's about all I know.

[bolmsted]

VHS? come-on! For this kinda money it should be D-VHS if they really want to put out a combo deck that no one will likely buy.

[David Susilo]

consider a VHS hi-fi for $150. It's still cheap if you really need a VHS player. No way it can be D-VHS at that price. Don't forget that VHS is a mechanical intensive unit. It costs a lot more to manufacture a VHS machine than a DVD player, actually.

[sadchel]

According to the guys over at AVS, the new Panny players are in Best Buy stores in the US

[Berty52]

East Hamilton Radio have the BD60 in yesterday's ads for $427.78
http://www.easthamiltonradio.on.ca/s...rch20_2009.pdf

[rvp819]

That ad for the BD60 shows the DivX logo, yet all the info released by Yamaha says the BD80 will support DivX and makes no mention of it for the BD60, so I expected the BD60 to not support DivX, just like the BD35 doesn't support Divx.

BD60 reviews from UK mentions of DivX, but the BD35 in UK supports Divx (see Panasonic UK web site) so it would be normal that the BD60 would also suport DivX in UK.

So that leaves two things to be confirmed for me to decide if the BD60 is an interesting buy for me:

Q1. Does the BD60 read DivX and up to which version, v6, v7?
Q2. Can it read DivX from its USB port?

If anyone buys a BD60, I would appreciate feedback on the above.

I found the answer to part of my first question. According to DivX: "The first DivX Plus (v7) certified devices are expected to ship from major consumer electronics manufacturers by the end of 2009."

[rvp819]

The BD60/80 user manual is now online at Panasonic.com and as I expected, only BD80 supports DivX. Here are BD80 DivX details:

From p.38...

Playable media: CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, USB device

Must have the extension .DIVX, .divx, .AVI or .avi

Resolution between 32x32 and 720x576 pixels

Certified to the DivX Home Theater Profile.
Video
–Number of stream: Up to 1
–Codec: DIV3, DIV4, DIVX, DV50, DIV6
– FPS (Frame Per Second): Up to 30 fps
Audio
–Number of stream: Up to 8
–Format: MP3, MPEG, AC3
–Multi channel: AC3 is possible. MPEG multi is 2 ch conversion.
* GMC (Global Motion Compensation) is not supported.
* Picture may stop if the DivX files are greater than 2 GB.

Also, according to p.7, MPEG2 files can be played from the SD Card, and the document is very careful to not mix DivX and MPEG2, but doesn't say anything more on MPEG2. DivX uses MPEG4.