Topic: Panasonic DMP-BD50 Pricing and Features

[NeilNo]

Panasonic has announced the spring debut of its much-touted DMP-BD50 player, which boasts BD-Live among other expanded capabilities.

As reported in January and further detailed via press release today, The BD50 adds BD-Live functionality, which lets viewers access online content such as images and subtitles to further enhance the viewing experience.

The BD50 also offers next generation sound capabilities using integrated decoders for lossless Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

"Panasonic was the first to bring a Blu-ray player with Bonus View (Final Standard Profile 1.1) to market and now with the DMP-BD50 we are again leading the industry with the inclusion of BD-Live," said Paul Sabo, Panasonic, National Marketing Manager Entertainment Group.

The Panasonic DMP-BD50 will be available this spring and has a suggested retail price of $699.95.



Video Features
 
•PHL Reference Chroma Processor
• PHD (Pixel Precision Progressive Processing for HD)
  - Precise Pixel Generation
- 16-Level Motion Detection with Pixel-Based Motion Adaptive
- Diagonal Processing 　
- Detection of 3:2/2:2 Pull-Down Progressive Processing
- i/p Conversion for 1080p* Playback
- Up-Conversion to 1080p* Playback
* HDMI connection required. 
•1080/24p Playback (Blu-ray disc)
• HDMI™ V.1.3 with Deep Colour™ and "x.v.Colour" *1
•148.5MHz/12bit Video D/A Converter
• Digital Noise Reduction (3D-NR/ Integrated NR)
• Picture Mode (Normal, Soft, Fine, Cinema, User)
•Picture Adjustment (Contrast, Brightness, Sharpness, Colour, Gamma Correction)


Audio Features
 
• Built-in Dolby® TrueHD, Dolby® Digital Plus and DTS™-HD*2 Decoder
• High Quality 192kHz/24bit Audio D/A Converter
• Pure Audio Components
• High-Speed 50Mbps Optical Output
•Audio Re-Master for All Formats (BD, DVD, CD, MP3 and DviX®*3)
• Advanced Surround (V.S.S.) Creates a Surround Effect for BD and DVD from Only Two Speakers (2 Modes)
• Dialogue Enhancer
• Dynamic Range Compression


Output
 
• HDMI AV Output
• Component Video Output
• S-Video Output
• Video Output
• 5.1ch Audio Output
• 2ch Audio Output
• Digital Audio Output (1 Optical, 1 Coaxial)


Convenience Features
 
• VIERA Link*4 for Panasonic Blu-ray Disc Product Line-up
• Movie (AVCHD) & JPEG View with SD Memory Card Slot
• JPEG Slide Show with Music
• Multi-Format Playback [BD-Video(BD-Live*5), DVD-Video, DVD-RAM, AVCHD (SD Memory Card/DVD), DVD-RW*6, DVD-R*6, DVD-R (Dual Layer)*6, +R*6, +R (Double Layer)*6, +RW*6, CD, CD-R/RW*7, MP3*8, JPEG, DivX®*3]
• Super Hi-Speed Scan: 5 Speeds up to x200
• Easy Setting Guide
• Graphical User Interface
• Audio/JPEG Navigation Menu
• Remote Control
 

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Hardware/Panasonic/Panasonic_Details_DMP-BD50_Pricing_and_Features/1713

http://panasonic.net/pavc/blu-ray/dmp-bd50/features/index.html

[NeilNo]

More pix   

[pchin]

Whoa...the highly anticipated BD player aka the holy grail is finally being revealed!

Many BD fanboys got upset & reacted over the high price SRP $700. Probably by the time it debuts in online stores its price could be $100 lower than the SRP...

[darkwing]

tindi ng features @_@

[oReOsHaKe]

This I am waiting for.. 

[pchin]

Let's hope it will get a nice review as per high expectation!

[oReOsHaKe]

MSRP: $699.00 

Estimated release: 4 to 6 weeks from now...

[pchin]

Probably will wait until the price comes down a bit (hopefully decrease to around $399 will be nice).

Meanwhile, will continue to use my PS3 as the main BD player until it conks out! (hopefully not so soon)

[flak-jacket]

MSRP: $699.00 

Estimated release: 4 to 6 weeks from now...

how long would it take to reach our local shops?

[pchin]

how long would it take to reach our local shops?

No one can answer that for sure. It depends on the sellers. But if you need it in a rush, importing the unit yourself will be the best option.

[Munskie]

No one can answer that for sure. It depends on the sellers. But if you need it in a rush, importing the unit yourself will be the best option.

yeah.....much more pricier too.   

[oReOsHaKe]

yeah.....much more pricier too.   

Not really..  Wag ka lang makakuha ng lemon unit.. Hassle lang pag nasira, you have to send the unit back abroad for you to avail any warranty or replacement of the defective unit.

[Mouldingo]

Best conditions to purchase these are still 7 months away. 

[Munskie]

Not really..  Wag ka lang makakuha ng lemon unit.. Hassle lang pag nasira, you have to send the unit back abroad for you to avail any warranty or replacement of the defective unit.

i mean if locally purchased...

[pchin]

As per Mouldingo's post the Panasonic’s first BD-Live model, DMP-BD50, is expected to hit stores in July.

[NeilNo]

CNET reviews the BD50!

The good:
First Profile 2.0-compliant standalone player; excellent image quality on Blu-ray Discs; onboard decoding for all high-resolution soundtrack formats, plus bit stream output; analog multichannel outputs; SDHC card slot can play high-definition AVCHD video.

The bad:
Profile 2.0 features didn't actually work; expensive compared with the superior PlayStation 3; standard DVD performance is lackluster; operational speed still sluggish compared with PS3.

The bottom line:
Excellent soundtrack support and Profile 2.0-compliancy make the Panasonic DMP-BD50 the most recommendable standalone Blu-ray player to date, but the PS3 is still better and cheaper


http://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-and-recorders/panasonic-dmp-bd50/4505-6463_7-32815617.html

[Mouldingo]

Soundtrack support is outstanding on the DMP-BD50. It has onboard decoding for all high-resolution soundtrack formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, so you don't need a new receiver to take advantage of the improved audio quality. The DMP-BD50 can also output high-resolution soundtracks in bit stream format, so you can opt to let your AV receiver handle the decoding duties. There should be absolutely no difference as to whether the receiver or Blu-ray player decodes the soundtracks--we've never heard any difference--but some people just like to see their receiver light up and say Dolby TrueHD.

Sino kaya?

[ABCmotorparts]

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/07/01/panasonic-dmp-bd50-blu-ray-players-start-to-see-the-light-of-day/

 

[pchin]

There should be absolutely no difference as to whether the receiver or Blu-ray player decodes the soundtracks--we've never heard any difference--but some people just like to see their receiver light up and say Dolby TrueHD. [/i]

I guess it's a common trait for consumers who got their expensive AVR they'd certainly like to "maximize" the receiver decorder. I can understand their feeling of joy esp seeing the TrueHD & DTS MA lighted up. If I were them, I'd probably acting in the same way...

CNET reviews the BD50!

The bottom line:
Excellent soundtrack support and Profile 2.0-compliancy make the Panasonic DMP-BD50 the most recommendable standalone Blu-ray player to date, but the PS3 is still better and cheaper

Hmm...will stick to my PS3 for the time being tho I'm still in love with BD50. 

[oReOsHaKe]

Soundtrack support is outstanding on the DMP-BD50. It has onboard decoding for all high-resolution soundtrack formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, so you don't need a new receiver to take advantage of the improved audio quality. The DMP-BD50 can also output high-resolution soundtracks in bit stream format, so you can opt to let your AV receiver handle the decoding duties. There should be absolutely no difference as to whether the receiver or Blu-ray player decodes the soundtracks--we've never heard any difference--but some people just like to see their receiver light up and say Dolby TrueHD.

Sino kaya?

This is the reason why I got the BD30 instead of the BD50 since my Onkyo 705 receiver can decode the HD Audio anyway. 

[vtec3]

I guess it's a common trait for consumers who got their expensive AVR they'd certainly like to "maximize" the receiver decorder. I can understand their feeling of joy esp seeing the TrueHD & DTS MA lighted up. If I were them, I'd probably acting in the same way...

i have not seen my receiver display TrueHD & DTS MA  I too will be very happy once i see it being displayed 

[streetsmart]

There should be absolutely no difference as to whether the receiver or Blu-ray player decodes the soundtracks--we've never heard any difference--but some people just like to see their receiver light up and say Dolby TrueHD.

Intuitively, this seems right. In fact, it may be the view of most people. There are some hard-core AVphiles, however, who claim that it is better when the AVR decodes the soundtracks (better decoders, no jitter ...).

I myself haven't really tried to do a serious comparison of the two but I just wanted to point out that this is not a totally closed issue.

[audiojunkie]

I think it's the player that fits to my requirements. Only thing that needs confirmation, using it's internal decoder and feed the signal via 5.1 analog connection to my pre/pro, will I get hi-def audio quality??? maybe, those who have tested this connection can enlightened me...

This thing worries me, for I don't want to scrap my B&K ref31 preamp.   

[Mouldingo]

Who'll be the first owner of the BD-50 in PDVD?

[pchin]

Intuitively, this seems right. In fact, it may be the view of most people. There are some hard-core AVphiles, however, who claim that it is better when the AVR decodes the soundtracks (better decoders, no jitter ...).

Yes, I also read some interesting debates btw internal decoder (done by player) vs external decoder (done by AVR). As mentioned by Mark, some AV purists advocate it's better to let the AVR do the decoding. The shorter the length for the audio signal to travel the better (less interference). So far I haven't seen any article or report that support the claim with convincing proof.

[alvinh]

I hope this becomes fairly affordable. Maybe I should hold off BD30 and wait for this? Dreaming lang... :'(
So if i get BD50, i won't have to change my AVR ( old HK AVR8500 )...?

[oReOsHaKe]

I hope this becomes fairly affordable. Maybe I should hold off BD30 and wait for this? Dreaming lang... :'(
So if i get BD50, i won't have to change my AVR ( old HK AVR8500 )...?

If your AVR has HDMI already then its good..

[alvinh]

If your AVR has HDMI already then its good..

No HDMI Sir oReOsHaKe.
If i do end up getting the BD50, what's your recommendation as far as the most ideal audio connection to my AVR?
http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/receiver/harman-kardon-avr-8500/details/

Might as well dream about it.

[oReOsHaKe]

No HDMI Sir oReOsHaKe.
If i do end up getting the BD50, what's your recommendation as far as the most ideal audio connection to my AVR?
http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/receiver/harman-kardon-avr-8500/details/

Might as well dream about it.

It has 5.1 analog output though but it really defeats the purpose of having a blu-ray player and not connecting it to your AVR and TV via HDMI. 

[alvinh]

It has 5.1 analog output though but it really defeats the purpose of having a blu-ray player and not connecting it to your AVR and TV via HDMI. 

It makes sense Sir oreOsHaKe. Will just plan on changes later on...whether it be a new AVR or what...BD player muna since I just got the LCD.
HDMI to the TV of course. I'm happy pa naman with the AVR8500.
Appreciate your input.