zevia

Panasonic first announced this model in their press release in January 2008 and demoed in CES. Until now we have yet to see its Release Date and List price. Guestimates say around May/June/July 2008 with MSRP $599.

However just this month the spec is released in their global website (click the Specification/Features link on the left bar): http://panasonic.net/pavc/blu-ray/dm...res/index.html

So for people coming into blu-ray, this is one of the most anticipated blu-ray player. Some neat main features are:
- Supports BD-Live (Blu-ray Profile 2.0) internet connection to download additional contents, and BonusView/PiP (Profile 1.1)
- HDMI v1.3 with Deep Colour compatibility for 12-bit, 4,096-step image processing (TV must be Deep Colour compatible, otherwise it will display 8-bit, 256-step gradation)
- 1080p/24p playback via HDMI where it reproduces movie images from Blu-ray disc in their original 24p form as in movie theaters and no need for conversion.
- Decodes and bitstream all High Definition sound including DTS-HD Master Audio
- 5.1 Multichannel analog for your older receiver without HDMI support
- SD Memory Card, it's equipped with an SD slot to view HD photos and video from your camera and camcorder.

The MSRP $599 would be pretty high for some people but the quality should be comparable to other high-end players out there such as Denon DVD-3800BD ($2,000) or the Marantz BD8002 ($2,100).

Btw, VisualApex accepts pre-order at $599.

~

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crossg

Thanks for the info zevia. $550.00 to $600.00 is expensive. Seems the differences in the new versions from the BD30

1- Supports BD-Live (Blu-ray Profile 2.0) internet connection to download additional content.

2- SD Memory Card, it's equipped with an SD slot to view HD photos and video from your camera and camcorder.

The other features you mentioned are already supported by most BD players already on the market except some profile 1.1 (BonusView)

The Playstation3 already supports profile 2 so it looks to me like the Playstation is still going to be your best deal to start with Blu-ray. Not trying to be stick in the mud but they have to get these prices way lower!! BD has been around long enough now to see some price drops.

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CDan

At this price, it also needs to play DIVX and MPEG-4 video files, and convert PAL <-> NTSC as well as be region free capable. High-end prices and no high-end performance for DVDs.

bourned

High-end price? Not this model, look at blu player from Denon and Marantz selling for $2,000 and up and people buy at that price (look at the owners thread at avs).

DVD players at early years (1998-1999) cost around the same price as todays blu at 1.5year and they don't have Divx support. Wait until the cheap chineese blu players hit the market, whenever it is...

zaina

Price is set to $699.95

Press release: http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs...22008022415775

crossg

Looks nice. Unfortunatly people are going to run out and buy at these prices. Some just uninformed and some that just have to have it. Too bad really because if people didn't buy them the prices would certainly go down in a hurry. At least I think they would.

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zevia

It's insane that Panasonic set MSRP $699 (~$700)

I was expecting a retail $599 and street price of $499 at amazon etc!

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Bunny

Any idea when this model will be available in Europe?

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crossg

Hey Bunny long time no see. Looks like they have it on the Global website but not on the UK site. Should be soon one would think.

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

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