Panasonic details new DMP-BD50 profile 2.0 player with dts-ma/truehd decoding

[dobyblue]

The new Panasonic DMP-BD50, the first profile 2.0 Blu-ray Disc player to hit the market, looks like it will be a winner.

Insiders have mentioned that they expect the initial MSRP to be less than the DMP-BD30. This player will have an ethernet port to support BD-Live discs, secondary audio/video decoders to support PIP and audio mixing and will also include dts-ma and Dolby TrueHD decoders for full support of the new audio codecs through analog mutli-channel out (5.1) and HDMI. Also supported of course is bitstreaming of the new codecs for those with a newer HDMI 1.3 receiver.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=957

Panasonic has released specifications for their highly anticipated upcoming BD-Live (Profile 2.0) Blu-ray player, the DMP-BD50. As a BD-Live player, the biggest difference between this player and the current BonusView (Profile 1.1) player is the Ethernet port. Also of note is that this player will support both internal decoding and bitstream output for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD (both HR and MA) audio formats and is a certified DivX product.

Here are some features:

Video Features

• PHL Reference Chroma Processor
• P4HD (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
• 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

Notes:
* HDMI connection required.
*1 x.v.Colour is a registered trademark.
*2 DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio
*3 Official DivX® Certified product. Plays all versions of DivX® video (including DivX®6) with standard playback of DivX® media files. Certified to the DivX Home Theater Profile. GMC(Global Motion Compensation) is not supported. DivX®, DivX® Certified, and associated logos are trademarks of DivX®, Inc. and are used under license.
Maximum number of folders recognizable: 300 folders. (including the root folder)
Maximum number of files recognizable: 200 files
*4 This function is available for Panasonic products that support VIERA Link (HDAVI Control 3 or above).
*5 BD-ROM Profile 2
*6 Discs recorded and finalized on DVD video recorders/cameras.
*7 Playability may vary depending on the contents, discs and quality of the recording.
*8 For contents recorded on CD-R/RW for your personal use only.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/12/panasonics-dmp-bd50-gets-specd-released-in-europe/

 

[Davemcc]

Do you suppose this will also play SACD, or not?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would pre-order that DMP-BD50 RIGHT NOW if they let me!

Looks like the Perfect BD Machine for me.

I don't see how it will COST LESS than the BD30, but it's great if it is true.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Do you suppose this will also play SACD, or not?

I was hoping for SACD & DVD-A too, but I think it would be TOO GOOD to be true.

They had to cut cost somehow: Deleted the DVD-A and 7.1 Analog Output (both are currently on the BD10A) and made room for 5.1 Analog Output, Internal decoders for TrueHD/DTS-MA/DTS-HR, Profile 2.0, and Ethernet.

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

 

[dobyblue]

Panasonic have never supported SACD.

The Oppo 980H is only $169, that would be my advice. Supports DSD over HDMI as well.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Panasonic have never supported SACD.

The Oppo 980H is only $169, that would be my advice. Supports DSD over HDMI as well.

I guess I will have to keep my Sony SACD player and my DMP-BD10A for the DVD-A.

I guess they could have added SACD and DVD-A, but then they would have to jack up the price to $1,000.

I hope the bass & speaker management in the BD50 is at least as good as the BD10A.

 

[EJ1]

I didn't see any mention of price. What are we looking at, $500-$600?

 

[Duffinator]

Hmmm the BD50 or PS3. The BD50 is supposed to be available in May? Hmmmm

 

[Cozmo]

I wonder if the AH store will carry this since they already sell Panny HDTVs.....

 

[stratman]

Sometimes I don't understand Panny, they're quirky when it comes to product releases and longevity. For instance they just eliminated their SA-XR700 receiver, that was their flagship, 1080p capable, multiple hdmi, they stopped making it. I haven't seen any info on a new HT Receiver and their web site only shows a HTIB solution. I don't get it, I think this unit only lasted maybe 24 months, at most. So now they release their uber BD player and they don't have a decent HTR to go with it, go figure. Has anyone heard about a replacement?

 

[j_garcia]

Does internal decoding but only has 5.1 analog out? I was hoping for 7.1 out.... Still the top player on my list, especially if it is less than the BD30

 

[dobyblue]

An insider mentioned that it should be less than the MSRP on the DMP-BD30 was at launch, which I believe was $499 right?

Hopefully that means the DMP-BD30 will see a drop down to MSRP$399 and result in a sub-$300 street price?

 

[gus6464]

It even has Divx which is uncommon in any high def player. This beast will be the one to beat if Panny sells it for <=$500.

 

[zoran]

It even has Divx which is uncommon in any high def player. This beast will be the one to beat if Panny sells it for <=$500.

wow!If it will play pal, and can be made region free, penny has a sale

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Hmmm the BD50 or PS3. The BD50 is supposed to be available in May? Hmmmm

The PS3 doesn't have DTS-MA decoder or Bitstream. That's the only drawback.

 

[billy p]

An insider mentioned that it should be less than the MSRP on the DMP-BD30 was at launch, which I believe was $499 right?

Hopefully that means the DMP-BD30 will see a drop down to MSRP$399 and result in a sub-$300 street price?

The DMP-BD30 msrp is 599.00 in Canada and currently on sale for 549.00. I would hope that if BR is to become even more mainstream then they better aim a little lower. In my case I would be willing to dish out 400.00-500.00.

 

[ParkerAudio]

Finally an ethernet port, 2.0 profile, and DTS-MA! I would buy today if it was available.

 

[GlocksRock]

The PS3 doesn't have DTS-MA decoder or Bitstream. That's the only drawback.

no bitsream isn't that much of a drawback, but no DTS-HD MA is... although I'm sure they are working on that if they don't already have an update for it that they are sitting on, just like the update for Profile 2.0 that they showed off at CES this year, but have yet to release. Plus the PS3 has Wi FI and plays games, and can be loaded up with themes for free, and is a media server as well... lots of good reasons to get one... oh yeah, and you can also install linux and add an external hard drive, and upgrade the internal drive if you so desire.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

no bitsream isn't that much of a drawback, but no DTS-HD MA is... although I'm sure they are working on that if they don't already have an update for it that they are sitting on, just like the update for Profile 2.0 that they showed off at CES this year, but have yet to release. Plus the PS3 has Wi FI and plays games, and can be loaded up with themes for free, and is a media server as well... lots of good reasons to get one... oh yeah, and you can also install linux and add an external hard drive, and upgrade the internal drive if you so desire.

If Sony can create a firmware that will enable the PS3 to Internally Decode DTS-MA, I will consider the PS3 as the GREATEST CONSUMER PRODUCT in the world! The PS3 would be the GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH. And just for that, I would buy the PS3 again to worship it and to say, "I'm not worthy".

 

[patnshan]

I don't need bitstream either, so no deal breaker for me. I need it to play all the features on all blu ray discs, decode all the audio, and send the 7.1 LPCM. If it can do that, and the street price is less than $300, I will get one.
If not, it will be the ugly PS3
Pat