Panasonic intros fourth generation Blu-ray players

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Panasonic just introduced two new Blu-ray players – the DMP-BD35 and DMP-BD55.

Both players are profile 2.0 and BD-Live compatible.

Update - Price information:
Panasonic DMP-BD35: $399
Panasonic DMP-BD55: $499 (Expected price)

Both players will hit stores and online outlets next month.

Press release:
DENVER, CO (September 3, 2008) - Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal U.S. subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE:MC), introduced two new Blu-ray players – the DMP-BD35 and DMP-BD55 -- to CEDIA Convention attendees today. Both new models feature cutting edge technologies focused on producing the ultimate movie-viewing experience.

True-To-Life Colors
The DMP-BD35 and DMP-BD55 feature technology that reproduces movies with colors that are exceptionally faithful to the original. This advanced technology, incorporated in the PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus video processor, was developed after more than 15 years of collaboration between Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory and professional cinema studios in Hollywood. With PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus, users viewing content on Blu-ray DiscsTM enjoy crisp, vivid colors that are extremely close to the original. A high-precision 4:4:4 function creates video signals in which each pixel of the signal from the Blu-ray Disc is color-compensated, so when the BD35/55 is connected to a Panasonic VIERA HDTV, the colors are even sharper and more vivid.

Life-Like Surround Effects
The DMP-BD35/55 also excels in sound quality. Both models feature an HD Audio Decoder (Dolby® TrueHD, Dolby® Digital Plus and DTSTM-HD Master Audio Essential), which supports the 7.1-channel surround sound newly adopted in Blu-ray Discs. Users can enjoy 7.1-channel surround even with systems that do not support HD Audio -- as long as the DMP-BD35/55 is connected to a 7.1-channel receiver equipped with an HDMI terminal.

The Panasonic BD55 goes a step further with a high-end audio design and components. Thanks to a 192kHz 24bit audio digital-analog converter and high quality insulators, electrolytic capacitors, copper-foil film capacitors and ultra-low-impedance electrolytic capacitors, the DMP-BD55 delivers the same kind of exciting surround effect and lifelike ambience as today's finest cinemas. The DMP-BD55 can also output analog signals for 7.1-channel sound, so even receivers that are not compatible with HDMI can produce the newest 7.1-channel surround sound by simply connecting to the DMP-BD55.

UniPhier® System
The high-quality image and sound technologies found in the BD35/55 are incorporated in the UniPhier® chip. UniPhier is a Panasonic-created system LSI developed by applying 45-nanometer processing to a consumer product – a world´s first. This single-chip integration technology also contributes greatly to the BD35´s world's slimmest height of 49mm.

Versatile Networking
Both the BD35 and BD55 feature BD-Live compatibility which enables users to connect to the Internet to download images, subtitles and other data, and take part in interactive activities and multi-player games linked to bonus cinema content found on Blu-ray Discs.

Both models are equipped with an SD Memory Card slot that makes it easy to transfer images from an HD camcorder or digital still camera that uses SD Memory Cards. Simply insert the SD card into the DMP-BD35/55 and it plays AVCHD-format video images or JPEG stills in full 1920 x 1080 resolution on your flat panel HDTV. The DMP-BD35/55 can also play slide shows, complete with background music.

The DMP-BD35/55 models are also compatible with Panasonic´s VIERA Link function so they can be operated by the VIERA HDTV remote control.

"Panasonic is proud to be leading the charge in bringing the ultimate in Blu-ray technology to consumers," said Alex Fried, Panasonic, National Marketing Manager, Entertainment Group. "Panasonic was the first to market with a Blu-ray player with Bonus View (Final Standard Profile 1.1) and the first to bring a stand alone BD-Live player to market. The introduction of our new DMP-BD35 and BD355 Blu-ray players continues Panasonic´s industry leadership with the inclusion of BD-Live in all our models.

"The combination of a Panasonic Blu-ray player, Home Theater audio system and a VIERA HDTV converts the home entertainment experience into a true-to-life cinematic experience," said Fried. "Consumers can now view and enjoy movies the way the film maker intended -- in stunning High Definition video and audio – right from the comfort of their own home."

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