After a long wait, the second Blu-ray high definition disc player has been released. The Panasonic DMP-BD10 is now available in limited quantities, and the first couple of reviews have been posted from the lucky early adopters willing to plunk down the $1,300 required to join the party, Panasonic-style.

The initial reviews like the functionality and the 7.1 analog outputs, the remote wasn't so hot, and the picture quality was better than the misconfigured Samsung BD-P1000, which was the only Blu-ray player available until now. Based on the discs that have been viewed so far, the Panasonic exhibits more detail than the Samsung, and now puts the picture quality of the average Blu-ray disc on par with the average HD DVD as played on one of Toshiba's two HD DVD players.

On the real-soon-now list of features is the ability to decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD audio, with an enclosed card that you can mail in for receiving the firmware update when such an update becomes available. (There is no ethernet port for online firmware updates.) Kudos to Panasonic for including the ability to play DVD-Audio discs.

Pricing and Availability

MSRP: $1,299

View product page on Amazon.com

It seems to be on backorder at most retail outlets I researched. You may have better luck finding a local Panasonic specialty retailer, who will most likely be better equipped to give a demonstration.

Related Links

• Official Product Overview
• Panasonic's Blu-ray Product Line - (beware of creepy floating-head narrator woman)

Reviews

• Ben Williams - Home Theater Forum
• Canada HiFi Magazine