Blu-ray goes portable — for $800
Posted on June 4th, 2009 – 7:15 AMBy Randy A. Salas
If you want to watch Blu-ray on the go, Panasonic is getting ready to release a portable player just for you. And it’s only $800.
Panasonic’s DMP-B15 has an array of cool features. The 16:9 LCD screen is 8.9 inches. The player uses Viera Cast internet connectivity for BD Live access and easy updating. 
There’s a slot for an SD memory card. It’s a pretty nifty toy for the well-heeled traveler.
“As a pioneer in the development of DVD and Blu-ray expertise, Panasonic has always been at the forefront in developing cutting-edge, consumer friendly technology,” said Panasonic exec Richard Simone. “… With the B15 we continue that tradition of being first to market with unique technology.”
I have no doubt that Panasonic is introducing a fine player, and it would be fun to play around with it. But who needs high-def playback on a screen that small? And at that price? The rechargeable battery is also said to be good for only 2 1/2 hours, which gets you little more than one movie and a few extras.
Panasonic points out that consumers can also use the B15 as their main Blu-ray player, thanks to an HDMI output that allows it to be hooked up to a home theater. But who would take their main player on the road? With all of their Blu-ray discs? And at that price?
Did I mention the high price?
Now, I know the reason why the B15 costs so much. It offers new technology, and prices for that always start high and then gradually fall. But as a heavy Blu-ray user, I question the need for a portable player, especially when so many Blu-ray releases include digital copies for iPods, PSPs and the like.
I requested a B15 loaner to see if I’m completely missing something here but was told that demand was very high. Like the price, I guess.
TAKE THE MP3 CHALLENGE!
Can you tell the difference between MP3s and the original CD?
7 Responses to "Blu-ray goes portable — for $800"
BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!! Why is it that Panasonic markets things that will never sell (at least in the U.S.)? This is laughable - almost as much as Blu-ray is.
Panasonic, once again, will do whatever is necessary to be the first out of the gate with something new. A blue ray player this small will end up in the headrests of an Escalade.
Nord,
While I agree the portable BD player is an unneeded product, that does not change the fact that for film fans who want the best quality NOTHING BEATS BLU.
[…] Technobabble – […]
I hear ya CaW - just tell that to the guy who doesn’t have a digital converter yet. Personally, I can’t justify the conversion to BLOO. Course, you’re blogging to a guy who buys used DVD at garage sales and Red Box.
I hear ya Nord - I am frugal too when it comes media. Blu is being priced differently than DVD was in its heyday. It used to be the best prices were during release week and then it was a few months before a permanent price reduction occurred.
With Blu, especially on new releases, it typically pays to wait a few weeks and watching a number of retailers to find the best deals. I have rarely paid over $20 for a BD and most of the catalog titles I have purchased are averaging between $12 and $15.
Here’s a recent example: Pixar’s A Bug’s Life was priced around $30 from most retailers. I love Pixar movies but there is no way in heck I am paying that much, so I waited and watched deal forums. The week after release Toys R Us had it for $19.99 nationwide and on top of it most copies included a pass to see Pixar’s latest, Up. Again with Blu it pays to wait.
As far as bargain DVDs go, get the deals while you can but there is a reason people are thinning out their DVD collections. Standard def is a thing of the past. Within five years most people won’t want anything to do with standard def formats. Though I have been doing quite well still selling my off my DVD collection. And the ability to sell off your media collection is still a huge perk with physical media. It is the primary reason I want nothing to do with digital distribution for movies. It’s one thing to buy a song for buck and not be able to sell it, but it is quite another to pay $25 for a HD movie download with no way of ever recouping some of your cost if you decide you no longer need it.
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