. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Panasonic’s DMP-B15K is the world’s first portable Blu-ray player. Released last year in 2009, the DMP-B15K at first glance may confuse some people. Many will wonder how the impressive visual quality of Blu-ray can be transferred to a small 8.9-inch screen. The answer is no; not very well anyway. But the goal of the Panasonic DMP-B15K is to let you watch your Blu-ray collection in places where you normally can’t. Like on a plane or in a hotel room. The DMP-B15K fulfills this task very well. It comes with a wide range of portable car accessories and has an HDMI output if you want to connect it to an HDTV. Because it can be used as a standalone Blu-ray player, Panasonic has included a list of features that you would normally find on a standalone player.

The DMP-B15K’s design is one of its main flaws. The DMP-B15K has an unusual design that makes it feel big and bulky. This is not a good attribute for a portable device. For example, most portable DVD players have a sleek clamshell design. Just open the player and start watching. The DMP-B15K’s screen needs to be opened, then rotated 180 degrees and lowered. Then position the player as you would a digital photo frame using the plastic stand on the back. The support at the back goes a long way in making the player feel bulky.

The battery also adds to the volume of the DMP-B15K. It comes with a rechargeable battery that, according to Panasonic, should last 3 hours. Independent test by experts rates battery life at over 2.5 hours. This should be long enough to watch a regular Blu-ray movie. But a longer lasting battery would have been preferable. Of course, if you’re watching movies where there’s a power outlet, the battery isn’t necessary.

If you’re traveling by car, the DMP-B15K comes with some great car accessories. There is a headrest mount that you can snap onto the back of the built-in mount. And it has a cigarette lighter power adapter. This is ideal for any long road trip you may be taking.

video quality: The DMP-B15K has an 8.9-inch WSVGA (1024 x 600) display. This will give you a crisp, clear picture, better than what you would get with your average DVD player. However, it will not match the resolution of most Blu-ray movies which are 1920 x 1080p. It has an HDMI output if you want to use the DMP-B15K as a standalone player. Connect it to an HDTV and it can output high-definition video (1920x1080p) and high-resolution audio just like a large Blu-ray player. There is also a composite audio/video output if you have an older TV.

Panasonic has wisely included its PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus. It produces pure and accurate color images. Then you have a wide range of picture presets, noise reduction modes, and settings for adjusting contrast, brightness, color, and gamma.

Audio quality: There are speakers at the bottom of the player, as well as a headphone jack on the side. The sounds produced by these speakers are surprisingly good. Not like your regular portable DVD speakers. The HDMI output, as noted above, will allow for Hi-Res Audio. Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio can be transferred via the HDMI output and there is internal audio decoding for Dolby Digital and DTS. There’s even a dialogue enhancer to increase speech clarity.

The DMP-B15k is a Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player. This means that it has an Ethernet port for downloading BD-Live content available on certain Blu-ray discs. Once connected to the Internet, you can also access Panasonic VieraCast. There are online streaming media services like YouTube, Picasa, Amazon Video On Demand, and many more that you can choose from. It doesn’t have Wi-Fi, so you can’t stream movies or videos when you’re on the go. This would have been a nice feature to include.

One nice feature that Panasonic included was an SD card slot. Which can be used to store BD-Live content that you download. Or you can use it to play SD video and AVCHD files or JPEG files. SD cards are sold separately.

The DMP-B15K is a mix of great features and missed opportunities. Having a portable Blu-ray player is a good idea that many will find attractive. And as a portable Blu-ray player, it works very well. But many will be turned off by its bulky design, poor battery life, and steep $800 price tag.

THE PROFESSIONALS: The first portable Blu-ray player, you can watch your Blu-ray disc wherever you are. You get full access to Viera Cast which provides online streaming content. A cigarette lighter adapter and a headrest mount for car use are included.

THE CONS: The cost may turn many consumers away from this Blu-ray player. A three hour battery life may not be enough for longer movies. It has a bulky design for a portable device.

THE FINAL WORD: The first portable Blu-ray player, the DMP-B15K, performs well and has many features that will appeal to the person on the go. An HDMI output is available, so the Blu-ray player can also function as a standalone player. This is convenient if a larger screen is needed. It does come with a high price tag, so you’ll have to weigh the cost to see if it’s worth buying. — Price to look for when buying — Less than $750.00

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *