Panasonic DMP-BD50

Panasonic brings a fully featured Blu-ray player to market. It may be two years late, but Riyad thinks it could be worth the wait.

It has been a very long time coming, but Panasonic has finally created a Blu-ray player that has all the features that the format promised at launch. If you want to access online content, view picture in picture video, play Java based games or decode the...

The BD50 offers unmatched levels of picture clarity and comes with a future-proof specification

Decent Freeview and DVD pictures; Good editing features, Decent Freeview and DVD pictures; Good editing features, BD Live compatibility; Full DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD support

No USB; No dual-layer recording or jukebox functions; Poor EPG; Sluggish operation, No USB; No dual-layer recording or jukebox functions; Poor EPG; Sluggish operation, BD Live experience less than thrilling; Average DVD playback

However, you will almost certainly get better bass management if you use the bitstream

Panasonic's Blu-ray players just get better and better �€" the DMP-BD50 is another resounding success

Nothing of note

Crisp, detailed, punchy Blu-ray images; good at upscaling DVD; exciting, powerful sound; comprehensive specification