Panasonic DMP-BD55K

December 2008. Experts say that the Panasonic DMP-BD55K is the first standalone Blu-ray player to deliver everything that the format promises. Audio support is unsurpassed, including on-board decoders for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA, the ability to stream those audio formats via HDMI, and multi-channel analog audio outputs for compatibility with older home theater receivers that lack HDMI inputs. Picture quality with Blu-ray Discs is at the top of the class, and it's a superior performer among Blu-ray players when it comes to upscaling standard DVDs to near-HD quality. Negatives are few, but the Panasonic Blu-ray player is notably slower than the Sony Playstation 3 (*est. $400) and more expensive than some nearly as capable standalone players, including its step-down sibling, the Panasonic DMP-BD35K (*discontinued). The big difference between the two Panasonic players is that the latter lacks multi-channel analog audio outputs (a major feature but probably not a deal-killer for many users).

Reviews for the Panasonic DMP-BD55K are plentiful. CNET has a great balanced review, while those with a more technical bent will appreciate the testing at Ultimate AV and Sound & Vision magazines. BigPictureBigSound.com also has a useful and reasonably detailed report. Some user reviews can be found at Amazon.com.