Panasonic DMP-B15

When Panasonic announced it was launching the first portable Blu-ray player, experts were largely stumped. Why would anyone want to watch Blu-ray on a small screen? Those opinions are still echoed, but many reviewers who actually test the Panasonic DMP-B15 say this portable Blu-ray player has its place. The Panasonic DMP-B15 has an 8.9-inch screen, DivX compatibility and an SD card slot. Several experts rave about the picture quality, saying Blu-ray Discs are clearer and sharper than regular DVDs. They also praise its versatility, since an HDMI output allows you to use it as home player.

However, the Panasonic DMP-B15 isn't for everyone, and it has some notable shortfalls. It's relatively heavy (5 pounds) and the battery life lasts an average of 2.5 hours -- both of which limit this player's portability. Other reviewers can't get over the price, saying you can't fully appreciate Blu-ray on a 9-inch screen anyway. Still, if you have an extensive Blu-ray collection and want to watch those movies on the road, several reviewers recommend the Panasonic DMP-B15. If you don't need to watch Blu-ray Discs, regular portable DVD players are much cheaper. The Toshiba SDP93S (*Est. $165) has a 9-inch screen and gets great reviews for picture quality.

CNET is currently the best source for a review of the Panasonic DMP-B15, and the site delivers a detailed, testing-based report. Several British sites, including TechRadar.com and Pocket-lint.com test a version of the DMP-B15 that's made for their market, but is essentially identical to the one sold in the U.S. DigitalTrends.com weighs in with a less meaty but still worthwhile report, while the brief write-up at Wired is an opinion piece rather than a hands-on review.