Hot on the heals of their very impressive entry level DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player, Panasonic have introduced the equally impressive DMP-BD80 step-up model.

As a step-up machine the BD80 has a few extra tricks up its sleeve including a set of multichannel analogue outputs for decoding HD audio. There are various upgraded audio components such as higher spec capacitors and an information window accessed via the remote displays signal specs during playback.

The most interesting new feature found on the BD80 is something that Panasonic have called 'High Clarity Sound Mode'. When the analogue video outputs are not in use, this option can be used to prevent electrical current passing through this area of the player's circuitry.

Panasonic claim that the 'High Clarity Sound Mode' produces a cleaner more dynamic and more audible sound track.

First impressions are that the DMP-BD80 does improve on the audio side of things when compared with its BD-60 sibling while overall picture quality is comparable to Panasonic's entry level Blu-ray player, which is no bad thing.

Panasonic's DMP-BD80 Blu-ray player is available in the UK now.

Panasonic DMP-BD80

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