Panasonic today introduced a next-generation Blu-ray player which is said to be the first with the format’s Final Standard Profile feature. The DMP-BD30, which replaces the $599 DMP-BD10, will be the industry’s first player to use support Final Standard Profile.

Final Standard Profile is an advanced function added to the Blu-ray standard, which opens the door to new functions such as Picture-in-Picture (which displays a second image in a sub window) and Audio Mixing (allows the consumer to switch the sound between the main and sub windows). It is also the first Blu-ray deck to also feature the inclusion of an SD card slot for playback of high-definition content recorded in the AVCHD format. The SD slot also allows for viewing of digital still images recorded to an SD card.

The DMP-BD30 also features other advances in the format, including Deep Color Compatibility, and HDMI 1.3B, that bumps the step gradation from 8-bit 256 all the way up to 12-bit, 4,096 step gradation. Other features the DMP-BD30 provides are 1080/24p playback, so the consumer can see the same 24 fps reproduction as the original movie. This eliminates the need to utilize 3:2 pull down, a process to convert 24 fps images to 60 fps, resulting in a smoother picture. The player can also play back JPEG still images on an SD card, such as those recorded with a Panasonic Lumix digital camera. The DMP-BD30 converts the images to 1,920 by 1,080 resolution, ideal for viewing on a 1080p HD plasma and output them through the HDMI terminal.

One of the more intriguing aspects of the Final Standard Profile is the Picture-in-Picture feature that would allow the movie fan to access a variety of entertainment enhancements, such as having the director or an actor pop up to discuss a scene you are watching, or with an animated movie, you might see the actor performing their character’s voice over, all while still watching the movie.

Blu-ray Disc player will reach retail shelves by mid-November with a $499.95 price tag.

Written by Mahesh Chawla in Gadgets