World’s first portable Blu-ray player claims a second first

The Panasonic DMP-B15, the world’s first portable Blu-ray player that first caught our interest at CES 2009, can now lay claim to another first. It is also the world’s first Blu-ray player with DivX Certification.

DivX compression technology enables over six hours of high-quality DivX video to fit on just one DVD without sacrificing visual quality. So even if your Blu-ray library is a little undersized, you might have to go for the optional 6-hour battery over the standard issue 3-hour job to make the most of your programming options.

Instead of the clam-shell design common to most portable DVD players, Panasonic has opted for a configuration that requires opening the unit and twisting the screen 180 degrees before laying it back flat against bulk of the unit. A fold out stand is then used to prop up the player giving it more of a digital photo frame form factor - although there is an optional headrest mounting bracket for in-car use.

The DMP-B15 includes a 8.9-inch WSVGA (1,024 x 600) LCD display, SD Memory Card slot and HDMI output, meaning it can double as a stand-alone Blu-ray disc player (a key factor since now Panasonic has revealed the unit’s hefty price).

Click here to check out the details of the DMP-B15 released at CES 2009.

Panasonic’s DMP-B15 is available now in the United States, Canada, France and Australia, with the rest of the world to follow. It is priced at USD$799.95.