Both models feature an HD Audio Decoder (Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTSTM-HD Master Audio Essential), which support the 7.1-channel surround sound newly adopted in Blu-ray Discs.

The Panasonic BD55 has a 192kHz, 24bit, audio digital-analog converter plus high quality components, as quoted in their release. The DMP-BD55 can also output analog signals for 7.1-channel sound.

Another cool USP is the slim design, which is due to something called the UniPhier chip. UniPhier is a Panasonic-created system LSI developed by applying 45-nanometer processing to a consumer product – a world’s first. This single-chip integration technology also contributes greatly to the BD35’s slim height of 49mm.

Both the BD35 and BD55 feature BD-Live compatibility which enables users to connect to the Internet to download images, subtitles and other data, and take part in interactive activities and multi-player games linked to bonus cinema content found on Blu-ray Discs.