Kids don't know they're born these days – with their new-fangled feature-laden Blu-ray players, like the new Blu-ray deck from Panasonic, the DMP-BD80.

In my day, all we had was a top-loading VHS deck with only one stand-out add-on – the ability to add copious amounts of picture noise to already fuzzy images.

Even DVD was simply happy to list 'interactive menus' as a bonus for years. Imagine that? Just the film itself. Crazy times.

Now the kids need more than crisp, vibrant Full HD images and full-on, spine-tingling 7.1 high-res audio. They need interactive games. They need picture-in-picture documentaries, with directors holding their metaphorical hands while they skip through his work.

They need multiple media slots to pour a flood of salubriously-sourced XviD files onto their screen. They need to be able to text each other on-screen, with comments like 'b3sti3 sux balls'. They need to watch ill-conceived skateboard stunts in low-bitrates and sub-resolutions over the 'net. Which is where Panasonic's DMP-BD80 comes in…

Stream weaver

The DMP-BD80 is wired to the world wide web. However, this player, and its BD60 sibling, is not simply connected for access to BD-Live content and a Profile 2.0 badge; it features a fully-functioning YouTube portal via the company's proprietary VieraCast network.

Yes indeed, the world of happy-slapping and home-made ephemera is a big part of this player's genetics. And, do you know what? I'm sold.

Although it seems unlikely that anybody would want to make a leap into the HD world and subsequently watch 320 x 240 video shot on a mobile phone, it's all about content these days. And, if you're not already an avid 'net consumer, you'll be surprised how much is available, for free, on YouTube.

Admittedly, most of the service's library is utter tosh, puerile and vacuous (should you take leave of your senses to hunt for it, you can find a video of a student drinking tomato ketchup...).

But hidden amongst the, literally, millions of clips are, for example, episodes of Robot Chicken, clips from Armando Iannucci's excellent Time Trumpet, and a host of 1980s cartoons that are well-worth a weekend's nostalgic trawl. And if you're overly-enamoured by pets doing stupid things, you might never leave the house again.

So okay, it's not quite BBC's iPlayer, but as with the new widget TVs from Samsung, it's a gimmick you'll probably find yourself losing several hours to.

And, as rumours abound that YouTube is in negotiation with several movie studios (most notably Sony Pictures) to stream full films for free, it may become an even more essential feature in the future. Time can only tell. At least the BD80 is well-placed to take advantage.

For now, VieraCast is a clever addition that adds extra value to Panasonic's flagship player and, though flawed (streamed video at YouTube bitrates looks decidedly shoddy blown-up on screen sizes over 32in), it's more than the sideshow that BD-Live has become.

Plus, you get access to Google's expansive picture library and database service Picasa, where you can store your snaps remotely. So it gets a thumbs-up from me.

Pixel plus

In comparison, even two thumbs aren't enough to convey what I think about the BD80's Blu-ray performance. Between you and me, I can't see the fuss certain people are making about the high-end decks – not when this is available for around £350. It is a visual tour de force in a slimline box, and its audio talents punch above its weight.