LanceJ

As one of the HTF's dvd-audio fan boys I feel it is my duty to make y'all aware of this new player coming out soon. See it here at Crutchfield.

FYI: In case anyone is wondering, according to a Highfidelityreview.com article concerning this year's CES show, Panasonic has no intention of building sacd capability into any of their players.

Anyhoo.............

Maybe it's not a giant sonic revelation, but the HDCD decoder is still nice to have (check the fine print on your CDs and/or their labels: for example, several 311 CDs are encoded with this system).

But I don't understand the addition of the DPLII feature--is this something to be implemented (i.e. encoded) onto CDs or older stereo-only soundtrack dvd movies in the future?

AND HALLELUJAH......they replaced the previous microscopic fluorescent display with a normal-sized one & equipped it with a number pad for individual track selection for CD playback, one of my pet peeves concerning dvd players (I hate using the remote for every single stinkin' function ).

Due on March 31.

LJ

John Kotches

LJ:

DPL-II can be applied to stereo audio discs to output derived surround information. In addition, it can be applied to DD2.0 movie soundtracks to extract Dolby Surround information.

So it is a somewhat useful feature, although I think I'd rather let the receiver do the job myself.

Cheers,

Surround Music Enthusiast / Curmudgeon in Training
Opinions are my own, not representative of the publication I write for.

Rodrigo Mansill

HDCD in Panny? That's really new. I even think it's almost a dead technology because the recent aparition of DVD-A and SACD. But it's a really a good point to add that kind of support.... does any other new Panny model has it too?

HienD

HDCD is really popular in asia so the inclusion of it is no surprise. Too bad they couldn't release a sacd/dvd-a player.

David Judah

Lecktor: Then how did you catch me?
Graham: You had disadvantages.
Lecktor: What disadvantages?
Graham: You're insane.

LanceJ

I just learned this player has no optical digital output--bad news for all those people that own "old" receivers with no coaxial digital inputs (like my own Technics SA-DA8 from 2001).

Any ideas on why Panasonic did this?



LJ

John Kotches

Nope, no idea whatsoever other than saving a few $$$.

They do make optical to coaxial convertors, I've seen them for about $50, I think Audio Authority is one company that makes them.

Cheers,

Surround Music Enthusiast / Curmudgeon in Training
Opinions are my own, not representative of the publication I write for.

Adil M

I concur it's saving a few bucks, and making a few by pushing the fact that you can always use the HDMI connection in conjunction w/ their new Panasonic Digital Receivers for all formats.