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Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

post #1 of 52
4/5/08 at 5:47am
Thread Starter 
I've been drooling since this player was announced. I cannot wait. DTS-HDMA decoders built in. According to bluray.com, MSRP will be $599 and it will street in May. I've been saving for a few months for this puppy and by May, I'll have more than enough. I'll probably pick up a Fox Blu-Ray at the same time so I can experience DTS-HDMA. May cannot get here fast enough!
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post #2 of 52
4/5/08 at 7:24am

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

Either this or the Sony S550 will be my first Blu-ray player. Both will be out by the time I get around to buying one (or receiving it as a Xmas gift). For the same reason you state--internal audio decoding of ALL the codecs.
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post #3 of 52
4/6/08 at 11:44am

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

I too am up for this one or the Sony. It will be my first Blu-Ray player.
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post #4 of 52
4/6/08 at 1:20pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

Blu-ray.com - Panasonic DMP-BD50 Blu-ray Player - Specifications

DMP-BD50 | Blu-ray Disc Player | Panasonic Global

HDMI 1.3. Check.
Profiles 1.1/2.0. Check.
Ethernet. Check.
TrueHD/DTS-MA - BOTH Decode and Bitstream output. Check.
Analog out. Check.
24fps support. Check.
DVD-/+ R/RW & CD-R/RW. Check.
MP3/JPEG/DivX. Check.

Did I miss something? On the other forums some people mentioned the lack of UBS-port..

Sounds pretty great player based on these specs.

Not sure what the upscaling chip etc will be, but I´m sure it´s pretty good.
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post #5 of 52
4/6/08 at 2:37pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

I think the most common complaint for the BD-50 is the lack of 7.1 outputs. It isn't for me, as my current amp can't accept 7.1 in, nor am I willing to re-tool my HT at this time to add 2 more speakers (in my 2BR apt it really doesn't make sense).

As long as it is BD2.0 compliant and performs as good or better than my PS3 (which includes PQ, AQ and responsiveness/loading times) then I'm going to spring for it.

If not, I'll wait for the internal decoding of the HD-audio in my PS3 and buy a new receiver that can handle 5.1 PCM output over HDMI (which my NAD T763 cannot handle).
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post #6 of 52
4/6/08 at 3:20pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

My only concern on this is price. If it isn't competitively priced against the PS3, that's where my money will go, and I may spring for the 80GB PS3 to get SACD and PS2 compatibility.
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post #7 of 52
4/6/08 at 3:39pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carlo Medina
I think the most common complaint for the BD-50 is the lack of 7.1 outputs. It isn't for me, as my current amp can't accept 7.1 in...
I'm in the same boat. I currently own a Tosh HD-A1 which is sending audio to my receiver by way of 5.1 analogs. However once I get the Panny, the analogs will be dedicated to it. My receiver is a 10-yr old Pioneer so no HDMI. No worries, though - I'll use the old faithful coax for the HD-A1 until I get a receiver with HMDI.
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post #8 of 52
5/3/08 at 12:12pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

I emailed Panasonic Thursday and asked when they were supposed to ship the BD50s. A rep from Arizona replied today and said:

"Thank you for contacting Panasonic. The Panasonic DMP-BD50 is suppose to
release at the end of May but we do not guarantee we will have them in
stock. I would keep checking on our site or I can give you more updates
as we go.
8123 S. Hardy Drive
Tempe, AZ 85284 Jennifer Esposito
Fax: 480-467-6456 Customer Service
CustomerService at direct.us.panasonic.com "

Just as a side note from previous discussions, the BD50 will have analog outs, while not 7.1 (sigh..), are 5.1.
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post #9 of 52
5/5/08 at 8:04pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

It was going to be my first Blu-Ray player when I was expecting 7.1 analog outs (to feed my Outlaw 990). Now that I know it is 5.1 then I will patiently wait and evaluate the best overall player/price throughout this year and spend money on a new preprocessor that can handle the HDMI inputs.

Brad
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post #10 of 52
5/6/08 at 6:28am

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

The Sony S550 will have 7.1 analogue MCH output, IIRC. Could be a less expensive option than changing your pre-pro
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post #11 of 52
5/6/08 at 8:02am

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

According to this, MSRP is going to be 700 bucks. That's killing my (and many others, I'm sure) interest in it.
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post #12 of 52
5/6/08 at 1:15pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

The Sony has just taken a significant lead (at its previously announced likely MSRP of 499$). Otherwise, I'll forgo the audio codecs for now and get a PS3 (I don't mind paying an extra 100$ for the advanced audio with analogue output so I don't have to upgrade my receiver, but not 300$--I've been living without the advanced audio with my A2 with no real complaints).
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post #13 of 52
5/6/08 at 1:36pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

I had been holding out waiting for this player to finally ship when I got impatient and went ahead and bought a PS3 a few months ago. Turns out that was the right decision. That price point is just absurd.
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post #14 of 52
5/6/08 at 5:45pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

Quote:
The Sony S550 will have 7.1 analogue MCH output, IIRC. Could be a less expensive option than changing your pre-pro

Outlaw is expected to release a new pre/pro mid to late this year, and in the past they've offered a discount to owners of the prior models to entice them to upgrade. I was probably going to bite that baited hook anyway, but I would have had half a year using player decoders through the analog outs to my 990. Now I'll at least wait for the Sony (or any other manufacturer) to hit the market with a full featured player to bring some price pressure to Panasonic. I may even consider a low end PS3 at some point. I just don't see the $700 value in the DMP-BD50 that the Panny marketers expect me to see.

Brad
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post #15 of 52
5/6/08 at 7:39pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

$699 is definitely priced too high, especially if the Sony does come in at an MSRP of $499.

I do own a 60GB PS3 but was looking to upgrade to something that handled the new HD audio codecs (since my receiver does not). At that price point for the Panny BD, I might as well upgrade my receiver instead (and have the PS3 output 5.1 LPCM via HDMI to it).

Or, more likely, pull the trigger on the Sony at $499.
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post #16 of 52
6/4/08 at 8:33pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

Just to let you guys know, I emailed Panasonic (again) about release dates and price for the Panny BD-50. I just asked what the price would be and when the player would be released...looks like some more waiting:

"The most updated information we have received is that the DMP-BD50 will
be release in late July early Aug [2008]. The price can change and we will not know until the we get the item in stock.

Thank you,

8123 S. Hardy Drive
Tempe, AZ 85284 Jennifer Esposito
Fax: 480-467-6456 Customer Service
CustomerService@direct.us.panasonic.com "
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post #17 of 52
6/7/08 at 1:45pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

I was looking forward to this as an upgrade, but no 7.1 analog outs really sours this. At its price and digital capability it's positioned "up there", so you think they could have spent the extra buck for a couple more jacks/buffers to make it "complete". I was really counting on Panny to give me the most use options...
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post #18 of 52
6/9/08 at 5:40pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

Heck I was interested but not at $700. I went cheap-o and got the $200 net Wallyworld Magnavox for my first player. We all know your first player will get upgraded in a year or two anyway.
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post #19 of 52
6/9/08 at 8:55pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

Quote:
Originally Posted by CraigF
I was looking forward to this as an upgrade, but no 7.1 analog outs really sours this.

Yep, I eliminated this player as an option as soon as I found this out.

I'm now looking at the Pioneer BDP-51FD or the Sony S550.


(though I bought a PS3 today, for $220, as a temporary solution)
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post #20 of 52
6/10/08 at 2:45pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

Here's one of the first professional, independent reviews....pretty much what folks were expecting:

ZDNet Panasonic DMP-BD50 Review & Comparison
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post #21 of 52
6/10/08 at 9:18pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

Quote:
Originally Posted by JimJasper
Here's one of the first professional, independent reviews....pretty much what folks were expecting:

ZDNet Panasonic DMP-BD50 Review & Comparison

That's actually Cnet's
review (I guess ZDNet and cnet are the same?). It seems like a fairly accurate review, but keep in mind that Matthew Moskovciak is a huge PS3 fan.
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post #22 of 52
6/11/08 at 2:47pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

Still, nothing to make me want to "retire" the PS3 yet, not for likely twice the price (in Canada).

Until there are more quality 7.1 HDMI 1.3 pre-pros out there, I need the 7.1 analog outs. Otherwise I'd still be running half-assed, no reason to pay any extra to do it...
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post #23 of 52
6/20/08 at 10:06pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

Panasonic DMP-BD50 Review - whathifi.com
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post #24 of 52
6/29/08 at 11:15pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

UltimateAVmag.com: Panasonic DMP-BD50 Blu-ray Player

Quote:
To comply with Profile 2.0, a player must have 1GB of persistent storage. The BD50 accomplishes this with an SD card slot hidden behind the flip-down front panel. Not only does this supply the required storage, it allows the player to display photos from a digital camera and AVCHD video from HD camcorders. Unfortunately, the BD50 does not ship with a 1GB SD card; with a retail price of $699, it should.
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post #25 of 52
8/11/08 at 10:18am

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul.S

Based on this review, deinterlacing seems to be excellent, but upscaling is mediocre (well, at least not "excellent"). BD50 is also slower than e.g. PS3 (the reviewer´s quote from the forums: "MUCH slower").

Then again it has bitstream option for HD-audio (and analog out for some - though not 7.1). And Blu-ray quality is great.

Hmm. Interesting to read the similar review of Sony BDP-S550 (their first "stand-alone" 2.0-model) at some point.

Btw. There are also reports, that the mod chip (region free) that worked for BD30 also works for BD50. Just FYI.
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post #26 of 52
8/19/08 at 2:22am

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

One new review of BD50 (by David Boulet and Dan Ramer):
Panasonic DMP-BD50 Blu-ray Disc Player

edit: Again it seems, that the upscaling is not perfect with BD50.

I really like the upscaling with my PS3 (equal to e.g. Toshiba), so I would like to get at least "equal" upscaling with my (future) stand-alone player...

edit: Interesting notes also about bitstream/PCM-issues..
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post #27 of 52
8/20/08 at 7:08am

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

The release history of this player has been rather strange. It doesn't ever seem to have been widely distributed (it seems to be absent from many of the usual retailers), and now it seems that it will be superceded by the BD55, even though it's barely been available for a couple of months.
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post #28 of 52
8/20/08 at 8:50am

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

But I believe the BD55 and the BD35 will not be available before, when?, November, December?

If you can afford to wait: those look like very serious contenders.
But, personally, I think I'm going to try and get me a BD50 now.


Cees
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post #29 of 52
8/20/08 at 1:44pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

Or wait for the Sony 550...Jeez, I hate this waiting game.
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post #30 of 52
8/20/08 at 11:02pm

Re: Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cees Alons
But I believe the BD55 and the BD35 will not be available before, when?, November, December?

I have no idea, but I guess something like that. I guess you could get one "for Xmas"?

When it comes to BD55 ( Blu-ray.com - New Panasonic Blu-ray Players to be Announced at CEDIA )...

"The Panasonic DMP-BD35 and DMP-BD55 will both feature an updated version of the UniPhier® video processor as well as an Ethernet port for BD-Live compatibility.

The DMP-BD55 will focus on audio reproduction with the addition of 8-channel analog audio outs (the DMP-BD50 only has 6-channel), high quality audio components, and isolation feet to reduce the effects of vibration."

1) What´s "UniPhier video processor"? Related to upscaling, or?

2) I thought, that BD50 has also Ethernet port?

3) BD55 has 8-channel analog audio outs (vs. 6 in BD50). This could make a difference to some, but I have already HDMI 1.3-receiver (no need for analog outs, really).

4) "High quality audio components" and "isolation feet to reduce the effects of vibration". These sound a bit like "marketing talk" to me... At least quite vague stuff..

Btw. About that mod-chip for BD30/BD50... This might help (at least get you started):
Bluraymods.com - Home
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