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.
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...
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.
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..
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have been widely distributed (it seems to be absent from many of the usual retailers), and now it seems that it will be superceded by the BD55, even though it's barely been available for a couple of months.
"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
You can generally assume with the CE industry that, by the time they finally get the product into consumers' hands, they've already moved on to the next model.
Panasonic is a past master at this. I remember when they got rave reviews for a laser disc player, the LX-1000. But I never found a dealer who had one in stock. Before the reviews were even published, they'd discontinued the 1000 and replaced it with the cheaper (and more cheaply constructed) LX-900.
Have there been any rumors of a region free (PAL/NTSC) mod for the US BD30s? I don't know that I really need 7.1 outs for audio (would get a new receiver that handles this via HDMI) or ethernet (handier, but at what additional price?). It would be nice to have access to my non R1 DVDs again after my Malata failed prematurely.
I bought the BD50 earlier this month on Amazon, after waiting for it since January. I almost bought the BD30, but then this was announced as coming at CES.
I've been debating whether to send it back to them and wait for the BD55. Guess I better make that decision quickly before I missed the return window.