Who else is looking forward to the Panasonic DMP-BD50? (1 Viewer)

[Kevin Stewart]

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.

 

[CraigF]

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...

 

[Paul.S]

Panasonic DMP-BD50 Review - whathifi.com

 

[Paul.S]

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

 

[Jari K]

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.

 

[Jari K]

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..

 

[RobertR]

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have been widely distributed (it seems to be absent from many of the usual retailers), and now it seems that it will be superceded by the BD55, even though it's barely been available for a couple of months.

 

[Cees Alons]

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

 

[RobertR]

Or wait for the Sony 550...Jeez, I hate this waiting game.

 

[Jari K]

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

 

[Cees Alons]

Thanks, Jari.


Cees

 

[RobertR]

Panasonic is telling people that the BD50 has been discontinued. Make way for the BD55.

 

[Cees Alons]

Yep.

Yet, I just ordered one, because I won't be waiting until X-mas.
(Well, it might be November even, but that doesn't change my mind.)


Cees

 

[Michael Reuben]

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.

M.

 

[Jeff Ulmer]

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.

 

[Cees Alons]

Jeff,

See my post #31 above (where I quote a post of Jari's).


Cees

 

[Jeff Ulmer]

Hi Cees;
That mod kit isn't available for US machines, which is why I asked the question.

Bluraymods.com - Our Products

 

[Jari K]

I just got the European press release about the upcoming DMP-BD35 and DMP-BD55. They´re coming in October (in Europe, that´s).

 

[Cees Alons]

Too bad I need an Reg-A machine.

I see.
But after the mod is applied, there won't be much difference in that respect.

(I know, you're not contemplating import.)


Cees

 

[LCD22]

Well, that's just perfect.

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.