Panasonic DMP-BDT230 (very negative review link) - Blu-ray Forum

HDTV1080P · 09-01-2013, 08:39 AM

Panasonic DMP-BDT230 Blu-ray player review link

** This Blu-ray player is a big disappointment for several reasons **

As required by the AACS rules this Panasonic DMP-BDT230 Blu-ray player does not have any analog video outputs at all since the licensing agreements for all new Blu-ray players starting on January 1st 2014 requires only a HDMI output when playing AACS copy protected Blu-ray discs. This rule only applies to the analog video outputs and does not apply to the analog audio outputs. However many new Blu-ray players now are also removing all the analog audio outputs also to make the Blu-ray players cheaper in price.

In 2013 some Blu-ray players are designed to be very low cost and with less features. For example many new 2013 Blu-ray players including the Panasonic DMP-BDT230 offer no analog audio outputs at all. This means that a consumer that owns an older non-HDMI flat panel display from around 2006 or other non HDMI display with only a DVI input will be required to own a stereo system or surround system to hear audio. If ones flat panel display or projector only has a DVI input then to hear audio from the Panasonic DMP-BDT230, one either needs to purchase a new flat panel display with a HDMI input or connect a surround sound system. A HDMI to DVI adapter cable will only send video to the display. A Blu-ray player should have left and right analog stereo outputs for legacy equipment. Those that own a modern flat panel display with HDMI inputs will be able to hear audio without the requirement to own a surround sound system.

The ideal Blu-ray player should have 1GB of built in memory for BD-LIVE, which is a feature not offered on any Panasonic Blu-ray player. In prior Panasonic Blu-ray player models the SD card was used for BD-LIVE, however on the Panasonic DMP-BDT230 one is required to use a USB flash drive or USB hard drive since the SDXC card slot cannot be used for BD-LIVE. What is disappointing is that there is no rear USB port so when one uses BD-LIVE cosmetically the drive is always plugged into the front of the Blu-ray player. In older Panasonic Blu-ray players the SDXC card slot could be used for BD-LIVE and was an excellent cosmetic design that was hidden behind a small front panel..

To make matters worse the review link for the Panasonic DMP-BDT230 mentions that Panasonic has changed processing chips this year that creates all kinds of video quality issues.

According to the review this years 2013 Panasonic DMP-BDT230 appears to be a big disappointment. In the past, I have been very happy with Panasonic Blu-ray players that I have personally used, this new 2013 Panasonic Blu-ray player is a big disappointment for several reasons. Some of the problems mentioned in the review might be fixed with a future firmware update, however some of the issues like offering no analog audio outputs are hardware engineering cost cutting decisions.

The following are select word for word quotes from the review

“The design of the player itself is pretty basic, as most Blu-ray players are today. The rear offers only Ethernet, HDMI and Optical connectors. The power cable is detachable, so it is easy to replace with a different size and is uncommon at this price point.”

“The front has the inputs hidden away behind a drop-down panel, but includes USB and SD Card slots. Unfortunately the SD slot is only for playing back music or pictures on the Panasonic, and isn't used for BD-Live. If you want BD-Live content, you'll need to leave this panel open and have a USB drive attached at all times. I really wish vendors included the memory for BD-Live or at least had a rear USB port, so you didn't need a USB drive sticking off the front at all times.”

“As a disc player, the Panasonic was good, but as a streaming player, I wasn't impressed.”

"Beyond the colorspace issue that I discussed earlier, there is another problem I found in the DMP-BDT230. It applies some extra sharpening to the color information that you can't defeat, and has the potential to cause some moiré or other visual effects due to it. The Spears & Munsil chroma zone plates clearly demonstrate this issue. I'm not sure why Panasonic changed processing chips this year, but it seems to have some issues that weren't present on the last model.”

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/blu-ray-players/blu-ray-players-reviews/panasonic-dmp-bdt230-blu-ray-player.html

DMP-BDT230 Owner's Manual

09-01-2013, 08:39 AM	#1
HDTV1080P Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Jan 2007 Blu-ray reviews: 205	Panasonic DMP-BDT230 (very negative review link) Panasonic DMP-BDT230 Blu-ray player review link This Blu-ray player is a big disappointment for several reasons As required by the AACS rules this Panasonic DMP-BDT230 Blu-ray player does not have any analog video outputs at all since the licensing agreements for all new Blu-ray players starting on January 1st 2014 requires only a HDMI output when playing AACS copy protected Blu-ray discs. This rule only applies to the analog video outputs and does not apply to the analog audio outputs. However many new Blu-ray players now are also removing all the analog audio outputs also to make the Blu-ray players cheaper in price. In 2013 some Blu-ray players are designed to be very low cost and with less features. For example many new 2013 Blu-ray players including the Panasonic DMP-BDT230 offer no analog audio outputs at all. This means that a consumer that owns an older non-HDMI flat panel display from around 2006 or other non HDMI display with only a DVI input will be required to own a stereo system or surround system to hear audio. If ones flat panel display or projector only has a DVI input then to hear audio from the Panasonic DMP-BDT230, one either needs to purchase a new flat panel display with a HDMI input or connect a surround sound system. A HDMI to DVI adapter cable will only send video to the display. A Blu-ray player should have left and right analog stereo outputs for legacy equipment. Those that own a modern flat panel display with HDMI inputs will be able to hear audio without the requirement to own a surround sound system. The ideal Blu-ray player should have 1GB of built in memory for BD-LIVE, which is a feature not offered on any Panasonic Blu-ray player. In prior Panasonic Blu-ray player models the SD card was used for BD-LIVE, however on the Panasonic DMP-BDT230 one is required to use a USB flash drive or USB hard drive since the SDXC card slot cannot be used for BD-LIVE. What is disappointing is that there is no rear USB port so when one uses BD-LIVE cosmetically the drive is always plugged into the front of the Blu-ray player. In older Panasonic Blu-ray players the SDXC card slot could be used for BD-LIVE and was an excellent cosmetic design that was hidden behind a small front panel.. To make matters worse the review link for the Panasonic DMP-BDT230 mentions that Panasonic has changed processing chips this year that creates all kinds of video quality issues. According to the review this years 2013 Panasonic DMP-BDT230 appears to be a big disappointment. In the past, I have been very happy with Panasonic Blu-ray players that I have personally used, this new 2013 Panasonic Blu-ray player is a big disappointment for several reasons. Some of the problems mentioned in the review might be fixed with a future firmware update, however some of the issues like offering no analog audio outputs are hardware engineering cost cutting decisions. The following are select word for word quotes from the review “The design of the player itself is pretty basic, as most Blu-ray players are today. The rear offers only Ethernet, HDMI and Optical connectors. The power cable is detachable, so it is easy to replace with a different size and is uncommon at this price point.” “The front has the inputs hidden away behind a drop-down panel, but includes USB and SD Card slots. Unfortunately the SD slot is only for playing back music or pictures on the Panasonic, and isn't used for BD-Live. If you want BD-Live content, you'll need to leave this panel open and have a USB drive attached at all times. I really wish vendors included the memory for BD-Live or at least had a rear USB port, so you didn't need a USB drive sticking off the front at all times.” “As a disc player, the Panasonic was good, but as a streaming player, I wasn't impressed.” "Beyond the colorspace issue that I discussed earlier, there is another problem I found in the DMP-BDT230. It applies some extra sharpening to the color information that you can't defeat, and has the potential to cause some moiré or other visual effects due to it. The Spears & Munsil chroma zone plates clearly demonstrate this issue. I'm not sure why Panasonic changed processing chips this year, but it seems to have some issues that weren't present on the last model.” http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/blu-ray-players/blu-ray-players-reviews/panasonic-dmp-bdt230-blu-ray-player.html DMP-BDT230 Owner's Manual Last edited by dobyblue; 09-27-2013 at 11:16 AM.

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