Panasonic DMP-BD55 Review Thread - Blu-ray Forum

teemacone · 10-17-2008, 01:46 PM

I just picked up the new Panasonic 55 blu ray player at Circuit City last night. I didn't even know it was coming out yet, but I wanted the internal audio decoding so I got it. I think it was supposed to be the floor model becuase when I opened the box it had a cardboard piece of marketing material attached to the top of it via adhesive. Or is that how Panasonic's roll out of the box normally?

Anyways, I unwired my Sony S-1 and hooked up the new Panny and put in the NIN concert to ensure my analogs were in the right place...and cranked it. It sounded tight tight of the box with no audio tweaks. The 1080i looked scratchy, but then I put in DH4 and the 1080p/24 goodness was very pure on my plasma. Oh, and the DTS-MA soundtrack was crackalackin.

If anyone else has this machine, let me know your thoughts.

Sonny · 10-17-2008, 01:53 PM

I love it

laszlog · 10-17-2008, 03:27 PM

Have you tried a disc with BD-Live capabilities?

InfectedStranger · 10-17-2008, 04:13 PM

I would like to get this, I am thinking of selling my SHARP player.

AintNoSin · 10-17-2008, 09:12 PM

I am down to this one or the Sony S550. It will probably be down to which one is in stock and on sale after Black Friday.

dobyblue · 10-17-2008, 09:32 PM

Very envious - I have no doubt the DMP-BD55 is going to rock people's socks off.

rubberghost · 10-18-2008, 12:05 AM

what's the SRP?

AintNoSin · 10-18-2008, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubberghost

what's the SRP?

It was $499 but it should be $399 now.

teemacone · 10-18-2008, 12:15 AM

I picked it up for 399. Haven't tried the BD-Live, not sure if/when I will. Probably if I take the time to run the lan cord and update firmware, I'll give the BD-Live a try.

singhcr · 10-18-2008, 01:06 AM

I got mine from Circuit City for $385 or so after tax and a $40 coupon (see attachment, good until 10/31/08). I set it up today and watched Casino Royale. Compared to my Samsung 1400 the PQ is much improved, as is the audio- it's much clearer. I noticed details in the picture that I never saw before and I've seen this movie about 4 times on BD. I have not checked a DTS-HD MA movie but according to my manual it does decode MA over analog outs. Overall this player is small, sleek, loads much faster, and has better audio and video compared to my old player. I would definitely pick this up!

MATTYBLU2 · 10-18-2008, 11:52 AM

have not seen any signs of these up in the northeast

wonder when they will be instock up here?

originalstarlite · 10-18-2008, 11:54 AM

Here is the Panny UK manual.

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_G...trackInfo=true

adkinsse54 · 10-18-2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singhcr

I got mine from Circuit City for $385 or so after tax and a $40 coupon (see attachment, good until 10/31/08). I set it up today and watched Casino Royale. Compared to my Samsung 1400 the PQ is much improved, as is the audio- it's much clearer. I noticed details in the picture that I never saw before and I've seen this movie about 4 times on BD. I have not checked a DTS-HD MA movie but according to my manual it does decode MA over analog outs. Overall this player is small, sleek, loads much faster, and has better audio and video compared to my old player. I would definitely pick this up!

I have had mine for 3 days now and noticed the same things compared to my Sony S500. Yes, it does decode all formats over analog and HDMI and of course bit-streams all formats over HDMI. I find the PQ slightly more 3 dimentional and film like. The PQ on SD DVDS is Excellent!

Footloose301 · 10-18-2008, 12:14 PM

Cool. Pretty easy to set up. If you want DTS HDMA thru HDMI to a newer receiver you would set it to "Bitstream" and then set secondary audio to "OFF". Much easier to setup than the Sony.

laszlog · 10-19-2008, 04:54 AM

Well I like the player except that it won't access the BD-Live functions like the Samsung 1500 will. Transformers is OK , but not these 2 movies.

Anyone having the same problems?

Laszlo

JasonR · 10-19-2008, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Footloose301

Cool. Pretty easy to set up. If you want DTS HDMA thru HDMI to a newer receiver you would set it to "Bitstream" and then set secondary audio to "OFF". Much easier to setup than the Sony.

How is that easier? You change one setting on the Sony and two on the Panny...

Not saying it's not a great player, just get the facts straight.

canman93 · 10-19-2008, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singhcr

I got mine from Circuit City for $385 or so after tax and a $40 coupon (see attachment, good until 10/31/08). I set it up today and watched Casino Royale. Compared to my Samsung 1400 the PQ is much improved, as is the audio- it's much clearer. I noticed details in the picture that I never saw before and I've seen this movie about 4 times on BD. I have not checked a DTS-HD MA movie but according to my manual it does decode MA over analog outs. Overall this player is small, sleek, loads much faster, and has better audio and video compared to my old player. I would definitely pick this up!

Just picked mine today - thanks for the coupon - big thanks!!

Tech2008 · 10-19-2008, 07:47 AM

I have a PlayStation 3, but it had been said, that the Panasonic 55 and Sony 550 are much better, when we talk about PQ and AQ. I just don't know if I should buy the DMP-BD55 or the Sony 550.

Which is best, and why? Best PQ?

Sony S550 vs. Panasonic DMP-BD55

CassilineKnight · 10-19-2008, 10:36 AM

^^^^ I would get a Panny over a sony product any day of the week.

I got the Samsung 1500 for my dad but for me personally I'm leaning towards the Panny 35 or 55. I haven't really seen any article that distingues the two of them.

Mr. Cinema · 10-19-2008, 12:53 PM

I want a standalone BD Live unit and it's down to this Panasonic and the Sony 550. Both look like great players. Whichever one does a better job of upconverting dvds is probably the one I'll go with. Too bad no stores around me have either in stock yet.

10-17-2008, 01:46 PM	#1
teemacone Member Member since:May 2007 Blu-ray collection:40 Blu-ray reviews:1	Panasonic DMP-BD55 Review Thread I just picked up the new Panasonic 55 blu ray player at Circuit City last night. I didn't even know it was coming out yet, but I wanted the internal audio decoding so I got it. I think it was supposed to be the floor model becuase when I opened the box it had a cardboard piece of marketing material attached to the top of it via adhesive. Or is that how Panasonic's roll out of the box normally? Anyways, I unwired my Sony S-1 and hooked up the new Panny and put in the NIN concert to ensure my analogs were in the right place...and cranked it. It sounded tight tight of the box with no audio tweaks. The 1080i looked scratchy, but then I put in DH4 and the 1080p/24 goodness was very pure on my plasma. Oh, and the DTS-MA soundtrack was crackalackin. If anyone else has this machine, let me know your thoughts. Last edited by teemacone; 10-17-2008 at 01:56 PM.

10-18-2008, 11:54 AM	#12
originalstarlite Junior Member Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Canonsburg, PA (Steeler Country)	Online Manual Here is the Panny UK manual. http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_G...trackInfo=true

10-19-2008, 04:54 AM	#15
laszlog Junior Member Member since:Aug 2008	No BD-Live on Iron Man and Sleeping Beauty Well I like the player except that it won't access the BD-Live functions like the Samsung 1500 will. Transformers is OK , but not these 2 movies. Anyone having the same problems? Laszlo

10-19-2008, 07:47 AM	#18
Tech2008 New Member Member since:Oct 2008 Blu-ray reviews:43	I have a PlayStation 3, but it had been said, that the Panasonic 55 and Sony 550 are much better, when we talk about PQ and AQ. I just don't know if I should buy the DMP-BD55 or the Sony 550. Which is best, and why? Best PQ? Sony S550 vs. Panasonic DMP-BD55 Last edited by Tech2008; 10-19-2008 at 07:53 AM.

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10-17-2008, 01:53 PM	#2
Sonny Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2007 Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray reviews:6 Trading Score:1	I love it

10-17-2008, 03:27 PM	#3
laszlog Junior Member Member since:Aug 2008	Have you tried a disc with BD-Live capabilities?

10-17-2008, 04:13 PM	#4
InfectedStranger Banned Member since:Oct 2008 Blu-ray collection:62	I would like to get this, I am thinking of selling my SHARP player.

10-17-2008, 09:12 PM	#5
AintNoSin Blu-ray Guru Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Above the Convenience Store 4K collection:136 Blu-ray collection:594 DVD collection:299 Digital collection:212 iTunes collection:18	I am down to this one or the Sony S550. It will probably be down to which one is in stock and on sale after Black Friday.

10-17-2008, 09:32 PM	#6
dobyblue Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:71 4K collection:55 Blu-ray collection:655 Blu-ray reviews: 15	Very envious - I have no doubt the DMP-BD55 is going to rock people's socks off.

10-18-2008, 12:05 AM	#7
rubberghost Expert Member Member since:May 2008 Location:the sub-matrix Blu-ray reviews:4	what's the SRP?

10-18-2008, 12:15 AM	#9
teemacone Member Member since:May 2007 Blu-ray collection:40 Blu-ray reviews:1	I picked it up for 399. Haven't tried the BD-Live, not sure if/when I will. Probably if I take the time to run the lan cord and update firmware, I'll give the BD-Live a try.

10-18-2008, 11:52 AM	#11
MATTYBLU2 Banned Member since:Sep 2007 Location:NH Blu-ray collection:60 Trading Score:21	have not seen any signs of these up in the northeast wonder when they will be instock up here?

10-18-2008, 12:14 PM	#14
Footloose301 Special Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Fort Myers, FL Home Theater Gallery:38 4K collection:2 Blu-ray collection:2 Blu-ray reviews: 1	Cool. Pretty easy to set up. If you want DTS HDMA thru HDMI to a newer receiver you would set it to "Bitstream" and then set secondary audio to "OFF". Much easier to setup than the Sony.

10-19-2008, 10:36 AM	#19
CassilineKnight Banned Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Raleigh, NC	^^^^ I would get a Panny over a sony product any day of the week. I got the Samsung 1500 for my dad but for me personally I'm leaning towards the Panny 35 or 55. I haven't really seen any article that distingues the two of them.

10-19-2008, 12:53 PM	#20
Mr. Cinema Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jan 2008 Location:NC 4K collection:34 Blu-ray collection:35 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:85	I want a standalone BD Live unit and it's down to this Panasonic and the Sony 550. Both look like great players. Whichever one does a better job of upconverting dvds is probably the one I'll go with. Too bad no stores around me have either in stock yet.

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