Panasonic Confirms Late September Release

[AV_Integrated]

At CEDIA, when specifically asked about the release of the Panasonic Blu-ray player it was said that the player is shipping in two weeks. Not sure if that means 'shipping' or 'going on sale', but either way, it is a very VERY short time until we will find this product in our local stores.

Confirmed MSRP is $1,300.00 ... meh, probably $1,299.999

[zombie]

Thanks for the update. I hope it will be on sale within 2-3 weeks. Now I just gotta find a paper route as a second job to afford it.

[Dave]

Panasonic @ CEDIA - Blu-ray player

[Chris Beveridge]

I so want this player/receiver combo but I really need more details on its audio end.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by nyg

Thanks for the update. I hope it will be on sale within 2-3 weeks. Now I just gotta find a paper route as a second job to afford it.

I may just skip all the way to the ski mask and shotgun route.

[zombie]

Originally Posted by Chris Beveridge

I so want this player/receiver combo but I really need more details on its audio end.

Same here. The matching receiver looks terrific as well but I'm not sure if it has HDMI 1.3 of not.

Originally Posted by JTK

I may just skip all the way to the ski mask and shotgun route.

LOL, well there's always that method too.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by nyg

LOL, well there's always that method too.

Or maybe that white van in the parking lot around 3 AM?...

[Psiweaver]

whatever works JTK. I wouldn't buy a panasonic reciever even though it looks good. It probably sounds like crap. Generally its best to stick to audio companies for audio products.

[Rob Tomlin]

This is a strong possibility for my first BD player, but I will wait for reviews of this, the Sony, and the Elite (though I am very hesitant to pay so much for the Elite for a first gen machine).

[Psiweaver]

The elite will be worth it. It works as a computer so you can stream content to it. It also has an ethernet port which the sony does not and will have amazing audio and video quality plus pioneer will be sure to make a good dvd transport for it too since they have a long history of doing that.

[GoldenRedux]

Originally Posted by JTK

I may just skip all the way to the ski mask and shotgun route.

[GoldenRedux]

Originally Posted by nyg

Same here. The matching receiver looks terrific as well but I'm not sure if it has HDMI 1.3 of not.

Well, I don't think I am interested in a Panasonic receiver at all, but I do have some questions about it. Does it in fact have HDMI 3.1? Does it decode dts-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD? If it doesn't do any of these things, I don't see the point in it.

About the player itself, I have the same questions. I really want these players to do in the box decoding of the new audio codecs and output them through the analogue outs. I don't want a new AVR. Even if I did, when will we even see new HDMI 1.3 equipped AVR's that decode the new codecs as well that are priced within reason? A year from now? My current AVR, Sony DA4ES, cost me a little over $1000 when I bought it and had an original MSRP of ~$1200 I think? And it's only 4 years old. I really don't feel like having to spend $3,000 to take full advantage of these players, which don't even do BD-Live.

Speaking of BD-Live, the Pio has an ethernet port. Does anyone think that player will ever do BD-Live?

[AV_Integrated]

The Panasonic will not do all of the HD audio formats out of the box. It will ship with a coupon that can be sent in which will allow Panny to send you a firmware update disc (about January 2007) which will update the firmware and allow for HD audio format decoding by the player. Yes, the player has the capability, just not the software in place to do so right now.

It does NOT have HDMI 1.3. The first product (still!) slated for that is the PS3.

[zombie]

Bummer about the not having HDMI 1.3.

As for the firmware plan, is this what's to be expected with all high def players now?

And just to get this straight, HDMI 1.3 capability isn't something that can be done with a firmware upgrade right? As in, this Panny BD player will never have HDMI 1.3 - is this correct?

[Chad Varnadore]

Correct. HDMI 1.3 is an entirely new connection - different plug and everything.

I'm a little disappointed to hear that Panny won't be updating their player until January considering Fox titles are shipping with DTS MA in November. Guess I'll have to look elsewhere for a review player. Hopefully, the rumor that the Pioneer was used to demo DTS MA (decoded internally) is true.

[AV_Integrated]

Originally Posted by Chad Varnadore

Correct. HDMI 1.3 is an entirely new connection - different plug and everything.

This is not entirely correct. HDMI 1.3 requires hardware on the chip that allows for extra functions which include the bandwidth necessary for the audio codecs, etc. Therefore, there is a hardware upgrade necessary for the change to 1.3

But, the connector is NOT changing. HDMI 1.3 just allows for a new mini connector that can be used on devices like HD camcorders. Similar, in effect, to mini-USB or mini-Firewire connectors, this connector won't replace the current connector, and will likely only be found on certain products.

FYI: Prediction I made about a year ago about HDMI connectors falling out that was confirmed by HDMI at CEDIA: HDMI is trying to establish a design standard for HDMI cables which allow for them to be connected to A/V products with some sort of cable strain relief. Not a screw on connector, like DVI, but something that will be on the product that will support and hold the cable in place. HDMI confirmed that they are working on a way to standardize this among cables and equipment manufacturers so cables won't fall out anymore if a manufacturer makes an approved locking device on their product.

[Chad Varnadore]

Thanks for the clarification. I haven't seen HDMI 1.3 myself. But, I read somewhere that the connector was larger than existing HDMI. Not a clue where that was though.

Best Deal cables have designed their HDMI cables with a clamp and locking pin. I've tried them and it works very well. But each device has to have the connector mounting screw directly above each input/output for it to work. Most devices seem to, but some conceal the screw and switchers and such with arrays of inputs sometimes have only one for all. The cables don't have a good shielding as some better brands and are kinda ugly, but otherwise do the job.

[Psiweaver]

I have always liked DVI more than HDMI for the simple reason that the connection is so much more reliable I just wish that HDMI would include somethign simliar there is nothing wrong with a screw down connection.

[AV_Integrated]

Originally Posted by Psiweaver

I have always liked DVI more than HDMI for the simple reason that the connection is so much more reliable I just wish that HDMI would include somethign simliar there is nothing wrong with a screw down connection.

The words of a man who has never retroed wiring...

DVI is impossible to run through existing walls and can't be run through conduit. HDMI is able to be run through conduit and can be retro fitted through some walls with a certain amount of effort. I have issues as it stands with the size of their cables and wish they would go DOWN in size. Generally speaking, custom installers are in agreement on this. Though, we also agree that there needs to be a decent way to secure cables to the gear.

[Blue]

For the Aussies Panasonic have updated their web site
December release.
http://www.panasonic.com.au/