Abandoning Blu-ray for a while.

[Filterlab]

Well, I bought the Panasonic player a few weeks back and I'm already thinking that it's been a mistake - at this point anyway.

The picture quality is superb, contrast between dark and light is seriously excellent and to have no 'blocking' or 'toothing' is great. Sound quality is extremely good even though my processor isn't HDMI and is simply running Dolby/DTS via Coaxial.

But this juddering, it's really getting on my nerves. No matter what I do I can't seem to stop the problem. I've tried switching from PAL to NTSC, changing the resolution from 1080 to 720, watching via composite - but nothing works.

Oddly the problem wasn't prevalent until I updated the firmware to 1.4 (from 1.2) but since it's not possible to revert to a previous firmware level, I'm stuck at 1.4. Panasonic have been NO HELP whatsoever, failing to reply to three helpline requests via Panasonic.co.uk.

I'm very miffed as I spent £700 ($1,372) on a Blu-ray player that is uncomfortable and distracting to watch.

However, on playback of normal DVDs, whether viewed via upscaling or standard definition, there simply isn't a problem. No judder, just clean and smooth motion.

As I said I've gone through every setting possible to try and cure the problem but it just seems to me that this technology has been released without really being properly thought through.

There seems to be a huge question mark over what and how the varying frame rates and consequential pull-down should be addressed and the whole thing smacks of disagreement.

With 24fps trying to be 25fps (24.97fps is it?) and 1080/50p really being 1080/50i trying to be displayed at 1080/60 on a 60hz TV which is actually 50hz in the UK anyway even when on NTSC mode and some BD players having 1080/24 mode but the displays not being compatible because 24 is not an integer of 60 blah blah blah, what is going on?

Will these issues ever be rectified or is this format money down the toilet?

I'd imagined that buying a Panasonic HDTV for £2,000 ($3,920) and a Panasonic Blu-ray player that it should produce a perfect image as both units must definitely be compatible, but nope.

Any ideas anyone, or do I sell the BD player and go to the other camp?

[Nismobeach]

Trade it in for a PS3.

[Filterlab]

Unfortunately that doesn't help as from what I've read the PS3 suffers similar problems, unless you have experience that it doesn't?

[nhaase]

I've had no problems with my PS3, apart from not being able to use the X button to pause Big Fish when using the controller as my remote (I posted that on here and was told by other members that the remote you can buy for it works just fine). If you're still within the return time from where you bought it, you could exchange it or get a different player. If you can do that and can't find one for a cheaper price, remember that Sony is releasing a $600 player this summer, June, I think.

[Filterlab]

To be honest it's not really a price thing (as my signature may hint), I just want smooth high definition films. Since the BD10 got great reviews I naturally went with that.

However, if the PS3 is the way to go then I can return the Panasonic and grab one.

[nhaase]

I figured price wasn't a problem, but I thought I'd mention it if you were trying to be frugle. If you like video games, then the PS3 is excellent, since you get that ability and BD playback. However, if you're just getting it for the BD playback, first I'd try exchanging for another Panasonic, maybe your player is just a lemon. However, if you've heard about a number of problems on it, then I'd return it for a different brand player.

[Solar Driftwood]

Obviously, as I've explained in my private message to you, I'm very sorry to hear about your problems - and this links up with the identical problem I saw last weekend on a friend's Samsung BDP-1000. Very frustrating and not what you'd expect of a format that has been soak-tested in two different territories before Europe (Japan/USA). Not good news at all.

I really wanted to buy a Blu-ray player, but now I'm wondering if that's a sensible thing to do or not. For instance, my Toshiba HD-DVD player doesn't exhibit any judder problems - why does its supposedly better rival?

Originally Posted by Filterlab

With 24fps trying to be 25fps (24.97fps is it?) and 1080/50p really being 1080/50i trying to be displayed at 1080/60 on a 60hz TV which is actually 50hz in the UK anyway even when on NTSC mode and some BD players having 1080/24 mode but the displays not being compatible because 24 is not an integer of 60 blah blah blah, what is going on?

All UK plasma/LCDs run at 60Hz, I think you'll find. There are very few 50Hz models. A Sharp, I think, but that's about it.

[nobody]

Originally Posted by Filterlab

Well, I bought the Panasonic player a few weeks back and I'm already thinking that it's been a mistake - at this point anyway.

The picture quality is superb, contrast between dark and light is seriously excellent and to have no 'blocking' or 'toothing' is great. Sound quality is extremely good even though my processor isn't HDMI and is simply running Dolby/DTS via Coaxial.

But this juddering, it's really getting on my nerves. No matter what I do I can't seem to stop the problem. I've tried switching from PAL to NTSC, changing the resolution from 1080 to 720, watching via composite - but nothing works.

Oddly the problem wasn't prevalent until I updated the firmware to 1.4 (from 1.2) but since it's not possible to revert to a previous firmware level, I'm stuck at 1.4. Panasonic have been NO HELP whatsoever, failing to reply to three helpline requests via Panasonic.co.uk.

I'm very miffed as I spent £700 ($1,372) on a Blu-ray player that is uncomfortable and distracting to watch.

However, on playback of normal DVDs, whether viewed via upscaling or standard definition, there simply isn't a problem. No judder, just clean and smooth motion.

As I said I've gone through every setting possible to try and cure the problem but it just seems to me that this technology has been released without really being properly thought through.

There seems to be a huge question mark over what and how the varying frame rates and consequential pull-down should be addressed and the whole thing smacks of disagreement.

With 24fps trying to be 25fps (24.97fps is it?) and 1080/50p really being 1080/50i trying to be displayed at 1080/60 on a 60hz TV which is actually 50hz in the UK anyway even when on NTSC mode and some BD players having 1080/24 mode but the displays not being compatible because 24 is not an integer of 60 blah blah blah, what is going on?

Will these issues ever be rectified or is this format money down the toilet?

I'd imagined that buying a Panasonic HDTV for £2,000 ($3,920) and a Panasonic Blu-ray player that it should produce a perfect image as both units must definitely be compatible, but nope.

Any ideas anyone, or do I sell the BD player and go to the other camp?

should.ve gotten a $500 PS3.

[Filterlab]

And I will be, tomorrow.

BTW, a PS3 in the UK is £425 which is the equivalent of $841.50. We don't quite get the prices you guys do!

[airwedge1]

This is by far the best combination I have seen. Gives the most amazing picture quality, and far surpasses anything else I have ever seen. I have not had a problem with any blu-ray movies. I've watched about a dozen so far with the ps3.

[ZX-VETTE]

Originally Posted by airwedge1

This is by far the best combination I have seen. Gives the most amazing picture quality, and far surpasses anything else I have ever seen. I have not had a problem with any blu-ray movies. I've watched about a dozen so far with the ps3.

I have a KDS-R70XBR2 and have to agree with your assessment. It's an amazing TV, comes with an extra lamp, and has three HDMI ports (PS3, Cablebox, and future blu-ray burner).

[sticks]

Originally Posted by airwedge1

This is by far the best combination I have seen. Gives the most amazing picture quality, and far surpasses anything else I have ever seen. I have not had a problem with any blu-ray movies. I've watched about a dozen so far with the ps3.

I have a Samsung player and the Samsung ns4695d since last october and have never had a problem.

[Nismobeach]

Glad to hear you like your PS3 filter!

[jbuttler007]

PS3 and Blu-ray are the best thing to happen to me, for now, but Sony need to pick things up quick because it feels like if I'm begining to lose interest on my $600 investment.