Two Questions about Panasonic BD-10A player

[Danno]

Hi all,

I just bought the new Panasonic BD-10a player yesterday at Best Buy, witht eh 5 free movies. I was completely blown away by the picture and especially the sound clarity. I'm running it to an older Panny HDTV that is rear projection, and is Pre-HDMI. Also, I'm running the sound to a Harmon Kardon receiver using the 6 analog direct outputs.


so here are my questions:

1. - I've read lots of posts on here and other forums pertaining to the Panasonic Blu-Ray player firmware updates, but they all seem to apply to the BD-10, not the newer BD-10a. Do the DTS-HS sound issues and lock-ups happen in the BD-10a as well, or should I just not worry about it?

2. - Is there a way to enable 1080i upconversioin for standard DVD's through the component outputs on this player? Or at least access to the service menu?

I was unaware that the DVD upconversion required an HDMI connection on this player, and my HDTV doesn't even have one, but I'm not planning on getting a new TV any time soon. The one I have looks beautiful, especially since I tune all teh covergence, etc. myself.

Thanks,

Dan

[bluflu]

Think you're the first person here to get a Panasonic DMP-BD10A.

[Danno]

Originally Posted by bluflu

Think you're the first person here to get a Panasonic DMP-BD10A.

Heh. Awesome.

[clyon]

The Panasonic DMP-BD10A & Panasonic DMP-BD10 are the same units/players, just the 'A' version has the updates pre installed.


Still waiting for mine.

[Josh]

Originally Posted by Danno

so here are my questions:

1. - I've read lots of posts on here and other forums pertaining to the Panasonic Blu-Ray player firmware updates, but they all seem to apply to the BD-10, not the newer BD-10a. Do the DTS-HS sound issues and lock-ups happen in the BD-10a as well, or should I just not worry about it?

If you go to the Pansonic Firmware Website you have a choice of selecting either DMP-BD10 or DMP-BD10A. Your unit comes with Firmware v2.0, and v2.1 is available for install. Version 2.2 was up for a couple of days, but has since been taken down.

2. - Is there a way to enable 1080i upconversioin for standard DVD's through the component outputs on this player? Or at least access to the service menu?

I was unaware that the DVD upconversion required an HDMI connection on this player, and my HDTV doesn't even have one, but I'm not planning on getting a new TV any time soon. The one I have looks beautiful, especially since I tune all teh covergence, etc. myself.

The only "legal" way to upconvert DVD is via HDMI. There are some players which allow you to upconvert over component, but they are usually hacks and not a standard feature. If your TV has a DVI input, you could always get an HDMI to DVI converter.

[Danno]

Originally Posted by Josh

If you go to the Pansonic Firmware Website you have a choice of selecting either DMP-BD10 or DMP-BD10A. Your unit comes with Firmware v2.0, and v2.1 is available for install. Version 2.2 was up for a couple of days, but has since been taken down.



The only "legal" way to upconvert DVD is via HDMI. There are some players which allow you to upconvert over component, but they are usually hacks and not a standard feature. If your TV has a DVI input, you could always get an HDMI to DVI converter.

There is also a very large difference between the BD10 and the BD10a - Dolby True HD, right out of the box.

Yeah, even the link on the Panasonic firmware site for the 2.1 firmware update for the 10a goes to a page that doesn't exist.

Also - the upconversion of standard DVD's to 1080i over a component connection isn't a matter of legality, as it is a matter of the manufacturers making agreements with the Movie Studios not to as a show of good faith to protect their interests. There are several LG upconverting DVD players on the market that do this right out of the box, available for purchase at a number of major retailers, and they are not illegal.

I was just wondering if this ability was buried somewhere in the service menu of the BD10a like Panasonic likes to do with other features they sometimes disable.

[Josh]

Originally Posted by Danno

Also - the upconversion of standard DVD's to 1080i over a component connection isn't a matter of legality, as it is a matter of the manufacturers making agreements with the Movie Studios not to as a show of good faith to protect their interests. There are several LG upconverting DVD players on the market that do this right out of the box, available for purchase at a number of major retailers, and they are not illegal.

CSS prevents content from being upconverted over analog (component). In order for a player to do this, it must circumvent CSS, which is illegal.