The Panasonic DMP-BD30 review thread - Firmware 2.7 available

[arrowem]

HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!!

Unboxed it this afternoon, plugged it in, took the hdmi out of the Sammy 1200 and plugged it into the BD30 and......sound only. This is going through an Onkyo 875. I took it down stairs to my bar and plugged it directly into my 50 inch Vizio and worked perfectly.

What gives.

Jason

[bootman]

And it works directly into the set plugged in the onkyo?
Used the same cable?

What is the 30 outputting on the visio?
1080p/60, 24?
Still too many variables to make a conclusion.

[arrowem]

I will try tomorrow plugging it directly to the big (onkyo fed) tv. I can't interrupt the kids tv time. I will check on the other stuff.

[bootman]

Some video settings to check. (from the manual)

HDMI Connection:
≥Press [OK] to show the following settings.

HDMI Video Mode
Select “On” when video is output from HDMI AV OUT
terminal.
≥On: Images are output from the HDMI terminal in the resolution set in “HDMI Resolution”. Video from COMPONENT VIDEO OUT terminal is output as “480i”≥Off Images are output in the resolution set in “Component Video Resolution”.

HDMI Resolution
The items supported by the connected devices are indicated on the screen as “¢”. When any item without “¢” is selected, the images may be distorted.
≥Auto: Automatically selects the output resolution best suited to the connected television (1080p, 1080i, 720p or 480p).
≥480p ≥720p
≥1080i ≥1080p

When the unit is connected to an amplifier/receiver that does not support the resolution set on the unit, the video cannot be output properly.
In this case, use the HDMI cable to connect the unit to the TV and then connect the unit to the amplifier/receiver using a cable other than HDMI.

BD-Video 24p Output
When playing BD-Video recorded in 24 frames, this unit displays each frame at 1/24 second intervals the same interval originally shot with the film movie.
≥This item can be set only when the unit is connected to a TV with an HDMI terminal that supports 1080/24p input.
≥On: Images in 24p are output in 24p as they are.
(This is effective only when “HDMI Resolution” is set to “Auto” or “1080p” and “TV Aspect” is set to “16:9” or “16:9 Full”.)

However,
–when video is being output at 24 frames, images from any other terminal than the HDMI terminal may not be output properly.
–when images other than 24p are played, images are output at 60p.
≥Off

HDMI RGB Output Range
Effective when connected to a device that only supports RGB output.
≥Standard:
≥Enhanced: When the black and white images are not distinct.

HDMI Audio Output
This setting selects whether or not to output audio from HDMI.
≥On:
≥Off: When the TV is connected to this unit using an HDMI cable, and this unit is
also connected to other devices, such as an amplifier/receiver using an
optical digital audio cable or a coaxial cable.

EZ Sync
Set to use “HDAVI Control” function when connected with
an HDMI cable to a device that supports “HDAVI Control”.
≥On
≥Off: Select when you do not want to use “HDAVI Control”.

Component Video Resolution
This sets the video output resolution when using the
component video terminal.
≥480i ≥480p ≥720p ≥1080i
Even if you select “720p” or “1080i”, images are output in 480p when you play
DVD-Video.

[bootman]

You can also try this: (also from the manual)

≥Press [STOP] and (PLAY) simultaneously on the unit for more than 5 seconds to shift the mode to one more compatible with HDMI equipment.
However, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD audio are not output in bitstream.
To output the bitstream, select “Restore Default Settings” to restore the factory presets and make proper settings.

[Tee]

I just finish playing around with the BD30K (Cars, Rat, POTC, Casino Royal, Dave & Tim, 300, S2, S3, DTS-HD MA demo disc) and.............it dose have a sharper pic than the PS3, D TrueHD bitstream sounds better than the PS3 and even umcompressed sounds better! What really blew me away was DTS-HD MA, all i have to say is WOW! Also blk levels are better with the Panny, some people thought the PS3 was not accurate with blk levels and it might be something to it.

Finally a BD player that dose it right, the PS3 comes in as the #2 best BD player in my book. Oh one last thing, the load times are right on par with the PS3 so it you are looking for the best stand alone BD player this is it! I'm very pleased with the performance of the BD30K, i highly recommend this player. It is worth the money, how in the world others will justify their pricier models is beyond me. The Panny Will give them a run for their money, and i say save that extra dough people.

[bootman]

Here is the link to the manual.

http://service.us.panasonic.com/oper...aspx?model=DMP

[Southpaw]

This is my 2nd BD player. I owned a DMP-BD10 for 9 months. The unit was absolutely flawless. Never had a problem with it. I wanted to upgrade to a 1.3 HDMI unit for HBR capability into my new Pio Elite 92TXH. In addition, early reviews mentioned improved PQ, perhaps the best PQ of all the stand alone BD players.
My display only accepts 1080i but will output 1080p. So I can't comment on 1080/24. Eventually I will get a display that will do it but for now, I have the BD player outputting 1080i
First off, DTS-HD master audio is such a revelation, it is hard to put into words. I have a DTS-HD MA sampler in both BD and HD DVD. I used the HD DVD one to test out MA out of my A35 (mentioned in my review of the A35) and the BD version was just as good. Actually it is better because the BD version also has movies such as FF and Ice Age 2. They are 3-5 minute action scenes that show you how good MA audio is.
Next I popped in Kingdom of Heaven. PQ was just as good as the BD10...didn't really notice any difference but I kind of expected that since I can only output 1080i out of the player. But the MA track is so good, it didn't really matter. I heard things in the movie I hadn't heard before. Background sound effects such as leaves rustling, swords clanging, birds, and a crackling fire I had never heard before. Not to mention the overall sound field just being more expansive and enveloping. It just felt like I was right in the middle of a circle of sound. During the first action scene where Liam Neeson and Orlando Bloom are attacked, arrows zing through the air at such an audible level, it really feels like they were coming through the living room.
Next I tried out Ratatouille...loaded in about half the time of the BD10. Java stuff flowed seamlessly. I did about half of the Cin-explore feature in the BD10 and there was about a 2 second pause in between the movie and the branching features (such as an animation briefing or deleted scene). On the BD30, I did the 2nd half of the movie in Cin-expore mode, it was about a second at the most to go back and forth between the movie and the features. Almost instant. Very nice upgrade. Now on this movie, the PQ did seem a bit sharper than the BD10. I didn't think it could get any better than when I watched the movie for the first time on the BD10, but it just seemed a tad sharper. As opposed to KoH, I did notice a slight upgrade in PQ on the BD30. A good example of this is the scene where Remy reads the will and letters in the chef's office and realizes that Linguini is Gusteau's son. The writing on the letters was just a tad blurry on the BD10. Still readable but just a slight blur. The same scene on the BD30, the words are crystal clear...no blur at all. Again, not much of a difference but when you look for it, it is there.
Next I tried out an SD DVD for upconverting review: Robocop 20th anniversary edition. Picture looked great. I would say right there with the A35. I wouldn't be disappointed playing an SD disc in either player.

So overall, I am very satisified with the upgrade right now. HBR audio is terrific and things like load times and functionality are so much better now. I can't wait to try out a 1.1 disc like Sunshine or War that will be coming out early next year.

[krisjan]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

This is my 2nd BD player. I owned a DMP-BD10 for 9 months. The unit was absolutely flawless. ...

Thanks for taking the time to write up your thoughts on this player. I went out and bought one today from CC and look forward to comparing it to my Samsung 1200. Based on everything I've read so far about the 30, it looks like the 1200 will be destined for (banished to?) our condo.

[Beez]

Pic is great but I cannot choose 24f playback on this player. I know my Sharp Aquos can display 24f but when selecting 24f on the player I am unable to choose.

Can anyone help with this?

[Manco]

Originally Posted by Beez

Pic is great but I cannot choose 24f playback on this player. I know my Sharp Aquos can display 24f but when selecting 24f on the player I am unable to choose. Can anyone help with this?

Page 22 of the user guide.

BD-Video 24p Output
When playing BD-Video recorded in 24 frames, this unit
displays each frame at 1/24 second intervals the same
interval originally shot with the film movie.
≥This item can be set only when the unit is connected to
a TV with an HDMI terminal that supports 1080/24p
input.
≥On: Images in 24p are output in 24p as they are.
(This is effective only when “HDMI Resolution” is set to “Auto” or “1080p”
and “TV Aspect” is set to “16:9” or “16:9 Full”.)
However,
–when video is being output at 24 frames, images from any other terminal
than the HDMI terminal may not be output properly.
–when images other than 24p are played, images are output at 60p.
≥Off


Some Sharps might have problems sending the EDID data so the player cannot detect it correctly.

[Slapper]

Originally Posted by Beez

Pic is great but I cannot choose 24f playback on this player. I know my Sharp Aquos can display 24f but when selecting 24f on the player I am unable to choose.

Can anyone help with this?

I don't know of any Sharp sets that are capable of 1080p/24. It may have a 1080p/24 input but that means nothing as far as what it actually displays. The only 120hz sets that do 1080p/24 correctly are the Sony XBR4 and XBR5. If the Sharp Aquos is capable of displaying 1080p/24 correctly that would be news to me.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

This is my 2nd BD player. I owned a DMP-BD10 for 9 months. The unit was absolutely flawless. Never had a problem with it. I wanted to upgrade to a 1.3 HDMI unit for HBR capability into my new Pio Elite 92TXH. In addition, early reviews mentioned improved PQ, perhaps the best PQ of all the stand alone BD players.
My display only accepts 1080i but will output 1080p. So I can't comment on 1080/24. Eventually I will get a display that will do it but for now, I have the BD player outputting 1080i
First off, DTS-HD master audio is such a revelation, it is hard to put into words. I have a DTS-HD MA sampler in both BD and HD DVD. I used the HD DVD one to test out MA out of my A35 (mentioned in my review of the A35) and the BD version was just as good. Actually it is better because the BD version also has movies such as FF and Ice Age 2. They are 3-5 minute action scenes that show you how good MA audio is.

On your playing of the DTS-HDMA track from the BD30, does your receiver (Elite 92) light up the 'dial norm' before the track starts?

[Jim L]

Originally Posted by jcs913

On your playing of the DTS-HDMA track from the BD30, does your receiver (Elite 92) light up the 'dial norm' before the track starts?

Yes it does.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by Jim L

Yes it does.

I am curious as to whether or not this is normal, or a problem with the Elite models? I was under the impression that the 'dial norm' was not applied to any DTS-HDMA tracks, hence the tag line of 'bit for bit as the studio master'

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by jcs913

I am curious as to whether or not this is normal, or a problem with the Elite models? I was under the impression that the 'dial norm' was not applied to any DTS-HDMA tracks, hence the tag line of 'bit for bit as the studio master'

Yes, mine did too. It displayed +4 when starting up KoH.

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by Slapper

The only 120hz sets that do 1080p/24 correctly are the Sony XBR4 and XBR5.

Doesn't the Samsung 71 series do as well, or am I mistaken?

~Alan

[gand41f]

Originally Posted by Beez

Pic is great but I cannot choose 24f playback on this player. I know my Sharp Aquos can display 24f but when selecting 24f on the player I am unable to choose.

Can anyone help with this?

Which Sharp Aquos model? I haven't seen the manuals but from what I read while researching for a new TV, as far as I know this year's Sharp 120Hz models (82 and 92 series) can't accept 1080/24p. Why do you think your set can accept 1080/24p?

enjoy
gandalf

[gand41f]

Originally Posted by Alan Gordon

Doesn't the Samsung 71 series do as well, or am I mistaken?

~Alan

I haven't found a confirmation that it works for this TV.

If you guys want to further discuss 24p 5:5 support for 120Hz LCDs, there's a thread for it:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=5155&page=14

enjoy
gandalf

[Deane Johnson]

Has anyone seen a BD30 in any Best Buy store yet?