The Panasonic DMP-BD30 review thread - Firmware 2.7 available

[arrowem]

Now that people are getting them (mine will be here monday) I wished all owners could post to one spot. I get sick of looking at the three or four we have waiting for someone to tell us what they know.


mods, if I have overstepped my bounds feel free to delete

Jason

[Deane Johnson]

Originally Posted by arrowem

Now that people are getting them (mine will be here monday) I wished all owners could post to one spot. I get sick of looking at the three or four we have waiting for someone to tell us what they know.


mods, if I have overstepped my bounds feel free to delete

Jason

It would also make the thread easier to read if everyone refrained from posting their disgust that it doesn't internally decode all of the codecs. We already know people are disappointed. We also don't need a bunch of posts that "I ordered mine, it will be here tomorrow". What would be useful is how it compares in performance with what you have been watching with and any issues you discover that haven't been covered.

[LeoneFan]

Another worthless stand alone that doesn't decode any audio and is probably still slugish as hell in loading discs and Java content. Good job Panasonic on introducing a $500 paper weight.

[arrowem]

Thank you for your thoughtful insight of the Panasonic, it will be most helpful.

[Manco]

Originally Posted by LeoneFan

Another worthless stand alone that doesn't decode any audio and is probably still slugish as hell in loading discs and Java content. Good job Panasonic on introducing a $500 paper weight.

Do you have any concept what it takes to engineer a laser pickup head to read data so tightly packed on a disc it takes a electron microscope to see the pits on the material?? Then reproduce an entire feature length film from it???

I rather have my receiver do the decoding anyway so who cares.

[quetzalcoatl]

Originally Posted by Manco

Do you have any concept what it takes to engineer a laser pickup head to read data so tightly packed on a disc it takes a electron microscope to see the pits on the material?? Then reproduce an entire feature length film from it???

I rather have my receiver do the decoding anyway so who cares.

+1000

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by Manco

I rather have my receiver do the decoding anyway so who cares.

Amen!

[ryoohki]

Originally Posted by LeoneFan

Another worthless stand alone that doesn't decode any audio and is probably still slugish as hell in loading discs and Java content. Good job Panasonic on introducing a $500 paper weight.

I'am pretty sure that next year refresh of Sony and Samsung will do just all of this Send it to AMP.

I remember when DTS was release, they were decoding it inside, once the AMP were out, it quickly vanished..

[LeoneFan]

I'm sorry, I was a bit harsh but I'm tired of these companies fooling around and not making a complete player when they are more than capable of doing so.

[quetzalcoatl]

Originally Posted by LeoneFan

I'm sorry, I was a bit harsh but I'm tired of these companies fooling around and not making a complete player when they are more than capable of doing so.

Here is the problem. All these CEs make receivers as well. And if they released a player that would do all the audio right off the bat they would not sell any receivers that are new. So it would be crazy for them to do it. 1.3 receivers just hit the market 6 within the last 6 months. And as much as we might not like it they are in the business to make money.

[hoser]

Another vote for bitstreaming audio.

I have an Integra 9.8 pre/pro on order that can decode everything bitstreamed thru HDMI.
The BD30 is just fine with me.

Now, how does the video compare to the BD10?

[Manco]

Originally Posted by quetzalcoatl

Here is the problem. All these CEs make receivers as well. And if they released a player that would do all the audio right off the bat they would not sell any receivers that are new. So it would be crazy for them to do it. 1.3 receivers just hit the market 6 within the last 6 months. And as much as we might not like it they are in the business to make money.

...and beyond that it's cost/price ratio based on royalties for the codecs. They are usually willing to support one but bitstream the other so the consumer at least gets one good audio experience at a reasonable price.

[Ascended_Saiyan]

Originally Posted by LeoneFan

I'm sorry, I was a bit harsh but I'm tired of these companies fooling around and not making a complete player when they are more than capable of doing so.

If they did do it, the main discuss would be about the price (doesn't the Pioneer Elite 95HD do most of those things). Unlike Toshiba, other CE manufacturers are in it for the renewed profits from when DVD players first hit the scene. Toshiba is in it to maintain their royalty money stream.

Originally Posted by quetzalcoatl

Here is the problem. All these CEs make receivers as well. And if they released a player that would do all the audio right off the bat they would not sell any receivers that are new. So it would be crazy for them to do it. 1.3 receivers just hit the market 6 within the last 6 months. And as much as we might not like it they are in the business to make money.

Very true.

Originally Posted by Manco

...and beyond that it's cost/price ratio based on royalties for the codecs. They are usually willing to support one but bitstream the other so the consumer at least gets one good audio experience at a reasonable price.

Again, very true.

[Deane Johnson]

Robert George has posted one of the most complete reviews I've seen over on AVS. Robert "Obi" George is a person with the experience and resources to make some pretty good observations.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...5#post12176575

Hopefully, it's not against the rules to post a link to the review. It's certainly worth reading.

[bootman]

He also references Brad's review which he also posted here.
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...8&postcount=51

[monkyman]

I have the Sony S300, which I am completely happy with, but if I were to buy a new player the Panny BD-30 would be it. Of course by the time I feel the need to replace the Sony, i'm sure there wil be newer players too.

[Tee]

Originally Posted by hoser

Another vote for bitstreaming audio.

I have an Integra 9.8 pre/pro on order that can decode everything bitstreamed thru HDMI.
The BD30 is just fine with me.

Now, how does the video compare to the BD10?

I too have a DTC-9.8 Pre/Pro that i want a player to bitstream the new audio formats to. I have always prefered bitstreaming over internal decoding, the BD30K has definatly caught my eye. If i like waht i hear the PS3 is out and BD30K is in, sorry but i want more than just the core of DTS-HD /MA.

[hoser]

Originally Posted by Tee

i want more than just the core of DTS-HD /MA.

Me too.
I prefer bitstream out because, usually, the DACs in a pre/pro or receiver are superior (as in the 9.8).

I have the BD10 and have been very satisfied with its performance.
It does everything EXCEPT 1080/24p and DTS-MA.

Although I have been waiting for one of the upcoming Denons, if the BD30 has superior video to the BD10...

[Tee]

Originally Posted by hoser

Me too.
I prefer bitstream out because, usually, the DACs in a pre/pro or receiver are superior (as in the 9.8).

I have the BD10 and have been very satisfied with its performance.
It does everything EXCEPT 1080/24p and DTS-MA.

Although I have been waiting for one of the upcoming Denons, if the BD30 has superior video to the BD10...

Well got a buyer for my PS3 and will be selling it tomorrow, and i will be moving on to the Panny BD30K! If no one gets the pics up of it, i will post some soon as i get mine! I'm very excited about this player, i can't wait to see in action!

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by Tee

Well got a buyer for my PS3 and will be selling it tomorrow, and i will be moving on to the Panny BD30K! If no one gets the pics up of it, i will post some soon as i get mine! I'm very excited about this player, i can't wait to see in action!

No pics posted, but I picked one up yesterday at CC. They had just gotten them on friday night the guy said. Luckily, thanks to this forum, I got 10% off and had some rewards certs from before. Walked out with tax (9% in Illinois!!) for $440.
Set it up yesterday and watched a few minutes from a couple of BD's. I have a Pioneer Elite 92, so was excited about the new codecs being sent bitstream finally. Picture quality of the 3 discs I played seemed a little sharper and colors were a little more distinct in certain scenes compared to the PS3.
Dave Matthews BD sounded better than when my PS3 decodes the TrueHD into PCM. This I can confirm. The center channel was very prominent, where in before, it was a little more laid back.
Also put in X-Men3 and the DTS-HDMA lights up with the 6th channel too! One word of caution I noticed, before the DTS-HDMA lit up, the dial norm showed up. I was under the impression that dial norm was not applied to DTS-HDMA at all. I know and have read that there are suspicions of dial norm being applied to TrueHD, so if this would have happened on Dave Matthews BD, I would not have been surprised. But when it lit up before the DTS-HDMA track on X-Men, I was a little taken back and almost felt cheated. Has anyone experienced this on any capable player/receiver combo??
Overall, due to the great price and now being able to utilize the full audio capabilities of BD, I would very highly recommend this player to anyone. Setup was super easy and load times were faster than the PS3.