Panasonic DMP-BD30K 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player

Blu-ray means incredible full-HD images, breathtaking sound and 5x the data capacity of DVDs. Now Blu-ray means something else too: an entirely new movie-viewing experience, made possible by Final Standard Profile, which adds features never seen before, like four Picture-in-Picture modes including Enhanced Commentary (from directors and actors), Backstage Pass, Peek Behind the Animation and Audio Mixing.



Best Blu-ray player for the money

I had a Sony BDP-S1 which was generally reliable but will not pass TrueHD or DTS-MA which is a must if you want the full effect of having HD. The BD30 has excellent picture quality for blu-ray and almost as good upconverting of SD DVD as my Toshiba HD-XA2. There are numerous picture controls for adjusting to your particular taste. No issues playing any discs as has been a problem with people who own Samsung players. If you have a new receiver with HDMI 1.3 and DTS, TrueHD capability, this player will bitstream all the audio codecs (the player does not decode them internally). After listening to discs with DTS-MA I don’t know if Dolby 5.1 will cut it for me anymore. The sound difference is amazing. A must have unit. Although it doesn’t have ethernet capabilities it can still be updated by computer download and writing to cd. It is a simple procedure (there have already been 2 firmware updates, the latest today). People with Mac computers can do the same.

Panasonic DMP-BD30K Blue Ray

Here’s another great DVD/BRay player from Panansonic…I own several other upscaling and DVD-R players from them as well-all have offered great performance, quality and value. No complaints thus far…well perhaps not shipping with a new V1.3 HD cable (no cable included). Great Blu-Ray player, quiet operation, fast loading, easy to operate. Ability to control exterior/unit-face lighting and SD compatibilty a nice plus.

Excelent choice for entry level

I purchased this to go along with a 61″ DLP TV. For the moment I am using only the up-converting features of this set; I’m awaiting my first blu-ray disc!

I am using the HDMI for video and the optic connection for sound, and both work very well.

I am pleased with the setup options, which are very extensive and easily understood, and especially the capability to enhance the output of the center speaker so that spoken words come through. I don’t know if it is the optical connection or this setting, but when we watch movies, we hear words and sounds that we never noticed before.

The up-converted picture is really amazing, especially when the scenes are bright. Some of the dimmer scenes appear a bit grainy, but I suspect that may be the fact that high ASA film was used to capture these shots. So maybe there is nothing for the player to up-convert in those cases!

The remote is fairly easy to use, with larger buttons than many remotes.

I have noticed a couple of drawbacks so far:

One issue I have had so far is the setup. For whatever reason, in order to access the setup, one has to hit STOP, then enter setup. I would rather be able to change the settings without stopping. It isn’t too large a problem, because hitting PLAY goes right back to the same point in the movie.

The other issue is the the ROOT menu will not bypass the previews, even though the DVD says to go to the root menu. I get past this by hitting the FF button. In the same area, none of the menu buttons on the remote seem to get me to the root menu; I have to select a different button and then navigate to the ROOT menu – which then doesn’t work during previews…

However, in general, this is a well designed and inexpensive Blu-Ray player and a good choice for the budget minded shopper.

Panasonic beats ps3 everytime for blu ray viewing

My home theatre guys said use a ps3 for blu-ray, it is cheaper and will work just as good plus you can game. Bad advice. The PS3 is an inferior blu ray player. It is noisy, and cumbersome. On top of that it heats up and you can not keep your entertainment ctr doors closed w/ it on. The bonus for this is you can’t hear your 7.1 system play over the hum of the fan.

The panasonic not only does excellent w/ blu ray, but it has a terrific sd card arrangement that was much easier to use than the ps 3. I am amazed @ the ps3 popularity vs a dedicated blu ray player. The panasonic might cost a bit more, but it is geared for the game!

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