Is CNET wrong/right?

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As the Panasonic DMP-BD55 bluray player is product of the year with What HiFi i decided to do some research as iv been very interested in getting one untill i read this on CNETs website:

"In sum, the DMP-BD55 and the PS3 offer essentially identical image-quality performance. Additionally, the differences in image quality between any one Blu-ray player and the next is generally fairly small--pretty much all the players put out a great-looking picture that blows DVD away. So, while the DMP-BD55 does look great--and we were particularly pleased with how it handled video-based material--only picky videophiles will appreciate the minor differences."

"For what it's worth, Panasonic emphasizes the superiority of the DMP-BD55's internal analog-audio components, although we didn't hear any improvement over the standard HDMI output."

"As good as the DMP-BD55 is, unless you intend to use the analog outputs on your Blu-ray player, go with the less expensive DMP-BD35."

"We will note that the DMP-BD55 still offers a significantly inferior experience to the PS3 on these interactive features--the PS3 is just faster, and its built-in hard drive is more convenient."
This has clearly left me confused, someone HELP
 

Clare Newsome

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I know we have a great deal more expertise in reviewing AV kit than CNET, and can guarantee we've spent far longer testing the respective players, with a wide range of kit. And I speak as someone with a PS3 at home - i'd take the Panasonic, no question.

Yes, the PS3 loads Blu-rays faster and obviously is more multi-talented - but the Pana 55 is clearly the best sound and vision performer.
 
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Anonymous

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Thanks Clare! I am looking at some interesting facts, in the April edition the included ÿ"Go HD Today" supplement in which the "Blu-Ray Olympics" box indicates how long different players take to start the Pirates 3 disc shows the following:

Playstation 3: 1:21 min,ÿPanny BD30: 2:10 min, Sony S500: 4:01 min.

Are you saying that newer models such as the Panny 55 is slower than the Playstation? I feel that a minute and a half is almost too long a wait. Am I being too demanding? And how is the Panny with DVD startup? Always appreciate your help and advice!
 

Gerrardasnails

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Mattie:
Thanks Clare! I am looking at some interesting facts, in the April edition the included ÿ"Go HD Today" supplement in which the "Blu-Ray Olympics" box indicates how long different players take to start the Pirates 3 disc shows the following:

Playstation 3: 1:21 min,ÿPanny BD30: 2:10 min, Sony S500: 4:01 min.

Are you saying that newer models such as the Panny 55 is slower than the Playstation? I feel that a minute and a half is almost too long a wait. Am I being too demanding? And how is the Panny with DVD startup? Always appreciate your help and advice!

The new Sonys take 6 seconds or something like so I'm sure the new Panas are fairly quick too.
 

Alec

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This is not good. Not good at all. I'm jsut about to get a BD30. Would firmware updates put it right or will i always have to wait 2+ minutes before i can dop anything once ive put a disk in?
 

Alec

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I'll certainly think about that over the weekend but my local indie have offered me a good deal if i get the panny, (on delivery, installation, SCART and HDMI leads...), plus im a bit of a fanboy, and dont need anything better than the BD30 - its just these boot times irk me somewhat. Noit a major performance problem, but irritating.

The shop mentioned they have had difficulty getting the new players. im a bit narked with panny for bringing them out so soon, and at whoever is responsible for the indies getting stock so late. Or is that not a common problem...? Thing is, it makes someone look really bad, and the consumer has to figure out who that is...

Phew. Sorry OP and all!
 

Gerrardasnails

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al7478:I'll certainly think about that over the weekend but my local indie have offered me a good deal if i get the panny, (on delivery, installation, SCART and HDMI leads...), plus im a bit of a fanboy, and dont need anything better than the BD30 - its just these boot times irk me somewhat. Noit a major performance problem, but irritating.

The shop mentioned they have had difficulty getting the new players. im a bit narked with panny for bringing them out so soon, and at whoever is responsible for the indies getting stock so late. Or is that not a common problem...? Thing is, it makes someone look really bad, and the consumer has to figure out who that is...

Phew. Sorry OP and all!

Most places offer free delivery. Installation?? That's the fun bit surely??
 

Alec

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I've got some mobility difficulties so thats why i like others to do the donkey work (tho i know people with similar condition to me who would put me to shame), plus theres the deal on the hardware they are offering. I've just ordered my stand so i guesss its all systems go now!

Might go for a quick chat to see if they could get another BR player in good time.
 

Gerrardasnails

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al7478:I've got some mobility difficulties so thats why i like others to do the donkey work (tho i know people with similar condition to me who would put me to shame), plus theres the deal on the hardware they are offering. I've just ordered my stand so i guesss its all systems go now!

Might go for a quick chat to see if they could get another BR player in good time.

Fair play Al. I'm sure you will love your first BD player no matter which one you get. I can't wait to get home as mine arrive to my office today!! I just bought Ice Age 2 and Rendition at lunchtime. I already have about 10 BD!
 
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Anonymous

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Clare Newsome:
I know we have a great deal more expertise in reviewing AV kit than CNET, and can guarantee we've spent far longer testing the respective players, with a wide range of kit. And I speak as someone with a PS3 at home - i'd take the Panasonic, no question.

Yes, the PS3 loads Blu-rays faster and obviously is more multi-talented - but the Pana 55 is clearly the best sound and vision performer.ÿ

Personally, I think Cnet's TV reviews are better than WHF's.ÿ
 
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Anonymous

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What a stupid thread ! What would you expect Claire to say ?
 
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Anonymous

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WHF does better reviews with everything else, just with TV reviews all they do is bang on about 1080p and make Sony win ALL of the awards for TVs under 50". Cnet, on the other hand, know that 1080p is useless for TVs 42" or under and instead of ALWAYS going for Sony they give the best results to top value-for-money plasmas, such as the Panasonic TH-37/42PX80, the Panasonic TH-46PZ81/85 and the LG PG60000. Luckily, they both agree that Pioneer TVs are amazing, because they are.
 

Clare Newsome

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Sigh...Total rubbish - we did give Awards to both Samsung and Panasonic sets (including the HD Ready PX80 set you mention) below 50in. Get your facts right before you start spouting rubbish again....please
emotion-12.gif
 
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Anonymous

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All I can say is that I (and several people I know) have been turning to WHF for over a decade when buying A/V equipment. Not once have I regretted myÿdecision!
 
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Anonymous

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Dave Rich:What a stupid thread ! What would you expect Claire to say ?

How is it stupid? I simply asked a question and got a quick simple reply to put my concerns to rest.

Nintendo fanboy, if you read CNETS editors top rated tvs, they have the old Sony 40w2000 still somewhere in the top 5 tvs:

http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/televisions/0,139102141,1,00.htm

They also the claim Sony PS3 to be the best thing since sliced bread, and that in itself is a load of b*ll*x as i have come to learn. So how do WHF give all the awards to Sony? Panasonic got the best bluray player as i recall.
 
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Anonymous

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There is no denying WHF have the best Home Cinema and Blu-ray reviews, better than Cnet, but I just honestly can't understand what they like about the Sony LCDs. And yes, they have given an award to a Samsung, a Panasonic and Pioneer, but absolutely everything else is just Sony. Also, in How to section of the website, is has a sponsored videos section and the only video is a Sony Vaio product tour, which could even mean that they are sponsored by Sony, and they are giving Bravia LCDs awards purely because Sony is paying them to.
 

Andy Grange

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Nintendo_Fan:Also, in How to section of the website, is has a sponsored videos section and the only video is a Sony Vaio product tour, which could even mean that they are sponsored by Sony, and they are giving Bravia LCDs awards purely because Sony is paying them to.

I've just been looking at the awards magazine for this year, and comparing it to last year. I noticed that last year all three AV receivers in the awards were Onkyo's, and this year there's two Yamaha's in the same category.

So that's Sony, Onkyo AND Yamaha sponsoring What Hi-Fi according to your argument. I'm surprised all the staff haven't retired to a Carribbean retreat by now, and the magazine isn't printed on gold leaf...
 

Andrew Everard

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Nintendo_Fan:but absolutely everything else is just Sony.

Absolutely everything else? Explain...

Nintendo_Fan:Also, in How to section of the website, is has a sponsored videos
section and the only video is a Sony Vaio product tour, which could
even mean that they are sponsored by Sony, and they are giving Bravia
LCDs awards purely because Sony is paying them to.

Could mean that, but it doesn't.

All it actually means is that Sony's Vaio division has chosen to take advantage of the opportunity to pay to have what is clearly identified as a sponsored video made available on the site.

It's an opportunity open to any manufacturer, but clearly that doesn't suit your conspiracy theory.

But don't worry, we've heard them all a million times before...
 
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Anonymous

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O.K, fair enough, you're not sponsored by Sony then, but why are you so angry about me thinking that Cnet's TV reviews are better? It's just my opion, and I still like WHF HC and Hi Fi reviews.
 

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