Panasonic DMP-BDT500 - when out / any good ?

[psurquhart]

Hi,

I have been waiting for the Panasonic DMP-BDT320 to come out and now that it is I am really dissappointed. It might be a good player, remote not sure about but Panasonic have shot themselves in the foot with the drop of twin hdmi outputs.

I have a great Panasonic tv and wanted to enjoy 3d with the family but have an older av amp, so no 3d.

I suspect that the 500 will be out of my price range but if its really good I might be tempted.

Any news anyone ?

If not then Im guessing I will go down the 310 route and save alot of dosh.

 

[jolls]

RRP is £309.00.

 

[bigboss]

There is a review online on another site. Looks very good indeed.

 

[psurquhart]

Have read that review now Big Boss - looks good.

Was wondering when you guys at What Hi Fi will be getting a review sample ?

Was tempted to just order one - found one at £279.95 including delivery at link below.

https://www.forumhifivisual.co.uk/prod.asp?product_idx=3725

Think I will wait for a few more reviews yet but it is very tempting.

Spoke to these guys and they are expecting delivery in next couple of days.

 

[Clare Newsome]

I've also had my hands on one (I've just completed a Blu-ray player group test for a national newspaper). Real step up for Panasonic, IMO - rivals the Pioneer BDP-LX55 for performance (if not disc support/build-quality) at this price level

I believe the WHF team have their review ready to go shortly - think Andy Clough mentioned it's running in the July issue (on sale June 1st), but many reviews are now appearing online before going in the mag; it may well be one of those, but i'll let the team confirm that

 

[VoodooDoctor]

So... noticeably better than the BDT310 from last year?

 

[Clare Newsome]

Sonically, certainly. Upscaling appears to have improved, too - maybe in recognition of the increased smart TV options, majority of streaming services being SD

 

[psurquhart]

Just a shame its not a SACD player too - with Panasonic concentrating on not only the Blu Ray side of things but also the audio side perhaps they have missed something off the high spec side of things ?

Clare did you test the cd output ? I appreciate its a Blu Ray player but they do seem to be trying to go down the universal route here with its decent (? hopefully) dac.

Thanks for the input though - would be nice to know what newspaper publication your review is / was in ? But Im guessing you cant tell ? Congrats on your new (?) role though.

 

[Clare Newsome]

I think Panasonic is happy leaving SACD/DVD-A to the more specialist brands. Remember every extra format means more engineering effort plus extra licensing fees...

Re musical playback: not really the focus of this particular test, but FLAC streaming works well for the money

 

[Anonymous]

How good is this flagship panasonic blu-ray player compared to the new flagship Sony BDP-S790?

 

[bigboss]

The S790 is coming out next month in the UK (available to order online in the US). We'll have to wait for it to come in the market. Hopefully, there should be a comparison test over the next couple of months.

 

[Anonymous]

I just bought one last weekend to replace my Pioneer BDF-51.

I needed 7.1 analogue out as running with an older Denon 2807 reciever.

Firstly I am amazed how quick it fires up and plays Blu ray discs. Picture quality is top notch on my Panasonic VT30.

Playing Tron, Avatar and most recent Batman Blurays look and sound just amazing.

It's a good looking piece of kit and feels well built for this price.

I've have yet to try it on 3D.

The touch pad remote is fine once used to it.

Some people say it does not play SACD, not sure too important as it plays FLAC and other file formats instead.

The host of features and attention to detail to sound quality just impress me further.

I think this is now the one to beat?

5 Stars from me.

 

[Anonymous]

I just bought one last weekend to replace my Pioneer BDF-51.

I needed 7.1 analogue out as running with an older Denon 2807 reciever.

Firstly I am amazed how quick it fires up and plays Blu ray discs. Picture quality is top notch on my Panasonic VT30.

Playing Tron, Avatar and most recent Batman Blurays look and sound just amazing.

It's a good looking piece of kit and feels well built for this price.

I've have yet to try it on 3D.

The touch pad remote is fine once used to it.

Some people say it does not play SACD, not sure too important as it plays FLAC and other file formats instead.

The host of features and attention to detail to sound quality just impress me further.

I think this is now the one to beat?

5 Stars from me.

Unpublished - duplicate post

 

[psurquhart]

I just bought one last weekend to replace my Pioneer BDF-51.

I needed 7.1 analogue out as running with an older Denon 2807 reciever.

Firstly I am amazed how quick it fires up and plays Blu ray discs. Picture quality is top notch on my Panasonic VT30.

Playing Tron, Avatar and most recent Batman Blurays look and sound just amazing.

It's a good looking piece of kit and feels well built for this price.

I've have yet to try it on 3D.

The touch pad remote is fine once used to it.

Some people say it does not play SACD, not sure too important as it plays FLAC and other file formats instead.

The host of features and attention to detail to sound quality just impress me further.

I think this is now the one to beat?

5 Stars from me.

I so hope your right - being a bit cautious I am waiting for more reviews / owners to sing its praises. ( Cough, cough - when are the team going to review it please ? ).

Im itching to buy one but as ever want to know Im buying the best on offer.

 

[Anonymous]

In the past I have always bought expensive DVD players only to find that in a year they are out dated and worth nothing as is probably the case for my old Pioneer Bluray.

I was a little concerned about the plasticy looks of previous players in this price bracket so always steered away from them.

This new Panasonic certainly looks pretty good although rather small parked next to my Denon Reciever. Its also quite heavy for its size feeling suprisingly solid.

Panasonic always seem to get good ratings for picture quality and this one seems to continue that trend. Music sound quality also sounds good from an AV system. (I have a separate HiFi setup in another room) Sounds like there attention to audio components has worked.

The 7.1 analogue out certainly sounds good.

It's simple to use and set-up - the many screens are clear enough to use. I now just hope it lasts.

 

[arablondon]

Bought this player 3weeks ago based on review from what hifi on hid brother 320 I have an onkyo 906 the old boy and monitor audio rx6 my screen is Panasonic vt65 my cables are russ Andrews 8tc Dct treated abd burned in the sound from this player is senstional to say the least I watch knowing and the place crash was so amazing the cat jumbed at about 2 feet high while he was sleeping and shoot through the cat flap didn't see him for hours the cd playback is decent and musical didn't try flac yet as for the picture quality there is no difference whatsoever between this player and denon2012 none at all the picture is detailed,dramatic and very cinematic

 

[bigboss]

Bought this player 3weeks ago based on review from what hifi on hid brother 320 I have an onkyo 906 the old boy and monitor audio rx6 my screen is Panasonic vt65 my cables are russ Andrews 8tc Dct treated abd burned in the sound from this player is senstional to say the least I watch knowing and the place crash was so amazing the cat jumbed at about 2 feet high while he was sleeping and shoot through the cat flap didn't see him for hours the cd playback is decent and musical didn't try flac yet as for the picture quality there is no difference whatsoever between this player and denon2012 none at all the picture is detailed,dramatic and very cinematic

Phew! When do you take a breath? That's a very long sentence, with no full stop!! :O

 

[psurquhart]

Well,

Took the plunge tonight and bought a multi region one from RS for £279.00 priced matched.

Should have been in bed ages ago, been mucking around with settings and trying to get it all set up right.

Picture through my GT30 is flippin amazing, so much better than the now relegated to the bedroom Sony 370.

CD's even sound good through my Sony av amp. Havent told the wife yet, so could be in trouble when we wake up early !!!

Ho hum.

Will report back when I have had a better audition - 3D looks good though even if its not really my thing.

Night all.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

Anyone done a test of this vs the Pioneer LX55? Looking to buy but not sure which one? I have the pioneer LX55 Amp so thinking matching it with its stablemate but any info on which delivers best sound/picture for films appreciated.

Thanks

Tony

 

[Clare Newsome]

I tested them side by side (using a Pioneer receiver, incidentally); they're roughly on a par for performance, but the Panasonic edges it, especially with DVD upscaling. Plus it loads discs much faster and has a ton of smart features. On flip side, Pioneer has SACD and DVD-A support, if that matters to you.