Panasonic DMP-BD60, DMP-BD70V, DMP-BD80 Blu-ray Players

[morkys]

I'm not sure about bitstream because I've mostly paid attention to what happens with decoded pcm over hdmi. I suspect that the bitstream remains 5.1 and your receiver can do with it what it wants, depending of course on how your receiver works.

[Dwayne Gorniak]

You may want to try the Bitstream re-encoded setting. That is what I have my Samsung set on. Seems to work quite well.

[jft436]

Amazon.com have posted the American prices on their web site
BD 80 $344 bd 60 $272

These were very similar to the old prices for the BD 35 and BD 55 when Amazon had stock to sell.
Perhaps the Canadian retailers will follow suit and adopt the the previous model prices and scrap the proposed 549 for the BD 80

The BD 55 sold previously for $429 Canadian.

[morkys]

My receiver can't accept bitstream since I've no HD codecs in the receiver. I must decode in the player.

It's funny. The Sony S550 is said to have very good SD playback, but no 1080p24. The BD55 and BD80 have 1080p24 for dvd but I've heard reports that the dvd playback of the BD55 isn't as good as the Sony S550.

[Dwayne Gorniak]

That makes me wonder if I shouldn't stick with the Samsung. I am waiting for the new Panasonic's to come in, in about two to three weaks. I was given the approval for exchange.

[jumpy27]

Originally Posted by morkys

The BD55 and BD80 have 1080p24 for dvd but I've heard reports that the dvd playback of the BD55 isn't as good as the Sony S550.

I have read that the BD55 has better DVD playback than the S550. I personally don't know which player is better with DVD playback, but I think the difference would be minor, and very subjective depending upon the person. An upconverted DVD will never come close to a good quality Blu-ray movie.

[morkys]

The low price of the Sony S550 and reasonably good feedback made me go for it...for now. I may try the Panasonic BD80 later, as I will probably need at least one more player, if not more. For DVD playback, I have an SDI dvd player and DVDO VP50 so I'm ok there for at least one system.

[cfraser]

DVD 1080p/24 playback was quite rare up until now, certainly most players don't do it. Depending on your display's capability, you may not even want to use 1080p/24...looks kinda jerky with many but the better displays (in BD I mean). I would not consider lack of 1080p/24 for DVD to be a serious omission myself, but a nice bonus...

In the past, it has not been uncommon for Panny to set their Canadian MSRPs to double the exchange rate over the U.S. MSRPs, which means ~50% more in number of $$ for now.

[jft436]

The panny BD 60 achieved an excellent review from PC world
on upconvert dvd and blu ray performance.
The prices mentioned in the article are U.S. prices the unit is significantly more money in Canada.

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/produ...l?tk=nl_texrvw

[stereoguy]

Hi: I'm currently using a DMP-BD55 and wondering if the bass management has being improved over the 55 with the new players?I'm referring to db settings as I find the older surround formats sound better due to the mediocre bass management controls seem to limit the new codec's dynamic range. Thanks for any help

[Markeg]

For what it’s worth, here is some information regarding current Panasonic pricing policy. The following is an e-mail that I sent to Panasonic Canada on May 19/09 regarding the price of the DMP-BD60:

“I am looking at purchasing a new Blu-ray Disc Player, and as a long time Panasonic customer, I would like to get a DMP-BD60, which I feel would be a good match for my TH-50PZ77U Plasma TV.

I am however quite concerned about Panasonics current Canadian pricing. Last year, when the US and Canadian dollars where close to par, Panasonic US and Panasonic Canada’s MSRP’s where also the same. I understand that fluctuating exchange rates make it difficult to set a consistently fair price, but I feel that the current $449.99 MSRP of the DMP-BD60 is way out of line with today’s exchange rate, as compared to the Panasonic US MSRP of $299.99 for this product. (May 19 @ 9:30am, $299.99USD = $347.56CAD, as per xe.com)

I should note that both Sony and Samsung (the only other models that I would consider) offer Canadian pricing for their “equivalent” Blu-ray Disc Players (Sony BDP-S360 and Samsung BD-P1600) that are much more in line with their US counterparts.

Could you please advise if Panasonic has any plans to adjust the Canadian MSRP any time in the near future? Also, if I decided to purchase a DMP-BD60 in the United States, would the warranty be honoured by Panasonic Canada? Failing one of these options, I will most likely be forced to consider purchasing a competing brand.”

Here is their response, received May 22/09, to the first part of the question:

“Thank you for your e-mail. Please be advised that Panasonic Canada's costs
are higher from the factories due to the volume (quantity) that we purchase
vs. the volume purchased by the U.S. Also, Canada has higher tax levies
than that of the U.S., which increases our prices as well.

As it stands, we do not have any information as this unit was just launched
for 2009 for any pricing adjustments.”

Sounds like a canned answer to me. As I had stated in my question, as far as I can recall, when the Canadian and US dollars where at close to par, the Canadian and US MSRP’s where also close to the same. Why would their costs be higher now then they where at that time?

I should also point out that the stated issues of “volume (quantity)” as well as “higher tax levies” (both valid points) are the same issues facing all of the competition. Yet Sony, Samsung, LG, Sharp, Pioneer, etc., all seem to be able to bring similar products to market in Canada at MSRP’s that are much more comparable in price to their US MSRP’s with respect to the exchange rate. Regardless of the reasons given by Panasonic Canada, they still have to compete against these other companies. As the Canadian dollar continues to climb, and the new models from the competition continue to roll out at much better prices, I will hold off on the purchase of a Panasonic Blu-ray player for a while, as I am sure they will have no choice but to address this issue some time in the near future. As of this writing (May 23/09), $299.99US = $336.98CAD

For anyone interested, here is their response to the second part of the question:

”Products purchased outside of the boundaries of Canada are not warranted in
our country. Your warranty would be in the United States. If you require
servicing on a U.S. product, whether it is in or out-of-warranty, you will
have ship it to the States to obtain warranty coverage. We hope this helps.”

Well, I guess I’m glad I didn’t buy one when I was down in the States on the long weekend.

I hope this information is helpful to the members of this forum.

[jft436]

Yes I agree Panasonic is un realistic in their pricing.

The BD 80 is selling for $310 and the BD 60 is selling for $243 (no tax)at Amazon.com
The prices in Canada are $549.00 BD 80and $499.00 BD 60 at the present time. This is approximately $100.00 more than last year models. I quized the Panasonic rep at the Toronto Home in February on the increase and was told that their cost price had increased
I contacted a retailer in Toronto last Friday and he is selling the BD 80 at$480
I know that Best Buy and Future Shop periodically reduce the BD 60 on sale promotions by $50.00


At the end of the day figuring in Canadian Taxes and the American exchange the difference is $200.00 on the BD 80.

Yes you only have American Warranty. One of the problems is getting the unit into the country without paying the GST PST or HST depending where you live.

And that may add an other 13% to the price and that is assuming that it qaulifies for NFTA which I beleive it doesn't because the unit is manufatured in Malaysia or China.

So wise consumer would be prudent to buy it in the USA and bring it back duty free it would be covered under the 7 day exemption of $750.00

Perhaps the comptetition from Sony, Samsung and if consumers do not buy the players may cause Panasonic to re think their un realistic marketing plans.

I believe both machines are very good/excellent Blu Ray dvd players but I will not be goudged on the pricings and as an informed consumer that is my right.

I will wait to see if the prices go down or I purchase it it when I go south in the winter.I will not be goudged by Panasonic Canada.

[expressmoria]

I agree with jft436. The Canadian prices for these products is outrageous.

In the US the DMP-BD605K (identical to the BD60) is advertised at Costco.com for USD $230 (no tax). I believe that the 605K even comes with an HDMI cable.

Based on an average exchange rate of 0.85 this unit costs the equivalent of CDN $270(no tax).

This means that we are paying over 50% premium in Canada.

Also if you buy this player from a low sales tax state like Florida compared to Ontario, Quebec or other high tax Canadian provinces you will be saving even more if you add the sales tax.

Go figure…

[jft436]

http://hometheatermag.com/discplayer...lu-ray_player/

A good review for the BD 60 and BD 80

[PannyPlasmaMark]

BD 60....this is my first Blu Ray and i am impressed. I get why people complain about startup times as this one doesnt seem very fast, but in the grand scheme of things its no big deal