Panasonic DMP-BD35 Blu-ray Player Reviewed

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter Print this article

HTR Product Rating

Performance
4 Stars
Value
4 Stars
Overall
4 Stars

Disagree with our product rating? Email us and tell us why you think this product should receive a higher rating.

Page 1 | Page 2

DMP-BD35.gifAt CEDIA 2008, Panasonic showed off two new Blu-ray players, the DMP-BD35 ($300) and the step-up DMP-BD55 ($400). Both players are Profile 2.0, which means they support BonusView/picture-in-picture content and BD-Live Web functionality, and both sport a new aesthetic and slimmer design than their predecessor, the DMP-BD50. The two players are very similar in features and performance, but the DMP-BD35 lacks a few higher-end audio options found in its more-expensive sibling, which we will detail below.

Additional Resources
• Read more Blu-ray player reviews from HomeTheaterReview.com's staff.
• Explore the 3D HDTV options to pair with the BDP-43FD.

In terms of video connections, the DMP-BD35 offers HDMI, component video, and composite video outputs. For HDMI, the output-resolution options are Auto, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p/60, and 1080p/24. The setup menu includes an option to enable 1080p/24 output if your TV accepts this signal type; once you enable the feature, the player will always output 1080p/24 when it is available on Blu-ray discs. For component video, the output-resolution options are 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i. The display interface provides access to some picture adjustments, like noise reduction, gamma control, and basic parameters like color, brightness, contrast, and sharpness.

In the audio realm, the DMP-BD35 offers HDMI, optical digital audio (but no coaxial), and 2-channel analog audio outputs. It lacks the 7.1-channel analog audio outputs found in the DMP-BD55 and is therefore not an ideal solution if you own an older, non-HDMI A/V receiver. The DMP-BD35 has onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, and it also passes these high-resolution audio formats in their native bitstream form over HDMI, for your A/V receiver to decode. It can pass 7.1-channel PCM audio over HDMI.

The DMP-BD35's disc drive supports BD, DVD, CD audio, MP3, JPEG, and Divx playback. Given the player's Profile 2.0 designation, the inclusion of an Ethernet port is a given. This port allows you to connect to the Internet to access BD-Live Web features on Blu-day discs and to perform firmware updates. An SD card slot allows you to add the needed storage for BD-Live Web content; you can also view JPEGs and AVCHD high-def video stored on SD cards. The DMP-BD35 has no internal memory, so an SD card is necessary for most BD-Live applications; Panasonic does not include a card in the package. This player also lacks advanced control ports, such as RS-232 or IR.

Read The High Points, The Low Points and The Conclusion
Page 1 | Page 2

  • Comment on this article

  • By john

I bought one of these going by your review. I connected it up to my Pioneer VSX-92TXH receiver and the receiver showed that it was 'not supported'. Didn't seem right that it wouldn't be. I messed around with the connecting it up and setting receiver selection to HDMI connection, and after a few tries it found it. Seems to be a handshake problem, as I have heard of other Bluray DVDs having problems like this. All is well now and the DVD player has a excellent picture and sound. I wasn't in a hurry to move to Bluray, but I have always had great respect for Panasonic equipment, (no let down with this one either) so after your review I figured I would finally move up, I got it for just under $250, I am satisfied, thanks.

  • By mike59

After reading many reviews I decided one of these would be a front runner for a BD player. I have been suffering the glitchy behavior of a Samsung BD-UP5000 for a couple months, and decided to go with an inexpensive BD standalone, and let the Samsung take care of regular dvd and HD DVD playback. My only problem with the skinny little Panasonic was the arcane audio menu. It may have been just me, but the setup was goofy, and took me an hour to get set correctly. After that initial hold-up, I was VERY happy with load times, sound, and picture. I have yet to evaluate BD-Live, but i miss the quick cool menus HD DVD offered on most discs when I am watching bluray. GREAT little player, and worth the money!

  • By sully

Without a doubt this is the best bang for the buck player out there. SD card reading is a nice feature and works very well. Does a very nice job of up-converting my old DVD's. Got it for under 2 bills, sweet.

I have not had any personal experience with these Panasonic players, bought I have with other Panasonic products. And they all have worked very well. Its good to see there has been no drop off on the Blu-Ray players. You know, if it were not for Sony, Panasonic may be king!!

Post a Comment

You are encouraged to post your comments using Facebook on HomeTheaterReview.com. Simply sign in to your Facebook account below and post away.

Featured Audio-Video News

24-Tech: Ideas On How To Get Your Home Theater Working Like It's Installed At CTU

24-Tech: Ideas On How To Get Your Home Theater Working Like It's Installed At CTU -

24 was a great show that had some ridiculously impressive technology. So impressive, it defied the reality of the actual technology used. However, the ideas are great. Jerry Del Colliano thinks about how those ideas could be translated to home theaters.

Latest Blu-ray Player Reviews

Home Theater Review's 2011 Best Of Awards -

For a third time, the editorial staff of Home Theater Review have examined the year's offerings in AV gear and decided what they deem to be the best in every category. Find out who is the best of the best.

Pioneer BDP-140 3D Blu-ray Player Reviewed -

Pioneer has introduced a new entry level 3D-capable Blu-ray player with the BDP-140. The BDP-140 also supports the company's new Sound Retriever Link and Stream Smoother Link technologies.

Yamaha Aventage BD-A1010 3D Blu-ray Player Reviewed -

Yamaha offers competition in the universal player market by adding the BD-A1010 3D Blu-ray player to the company's offerings. But how does the Yamaha BD-A1010 stack up against its competition? Adrienne Maxwell investigates.

LG BD670 3D Blu-ray Player Reviewed -

Adrienne Maxwell takes a look at the LG BD670 Blu-ray player and its features and capabilities to see how the player measures up against other modern players available at a similar price.

Sharp BD-HP75U 3D Blu-ray Player Reviewed -

While the Sharp BD-HP75U Blu-ray player supports features like 3D playback, Adrienne Maxwell points out that this Blu-ray player lacks typical features of Blu-ray players at its pricepoint.

Sharp BD-HP25U 3D Blu-ray Player Reviewed -

Adrienne Maxwell takes a look at the BD-HP25U 3D-capable Blu-ray player from Sharp, which has an impressive feature set, even if it is missing a few features, and an impressive price.

Toshiba BDX5200 3D Blu-ray Player Reviewed -

Toshiba has offered a compelling model with the 3D-capable BDX5200 Blu-ray player, which has features lacked by many Blu-ray players that exist at the same price point. However, there are still areas in with the BDX5200 is lacking.

Toshiba BDX2150 Blu-ray Player Reviewed -

Toshiba has offered a very value oriented player in the company's BDX2150 Blu-ray player. Yet, the player does support a pretty impressive amount of features given its very small price tag.

Onkyo BD-SP309 3D Blu-ray Player Reviewed -

Onkyo has released the company's first 3D-capable Blu-ray player with the BD-SP309 Blu-ray player. On top of that, Onkyo has made the BD-SP309 the most affordable Blu-ray player in their current line up.

Panasonic DMP-BDT210 3D Blu-ray Player Reviewed -

The mid-level entry into Panasonic's 2011 line of Blu-ray players in the DMP-BDT210 Blu-ray player, which sports many features, including a new feature that Panasonic is introducing to the company's Blu-ray players.