Panasonic DMP-BD55 Blu-ray Player Reviewed

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DMP-BD55.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-BD55 distinguishes itself through a few higher-end audio options, which we will detail below.

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In terms of video connections, the DMP-BD55 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-BD55 offers HDMI, coaxial and optical digital audio, and both 2- and 7.1-channel analog audio outputs. This is one area where the DMP-BD55 differs from the step-down DMP-BD35, which does not offer multichannel analog audio outputs and is therefore not an ideal solution if you own an older, non-HDMI A/V receiver. The DMP-BD55 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. The player can pass 7.1-channel PCM audio over both the HDMI and multichannel analog audio outputs. The DMP-BD55 also uses higher-quality audio circuitry than its less-expensive sibling - a 24-bit/192-kHz audio digital-analog converter, high-quality insulators, copper-foil film capacitors, and ultra-low-impedance electrolytic capacitors.

The DMP-BD55'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-BD55 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 about the high points and low points of the DMP-BD55.

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  • Comment on this article

What else needs to be said here. Panasonic has put together a Blu-Ray player that will do all it needs to do for your system,for you to enjoy your HD experience thoroughly. Why then, do we have other products priced higher, that does not have the full complement of features? Good job by Panasonic.

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