Official Panasonic DMP-BD35/55 Owners Thread - Page 195

Originally Posted by mchalebk

With Amazon, I don't think you have to pay for return shipping if the item is defective (I think you have to make the claim before 30 days is up). You might want to check Amazon's policy. You might get a new unit instead of having to wait for Panasonic to fix your's.

Originally Posted by boylan13

The message I got from an engineer at Panasonic (senior guy there, actually) suggested that any time mixing is done (which is necessary when there is Secondary Audio or menu clicking sounds in the mix), it will revert to lossy core tracks, whether you're in PCM, bitstream *OR* analog. As long as there is not Secondary Audio or menu clicking sounds in the mix, then you'd be fine, but the problem is you don't always know there are menu clicking sound in the mix (and in PCM or multi-channel analog mode, you don't know it's being converted to lossy) so it's a bit of a crap shoot.

Set Secondary Audio=OFF if you want to be sure to get lossless sound, whether it's analog, PCM or bitstream.

I'm trying to get confirmation back from them but the time zone/date diffrence makes things a litte difficult. If it's true, it shoots apart a feature that many thought was there (including myself).

-CB

Originally Posted by milacqua

Thanks a bunch. That may be the problem, an incorrectly burned update disk. I simply sent the file to my cd-r disk without thinking of making it a data disk. In fact, I don't know how to do that and I do not have Roxio or Nero. I may have to do as you suggested and get the trial copy of Nero. It may have specific instructions on how to create a data disk. In the meantime I will look at the update thread. I'll let you know how I make out.

Originally Posted by milacqua

Thanks, I did not know that. I'll find out in the next day or two if I can fix it with a properly burned update disk so I'll know well before the next 30 days.

Originally Posted by mchalebk

Here's from their "General Returns Policy":

You may return most new, unopened items sold and fulfilled by Amazon.com within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We'll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).

Note the reference to "defective item".

Originally Posted by boylan13

Yes, the Panasonic rossover is fixed at 100 Hz. I doubt that sending a 100-150Hz signal is going to damage your speakers, but if that's the recommended crossover frequency, and if they really can't reproduce 100-150 Hz then you're going to have a gaping hole in the mid bass response. The subwoofer is going to get 100 Hz and down, the satellites are going to get 100 Hz and up but will not be able to reproduce 100-150Hz, so where is that going to come from?

If your speaker system has an option where you drive the subwoofer from the MAIN SPEAKERS output, instead of line level input, then this may be a better option for you. This way, the subwoofer gets a full range signal, but it most likely has a built-in crossover at 150 Hz that sends information above 150 Hz out to the satellite speakers via a speaker level OUTPUT on the subwoofer itself. Most integrated sub/sat systems have an option to work this way, and it's usually the best way to get the right blend between woofer and satellites.

If you do it this way, then you should actually configure the BD55 with *NO SUBWOOFER* so it will redirect the LFE bass output to the front speakers. This means you connect only 5 cables (for a 5.0 system) or 7 (for 7.0), the front two speakers will get a full range signal, but the subwoofer will grab the bass out of that and send the midgrange and treble on their happy way to the main left/right (teeny tiny) speakers. Set the rest of your speakers to small so they will not get anything above 100Hz either.

-CB

Originally Posted by JohnfromQueensNY

I was wondering if I would be able to send a 480p signal to it with this player, in order to display DVDs in their native format

Originally Posted by JohnfromQueensNY

As the owner of a projector (Optima HD70) I was wondering if I would be able to send a 480p signal to it with this player, in order to display DVDs in their native format, if I wish. (Sometimes it's better to stick with the native resolution rather than blow it up to 720p.)

Thanks for any insight about output choices for these machines.

Originally Posted by Gary J

Sure, except that's not their native format.

Originally Posted by BIslander

There's no 480i option for HDMI. There is for component. According to Panasonic, the 480i component output is first deinterlaced to 480p and then interlaced back to 480i. It's just the way they do it.

These players do not have "source direct" functionality, meaning BDs and DVDs both get output at whatever setting you are using. The only way around that is to use HDMI for BD and component for DVD.

Originally Posted by dave42

Can I set my main speakers to large in the BD55 with their above specs? If I did that, would I also set the surrounds and center channel to large also?

Does this sound like it would make the sound more expansive in front(if that's the correct term)?

Originally Posted by JohnfromQueensNY

Thanks --

Only, you say 480p is not the native format of a DVD? Have I been living a lie? (Feel free to school me; I'm not very much of a techie.)

You think it be easy, then, to have a 480i output on component and 720p on HDMI, without switching settings all the time?

Originally Posted by milacqua

Thanks a bunch. That may be the problem, an incorrectly burned update disk. I simply sent the file to my cd-r disk without thinking of making it a data disk. In fact, I don't know how to do that and I do not have Roxio or Nero. I may have to do as you suggested and get the trial copy of Nero. It may have specific instructions on how to create a data disk. In the meantime I will look at the update thread. I'll let you know how I make out.

Originally Posted by BIslander

DVDs are natively 480i, not 480p. "Progressive scan" DVD players were all the rage a few years ago because they produced a 480p output.

I haven't done this myself. But, you should be able to set the player outputs once at the beginning, using the set-up screens, and never need to touch them again.

You'll have to check your projector to see how to switch between its HDMI and component inputs.

Originally Posted by JohnfromQueensNY

As the owner of a projector (Optima HD70) I was wondering if I would be able to send a 480p signal to it with this player, in order to display DVDs in their native format, if I wish. (Sometimes it's better to stick with the native resolution rather than blow it up to 720p.)

Thanks for any insight about output choices for these machines.

Originally Posted by JohnfromQueensNY

Thanks guys, for all your help.

One other question:

The recently released Samsung Blu-Ray Player gave me pause because of its Netflix capabilities.

Is there any possibility Panasonic can/will in future introduce Netflix streaming (or other extras) to its 35/55 player, via a firmware update?

I'd rather buy Panasonic for its reputation and picture quality, but the Netflix thing would be a nice perk.

Originally Posted by ggw2000

Are you using Vista? I assume so as it will not work per my previous post.
Gerry

Originally Posted by jmschnur

Amazon sent me a new unit before I rutned the fective one. In this case it was a Slim Devices Duet. The new unit came two days after I informed them of the problem on their website. I also got an RMA to ship the defective unit ack. Very efficient.

Joel

Originally Posted by boylan13

The message I got from an engineer at Panasonic (senior guy there, actually) suggested that any time mixing is done (which is necessary when there is Secondary Audio or menu clicking sounds in the mix), it will revert to lossy core tracks, whether you're in PCM, bitstream *OR* analog. As long as there is not Secondary Audio or menu clicking sounds in the mix, then you'd be fine, but the problem is you don't always know there are menu clicking sound in the mix (and in PCM or multi-channel analog mode, you don't know it's being converted to lossy) so it's a bit of a crap shoot.

Set Secondary Audio=OFF if you want to be sure to get lossless sound, whether it's analog, PCM or bitstream.

I'm trying to get confirmation back from them but the time zone/date diffrence makes things a litte difficult. If it's true, it shoots apart a feature that many thought was there (including myself).

-CB

Originally Posted by wstanko

If it works, and I hope it does, then you will be taking back "Now I have to send it back to them - what a pile of crap! I knew I should have stuck with Sony!!"

Originally Posted by BIslander

Set the digital audio outputs for DD and DTS to bitstream. Leave secondary audio on. That's it.

Originally Posted by film235

...

By the way, does anyone know why you need an SD card for the BD-35? Is it for firmware updates, or just displaying photos?

Originally Posted by slider33

For discs that do not have a lossless track (SD DVD's etc) it is adviseable to also hook up a coax (optical could be used also on BD55) cable so you can get lossy DD/DTS that way.

Originally Posted by dave42

IOW, I was told to never watch TV where black bars are present.

Originally Posted by boylan13

It's unlikely that Terk switcher is HDMI 1.3 compliant or certified. Even the cheap monoprice HDMI switchers have handshake issues with the BD35/BD55.

Try the more expensive 1.3a-certified monoprice switcher (you can probably search this thread to find the model number or some helpful soul will reply with it), or the Oppo HM-31, both of which are know to work with the BD55. I've also used a Cables-to-Go 5-port HDMI switch to good effect with this player.

-CB

Originally Posted by boylan13

Yeah,

I'm sure all the Onkyos and Integras handle it the same way. The same settings are in my 605 and DTC-9.8. The only question is whether the 0db point (the default setting) already has the boost applied, which I suspect it does.

-CB

Originally Posted by Luisfc1972

one more question. do i leave pcm down conversion set to off and downmix option leave on stereo?

im using optical to non hdmi receiver.

Originally Posted by dougrw

slider33 and others, I'm curious as to the recommendation of using coax or optical for lossy DD/DTS in addition to the analog connections for the lossless. Why not just use analog and let the player decode. I'm not trolling when I ask is that because you think the receiver can do a better job or am I missing something technical?

It seemed in that reply to the guy who was playing an SD DVD and was only getting 2 channels that the implication was because that is how it is unless you use coax or optical for SD DVD’s? I will be using all 7 analog channels as I’m setup for it and just assumed I’d let the player do all the work. Are you thinking I’d be better of letting my receiver to the lossy decoding?

I haven’t yet purchased the 55 but I am going to, so I haven’t tested any of this. I’ve just been kind of hanging watching the pricing as Christmas approaches. I’ve been reading the thread on secondary audio, I think I understand all of it and the implications for my situation, basically in my case with all 7 channels in use, I should probably leave it of?

Been a long time since I was here last, glad to be back!