some early comments, and comparatively with the oppo 205...
not that have had extensive use as yet. just setting up, doing the harmony and checking on a few movies.
comes upto date out of box
It seems to be upto date firmware out of box... which is a rarity these days ... most things you plug in and first thing wants to do is an update.
user interface
the user interface, after using an oppo for some while now, seems quite simplistic by comparison. I am a prior pana 900 owner. but really the screens on the pana look like they were done on DOS vs windows on the oppo. the pana also seems a tad slower to respond ? am I imagining that ?
settings
there was nothing I needed to do with the out of box pana settings. and I went through all. all seems fine
made sure it was bit streaming, no dynamic compression engaged.
I noticed as was with the pana 900 that 4k 50/60 is turned off... I didnt turn it on by default ... though might re think that.
Apps
good to see the app page fully populated with netflix and prime and likes.... when I had the 900 it was bare bones... just like the oppo. didnt try the streaming apps and unlikely i will as happy with the atv 4k for that.
Loading loading
when pop the disc tray open it is s..l..o..w to open and a bit growny... the oppo is a lot more snappy... however the disc draw omn the pana feels more solidly made and has a rubbery feel on the disc contact surface. the oppo is just thin plain plastic by comparison.
the buttons on the pana player like on the oppo are not illuminated...pity...however buttons on the pana are logically placed once figure out what each one is ...
the display is simple nothing much bar a play time display
Remote
I miss the touch sensitive oppo remote straight away as that shakes and lights up if you pick up to use. the remote of the pana does feel and look a lot better though. there are parts of the pana remote that are cryptic....
I am still trying to figure out the difference between pop up menu and menu. there is also a top menu and then there's home...
harmony fortunately had the ub9000 in its data base. but I had to teach it the subtitle button, not sure why its not there ?
Selected Top menu, audio, Subtitle, Pop up menu, eject, home, setting, playback info, along with status, and operation menu. along with your standard playing and navigation buttons. sufficient I think to put pana remote away never to be seen again
Testing material
In use I tested across dvd, blu-ray and uhd blu-ray. my standard discs of morcheeba brixton concert on dvd, mr and mrs smith blu-ray and for uhd blu-ray I used the shallows and also blade runner 2049
morcheeba dvd ... all worked just fine. the audio button worked to select dolby digital track which is not default. I think i'll need to compare DVD PQ with the oppo as I have an inclination the oppo does a better job on dvd
still audio picture all was just fine. very happy to hear this again, was a treat with upsampling to dolby surround
I am confused between the pop up menu, top menu though, sort of a bit hit miss at bringing up disc menu, ended up using the operation menu to go to disc menu. operation menu seems quite elaborate.
mr and mrs smith bluray - looks gorgeous, very natural, the reminiscing scene isnt too over the top ! which is great... means for blu-ray its colour balance etc is not too far from the oppo. pop up menu seems to bring up disc menu which is good. status button shows basic disc info, what upto in chapter and time elapsed etc. playback info shows more elaborate info bit rates and such. setting seems to bring up the settings menu. audio too on this disc is striking and through the pana it didnt disappoint. I did notice a "high clarity" sound engaged though... something i will have to explore.. what it means and implications.
as a note at one point i paused as got a phone call, when came back player had put itself off to sleep and there was a blank screen ie no signal. not sure how to change that will explore. but if I hit play on the player it seems to awake and take off as were it left off.
the shallows uhd blu-ray - the initial screens are by their nature a bit pumped (instagram style) but looks gorgeous... ie not over the top again indicating the colour balance is pretty good/similar vs oppo. but I tell you I think I need to do some direct side by sides vs the oppo in PQ here as it sure looks like packs a wallop. rich detailed. especially skin textures and such. also when she is on the beach the flouro colours of her costume and fins on the surf board really POP ! sound is also very impactful. its bee na while since seen this movie and will definitely have to compare with the oppo as looks terrific with the pana
next w up loaded up blade runner 2049 uhd blu-ray. great how kick off with the audio and looks stunning in later scenes and very natural skin tones etc in other scenes. very pleased pq wise and same with audio. ended up watching about 1/3rd in before was time for bed. look forward to watching the rest later
I've seen the movie before but got taken in !
overall
few things ... I am not so sure I am a fan of the pop ups when hit play and such it puts up. not sure if there is a way to get rid of that or make more subtle. its a very quiet player. I feel a little slower in response to the oppo. but things will compare side by side when get the oppo up going again.
overall a great player in the evening have had with it
look forward to more elaborate use and more experience in exploring !