Panasonic DMP-BDT100 Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc Player Reviews
December 15, 2011 by Cherry
Filed under Blu-ray Players
Panasonic DMP-BDT100 Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc Player
- Detailed picture and superior audio for faithful reproduction of the nuances, touch, and atmosphere the filmmakers intended
- On compatible screens, full HD 3D sends a separate 1920 x 1080 full-HD image to each eye, for sharp, crisp 3D images
- Enjoy VIERA Cast Internet entertainment/applications with a wired or wireless LAN connection
- Up-converts all standard definition video formats to 1080p; audio is up-sampled and remastered to 96 kHz quality
- Decoding and bitstream output of Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio Essential, and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
Panasonic DMP-BDT100 Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc PlayerThe DMP-BDT100 joins Panasonic’s DMP-BDT300 and DMP-BDT350 Blu-Ray players in providing superior 2D and 3D picture quality, as well as VIERA CAST internet functionality, support for a wide variety of standards, video upconverting, re-sampling and remastering of audio at 96 kHz, and other great features. Step right into the 3D world with the DMP-BDT100. The BDT100 outputs stunning and immersive Full HD 3D imagery to compatible HD displays. Click here for a larger image Frame Sequential Technology: Full HD Signals for Each Eye The BDT100 outputs stunning and immersive Full HD 3D imagery to compatible HD displays. Panasonic’s GT25 series 3D HDTVs, for example, allow images for each eye to be
List Price: $ 249.95
Price: $ 105.33
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3D for the Price of 2.5D,
Panasonic’s DMP-BDT100 Blu-ray 3D player is currently one of the least expensive options for 3D Blu-ray playback, but this doesn’t mean it sacrifices performance for the sake of cost savings. The player offers a robust set of streaming options (Netflix, Amazon VOD, YouTube, Pandora, etc.) as well as very good DVD upconversion and outstanding Blu-ray playback, for the same price as many standard 2D Blu-ray players. UPDATE: VUDU is now also available on the BDT100 via a recent firmware and server update.
The player lacks some features compared to the top of the line DMP-BDT350: no dual HDMI output (only needed if you are using this with an older non 3D-compliant receiver), no multichannel analog outputs (for use with non-HDMI receivers) and no built-in WiFi networking (can be added via the Panasonic Wireless LAN Adapter). It also offers a fairly clunky user interface lacking the modern graphic-driven GUI that you see on current LG and Samsung Blu-ray players, though it is superior to the user menu on the Pioneer players. But the DMP-BDT100 provides all the basics, and several advanced features, as well as strong high def video and audio performance. The player passes all the upconversion and film cadence detection tests on the “Spears and Munsil” and “HQV Benchmark” DVDs and Blu-ray Discs with flying colors and also offers enhanced 4:4:4 color output with 24p (24 frame/second) output options for both DVDs and Blu-ray Discs. If silver discs are primarily how you watch your movies, then there is little to fault in the BDT100.
We did notice a peculiarity with Netflix streaming on the BDT100. Streaming SD content from Netflix, we observed something called the “CUE” (chroma upsampling error or “chroma bug”). This is something that can occur when a compressed video source has its color information upconverted to restore color detail lost in the compression process. On the BDT100, this upconversion is imperfect, which can cause visible color banding or jagged edges on the borders between colors. The problem is only noticeable on standard definition Netflix streaming content. Netflix HD, standard DVD and Blu-ray Disc playback do not exhibit this issue. And frankly, those with untrained eyes might not even notice it. It becomes more evident as you move to larger screens (e.g., front projection systems), but it can be viewed on some Netflix SD content even at the more common 42-inch and up screen sizes. As to whether this issue is a deal-breaker to you or not, that depends on how much standard def streaming you do from Netflix, and whether the chroma bug is something that bothers you. But we would be remiss not to mention it. According to our contacts at Panasonic, they are aware of the issue and are working toward a fix.
If Netflix SD content is not a part of your streaming media diet, then we give the BDT100 an unqualified recommendation. But if you do find yourself watching a lot of standard def streaming content on Netflix then you may want to look elsewhere or wait to see if Panasonic can deliver a fix to this issue on the BDT100.
Our more detailed review of the player is available on our web site at Big Picture Big Sound (dot com).
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|Firmware Update Problems,
This player was thrown into the deal when I bought my Panasonic TC-P58VT25 TV two weeks ago. The TV is terrific. This player worked fine but was shipped with downlevel ver. 1.04 of the firmware. The Panasonic site had a download and instruction to update the firmware to ver. 1.14. Followed all the instructions, burned the update disc and followed the instructions for the update. Everything worked per the instructions except the last step. Tray opened and message on panel says UPDNG. OK so far. However I never got a finish message and can now do nothing with the player. Called Panasonic Tech Support which is a nightmare and I said it’s been sitting on UPDNG for well over and hour without going to Finish. Was told the update normally only takes about 30 minutes and they had me try the update again with the same results. I even tried burning another disc in ISO 9660 format as per the instructions with the same results. Tech Support said they’d send me an update disc but will take 7-10 business days to arrive. I have doubts it will fix the problem and now my player is useless until I can try what they send. Anyone else have update problems and figured how to solve it? Except for this problem I was happy with the player and TV combo.
UPDATE: After getting nowhere with Panasonic help and having a player that did not work I managed to return the broken player and exchange it for another one. This time I waited until I had my ethernet connection in place and saw the message about a new version of firmware available. I followed the directions in the manual for a network update and it worked flawlessly. So I guess my advice would be to not try burning an update CD yourself. If you need to go that route contact Panasonic to mail you one (they will).
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|Goes great with my VT25 Pana 3D tv.,
I waited to buy this Blue-ray 3D player because it was half the price of the BDT350. I was a little worried if it would be as good? I have to say this player is great. I first watched the movies Panasonic sent me for buying the 50inch VT25 3D TV. Now it is time to pick out some more movies! I am no tech, but the 3D is great on the movies they sent. I am glad I went with Panasonic they seem to have an edge on 3d! I wanted to buy more 3D glasses that is why I waited for the BDT100 to come out. Why spend the money on a player when you can outfit the whole family in 3D glasses! I made the right decision!
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