Panasonic DMP-BD80 Blu-ray Disc Player

[MrBoylan]

Building on last year's popular top of the line Blu-ray player, Panasonic adds VIERA Cast for online content access to the new DMP-BD80. Is it enough to slay the stiff stand-alone competition?

DMP-BD80 Review on Big Picture Big Sound

Use this thread for any comments on the review or questions about the player not addressed by the review.

Player covered in the review: DMP-BD80 (aka BD80, DMP-BD80K, DMPBD80, DMPBD80K, BD-80). Also relevant for those looking for information on the DMP-BD60 which is similar to the BD80 but without Divx playback or multi-channel analog outputs (or those stylish FEET!).

Our recommended places to buy the BD80 (Authorized dealers with good prices):

• BD80 on Amazon.com
• BD80 on OneCall.com
• BD80 on Buy.com
• BD80 at J&R.com
• BD80 at B&H

[Daylightdon]

Language for the everyday Joe or Jane!

This copy from page 33 of the DMP-BD60/80 Panasonic Blu-ray instruction manual is VERY clear and EASY to understand for just about anyone!

"Bitstream:
Select “Bitstream” when the connected equipment can decode the
respective audio format.
–Connect equipment supporting HDMI (High Bit rate Audio) and use a
High Speed HDMI Cable in order to output high bit rate audio such as
Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio or
DTS-HD Master Audio.
≥PCM:
Select “PCM” when the connected equipment cannot decode the
respective audio format.
Refer to the operating instructions for connected devices to verify whether or
not they can decode each of the audio formats."

[MrBoylan]

Language for the everyday Joe or Jane!

This copy from page 33 of the DMP-BD60/80 Panasonic Blu-ray instruction manual is VERY clear and EASY to understand for just about anyone!

"Bitstream:
Select “Bitstream” when the connected equipment can decode the
respective audio format.
–Connect equipment supporting HDMI (High Bit rate Audio) and use a
High Speed HDMI Cable in order to output high bit rate audio such as
Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio or
DTS-HD Master Audio.
≥PCM:
Select “PCM” when the connected equipment cannot decode the
respective audio format.
Refer to the operating instructions for connected devices to verify whether or
not they can decode each of the audio formats."

Well their English is better than my Japanese.

Don, if this is your first Panasonic Blu-ray player, make sure you set BD-Secondary Audio to OFF, otherwise you may not get the full quality lossless surround sound tracks, even over HDMI. When the player detects menu clicking sounds or Secondary Audio in the stream, it switches over to lossy surround in order to mix in the other audio tracks. This is the case in both PCM and bitstream modes and in multi-channel analog output too.

You DO have an HDMI-enabled receiver or pre/pro, right?

-CB

[Daylightdon]

Yes, I have the Denon 3808. Using a McIntosh 7270 for the front L&R though through Def Tech BP10's with the Super Cube II Sub woof!
Works GREAT!!!
Just did the upgrade a month or two ago.

[TimG]

Hi Chris,
Just read your excellent review of the BD-80. You mention that the VIERACast is an extensible platform, so does this imply that Netflix streaming may be in the future, once Panasonic and Netflix come together? It would be nice to have multiple options for streaming someday - i.e. Amazon, Netflix, or ?

[MrBoylan]

Hi Chris,
Just read your excellent review of the BD-80. You mention that the VIERACast is an extensible platform, so does this imply that Netflix streaming may be in the future, once Panasonic and Netflix come together? It would be nice to have multiple options for streaming someday - i.e. Amazon, Netflix, or ?

Hi, Tim,

Yes, Panasonic *could* add Netflix support without any need to update the hardware, however, when I asked them that question at their press event launching the 2009 Blu-ray players, they said "there are basically two camps - those that support Amazon and those that support Netflix" which leads me to believe they don't have any immediately plans to add Netflix support.

I know VIZIO announced partnerships for both Amazon and Netflix for their "Connected HDTV" platform and the Roku movie streaming box supports both, but I don't think Panasonic has any specific plans to add Netflix support as of yet. The VIERA Cast platform does support enhancements though so there's no technological reason why it couldn't be done.

-CB

[TimG]

Hi Chris,

I've been looking at online photos, zoomed and all, and I don't see any physical difference between this year's BD-60 & 80 and last year's 35 & 55 models. Other than the fact that the 80 & 60 sets have larger feet, I don't see anything that jumps out. You saw the models in person at the CE show in Jan., right? Do you see any differences between this year and last? I'm just curious, that's all. I'm definitely going to get one when the price hits a point, as they say. I'm hoping Amazon eventually has a deal comparable to last Dec.'s, where you get the player plus 4 Blu-ray discs - and Panasonic throws in 2 more - all for $200 (or less!). I have a feeling they will. Patience, my dear ...

[MrBoylan]

Hi Chris,

I've been looking at online photos, zoomed and all, and I don't see any physical difference between this year's BD-60 & 80 and last year's 35 & 55 models. Other than the fact that the 80 & 60 sets have larger feet, I don't see anything that jumps out. You saw the models in person at the CE show in Jan., right? Do you see any differences between this year and last? I'm just curious, that's all. I'm definitely going to get one when the price hits a point, as they say. I'm hoping Amazon eventually has a deal comparable to last Dec.'s, where you get the player plus 4 Blu-ray discs - and Panasonic throws in 2 more - all for $200 (or less!). I have a feeling they will. Patience, my dear ...

Yeah, they don't look that different from the 35/55 except for the new VIERA Cast badge on the front panel and the addition of the USB port behind the drop-down door in the front (next to the existing SD card slot). I actually still have a BD55 on hand due to some follow-up testing I was doing for Panasonic after our BD55 review went live, but the BD55 and BD80 are in two different systems right now (in different rooms). If I get a chance I'll bring them together and take a "family picture."

I agree with you on waiting. Those who did a pre-order or early purchase of the BD35 and BD55 ended up paying list price or close to it, whereas a few weeks later, there were some seriously great deals. I actually picked up a BD35 from Sears during that amazing one-day sale (more like a 15-minute sale because the stock went so quickly) for $149.99 and I bought one for my parents on Amazon.com including the 4 Warner discs (plus the two disney ones in that rebate) for around $214.

Let's hope Amazon does some similar promos on the 2009 players.

Regards,

-Chris

[MrBoylan]

OK, the BD80 is finally in stock and available from Amazon. One of their marketplace sellers has it for $323.99 plus shipping, though Amazon's own price is still right at MSRP. Here's the link:

Amazon.com: Panasonic DMP-BD80 High Clarity Audio Blu-ray Disc Player, Black: Electronics

Update: Amazon's price on the BD80 is now down to $350 including shipping.

Update 2: Amazon now has the BD80 for $337.19 shipped via marketplace seller OneCall (authorized dealer). Price on OneCall's own site is $399 so buy it through the Amazon link above.

-CB

[ramgeio]

Hi, I've just bought a bd80 and trying to set it up with my old multi channel receiver. I'we read about the bass issues, and that you have to boost the lfe in the receiver. But what I can't seem to figure out is what setting you should use it you dont have a sub. Shall I just switch it of in the settings? Well, i've done that, but I feel the lower bass details are not there. I have 2 good front speakers that used to deliver nice bass in regular DD.

The player is showing me about 2 mbps variable bitrate on True HD, This is correct right?

Ive also hooked it up to my Plasma panna Th-42px80, but cant get the viera link to work. Its just unavailable. Link is switched on in both units. Could it be the HDMI cable, or is it because the units have different viera control versions.(3 and 4)

Tried calling up panasonic support, but the only thing they could tell me was that the bd80 was not capable of delivering true hd through analogue cables heh..