Panasonic DMP-BD55 (DMP-BD55K) Blu-ray Player

[MrBoylan]

I just received my Panasonic DMP-BD35 and have a question regarding set-up.
My home theatre is set-up for 1080P with the exception of my projector.
I will be upgrading the projector later this year.

DVD - Panasonic DMP-BD35 Blu-Ray
AV - Onkyo TX-SR875
TV - Infocus IN76
Screen - 106" / 16:9
Connections - All HDMI including projector

The IN76 is native 720P, should I set the output of the BD35 to 720P or 1080P.
Which setting would give me the best/clearest picture and why?

Thanks

I'd have to aree with Brandon that the Panasonic player will probably do a good job scaling the native 1080p content down to 720p to match the projector's native resolution. But I've never tested/measured the performance of the IN76 so you should try both settings and see which you like best.

One thing to consider is how well the IN76 supports 24p content (1080p/24). The BD35 will output a native 24p signal but only at 1080p so if the IN76 has a good scaler and if it has a native 24FPS mode of some kind (48Hz or 72Hz), then your best bet may be setting your BD35 to 1080p/24 and letting the projector scale it down to fit the resolution of the light engine.

Good luck.

-Chris

[BADuHamel]

I'd have to aree with Brandon that the Panasonic player will probably do a good job scaling the native 1080p content down to 720p to match the projector's native resolution. But I've never tested/measured the performance of the IN76 so you should try both settings and see which you like best.

One thing to consider is how well the IN76 supports 24p content (1080p/24). The BD35 will output a native 24p signal but only at 1080p so if the IN76 has a good scaler and if it has a native 24FPS mode of some kind (48Hz or 72Hz), then your best bet may be setting your BD35 to 1080p/24 and letting the projector scale it down to fit the resolution of the light engine.

Good luck.

-Chris

Those are good points, but how much of a difference will 24Fps make if he's downscaling it to 720p anyway? Are there any displays capable of displaying 720p/24? I don't know about his display, but I've never heard of one that does.

But, as Chris says, it's always possible that the IN76 may do a better 1080p/24 to 720/60 conversion that the BD55, so maybe try both and trust your eyes.

[don3831]

Now I think I'm more confused than before. I tried everything unhooking
wires even changing HDMI wires (both 1.3) still not getting HD audio. I
think one of two thing may be happening 1. The RX-V3800 doesn't have HD
audio decodes or 2. there's a problem with the receiver.
Looking at the new info on the DMP-BD35 what's the difference between (now
this is the way Panasonic words it) Dolby True HD Decoder: Decode and
Bitstream output & DTS/DTS-HD High Resolution Audio Decoder: Decode and
Bitstream output.
The DMP-30 info Bitstream only.
So if the receiver doesn't have decodes will buying a new DVD player fix the
problem?

Thanks,
Don

[MrBoylan]

Now I think I'm more confused than before. I tried everything unhooking
wires even changing HDMI wires (both 1.3) still not getting HD audio. I
think one of two thing may be happening 1. The RX-V3800 doesn't have HD
audio decodes or 2. there's a problem with the receiver.
Looking at the new info on the DMP-BD35 what's the difference between (now
this is the way Panasonic words it) Dolby True HD Decoder: Decode and
Bitstream output & DTS/DTS-HD High Resolution Audio Decoder: Decode and
Bitstream output.
The DMP-30 info Bitstream only.
So if the receiver doesn't have decodes will buying a new DVD player fix the
problem?

Thanks,
Don

Hi, Don,

Your receiver definitely supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding. I've read posts from owners saying this works like a charm and the Yamaha site also confirms this. And the BD30 definitely supports bitstreaming these codecs but it is probably not the default setting to do this (you have to enable bitstream in the menus for the high bit rate codes). Couple of questions, and I know this is a bit repetitive from earlier but I want to rule everything else out.

Before trying this, make sure to disconnect everything but one HDMI cable from the player to the receiver and one more from the receiver to your display just to simplify testing and to make sure we know that the HDMI audio input is the one that's in use:

• Have you gone into the BD30's digital audio output menu (in "Set-up") and set Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD output to BITSTREAM (not PCM)?
• In the same menu, have you set Secondary Audio to OFF?

Both of the above settings are mandatory if you want the BD30 to pass the Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master audio soundtracks to the receiver.

If you have done the above, what does appear on the display of the receiver? What surround sound format does it *SAY* it is receiving? I assume you are getting some sound over HDMI, right? Does it say DTS or Dolby Digital or PCM or something different?

Also, what Blu-ray Disc titles are you testing? Have you gone into the Blu-ray Disc's menu to verify that the DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD tracks are selected? If you're still using those DTS and Dolby Blu-ray demo discs, then the high bit rate audio tracks are probably the default audio tracks, but it's always good to double-check in the disc menu to make sure the high bit rate audio track is selected on the disc.

And have you tested with any actual movie titles on Blu-ray Disc? If so, which ones?

The new players (BD35 and BD55) do decode DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD to PCM, but honestly this should not be necessary with your receiver. The BD30's bitstream output should work fine as long as Secondary Audio is OFF.

If you're doing everything as explained above and are not getting DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD then you probably have a bad receiver or a bad player (one of them might be broken). But these settings are very complicated (and not getting any easier on the newer models) so it's always good to simplify everything, start fresh, confirm all your settings and then let me know the exact results.

Regards,

-Chris

[don3831]

If you are having a problem with your DMP-BD30K not out putting HD audio you may have to sent it back to the manufacture. They had to replace a driver and up date the software in my unit. It took me some time to figure this out.

[MrBoylan]

If you are having a problem with your DMP-BD30K not out putting HD audio you may have to sent it back to the manufacture. They had to replace a driver and up date the software in my unit. It took me some time to figure this out.

Hi, Don,

Thanks for the follow-up from your earlier questions. Glad to hear that Panasonic was able to fix the player and that your receiver was OK. Enjoy the next gen surround sound!

Regards,

-Chris

[n9949y]

Got my BD-55 today I ordered from Amazon Sunday nite at $319. The Analog audio 5.1 hook up to my 2000 vintage Rotel RSX 965 through its SACD input works just fine, including a good base response, thanks to all the information other postings provided. Way cool!

Query: My Monitor is a LG RU-44SZ 63D, 2005 vintage (vintage already!?) that is connected to the BD-55 via components which works quite well, though I want the best video hookup.

The monitor does have a DVI input labeled "PC/DTV/XGA, 420p/720p/1080i," and its manual depicts a computer plugged into that input. I tried to connect the monitor to the BD-55via a "Interface Cable for High Definition HDMI/M to DVI/M 28AWG" 2 meter cable I purchased at a local electronics store as the monitor's not equipped with HDMI. "Nuthin," when I selected the monitor's "DVI-DTV and DVI-PC" button. Of course I re-read the BD-55 and LG manuals thoroughly (I think) but am unable to obtain any video other than through the componet set up.

Do I need to buy a special DVI/HDMI cable? Would someone recommend a brand/type. Thanks.

[MrBoylan]

Got my BD-55 today I ordered from Amazon Sunday nite at $319. The Analog audio 5.1 hook up to my 2000 vintage Rotel RSX 965 through its SACD input works just fine, including a good base response, thanks to all the information other postings provided. Way cool!

Query: My Monitor is a LG RU-44SZ 63D, 2005 vintage (vintage already!?) that is connected to the BD-55 via components which works quite well, though I want the best video hookup.

The monitor does have a DVI input labeled "PC/DTV/XGA, 420p/720p/1080i," and its manual depicts a computer plugged into that input. I tried to connect the monitor to the BD-55via a "Interface Cable for High Definition HDMI/M to DVI/M 28AWG" 2 meter cable I purchased at a local electronics store as the monitor's not equipped with HDMI. "Nuthin," when I selected the monitor's "DVI-DTV and DVI-PC" button. Of course I re-read the BD-55 and LG manuals thoroughly (I think) but am unable to obtain any video other than through the componet set up.

Do I need to buy a special DVI/HDMI cable? Would someone recommend a brand/type. Thanks.

Congrats on getting the player! That cable should be fine. First of all, on the BD55, in the set-up menu, make sure you select an HDMI output resolution of 720p and make sure "24p" is OFF. You should also do this for the component video resolution (720p) if you intend to keep using that connection. Your TV (LG RU-44SZ63D) is a true 720p TV (with a native resolution of 1280x720), so this is the best match for your TV. You could set the HDMI output resolution to 1080i but this really won't help you as the TV will then have to de-interlace the signal and scale it down to 720p in the TV. If you have your HDMI output resolution set to 1080p right now, then it definitely will not produce a signal on the TV's DVI input because your TV does not support a 1080p input.

Once you have adjusted the HDMI output resolution to 720p, connect that HDMI-to-DVI cable that you bought to the DVI input on the TV and then make sure you select the DVI-DTV input on your LG TV (*NOT* DVI-PC). It seems like your DVI input on your TV may be a DVI-I input, which actually supports DVI Analog and DVI Digital inputs. You choose between these (DVI-DTV=digital; DVI-PC=Analog) in the LG TV's input selection screen. Hitting the "DVI" button on your remote may also allow you to choose between the DVI input types or you can do it with the TV/Video button.

There is also a set-up option on your TV (in the "Set-Up... Main Input" menu) that allows you to select which DVI input is active. If all else fails, go into this menu and make sure DVI-DTV is selected there (not DVI-PC).

Once you've done this, and set the appropriate resolution on the BD55 (720p), you should get a picture over the DVI input. This will also allow your BD player to upconvert standard def DVDs to 720p HD resolution (which you cannot do over component video).

I'll warn you though - it's possible that you may have trouble with the HDMI/DVI output of the BD player feeding your TV's DVI input. Even though your TV is designed to be HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) compliant, it was released several years ago, and the HDCP spec has evolved since then. It is possible that you will be able to see the menus of the BD55 on your TV via the DVI connection, but playing a movie on blu-ray may cause the screen to blank out. If this happens, then the HDCP connection on your TV is most likely at fault, and you will need to revert to the component video output instead. The difference between DVI and component video at 720p is probably not going to be huge but you should get a subtly better picture over DVI.

Anyway, try these suggestions out and let us know how it goes.

Regards,

-Chris

[n9949y]

Congrats on getting the player! That cable should be fine. First of all, on the BD55, in the set-up menu, make sure you select an HDMI output resolution of 720p and make sure "24p" is OFF. You should also do this for the component video resolution (720p) if you intend to keep using that connection. Your TV (LG RU-44SZ63D) is a true 720p TV (with a native resolution of 1280x720), so this is the best match for your TV. You could set the HDMI output resolution to 1080i but this really won't help you as the TV will then have to de-interlace the signal and scale it down to 720p in the TV. If you have your HDMI output resolution set to 1080p right now, then it definitely will not produce a signal on the TV's DVI input because your TV does not support a 1080p input.

Once you have adjusted the HDMI output resolution to 720p, connect that HDMI-to-DVI cable that you bought to the DVI input on the TV and then make sure you select the DVI-DTV input on your LG TV (*NOT* DVI-PC). It seems like your DVI input on your TV may be a DVI-I input, which actually supports DVI Analog and DVI Digital inputs. You choose between these (DVI-DTV=digital; DVI-PC=Analog) in the LG TV's input selection screen. Hitting the "DVI" button on your remote may also allow you to choose between the DVI input types or you can do it with the TV/Video button.

There is also a set-up option on your TV (in the "Set-Up... Main Input" menu) that allows you to select which DVI input is active. If all else fails, go into this menu and make sure DVI-DTV is selected there (not DVI-PC).

Once you've done this, and set the appropriate resolution on the BD55 (720p), you should get a picture over the DVI input. This will also allow your BD player to upconvert standard def DVDs to 720p HD resolution (which you cannot do over component video).

I'll warn you though - it's possible that you may have trouble with the HDMI/DVI output of the BD player feeding your TV's DVI input. Even though your TV is designed to be HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) compliant, it was released several years ago, and the HDCP spec has evolved since then. It is possible that you will be able to see the menus of the BD55 on your TV via the DVI connection, but playing a movie on blu-ray may cause the screen to blank out. If this happens, then the HDCP connection on your TV is most likely at fault, and you will need to revert to the component video output instead. The difference between DVI and component video at 720p is probably not going to be huge but you should get a subtly better picture over DVI.

Anyway, try these suggestions out and let us know how it goes.

Regards,

-Chris

Thanks, Chris. I should have figured- adjust the monitor! Did what you suggested- it's all now working as I'd hoped- DVI/HDMI connecting the DB-55 with the LG monitor for a fantastic video experience, the Rotel RSX965 receiver connected through its SACD inputs to the BD-55 5.1 analog audio outputs for superb surround sound action, and, by the way, the sub-woofer volume output easily controlled via the Yamaha DSP E-300 through an audio tape loop.

[MrBoylan]

Thanks, Chris. I should have figured- adjust the monitor! Did what you suggested- it's all now working as I'd hoped- DVI/HDMI connecting the DB-55 with the LG monitor for a fantastic video experience, the Rotel RSX965 receiver connected through its SACD inputs to the BD-55 5.1 analog audio outputs for superb surround sound action, and, by the way, the sub-woofer volume output easily controlled via the Yamaha DSP E-300 through an audio tape loop.

Excellent. Thanks for letting me know. Now go buy some Blu-rays!!

Buy Two Blu-rays, Get One Free: Over 300 Titles!