Blu-ray Disc Player

Features

• Ultra-fast 0.5 second startup
• VieraCast enabled including Amazon Video on Demand and Netflix streaming movies
• Wireless ready
• More compact Design
• More efficient energy consumption

User Reviews

This is an excellent machine. However, there are a couple of things you should know. First, it does not have an output for a digital audio cable. It uses only an optical cable for digital sound output. If your receiver doesn't have an optical input you won't get surround sound. Of course it has the red/white cable outputs for stereo. Second, if you don't plan to run an ethernet cable from your router or computer, then you should be looking at the BD85 which is wireless. In my case I had to run a 100 ft. wire from upstairs, to under the house and across, and drill four 5/8 inch holes in walls and floors. It was a dirty job, but worth it to be hard-wired. You can buy 100 ft. of ethernet CAT6 cable on this site for under $15. I use both NETFLIX streaming video and PANDORA radio frequently. Pandora is now up and running with the new Panasonic software update, which is very easy to get.

While it is always easy to pick at little things (for instance, subtitles takes about 4 or 5 button pushes on the remote, whereas on my old Panasonic DVD player it has a dedicated button). Nevertheless, I am tickled pink with my purchase. I have a 50 inch Panasonic plasma TV, and both Blu-Ray and upscaled DVD look great! Online Netflix movies are much sharper than I expected, with the HD movies living up to the designation. I also have no trouble getting 5.1 sound. In fact, it is the best I have ever heard from my system. -- Does everything I wanted well

Super fast delivery. The Blu-ray is in great condition for a refurbished and everything functions great so far. I highly recommend this seller. 2 thumbs up!!! -- Great Seller

Why why why why why why did Panasonic put the USB connection in front of the machine? This makes absolutely no sense to me at all--the adapter is big and ugly and in the way. One would think that the Panasonic engineers could have thought to place a USB connection in the rear of the machine, but I guess that was too obvious. Otherwise, it's a great machine (especially since it came free with my TV!). -- I only have one complaint...

I needed a player that would stream Netflix and Amazon VOD (this one does both) and decode all the latest Blu-Ray audio formats since my receiver accepts HDMI, but doesn't decode the latest and greatest audio formats. I have never owned a Blu-Ray so I wasn't sure what to expect from an under $200 player. To sum it up: Awesome! I'm not sure what the higher priced players get you, but this one completed our media room perfectly! We output this player to a Epson 8500UB projector and the picture is amazing.

My Pros:
-The Amazon VOD service is very well done. After linking the player to my Amazon account, the movie ordering process was just like ordering a pay-per-view on cable/satellite. The picture wasn't as sharp as a true BD disk, but I wasn't expecting to get 1080p from streaming. The stream had a few stops and starts, but I think that is a result of Amazon's service since it doesn't happen on Netflix.

-The Netflix service preformed just as well as the Amazon VOD, but I was disappointed to only get the "Instant Queue" selection instead of full selections (I guess I'm spoiled by the XBox 360 interface).

-The instruction booklet made it clear on how to set up the player to output the newer audio formats via HDMI to my older receiver; very helpful!!

-Panasonic has released two updates since my purchase (6/9/2010). It's nice to know they are still working to make it better.

-When the unit is doing something (loading, downloading, etc) it's very good at letting you know that it's working and you need to give it a moment and isn't just hung up.

-The Quick Boot (I think that's what it's called) is neat, but uses more power. The boot up time is really short even without the Quick Boot turned on.

-I does require a 1gig or larger SD card for BDLive stuff, but the slot for it is hidden under a front cover, so the player stays neat and clean looking on the front.

My (minor) Cons:
-The remote is sometimes confusing. I find myself trying to get back to the main menu of the Blu-Ray and accidentally stopping the film altogether and getting sent to the system menu. This is more than likely a case of user error and I need to go back and reread the manual.

-Loading time for a movie with a always on internet connection is a little long sometimes. We have a 18mbs connection, so I know download speed is not an issue. I think that's more of the studio's fault for cramming so much interactive stuff on the discs.

I highly recommend this player, and am actually thinking about getting another one for our living room. Hope this review helps! -- Perfect Entertainment Hub

This panasonic blu-ray player does what it claims to do and does it well. And offers Netflix through the network connection. I had a previous Panny blu-ray player, about 6 months old, and it worked great too, but I required the Netflix option - so I guess this purchase was an upgrade. I don't know why people want to spend any more on a blu-ray player than this, the pic quality is superb and the sound is great and movies have never looked so good on my Panasonic plasma HDTV. An excellent choice. BTW, make sure you have an internet connection (plug into the internet w/ an ethernet cable) so you can obtain the firmware updates. -- Excellent picture quality & netlfix