The player is nice. The menu system is that the best I've utilized in a player and that i came back each a Sony BD560 and a Samsung 6500 before obtaining this unit. simply many notes for people who could be thinking of obtaining it this player.
#1 the web choices are intensive, new choices to me like Amazon streaming and Skype, mixed with the mainstay apps like Netflix, Pandora, and lots of additional. build this player terribly engaging to the streaming and on-line entertainment user.
#2 The firmware the unit currently ships with won't allow you to get into the web streaming apps or something for that matter till you update the firmware. Updating the firmware from the one.09 firmware it ships with won't work as of this date via wireless or wired net connections. The secondary choice is to burn the frmware to a disc. This you think that would be straight foward, however it's not. Using Windows seven or Vista, you need to produce an ISO 9660 solely... I went through three coasters before this player may properly browse the Firmware update disc I created to bring it up to one.47. Using the other ISO format can fail.
#3, Netflix... I actually have two accounts, one old, one new and active. Got them caught up throughout the install method and had my previous netflix account basically guaranteed to the unit. No thanks to empty the cache, or sign-out and login with a replacement username and password (It does not use the code on screen methodology sort of a heap of players, you really log into netflix from the machine) To wipe out the inaccurate netflix ID, I had to factory reset the Blu-Ray player. that meant setting everything up once more. My shared drives (You will map a shared folder on your network to play files, terribly nice) Wireless, everything had to be established once more.
#4 No on board memory. It supports SD cards for Storage for Blu Ray on-line options and different apps, however it's no storage of its own. I personally found this to be nice, particularly given I actually have several SD cards laying around from one to eight gigs in size. however if you would like to require full advantage of extras on Blue Rays, add the {price} of an SD card to your price (Or presumably USB thumb drive??? haven't tested) so as to possess on-board storage.
This player is quick, has an excellent menu system. a awfully reliable network interface (Take note Samsung!) and has some nice next-gen options like touch-less ejecting, quite novel, however I did realize myself liking it.... having return from the Samsung 6500 only in the near past, I found the actual fact that the player keeps you informed with on screen displays on what it's doing if their are the common loading delays when 1st beginning Blu-Rays as an example, a awfully nice modification from the black of screen of questioning I perpetually had with the Samsung model. And Sony's 560 had a awfully lame netflix interface so wasn't an choice on behalf of me once seeing it, given i take advantage of streaming lots.
For the 2011 models, i might prefer to see the offerings from the competitors before I whole heartily advocate this one, however i am terribly pleased with my purchase. Panasonic looks to grasp what they're doing with UI's, UI user Feedback and general tech savyness in their Blu-Ray players. (aside from this Firmware glitch)
FULL HD 3D Blu-ray Disc Playback
Advanced 2D image technology accumulated over the years at the Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory (PHL) has also been applied to 3D image playback, allowing high quality images to approach original film quality. Life-like 3D images with dramatic leaping effects and enhanced depth, luster and texture are beautifully reproduced.
2D-3D Conversion
The 2D-3D Conversion makes it possible to convert images from DVDs and Blu-ray Discs into 3D with natural depth perception. This allows you to watch your prized DVD movie collection in 3D with real-life depth, for even greater viewing enjoyment.
3D Effect Controller
The 3D Effect Controller lets you moderate the leaping effects of 3D images. It also lets you adjust the amount of depth so you can view expansive images and enjoy movies with the exact kind of 3D effects you want.
Touch-Free Sensor
A motion sensor is now provided on the top panel of the Blu-ray Disc player. The disc tray can be opened or closed by simply passing your hand over the sensor. This is very useful when your hands are full or when you're in a dark room and can't see the buttons clearly.
Original Panasonic Blu-ray Disc Player Product Features
Quick access to the menu screen
You can instantly access the Skype menu screen by simply pressing the Skype button on the remote control. This is very handy because it lets you easily access the menu screen even while you're watching a TV program or movie.
Incoming Ringtones
While watching a TV program or movie, a ringtone from the player tells you that you have a call. The ringtone also rings during standby mode.
