Panasonic DMP-BD65

The Panasonic DMP-BD65 is one of four new blu-ray players announced by Panasonic for 2010. It promises high quality images with enhanced networking functions, including VIERA CAST’s improved and expanded Internet functionality with wireless LAN capability. You get a host of features including BD Live, a USB port and Video On Demand services such as Netflix and YouTube.

Latest Update: The Panasonic DMP-BD65 Now on Sale at Amazon.com.

Panasonic DMP-BD65 Blu-ray Player

Panasonic DMP-BD65 Blu-ray Player

Design

The Panasonic DMP-BD65 inherits the slim look of previous Panasonic models. A little sedate but handsome nonetheless. With its corporate commitment to improve the environment, Panasonic has reduced the players’ depth by 18%, resulting in a 15% reduction in the carton’s volume. It is only 7.8 inches in depth which makes placement easy in  tight spaces.

USB port and SD Card slot for photo, video and music files playback

USB port and SD Card slot for photo, video and music files

Below the disc tray is a thin flap that conceals an SD card slot and USB port. You can view your digital photos and high definition videos shot on AVCHD format stored on the SD cards. The SD slot supports SDHC cards from 4GB to 32GB and SDXC cards from 32GB to 2TB. The USB port offers a way of playing MP3 music directly and viewing your digital photos.

The back panel is a simple affair with basic connectivity. You get HDMI, component and composite video outputs, optical digital out and 2-channel analog output. It doesn’t have analog 7.1 audio outputs.

Features

The Panasonic DMP-BD65 employs the PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus image processing. Developed in collaboration with Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory, this high image processing technology reproduces clear and vibrant colors that are faithful to the original film.

On the audio front the BD65 comes with a high definition audio decoder capable of decoding the latest formats like Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Convenient access to YouTube via VieraCast

Convenient access to YouTube via VieraCast

VIERA CAST technology featured in Panasonic’s 2009 blu-ray models continues to be available in the BD65. The Internet-enabled technology provides access to selected sites without the need of a PC to enjoy the entertainment provided by Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Picasa, Bloomberg and a Weather Channel. Netflix, Pandora, Twitter and Fox Sports have been added to the VIERA CAST functionality, providing you with two premium movie sites, a music service and a sports site to enhance the entertainment quotient. It also comes with a USB port and a SD Memory card slot making it easy for you to view and share both digital photos and high definition video.

USB Wi-fi Dongle

USB Wi-fi Adapter (Not included)

In previous models, Panasonic deliberately held back Wi-Fi connectivity as an option because the quality and reliability available for hi-def streaming was not very stable. But this is no longer the case with Panasonic’s new 802.11a/b/g/n wireless USB Wi-Fi Adapter. This WiFi adapter is available as a $100 optional accessory for the DMP-BD65. And according to Panasonic, only their adapter will work on the player.

It is interesting to note that the DMP-BD65 is DLNA compliant, which means it will play nice with other similarly compliant devices over your home network.
(Update: According to Panasonic, the DLNA feature is not available for North America market.)

The BD65 has been designed to reduce power consumption in line with the company’s ‘go green’ objective. The Power Save Mode function automatically turns the player off when you return to TV operation using the VIERA Link menu.

The BD65 will upconvert your collection of DVDs to 1080p. It also provides 1080/24p output, reproducing cinema images from a blu-ray disc in their original 24p form with no need for conversion. This enables you to enjoy film-like images in the same format used in cinema if you have a 1080/24p-compatible TV or projector. (Note: The 24fps feature is set to off by default and you will have to manually select this if you have a display that supports it.)

Complimenting the HD audio codecs, the BD65 comes with 96kHz surround re-master, a function that enhances the sound quality of CDs, and even improves the quality of the multi-channel audio data on blu-ray discs and DVDs.

Actual user rating and review:
“5 Stars sounds really generous, but for the money this is a GREAT Network ready BDP.This is the third network BDP I have set up and used, I recently reviewed the Samsung BD-P1590 – Blu-Ray disc player – upscaling – Netflix, Pandora against which (for similar money) this is a far superior machine. I also think the picture quality and upscaling for SD DVD’s in much better than the similar priced LG BD 370 Network Blu-ray Disc Player. Running several Blu-Ray movies for testing, including BD live enabled content, boot times were very fast. The quick set up guide asks you about this and explains that it uses more power in standby mode, but it’s worth it for very quick loading. Blu Ray looks SUPERB – Panasonic web site says (PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus is a high quality image-processing technology developed to precisely process each pixel of the Blu-ray Disc video signal in the vertical direction) Sounds geeky, but the picture is great at both 1080i and 1080p. SD Card slot, and USB interface great for home pictures, movies and photo’s, very easy to use. Nicely tucked away under a discreet panel in the front so no fiddling among the back wires. “ – A.Boughey (MN,USA)

Setup & Performance

Setting up the BD65 is easy and should not take more than half an hour even for the uninitiated. The on screen instruction is very easy to follow. Set up can be set to easy mode which makes it a breeze or or you can go to the main menu at any time for more detailed adjustments on audio and video output.

Setting up the network connection is also easy through the nice on screen menu. Once connected, Panasonic’s VIERA CAST service works as a portal that provides you access to Netflix, Amazon VOD, YouTube, News and weather updates and Picasa photos online among many others. VIERA CAST functionality is snappy and pages loaded pretty quickly.

The marketing focus for Panasonic in their new players is the half-second boot time. Without a doubt, Panasonic has made great strides. With the new ‘quick start’ feature it saves about 6 to 8 seconds off the booting of most discs. This brings the BD65 into Oppo BDP-83′s speed class. With ‘quick start’ enabled the BD65 loads The Black Knight blu-ray disc in 18 sec and the Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, a notoriously slow-loading disc with Java heavy features, loads in 22 secs. Do note that with the quick-start feature enabled there is an additional 7 Watts of power consumption.

Following the footsteps of the excellent BD60, the new BD65 oozes quality in picture and sound. On the Pirates blu-ray disc that has a good mix of scenes of bright daylight and deep, dark interiors, it is amazing how delicately both are rendered. The rich contrast and ink-like blacks give the image a vibrant character. Shadow delineation is well defined, with even the darkest blacks still revealing small, subtle details and fine textures. Flesh tones are accurate and natural, and the rich colors free from any noise.

With the lack of 7.1 channel analogue outputs, the BD65 does not provide the ability to pass lossless codecs to older receivers. However, if you have a receiver that can decode the uncompressed sound formats, the audio experience combined with the pristine image quality delivers a totally fun ride. You get good imaging between channels and a sense of palpable realism to the dynamics. The excellent balance of music and effects delivers a 360-degree soundfield that really is just about as close to perfection as you’re likely to get outside of a state-of-the-art cinema.

Conclusion

The Panasonic DMP-BD65 is a solidly built machine. Panasonic has yet again come out with a player that delivers in performance and value for money. If you are looking for a competent all round player below $200 you have found it. Picture quality is nothing short of top notch and sound quality even for CD playback is more than acceptable. The VIERA CAST interface for online content is easy to set up and a joy to use. Choose this player if you intend to connect to your home network using the Ethernet cable. If you need to connect wirelessly you are better off getting a model higher, the DMP-BD85, which comes with a Wi-Fi adapter.

Actual User Reviews:
• “I purchased this player primarily to have access to Netflix streaming video. The Netflix playback quality is outstanding, surpassing that of standard DVD. I must note, however, that I have a 12000 baud Internet connection from AT&T U-Verse. Lesser connection speeds will naturally mean a lesser quality picture. Setup was very easy and the remote is simple to navigate. With the addition of Netflix streaming, Panasonic is the clear leader in Blu-ray players, dollar for dollar.” – The Great Oz (GA,USA)

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• “This is a SUPER buy for the first time blu-ray buyer with wireless streaming. Set up is a snap and navigation thru the menu is EASY. Previous opinions mentioned play back of non blu-ray movies was sub-par, but I found play back quality as good as upstreaming units. I found the remote also easy to set up to control my receiver (Onkyo TX-SR605) and TV (Vizio SV421XVT). Network options offer an array of uses to continue my viewing pleasure. In summing up this unit, “BUY IT”!” – M.Savill (CA,USA)

• “I have had the Panasonic DMP-BD65 for about a month and everything works great. Set up is a breeze (less than 10 minutes to set up both amazon and Netflix accounts). Blu ray quality is outstanding. DVD upconversion is very good. If you want the best, buy an Oppo if you got the money. The Neflix streaming is why I got this player and it didn’t disappoint. Interface is very intuitive (cant search titles, but can play the ones in your Neflix bin) with DVD like picture quality.” – Action junkie (CA,USA)

Average User Rating:

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