Despite the fact that numerous websites have suggested that Panasonic's highly-anticipated, Profile 1.1-compatible
DMP-BD30 is experiencing delays -- not to mention the fact that Amazon apparently thinks the release date is closer to December 1st than last week -- we're seeing reports that at least some Blu-ray aficionados already own one. Granted, these same threads also point out that finding one in-store seems to be a bit more difficult than landing one online, but nevertheless, it looks like Panny's $500 BD30 (also seen as the BD30K) is already available in some form or another. So, dear readers, what gives? Have any of you already had the pleasure of enjoying a few films on a shiny new DMP-BD30, or are all these so-called early adopters just blowing smoke?
Update: A number of our readers have successfully snagged this player (even in-store). If you've been waiting, now's the time!
Read - Panasonic's DMP-BD30 delayed
Read - Panasonic's DMP-BD30 on Amazon
Read - Panasonic's DMP-BD30 being received
posted Nov 15th 2007 9:21AM
I picked one up last night at Circuit City, ordered online and picked up at the store.
Me too, this player is great!
I bought several blu-ray titles from Amazon using the BOGO offer. I've got about 16 titles now, but no player. I was going to click and buy the Panny 30K until I saw that it doesn't have an internal audio decoder! Needless to say there are many in the Panny 30K thread at AVS unhappy with this. I still may get it, but have my trepidations, especially at over $450! I feel as though I'm getting short changed. Especially since my A1 has an internal audio decoder, 256 mg ram and an ethernet port. This was had for less than $450. The price of admission for blu isn't it's strong point.
Samsung BD UP 5000 where are you?
This is the best alternative to the Pioneer BDP-95HD that I was planning to match up with my Pioneer Elite 95TXH receiver. Half the price and does what I want it to do. It Bitstreams the audio and my receiver lights up DTS HD Master AUDIO and TRUEHD. The picture is awesome as well. This is the player to beat. Picked it up at Circuit City with 10% off on-line with in store pick-up AWESOME!
"It Bitstreams the audio and my receiver lights up DTS HD Master AUDIO and TRUEHD"
I would like to use my TrueHD and DTS HD decoder on my receiver when it comes in as well, but is that all we are striving for? Lighting up the Codec lights? After all, many of the other players have decoders in them... granted only 5.1.
Sadly for profile 1.1 or profile 2.0 to mean anything you have to have hardware and software.
So far all I'm seeing is what boils down to little more than we had (an age ago) with interactive CD ROMs.
It's (sadly for the Blu fans) still nothing like HD DVD's iHD.
Shhh, Truth Teller!! Stop reminding Blu-ray only-folks they're paying more for less!!
While I'm sure this is a great player, if it were a HD-DVD player, I'm sure we would have heard about how the HD-DVD camp is horrible as they can't even straighten out who is selling it, and who can't seem to find it.
Whooo! HD-DVD trolls....High Five!!
I actually just ordered this unit on Monday from Circuit City, and it shipped yesterday. So I should have it via FedEx by Saturday! Too bad Amazon was taking forever, typically I order from them. Oh well, I guess paying sales tax every once in awhile isn't horrible.
$500??? I'll buy a blu-ray player once the 2.0 spec players are released and the price is $200 or less.
Will this player be upgradeable to profile 2.0? If not shawnmos' comment is correct. Its better to wait a couple of months.
shawnmos
Need to wait for a HD player for under $200? You sound like the right demographic for HD DVD. Enjoy.
Truth Teller
Enjoy your awesome "HDi" while it lasts. Because it won't be for long. Or didn't you see the news that 100K PS3s are selling a week? Expect that to jump big time the next two months. See ya HD DVD.
Humongous high five
I should mention that I own a HD DVD player myself, but can't wait for the format to die so I can get rid of this POS that is so f'ing loud (yes, on par with the crapbox 360), slow and clunky functionality, and freezes with alarming regularity when trying its best to play a HD DVD disc (and not just combo discs). Yuck. And who wants to stick a ethernet cable into this thing? Every internet-capable device in my pad is wireless. My PS3 is wireless 802.11 and has been from day 1, not mention it streams media from my PC, internally decodes 7.1 TrueHD (something no HD DVD player can), is planned for a DTS-HD MA internal decode firmware update in the near future, can play SACDs, has never had a playback issue with any blu-ray disc, can be remotely operated (e.g. all media accessible via the PSP on WLAN, including remote PS3 on/off capability), etc, etc.
H4Idol,
I can see why you play movies with your PS3. It is because you don't use if for games. I'm sure you're ready to say the good games are coming out soon. The problem is they are coming out soon and not soon enough.
Its not the price for some people. Its buying hardware that it will become obsolete in a couple of months.
HD-DVD wins because of two words: REGION FREE
I don't understand how BD fans overlook or don't care about this one feature that makes Blu-Ray not even worth considering.
(All the features of BD Profile 2.0 have been available in HD-DVD for a year! Minus the extra layers of DRM and region lock-in)
Navstar, I hate to break it to ya, but hat "Region Free" status is one of the reasons (lack of additional security past ACSS being another) some studios, amongst which Fox, are absolutely opposed to go HD DVD. Sony and the BDA aren't imposing squat on studios. Studios have ASKED for this kind of feature to protect their international releases, both in theatres and their home video distribution circuits.
In conclusion: If a studio doesn't want a Region Code on Blu Ray, they don't put one in.
If they want one, they have the choice to do so.
But thanks for putting yet another nail in HD DVD's coffin though ;)
Oh, and given Warner's international retail distribution status, I wouldn't be surprised if this feature looks very interesting to them ;)
I picked up this player as soon as Circuit City got them in. It is an incredible player!!! Fast boot/load times. I now own this, a PS3 for blu-ray and the few games which are out for it and an A2. I prefer blu-ray because of the titles which are out for it, however there are a good amount of titles out on HD which I want to watch as well. Personally I am very pleased with the playback from all of the players, impressive sound quality.
@ Navstar. Personally region free means nothing to me. I have nothing that will require a player to require this, however it could be a decent feature for some people.
Wow, I can't wait to run right out and buy one today .... what??? .... it's $500????
Uh, nevermind. I guess I'll stick w/ my $99 HD-DVD player.
Wow so they managed to shift a few more PS3s to the gaming kids then huh?
Pity that doesn't mean jack to the (far bigger) a/v market.
Wake up.
The PS3 game console is just a game console
(and not even the leading game console in this generation, by some margin, at that).
Meanwhile the grown ups will continue to go with a proper fully spec'd high def DVD format
(which isn't laughably unfinished, over-priced and reliant on a kids game console).
But you carry on playing with yourself, enjoy.
If there was any parcel of truth to what you are saying "Truth Teller", then the Blu Ray format wouldn't have outsold HD DVDs (software wise) for ... what? Every single month of the year 2007? :)
And by a 2:1 margin on top of that (far bigger margin outside the US, up to a 9:1 margin in Japan).
Wake up man. Seriously.
Some of you guys need to learn about markets in their infancy and why in a tiny immature markets those percentage and ratios used to make big claims about as far as any actual 'lead' goes don't mean much at this stage.
The truth is that with over 10 times the number of players Blu-ray has barely maintained a 60:40 lead despite a year of supposedly 'blockbuster' Blu-ray movies.
Yeah, wake up men, seriously.
The game console strategy has failed.
What a waste of money, when you can get HD with more features for half the money. Blusers!
This is currently available at Best Buy. I saw it in the Manchester, CT store today.
Got mine yesterday at my local Circuit City. Got 10% off by buying online too.
Re this whole HDDVD vs. Blu-Ray debate--for me it was the content. I wanted Disney. Pretty much all the movies I want are on Blu-Ray. The SD card slot on this thing is cool too. Now my wife can drop in the card after taking pictures and look at them on the big screen instantly. Cool!
I have had the Panasonic for a few weeks now, great player. Next up will be an HD DVD. I see alot of Format bashing, this is really a joke. Buy what you want, read up on things and pick the player that fits your needs. You cannot compare the Panasonic to a $99 HD DVD, the features do not match up. Ny the time you are matching feature for feature your within $100 of each format. the biggest things holding me back on HD is Toshiba (I prefer Sony or Panasonic gear, just a preference I know)and the content, aside from 'Transformers' I have not seen a title I must have.
if i buy this in the US will it work in UK ?