Panasonic DVD-S97 DVD Player with HDMI

[Audioholics]

<P><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/news/uploads/PanasonicDVDS97S.jpg"></A><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/news/uploads/PanasonicDVDS97S1.jpg"></A><FONT size=2><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/news/pressreleases/PanasonicDVDS97HDMI.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 51px" alt=[PanasonicDVDS97S2] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/PanasonicDVDS97S2_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>Panasonic&nbsp;recently introduced the new DVD-S97 DVD player.&nbsp;It features&nbsp;a 216MHz/11-bit Video D/A converter and is able to fully transmit the a 13.5MHz video signal&nbsp;guaranteeing that it can&nbsp;deliver crisp edges that give depth and provide a level of definition that brings out every detail. The Panasonic DVD-S97 also boasts resolution upconversion, so when the DVD player is connected to an HDMI compatible monitor, DVD images can be upconverted to 720p or 1080i for output. These converted images have much higher resolution than the 480p images of component output.&nbsp;</FONT><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">With an MSRP of $299 this is a step in the right direction for Panasonic.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>[More Details &amp; Specs]</FONT></P>

 

[Johnny Canuck]

How would this model compare to the Denon DVD players? I am waiting for all the new blue ray technology, next generation DVD players before i fork out good money. This may be a cost effective way to get me to that next generation and still have HDMI, SACD etc. Do you still need to buy all the analog connectors to use DVD audio if you use HDMI? Those cables are worth a few hundred bucks on their own!! If you don't, this unit will be almost the same price as those cables...Will this work with Denon link on the 3805?
Thank you

 

[Johnny Canuck]

Does my Denon 3805 have HDMI??? I looked in my manual and i don't see it.

 

[Adil M]

Nice Unit

No, Denon Link compatibility.
No, the Denon 3805 does not have HDMI.

What good is the 216mhz and 11 bit DAC if you are using the HDMI output?
How does this unit look in comparison to previous Faroudja units like the XP30 or RP82 when using the component connection?

 

[Sleestack]

I ordered one of the Panasonic S97S for the Sharp LC-26GD6U I use as my computer monitor. I can't wait to see how the upscaling looks. At $250 it was a no brainer. I'll post my first hand impressions in a few days.

 

[Johnny Canuck]

I was told upscalers are a waste of money...720p is better and progressive is always better. In fact artificially doubling the resolution of a DVD worsens the quality. HDMI is only more convenient as you use less wires, ...but as i see it, with my Denon 3805, i will need all the wires anyways.

 

[Sleestack]

Is it upscaling 480p to 720p? That's what I was hoping. I guess I'll see in a few days. I also got the Sony NS999ES today so I'll do a head to head comparison of the Sony 480p and Panasonic 720p.

 

[ULTE]

The PANS97 is a good bargain considering it has the same video proc. as the Denon 3910!

 

[aarond]

The PANS97 is a good bargain considering it has the same video proc. as the Denon 3910!

They use the same deinterlacer chip the FLI-2310 but the panasonic uses the Matsu****a MEI MPEG decoder and the denon uses the ESS Vibrato II MPEG decoder

 

[BuddTX]

No SACD, right?

 

[Sleestack]

I just hooked mine up. No SACD, but I'll use the Sony for that. I spent twenty minutes checking out Ghost in the Machine 2 and Collateral in the various modes. I love this player. The image is perfect through the HDMI connection and the upscaling of 480p to 720p and 1080i is seamless. At $250 I highly recommend it to anyone who has an HDMI TV.

 

[snakeyes]

bump

does anyone have more info on this player? i want to get it for my toshiba 52hm84 via hdmi anyone have this config? or at least shed some light on the performance of this player thanks.

 

[201jamesg]

Has anyone compared the S-97 to the Sony 975? I'm looking for a dedicated DVD player and trying to decide between the two. The Sony gets good reviews, but seems to have some QC issues.

 

[Sleestack]

If anyone is interested, I'm selling my S97. I had purchased a Sony DVP NS999ES for my main office TV and the Panasonic S97 for my desk TV/monitor (b/c it has an HDMI connection). The Sony had a small problem, so I returned it for a Denon 3910. The 3910 also upscales and has an HDMI connection, so I have decided to run the Denon to both TVs rather than use the S97. The S97 was opened a week ago and has been used for 5 hours. It is in perfect condition. I really liked the S97, especially the upscaling, but for obvious reasons I am going to use the 3910 instead.

$200 and I'll cover shipping.

 

[westie7]

I am looking to purchase this player. PM sent

 

[warpdrive]

I was told upscalers are a waste of money...720p is better and progressive is always better. In fact artificially doubling the resolution of a DVD worsens the quality. HDMI is only more convenient as you use less wires, ...but as i see it, with my Denon 3805, i will need all the wires anyways.

You've been told wrong.