Panny BD-65 vs BD-60

[j_garcia]

Even when the box showed up, I could tell it was smaller and slightly lighter, and sure enough it is quite a bit smaller (almost an inch shorter in depth):

Tray is on one side vs centered:

Overall, it performs pretty similarly. Setup is a little simpler as the menu system has been slimmed down quite a bit, not that the old one was complex; there are just less menus. The new remote is only slightly different and I prefer it over the one from the 60, but functionally they are nearly identical. Performance wise, I think the color looked a little better on the 65, though I think I may have set blacks to darker vs lighter on the 60, and that may have just made them seem that way. Using the same calibration for both. PQ wise, they looked the same. Upscaled SD DVD looked the same. In the audio department, I had a problem with my 2900 reading a disc, so I popped it into the 65 and was pleasantly surprised at how good it sounded via analog - this is a 2ch analog only setup. I still don't have web at the house up north so I wasn't able to try Netflix on it yet.

The verdict: every bit as good as the BD-60 with what feel like a few minor improvements. For those looking for a budget player and don't need internal decoding and multichannel analog out, this will be a great player.

 

[billy p]

I have the the bd-35 and very happy with the unit...but from your picture it looks the newer one is smaller but a wee bit higher? That, for me would make a difference since it sits on my cd player in my ent. unit.

 

[j_garcia]

I didn't measure, but it is slightly taller. I could stack 5 or 6 of these in that rack space - they are about as tall as the old Oppo DVD players. For what works out to ~$100 with the 3 free movies, I have no complaints about this player. I paid $99 for the BD-60 also on Monday after black friday

 

[jostenmeat]

Surprise, surprise, another good Pana bdp. Between me and my friends, I've installed the BD30, 35, 60, and 65. I do find it amusing how they keep changing their players from having it with the tray centered, or on the left. BD30 is on left, 60 is center, 65 on the left . . The 60 was already a very large decrease in physical size from the 30 for instance, so it's interesting that they still are going yet smaller . . .

 

[DTS-HD MA]

Costco has this player now for $149.99 and will start running a $30.00 manufacturing discount beginning thursday 6-10. Hope this info helps,

Cheers

 

[j_garcia]

Surprise, surprise, another good Pana bdp. Between me and my friends, I've installed the BD30, 35, 60, and 65. I do find it amusing how they keep changing their players from having it with the tray centered, or on the left. BD30 is on left, 60 is center, 65 on the left . . The 60 was already a very large decrease in physical size from the 30 for instance, so it's interesting that they still are going yet smaller . . .

I am kind of surprised that they did try to make it smaller, but from a shipping standpoint, the've reduced the box size by about 20%, which means more of them per truck.

 

[Alex2507]

Regarding the Netflix thig, does the 60 do Netflix? I'm like a complete VieraCast newb. I gotta check this out. The thread over at AVS put me to sleep ... twice.

 

[Alex2507]

Regarding the Netflix thig, does the 60 do Netflix?

Nope.

 

[highfigh]

I am kind of surprised that they did try to make it smaller, but from a shipping standpoint, the've reduced the box size by about 20%, which means more of them per truck.

I don't think they care how many they can fit on a truck- it's probably the weight that was a concern.

 

[j_garcia]

I don't think they care how many they can fit on a truck- it's probably the weight that was a concern.

Yes they do, because that means more product per shipment. The shipping weight of the two is almost identical.