Rating: 
Summary: Panasonic Does It Again
Review: First of all, I'd like to address other users comments about Panasonic's motors burning out and about the freezing up problems. This is my third DVD player I've owned from Panasonic and the first two are still running like a champ, including the DMR-E55S recorder. The DVD-F85 (actually the model that this model replaced) works great and never had a problem playing discs. I have been always pleased by Panasonic products, if not for performance, then always for quality and durability.
Now for this model. It is an improvement over the last one. I like the fact that you can play a WIDE range of formats in this machine like DVD-RAM discs and DVD-Audio discs. I have an older receiver with 5.1 discrete inputs (no Dolby Digital decoder built-in). That's why I bought this model, because it had the decoder built in. The picture is stunning and the sound is excellent, as should every DVD player today. The setup is still a little complicated than I think it should be, but I was able to do it fairly easily. The manual is a bit poorly laid out, but everything you need to know is in there.
At this price, there is no argument that this is a great buy. And top-rated by Consumer Reports doesn't hurt your chances either. Get it.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Player, terse manual, can't play DVD-MP3
Review: I have had this player for over two weeks now and it has performed quite well. This is an excellent player for the price. It played some damaged DVDs better than other players I had tried.
I am giving this 4 stars due to the quality of the manual. The manual is too terse and not really well laid out.
I was also little disappointed that the player is able to show the MP3 files located on a DVD+R but can't play them.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent performance and value
Review: I wanted a budget DVD/CD changer that could also play DVD-Audio (DVD-A). I was a bit skeptical about this player, having read other user reviews.At it's price point of $130, I decided to give this player a try - because I could always exchange it for another player if necessary. Currently I also own a JVC progressive and an Aiwa non-progressive DVD player. Both those players are good, but have problems playing certain DVD and VCD disks. I was presently surprised to find that the new Panasonic DVD-F87 player played all the disks with which I had problems with my previous players. The player is quite thin and has a small footprint - the width being actually slightly less than my old JVC single-disk DVD player! I set up this player using component video cables to a Samsung widescreen HDTV and using digital coaxial cable to a JVC RX-6030. I first tried the "quick setup" menu features, but was not impressed with the results. So, I decided to use the more advanced menu options and was able to tweak it to audio and video excellence. Since I have a HDTV, I set it up to use progressive scan (selecting 480p). The video performance is excellent for the "film based" (24fps) DVDs using 3:2 pulldown, but average for "video based" (30fps) DVDs. This is because these low cost Panasonic players no longer have the Sage/Faroudja DCDi deinterlacing chip. Thankfully, almost 90% of new DVD movies released today are film based, so this player will have no problem producing excellent video output. Besides, its 54MHz/10-bit video DAC produces an increadibly good detailed image. Another feature highlight is its "black level" control, which improves picture contrast considerably. It has a number of zoom modes to suit the DVD format and your viewing style and does a superb job of scaling. You can even scale non-anamorphic DVDs to suit the aspect ratio of your TV (using the "Display" menu). The real surprise is in the audio performance with its 192kHz/24-bit audio D/A converter. DVD-A and HDCD and two of the advanced formats supported (but not SACD) that provide very detailed sound quality. But the key feature that sets this player apart from the competition is the oversampling feature (called "multi remaster") with improves the detail in your normal (or "redbook") CDs. The result is very detailed sound, with clean and smooth highs with a wide soundstage and excellent imaging. Bass is also defined and tight. With multi remaster enabled, I compared the Panasonic F87 with a more expensive Marantz 4400 DVD player and the Panasonic won hands down. So I now have this player connected (in stereo mode) to my more high-end stereo audio gear. On the downside, the thin manual does not do justice to the ton of audio and video features that can be tweaked using a combination of menus. But if you are an audio or video-phile I can guarantee you will have fun with this player! In conclusion, I highly recommend this player to those of you who are willing to go beyond the "plug and play" and are willing to use the excellent menu features to tweak the player to your liking.
Rating: 
Summary: Freezes on DVD Playback--too bad, otherwise a nice player
Review: I was pessimistic because of a poor experience with a Panasonic DVD player in the past...I've owned many different Panasonic electronic components and have been 100% satisified, except with their DVD players. Unfortunately, I should have trusted my gut and stayed away from Panasonic DVD. The very first movie I played, which was brand new out of the package, was Matrix Revolutions. At chpt 21, the DVD player hangs up, freezes, and eventually skips ahead about 5 minutes into the movie. I took the DVD to my Toshiba DVD/VCR combo unit and it plays in the same area without a hitch. I tried playing the DVD in 3 different slots in the carousel and had the same exact problem. I'm returning this DVD player. It is a shame, because I really like the features for the price on this player. It is slightly (though not much) quicker changing CDs than other DVD changers. The buttons are easily accesible on the unit itself (so finding the remote isn't mandatory), and it takes 2 pushes of remote buttons to get CD random play (which is better than some of the comptetitors. Quality of audio and video was excellent. The only other major complaint is the remote. The range of the remote is weak. I couldn't get the DVD player to respond to remote inputs sitting on my couch which is about 7 feet from the DVD player...that was also annoying. Stay away from Panasonic DVD, that is my advice. This is my second Panasonic DVD player that has issues with hanging up and freezing on DVD play. I'm now debating between Toshiba and Sony...
Rating:
Summary: Excellent value
Review: I've been using an F87S since last spring for multi-disc DVD sets. It works great with everything that I've played, and it handles JPG CDs better than my more expensive single disc player. I just don't see any difference between its video output and other higher-priced players I've owned.
The only thing missing is a TOSlink/Optical audio output, which is pretty standard these days. It has the Coaxial digital output, but that forced me to reconfigure my system as my receiver only had one Coaxial input that would work with a DVD player.
Rating:
Summary: I REALLY NEEDED THIS!!!!
Review: My wife wanted to know why I wanted to buy a new DVD player when the one we had was only 6 months old. Simple...5 disc capability. I'm a DVD nerd. I love muti-disc, collectors, special, deluxe edition sets. What I don't like is having to get up and change discs all the time.
The panasonic F87S answers my prayers with this 5 disc capability player. It's a tough, durable machine that can handle the needs of someone like myself who always has 4 discs in the player, rotating around depending on what I want to watch.
Outstanding picture and sound and excellent features make this one a great buy for multiple disc DVD players. The manual is consice and easy to read but any DVD aficiando will know how to use it anyway.
Only minor complaint is the design of the remote control with its bulky, rear weight balance.
Rating: 
Summary: NIce unit but........................
Review: Nice unit but it will only play DVD-R if they are recorded using a Panasonic DVD recorder or a camcorder. The description is a little misleading. But other then that nice picture and sound.
Rating: 
Summary: Buyer Beware
Review: Over the past few years Panasonic has been selling DVD players with motors that burn out after about 1 year. My player was an S35 and it lasted nine months. Panasonic has done nothing to address this situation. If you really want the Panasonic, scour the Web before you buy to make sure that there aren't a lot of complaints out there. Then cross you fingers.
Rating:
Summary: Worked fine for 9 months...
Review: This DVD player worked just fine for around 9 months and now something has gone wrong with the processor- I no longer get any output to the subwoofer channel from either the Digital Coax or the analogue multichannel outputs. I am also starting to notice that the surround channels cut out frequently. Too bad that the warranty only lasted for 3 months...
Rating:
Summary: Poor Color Decoder - by design
Review: This is the first time I have been unhappy with a Panasonic
product. It looks good, had nice features, decent remote, but
the picture quality is poor.
This unit displays distinct bands of color when it should display smooth gradations of color.
For example, a headlight on a foggy night displays as concentric bands around the headlight, instead of displaying all the shades of brightness between light and dark.
Panasonic tech support told my local repair shop that this is not a bug or defect. Rather, Panasonic uses fewer bits in its color circuits than most other DVD players. It is like reducing the number of colors on your PC screen settings.
I own 6 DVD players, including a
real cheapo model, and none of them dislay this banding.
I own Pana DVD TV combo which I love. I don't know why Panasonic
chose to build newer models with reduced bits, but the picture
is unacceptable on those scenes.
Most of the time the picture is OK. But when there is a scene with a sky, or a lamp in a dark room, I just want to throw
this unit in the basement and buy something that works.
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