Panasonic DVD-S97S Progressive Scan DVD Player with HDMI (Silver)

Rating:
Summary: The Panasonic DVD-S97S Puts Them To Shame!
Review: There is no dvd player out there at this price even comparable to the Panasonic DVD-S97S. I've got mine hooked up to the Hitachi 57S715 Projection Television along with the Onkyo HT-S770 Home Theatre System and talk about a cinema experiment. The picture quality is unbelievable, crystal clear and the sound quality leaves my two year old son running to his room. This dvd player is sleek so it pretty much fits anywhere you want to put it. The menu is user friendly, but the remote control is not being used since I have a Sony RM-AV 3100 remote control which controls all of my components. The HDMI connections makes it an easy set up, not having to fool with all those audio and video cables. I must admit, I'm a home theatre buff, so it took a lot of researching and reviewing to finally make a decision on a dvd player and this Panasonic DVD-S97S is worth the price, which at first seemed a little high, but if you want excellent sound and picture quality, this is your best bet. If you're also looking for Home Theatre System, trust me, the Onkyo HT-S770 will stand up to any of the Bose systems at a fraction of the cost. Just go to the nearest Circuit City and listen to one and you want even notice the difference. But for sure, go cop the Panasonic S97 dvd player, you won't be disappointed, I assure you!

Rating:
Summary: It's out now...!
Review: Update: I have it. It looks better in person. and it DOES HAVE DCDI! I don't understand why they did not promote that feature. I love Panasonic, but the truth is, DCDI is not much better then whatever Samsung used in it's DVD-HD841. Then again, I just got it so I am still checking it out. The inputs are not gold plated. The remote is ok, if not a little old school and it has NO EJECT button! It has buttons that other DVD player don't have, but they forgot the one button that I am sure that many people are used to using.

The main mystery is that when this model was first annoucned, that specified that it had DCDI, then reports of the net said and showed proof that it did not. All listings including on Panasonic's own website makes no mention of DCDI and the manual and the box makes no mention of it. The only reason I know or assume that it has DCDI is because the logo is clearly on the little cardboard store ad thing on the top of the player. Maybe that was printed prior to the realse. I would hate to take is apart..

I will update once I put it through some more tests. I am compring it to an older model non-progressive scna Panasonic modle with 54mhz and the Samsung DVD-HD841. Which I could not use for some strange reason, but Panasonic let's you choose between 4:4:4, 4:2:2(?) and RGB. Mine only comes in on RGB. I guess the other modes must be for some other hook up. The manual does not explain...

NEW! I take back what I said about the Samsung comaparisons. Once I tinkered with the adjustments, the picture blows away the Samsung! There are a few problems that only a videophile would recognize, but it is on point otherwise. There are so many options that you do have to tinker with it to get it right for your display. I was watching Shaft(original) and it did indeed look as if I were watching on HBO-HD or something. Or course, TV is still better, but after this you don't want to watch a DVD in any other way. Forget those THX certified and other way over priced models, this is the best that can be done witht the picture for the mass market. The overpriced models are mainly built for high-end audio and not video.

Rating:
Summary: DVD upconverting and Faroudja DCDi processing
Review: WOW! This has it all, even the desirable Faroudja DCDi processing (as written on the sides of the box). This takes DVD viewing up to the next level. I did not think they could improve on the picture quality of 480p progressive DVD players until HD-DVDs and players arrive in 2005 or 2006. I was wrong. This Panasonic is among the best available at any price. I purchased on-line because local stores do not carry this flagship model. No buyers remorse in my house over this purchase.

Rating:
Summary: Don't screw up the ratings with Amazon complaints!
Review: You doofuses who rate this a Bad Prodect (one star) need to read the review guidelines. If your complaint is with Amazon, then DON'T ding the product! It does no one any good, is pointless, and just demonstrates your lack of sense.

The early samples of this product that I have seen have shown outstanding performance. There's no reason to believe that the final release product will be any different.