Panasonic DMP-BD85K WiFi Enabled Blu-Ray Disc Player
- Superior Video and Audio Performance
- Wi-Fi enabled with super sensitive antenna
- Ultra-fast 0.5 second startup
- More compact Design
- More efficient energy consumption
Product Description
With the DMP-BD45 from Panasonic, the Full HD 1080p video for which Blu-ray Disc is know is only the beginning. On the audio side of things, Dolby TrueHD, dts-HD Master Audio, and advanced Panasonic technologies serve up studio-quality multi-channel surround sound to your home audio system. Further, while HDMI output offers optimal single-cable, HD system connectivity, support for formats ranging from AVCHD to MP3 to JPEG allows for optimal versatility… More >>
Panasonic DMP-BD85K WiFi Enabled Blu-Ray Disc Player
Tagged with: Bluray • Disc • DMPBD85K • Enabled • Panasonic • Player • WiFi
Filed under: Blu Ray DVD Players
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not sure if it is my tv but not that impressed with blu ray vs dvd although i think my last upconverting dvd player did a better job im still happy with my purchace
Rating: 4 / 5
I bought this locally for a price $50 below Amazon’s (sorry Amazon) and was quite impressed with the features and picture quality. My old DVD quit working, and rather than going backwards and buying a SD DVD player, I decided should get Blu-Ray. I still don’t have an HD TV yet, but let’s face it, some day I will, and I want to be prepared to watch movies in HD. So, I am using the composite video out ( i would use the S Video out, but this unit does not have one) and I must say the video quality is flawless, definitely better than my old Sony DVD player using S-Video. I only bought one Blu-Ray DVD to test the unit and that was Mad Men Season 3, and there is definitely a noticeable difference even when downscaled to the composite output, and the sound is amazingly clear on my home theater, better than the Sony.
The Wireless on this unit is exceptional. I am using WPA2 (AES) with MAC filtering, and this unit connects every time without hesitation, so for those with less wireless security than mine there should be no problems. Sure the network interface is a little bit clunky, and is a little bit sparse at present, but I’m sure Panasonic will improve this as time goes on (and firmware gets upgraded). The Netflix interface is great, much better than watching a movie on your laptop. The picture quality is very good, it varies from movie to movie, but so far and more importantly I have yet to see a movie freeze or break up at all. It just works!
The YouTube interface is quite nice, though some of my playlists are a bit quirky, some of the videos are repeated several times, but not on my computer playlists (which are supposed to mirror each other). I like that I can search for videos from my remote and add them to a playlist or even create a new one from my easy chair. The videos look really good for YouTube videos, and depending on the source sound good too. I was watching music videos and it looked like it was on VH1 or whatever station plays music these days. If you use Picasa you can view your web albums on your TV and boy do they look amazing! The only annoying thing is when you are in slide show mode this acoustic guitar music appears out of nowhere and I see no options to shut it off. Maybe there is a feature in Picasa itself I overlooked. You can also search for pictures to view that other have uploaded for public view. I had fun looking at other people’s pictures from the 50′s and 60′s, great to see what life was like at another time.
There is also an Amazon On Demand feature which I have not tried, since I pay for Netflix I see no need to pay for other movies through this service.
This unit also displays weather and Bloomberg market info which is great if you just want to take a quick look, though you can look up stock info and finance headlines as well.
If you have DIVX movies this unit can handle them as well, and they look wonderful, the machine can also decode DIVX HD formats (which I have none of) but is good to know for the future. Oh, and of course it plays standard DVDs and CDs as well, and they also sound very good.
Rating: 4 / 5
Very pleased with the hardware aspects. Easy set-up, great picture and sound. HOWEVER – the Panasonic press release from January 6, 2010 clearly says that many new features are available with Viera Cast the internet streaming function. Yes, Netflix is available but everything else (especially Pandora is not available and when Panasonic Customer Service is contacted by phone they have no commitment to further functionality as advertised in the press release). There are no music, or radio stations available on this unit as all other competitors have. The Panasonic representative I spoke with (my case number is 27376199) specifically said there are no plans for Pandora, Skype etc as outlined in the press release. Additonally, on the Viera Cast window of the player there is a list of “coming soon” features, none are listed. I have tested twice for upgrades and each time the unit indicates the software is fully up to date. The date of manufacture of this unit was January 2010.
Be very careful in your selection of this product if you are looking for specific internet streaming functionality; the product is misrepresented in Pansonic info. Since the product first went on the market all mention of Pandora and other functions except Netflix have been removed from Websites. Below is the Panasonic Press release:
For hi-res photos and specifications, please visit: [...] to download the full press kit.
PANASONIC ADDS MAJOR NEW CONTENT AND FEATURES TO VIERA CAST(tm) HDTVs AND BLU-RAY DISC PLAYERS
Netflix(tm), Skype(tm), Pandora, and Other Sought-After Providers Enhance Critically-Acclaimed Service
LAS VEGAS, NV (January 6, 2010) — Panasonic, the industry leader in high-quality Plasma and LCD HDTVs and a major developer of the Blu-ray format, announced today that Fox Sports, Netflix, Pandora, and Twitter services, and the Skype on Your TV application, will be added to its 2010 application lineup of VIERA CAST-enabled HDTVs and Blu-ray players. The new services bring additional high-quality Internet content to Panasonic’s broadband-connected devices, enhancing the user experience and creating the perfect home entertainment centerpiece. With these new features and applications, Panasonic owners will now be able to access the latest sports news and information, thousands of additional popular movie and television titles, their favorite musical artists and songs, and even make calls directly from their Panasonic HDTV.
The new entertainment sites join and complement VIERA CAST’s current offerings, including Amazon Video on Demand(tm), YouTube(tm), Picasa(tm) Web Albums, Bloomberg News, and a weatherapplication.
To make the online experience seamless, Panasonic is also adding USB connectivity to its VIERA CAST HDTVs. With the new input, consumers can create a wireless Internet connection and use a wireless keyboard, making it even easier for those without adjacent Ethernet access to enjoy VIERA CAST services. And, by connecting USBdrive, viewers have even more ways to enjoy their music and photos on a large-screen, picture-perfect display.
In addition, an upgrade to the VIERA CAST user interface makes application access even faster and give the user the flexibility to customize the Viera Cast Menu screen.
VIERA CAST’s host of Internet-based services is accessed through a simple one-button on Panasonic remote controls. By offering VIERA CAST functionality to select Blu-ray players, even those not currently in the market for a new HDTV can enjoy the added attraction of enhanced Internet programming.
“With the addition of these five great offerings, Panasonic continues its leadership role in providing its customers with the ultimate in High Definition content,” said Merwan Mereby, Vice President, New Business Development, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “By giving consumers the best HDTV displays coupled with an extraordinary range of program services and options, Panasonic is once again setting the standard for home entertainment. Panasonic makes a point of listening to its customers and we saw that the Netflix service was an entertainment option that many users valued. So, for 2010 we have added Netflix to an already robust line-up. And the addition of Skype provides our customers with the ability to make voice and video calls from the comfort of their living room.”
About the new VIERA Cast features
Fox Sports offers Panasonic owners continually-updated scores, stats, and sports news, available without leaving the program in progress.
Netflix unlimited members can now instantly watch thousands of TV episodes and movies streamed from Netflix on new VIERA CAST-enabled HDTVs.
Pandora gives music lovers the opportunity to create their own unique “stations” playing just the type of music they love, and to listen to it directly through their Panasonic VIERA CAST HDTV and home theater systems.
Skype on Your TV integrates the powerful and popular Skype software application directly into Panasonic HDTVs. Skype software allows users to make free voice and video calls to other Skype users. Owners can now make and receive Skype voice and video calls directly from select new HDTV models. To conduct a Skype video call on a VIERA CAST HDTV, a specially-designed high-performance Panasonic camera, which is sold as a separate accessory, is simply plugged into the television. The camera includes a special microphone system that can easily pick up sound from couch-distance. Plus, it will deliver up to 720p high definition video quality depending on the consumer’s internet bandwidth.
With Twitter access, owners of VIERA CAST-enabled Panasonic HDTVs can Tweet and discover what’s happening now without needing to leave the comfort of their TV viewing room.
Rating: 1 / 5
Yay!
The BD 85 is a dramatic improvement for me over my BD 35 which I had thought was great already. Crisp picture, incredible sound (even on my home theater in a box), easy setup, easy Netflix, smooth streaming on my broadband (hardwired), fast BD load time, and remote syncs with my Panasonic plasma. Honestly, this is a great machine. Wow!
Rating: 5 / 5
I am all about quality when it comes to high end audio. I also want to add that I was a HD DVD fan mainly because they made the entire picture 1080p and the audio was better.
Last year I purchased a panasonic dmp bp 60. I was content for a while until I couldn’t play the cartoon Number 9. I know this is a software issue but I still prefered my Toshiba HDA30 in over all performance. Now the bd 60 has to go to the bedroom and I have a reason to upgrade. So Now, I needed a new Blu Ray player for the entertainmnent room.
I was considering a LG 590 or LG 390, OPPO 83 and the Panasonic 65 or 85. My TV is the Samsung 5281 and the guy at Best Buy recommended me to by the new samsung blu ray blayer, because it would match better but I couldn’t do it. From the reviews I’ve concluded the Oppo to be the best but I didn’t need the extras it were offering( dvd audio or sacd)?
Later that day I went to best buy to purchase the lg 390 open box because I wanted to upgrade from the bp 60. But the guy at best buy beg me not to buy it. He said it was never the best player here and he new I would not be happy with it. So I bought the panasonic dmp-bp 65 instead.
When I researched online I noticed the DMP- dp 65 was the same price or more than the DMP- B 85 I just purchased from BB. So I brought it back and ordered the DMP-bp 85 on line. Sorry BB. After 2 days it arrived. Later that day I pop it in. I must admit it is definetely an upgrade… The sound was full, clean and did sound tube like. I can tell they were focusing on audiophiles with this player. The picture is much cleaner and the colors more vibrant. I am pretty pleased with the upgrade they did to this player. Now we can start our movie nights again. Now here is my wife comment; Wow the picture looks waaaaayyy better honey… for about 2 minutes.
If you are shopping for a new blu ray player this will not dissapoint.
Rating: 5 / 5