Panasonic CP72 Super Slim Progressive Scan DVD-Audio/Video Changer
Written: Nov 18 '02 (Updated Jan 06 '04)
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Pros: Very low price, DVD-Audio and progressive scan, performancem features, size
Cons: Remote could be better
The Bottom Line: For less than $200 (and less than $170 after rebate), the Panasonic DVD-CP72 is an excellent value and a produces ...
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| dkozin's Full Review: Panasonic DVD-CP72 Multi-disc DVD Player |
The Panasonic DVD-CP72 is a progressive scan 5-Disc DVD-Audio/Video/CD changer with DVD-RAM, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3 and WMA playback available for less than $200. Also, the $30 rebate available at Panasonic’s web site (until 3/31/2003) makes the price less than $170!
Front Panel
The CP72 is very-low profile (slim) and has a display that is located on the right side of the case (to make it slimmer). The buttons for playback control are located in one row below the disc tray with buttons for disc skip, disc exchange and open/close being under the display. Also present are buttons and LEDs for progressive scan switching (on/off) and “Audio Only” mode button (to turn the video circuitry off to minimize interference and audio noise).
Connections
The changer has the following connectors:
Video: all necessary video outs are present including a component video output, an S-video output and a component video out.
The best way to connect the changer to a TV (if you r TV has this type) of input would be a component video out. It digitally separates the video signal into its luminance (Y) and separate chrominance (PR and PB) elements, allowing delivery of a reference-quality picture with precise color reproduction. Also, to use the CP72’s progressive scan, you have to use component video connection and have a TV that can accept progressive scan (480p) input – an EDTV or HDTV monitor or TV.
If you don’t have a TV that can handle progressive scan signal, you can use the component video out in “standard” interlaced mode. You can also use an S-Video out if your TV cannot accept progressive scan signal. Majority of modern TVs larger than 25” have at least this kind of input.
And if you have an older TV with no S-Video input, you can use composite video connection, that will still provide picture quality much better than any VHS or S-VHS VCR can manage.
Audio: the changer has 5.1 analog audio out and an optical digital-audio output (PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital and DTS compatible). The changer can play DVD-Audio discs as well as decode Dolby Digital and DTS and output the sound through its 5.1 analog audio out.
Power: the rear panel also has a standard AC power connector, which is useful if your power cord gets chewed up by your dog – you will be able to easily replace it yourself.
Picture and Sound
The CP72 features excellent picture quality in progressive scan mode. The use of patented Faroudja DCDi chip produces excellent picture quality, which is better than the picture quality produced by Sony and JVC DVD players. The moving objects don’t produce visible scan lines and the diagonal lines with scenes with motion look straight and solid.
The sound quality is also excellent from the changer’s analog 5.1 out in Dolby Digital, DTS or DVD-Audio. When the signal is output through the optical digital out, the sound quality depends on the receiver and speakers (as is the case with outer DVD-Audio or SACD players, the DVD-Audio cannot be output through the digital out).
DVD-Audio
The changer can play DVD-Audio discs and produces excellent picture quality while doing so.
CD-R and CD-RW Playback
The changer can play CD-R and CD-RW discs including discs with MP3 and WMA files, CD Audio, VCD and XVCD.
MP3 and WMA
The CP72 plays MP3 files at 32-320 kbps bit rate and WMA (Windows Media) files. The changer’s MP3 playback interface is well-designed and easy to use. Windows Media files have better sound quality than MP3 at the same bit rate, but the MP3 is more widespread. The sound quality of MP3 playback depends on the bit rate with which the file was encoded originally.
Video CD and XVCD
The CP72 can play both Video CD (352x240 resolution, MPEG-1 encoding at about 1150 kbps CBR) and XVCD (I use 720x480 resolution, VBR at up to 2500 kbps). XVCD provides picture quality much better than VHS (DVD resolution).
Features
The changer’s playback and mode change operations are very quick, but disc skip takes a while. However, this is the case with majority of DVD changers. The changer allows you exchange discs while one of the discs is playing (play exchange).
Digital Cinema Mode
The changer features the Digital Cinema Mode, which enhances the picture by reducing glare, softening resolution, and improving visibility of details in dark scenes, resulting in a more realistic, cinemalike image. I find this feature useful when you watch a movie that is too dark and you want to see details in the darker areas.
The “User” mode allows you can control brightness, contrast and colors separately.
Dialogue Enhancer
The Dialogue Enhancer feature boosts the volume of the center channel when playing a Dolby Digital disc so that the dialogue doesn't become drowned out by the left and right speakers. This helps you to be able to keep the volume level lower while still being able to hear what people on the screen say, because the speech in 5.1-encoded movies is usually located in the center channel.
VSS
The Advanced Virtual Surround Sound (VSS) circuitry simulates the "presence effect" by downmixing Dolby Digital signal to two channels (and optionally a separate subwoofer), so you can enjoy audio effects with just 2 speakers.
Other Features
There are 5 speeds of fast scan (up to 200x) and 5 speeds of slow scan in either direction, still and frame advance modes, “resume” and chapter preview. Five bookmarks are available for you to make it easy to return to a moment on the disc you like. You can also go to any moment on the disc by entering the time.
There is a shuffle/random mode, direct track access, programmed playback, the zoom allows you zoom in onto a widescreen movie and eliminate black bars on top and bottom of the picture if you are using “standard”, non-widescreen TV. The menus can be switched between English, Spanish and French. The CP72 also has parental control functions.
Remote
The remote control is easy to use but has weird angular shape with many small similarly-sized buttons. Also, the remote does not allow you to control your TV and its buttons are not backlit. It would be nice to have at least volume control buttons for the receiver on this remote control.
Bottom Line
For less than $200 (and less than $170 after rebate), the Panasonic DVD-CP72 is an excellent value and a produces excellent picture and sound quality.
Current Panasonic DVD Players
Below you can find the current lineup of Panasonic DVD players:
Panasonic DVD-F65
Panasonic DVD-S55
Panasonic DVD-S35
Panasonic DVD-S25
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 199-30= $169
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dkozin
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Location: California
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I love to push buttons on electronic (audio and video) equipment. It makes me happy.
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