If you are going to DVD, then at least do it right!
Written: Jul 21 '01
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Pros: Incredible image quality and excellent sound from a reference player capable of progress scan
Cons: High Price, No HDCD support
The Bottom Line: This is a quality product all the way around! Best picture I've ever seen. All kinds of outputs! Audio sounds as good as the video looks.
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| Mr.Keegan's Full Review: Panasonic DVD-H1000 DVD Player |
This player has met my expectations in every way. For $3000 it's a tough sale in light of the price of Toshiba's 6200 but for under $2000 it is practically a bargain. And unlike the Toshibas, all features on the Panasonic can actually be used in progressive mode, rather than interlaced only
Build quality is extremely high; weighs almost 40 lbs. Not as good looking as the Pioneer 09, but plays and operates better. (Without the remote you can't play some discs on the 09). Necessary controls on front panel with full control from the remote. Remote has large transport buttons that can be operated by feel, not backlit but they glow in the dark. Remembers where you stop even when turned off. Quiet, quick operation. Outputs full 96khz signal on digital out from music DVD's, can downsample to 48khz if needed. Most others already downsample, losing the benefit of 96khz available.
The onscreen display appears across the top and does not block out the viewing area. Not only displays the status of every feature on the disc, but directly allows manipulation of those features: you can change the audio, the angle, the chapter, the title, the output, subtitles, gamma, and more immediately. Simply the best way I have seen to handle these features.
The picture is simply the best I have seen, bar none, including the $15,000 Meridian. Clear, flawless, 5 speeds forward and backward, slow motion, still. Hard to see the difference between S-video and component out unless you have a great set. The REGULAR component outs into a Sony Wega 36-200 is breathtaking, almost 3-D. I have taken the player to the dealer to see the progressive outputs on a new Pioneer Elite 710 - the dealer was impressed. It produces an even better picture than the built in line doubler (which is the best internal doubler I have ever seen!) However on the Pioneer you loose the ability to change picture size in progressive mode - you see what is on the disc (problem with Pioneer not Panasonic).
I have played the most difficult discs mentioned in magazines and all of them are played flawlessly. Perhaps the most difficult thing to play is end credits with small print in white on dark backgrounds or black. These are totally jitter free, and clear. To pay full list price would still get you the best player I have seen (but this is a rapidly improving and changing area in electronics) but you can get this unit for almost half list which is the bargain of the year, even if you don't have a progressive capable set. The picture from the regular outputs is simply as good as it gets right now. Progressive is gilding the lily!
The sound is also incredible from the digital outputs. Equals any CD drive I have heard at any price, including the Meridian 800. If you have a decent, good, or great digital processor, the Panasonic will deliver the goods to it.
This is a first rate product of the highest caliber at a reasonable price if you want the best.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1900
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Epinions.com ID:
Mr.Keegan
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Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 1 member
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