Panasonic DVD-S54 information from Consumer Reports

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Panasonic DVD-S54

Approximate retail price:

$90

Summary: A progressive-scan single-disc DVD player with pseudo-HD upconversion.

3 people have reviewed this model.

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Type: Progressive-scan single-disc players

About - Panasonic DVD-S54
The Panasonic DVD-S54 is part of the Blu-ray & DVD player test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, DVD player models like the DVD-S54 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below. Film DVD at 480p: Scores of this picture-quality test indicate the sharpness and detail of images on HDTVs when the unit plays prerecorded film-based DVDs (most movies) at 480p video resolution. Video DVD at 480p: Scores of this picture-quality test indicate the sharpness and detail of images on HDTVs when the unit plays video-based DVDs (many prerecorded TV series compilations or concert videos, and home recordings) at 480p video resolution. Film DVD at 480i: Scores of this picture-quality test indicate the sharpness and detail of images on regular TVs when the unit plays film-based DVDs (most movies) at 480i resolution.

About - Panasonic DVD-S54

The Panasonic DVD-S54 is part of the Blu-ray & DVD player test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, DVD player models like the DVD-S54 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Film DVD at 480p:: Scores of this picture-quality test indicate the sharpness and detail of images on HDTVs when the unit plays prerecorded film-based DVDs (most movies) at 480p video resolution.
Video DVD at 480p:: Scores of this picture-quality test indicate the sharpness and detail of images on HDTVs when the unit plays video-based DVDs (many prerecorded TV series compilations or concert videos, and home recordings) at 480p video resolution.
Film DVD at 480i:: Scores of this picture-quality test indicate the sharpness and detail of images on regular TVs when the unit plays film-based DVDs (most movies) at 480i resolution.

About This Brand
Panasonic is a top-tier consumer electronics manufacturer in multiple product categories. its various DVD products have typically been midpriced and widely available. The company has been one of the more aggressive in the Blu-ray category in terms of price and assortment, and was the first to offer a portable Blu-ray player and among the first to add 3D capability.

About This Brand

Panasonic is a top-tier consumer electronics manufacturer in multiple product categories. its various DVD products have typically been midpriced and widely available. The company has been one of the more aggressive in the Blu-ray category in terms of price and assortment, and was the first to offer a portable Blu-ray player and among the first to add 3D capability.

Features & Specs - Panasonic DVD-S54
Video upconversion Can upconvert standard DVDs from 480i or 480p to 720p, 1080i, and for some models 1080p. Note that upconversion does not produce a true HD picture. Video upconversion	Yes
HDMI output HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a relatively new form of digital audio/video connection found on TVs, monitors, Blu-ray players, DVD players, receivers, cameras and digital TV tuners. HDMI has become the preferred connection method instead of component, etc., as it carries audio and video signals on the same cable. HDMI supports a range of standard- and high-definition video formats, although it can vary for each product. HDMI supports up to eight channels of uncompressed, 24-bit/192kHz audio. HDMI version 1.3, doubled the bandwidth of its predecessor (HDMI 1.2), and added support for 30-, 36- and 48-bit color depth and a new "xvYCC" color standard, as well as the new Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master lossless audio formats (See "Dolby True HD" and "DTS-HD Master Audio") used in Blu-ray discs. HDMI version 1.4 added full support for 3D television, an audio return path, and ethernet network connection. Some Blu-ray discs, in order to be viewed in high-definition, will require that the Blu-ray player and the HDTV/display be connected using an HDMI cable as a copy-protection measure. HDMI allows content providers to limit the quality of the component video outputs, and your ability to record the content. HDMI output	Yes
Coaxial digital-audio out Digital-audio outputs are important only if your home-theater system lacks HDMI connections. As an alternative, you can pipe the digital audio signals--both stereo and multichannel--from the Blu-ray or DVD player, or television set-top box into a digital receiver. Coaxial digital audio interconnect, also called SPDIF cable, sends digital audio signals over a coaxial cable. This coaxial cable is the same as a composite-video cable -- both use common RCA connectors. Digital-audio, via coax or optical, supports multichannel Dolby Digital and DTS audio, but not the more advanced formats available over HDMI. When choosing your Blu-ray or DVD player, consider the models that have the outputs to match the inputs on your digital receiver or external, digital decoder. All Blu-ray and DVD players have digital audio outputs--coaxial, optical, or both. Coaxial digital-audio out	Yes
Optical digital-audio out Digital-audio outputs are important if you plan to pipe digital audio signals--both stereo and multichannel--from the DVD player into a home-theater system's digital receiver. Optical digital audio interconnects, also called Toslink cables, send digital audio signals as pulses of light rather than through copper wires. Like digital coax, optical cables support multichannel Dolby Digital and DTS audio. Most optical cables use the small, squarish Toslink connector, but there's also a smaller mini optical connector, which looks a lot like a standard 1/8-inch mini-plug. When choosing your DVD player, consider the models that have the outputs to match the inputs on your digital receiver or external, digital decoder. All DVD players have digital audio outputs--coaxial, optical, or both. Optical digital-audio out	No
Multichannel analog audio decoder For a DVD player with built-in decoding of Dolby Digital or DTS multichannel audio (necessary for full enjoyment of multichannel audio soundtracks if your receiver lacks this capability), these outputs may be connected to the multichannel inputs of your receiver or integrated amplifier. High-definition DVD players may also offer decoding of Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True-HD, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, and DTS-HD Master Audio -- four technically more advanced types of multi-channel audio that may be available on high-definition videodiscs. Multichannel analog audio decoder	No
Universal remote Controls not only its accompanying device but also other components, such as TVs of various brands. Universal remote	No
Screen saver Over time, long-term pausing of movies or displaying the player's menu or logo may cause parts of those images to "burn" into the screen, potentially resulting in permanent damage. A screen saver substitutes a moving image whenever the screen image is motionless for a long period. Screen saver	No
More features and specs

Additional Information (The information below has been supplied by an external source.)

General Information
Manufacturer	Panasonic
Manufacturer Website Address	www.panasonic.com
Product Model	DVD-S54K
Product Name	DVD-S54K DVD Player
Product Type	DVD Player

User Reviews - Panasonic DVD-S54

Consumer Reports User Reviews

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Anonymous

from

S/C

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Panasonic has great quality

12/14/2009

Pros

Attractive Design

Compact

Consistent Performance

Easy To Set Up

Easy To Use

High Quality Picture

Cons

Best Uses

Bedroom

Home

Comment:

I would buy anything with the Panasonic name on it. Unlike SONY you are not paying for a good name. And at my last check SONY quality has fallen off a lot in the past few years. Your better off with a Panasonc for reliablity and quality.

Anonymous

from

Aurora, CO

1.0

DO NOT BUY!!!!

11/6/2009

Pros

None at all

Cons

Breaks

Flimsy Construction

Best Uses

None at all

Comment:

We bought this for our new TV, replacing a 7 year old Sony player. The Sony is still working just fine, but the Panasonic broke within four months. We spent $50 on a diagnosis fee from a repair shop. That means we spent a total of [$]for a player that lasted four months. I have had nothing but bad luck with anything Panasonic and firmly believe they should just go under (no bailouts for Panasonic!)

Anonymous

from

Germany

(3 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Not good

11/28/2008

Pros

Cons

Broken

Best Uses

Home

Comment:

I've owned 2. The first one broke within the first couple weeks of owning it. Took it back to the store and they replaced it. The second one freezes up and it seems like it's when the scene has a lot of white in it picture it freezes and you have to stop or eject depending on how jammed up it's behaving. Restart and it would freeze on the next scene with a lot of white and so on.... the first one did the same but you couldn't even turn it off to restart.<br />This is the worst DVD player I've owned.

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