ConsumerReports.org

< Go to Blu-ray & DVD players page

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.

See all 3 user reviews

Write a review

Type: Progressive-scan single-disc players

Specs
Disc capacity DVD players range in capacity from one disc to several hundred. DVD changers that hold more than one disc are useful if you plan to use it for listening to CDs as well as watching DVDs. The larger, "jukebox" changers, which can hold 100 or more DVDs, may suit you if you'd like to store your entire disc collection in the player. Disc capacity	1
Progressive-scan A progressive-scan DVD player can provide a standard-definition picture of higher-quality than an old interlaced-scan DVD player, but not like the high-definition picture from a Blu-ray player playing a Blu-ray disc. Progressive-scan	Yes

Features
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
Max upconversion resolution The maximum video resolution that this model can upconvert standard DVDs to. Note that upconversion does not produce a true high-definition picture. Max upconversion resolution	1080p
Virtual surround sound Produces a simulation of the surround-sound effect using just two speakers. Virtual surround sound	Yes
Audio dynamic range control Keeps explosions and other loud sound effects from being too loud, while boosting quieter sounds, such as whispers, loud enough to be heard. This feature is useful for late-night viewing. Audio dynamic range control	Yes
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
Universal remote Controls not only its accompanying device but also other components, such as TVs of various brands. Universal remote	No
Plays DVD-R discs Lets you play DVD-Recordable (DVD-R) discs recorded in DVD Video mode burned on a PC or a DVD-R recorder. Some discs may not play on a particular player for one reason or another. Plays DVD-R discs	Yes
Plays DVD-RW discs (video mode) Lets you play DVD-ReWritable (DVD-RW) discs recorded in DVD Video mode burned on a PC or a DVD-RW recorder. Some discs may not play on a particular player for one reason or another. Plays DVD-RW discs (video mode)	Yes
Plays DVD-RW discs (VR mode) Lets you play DVD-ReWritable (DVD-RW) discs recorded in DVD Video Recording (VR) mode burned on a PC or a DVD-RW recorder. Some discs may not play on a particular player for one reason or another. Plays DVD-RW discs (VR mode)	Yes
Plays DVD+R discs Lets you play DVD+Recordable (DVD+R) discs recorded in DVD Video mode burned on a PC or a DVD+R recorder. Some discs may not play on a particular player for one reason or another. Plays DVD+R discs	Yes
Plays DVD+RW discs Lets you play DVD+ReWritable (DVD+RW) discs recorded in DVD Video mode burned on a PC or a DVD+RW recorder. Some discs may not play on a particular player for one reason or another. Plays DVD+RW discs	Yes
Plays CD-Audio discs Lets you play commercial CD-Audio discs. Plays CD-Audio discs	Yes
Plays DVD-Audio discs Lets you play discs formatted in DVD-Audio, one of two competing audiophile music formats. DVD-Audio discs encode the music so that it can be output in either two or up to six channels. Both this and the other competing format, Super Audio CD (SACD), also claim to offer better sound quality than CDs can deliver. Note that while program material formatted in DVD-Audio will only play on Blu-ray and DVD players that specify DVD-Audio capability, some DVD-Audio discs also contain a Dolby Digital or DTS version of the program playable on any Blu-ray or DVD player. Plays DVD-Audio discs	No
Plays SACD discs Lets you play discs formatted in Super Audio CD (SACD), one of two competing audiophile music formats. SACD discs contain a stereo (and possibly also a multichannel) version of the music content. Both this and the other competing format, DVD-Audio, also claim to offer better sound quality than CDs can deliver. Note that while SACD-formatted program material will only play on models that specify SACD capability, some "hybrid" SACD discs contain a second version of the program in standard CD format, playable on most Blu-ray, DVD or CD players. Plays SACD discs	No
Plays CD-R audio discs Lets you play CD-Recordable (CD-R) audio discs burned on a PC or a CD recorder. Some discs may not play on a particular player for one reason or another. Plays CD-R audio discs	Yes
Plays CD-RW audio discs Lets you play CD-Rewritable (CD-RW) audio discs burned on a PC or a CD recorder. Some discs may not play on a particular player for one reason or another. Plays CD-RW audio discs	Yes
Plays MP3 audio files on CDs Lets you play MP3 files stored on a CD using a computer and a CD burner. Some discs may not play on a particular player for one reason or another. Plays MP3 audio files on CDs	Yes
Plays WMA files Lets you play Windows Media Audio compressed audio files that have been copied onto CD-R/RW discs. Some discs may not play on a particular player for one reason or another. Plays WMA files	Yes
Plays video CDs Lets you play CDs burned in the video CD format (MPEG-1). Some discs may not play on a particular player for one reason or another. Plays video CDs	Yes
Plays DIVX discs Lets you play DivX compressed audio/video files that have been copied onto CD-R/RW discs. Some discs may not play on a particular player for one reason or another. Plays DIVX discs	Yes
Reads JPEG image files Can read JPEG compressed picture image files that have been copied onto CD-R/RW discs. Some discs cannot be read on a particular player for one reason or another. Reads JPEG image files	Yes

Connections
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
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
Component-video output The number of Component-video output connections. Component-video is a high quality analog video connection that can be used to transmit standard definition (480i), progressive-scan (480p), and upconverted and high definition (720p, 1080i, and 1080p) video signals. Component-video connections use three separate jacks that separate the video signal into three parts: two for color and one for luminance (the black and white signal). These connections are found on most video components that provide 480p through 1080p video. Note that most Blu-ray and upconverting DVD players will only transmit upconverted (720p, 1080i, or 1080p) video via an HDMI connection and will not transmit it through a Component-video connection. Component-video output	Yes

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

Technical Information
Dual-Layer Media Supported	Yes

Video
Video Formats	DVD Video, MPEG-4, DivX 5
Scanning Modes	Progressive Scan

Audio
Audio Formats	CD-DA, WMA, MP3

Image
Image Formats	JPEG

Interfaces/Ports
Component Video	Yes
HDMI	Yes
Composite Video	Yes

Power Description
Input Voltage	120 V AC

Physical Characteristics
Weight (Approximate)	4.40 lb

Recommended Ratings

Nobody Tests Like We Do: Our testers put 100s of products through their paces at our National Testing and Research Center. Learn more about how we test for:; Performance; Safety; Reliability; Learn more

To find the model that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value. Here's one tip: Don't pay for more features than you'll use.

Blu-ray & DVD players

Consumer Reports Network