Panasonic DMP-BDT220 Review

[saketb]

I just checked that firmware upgrade site and I dont see a place to donate and download.

Do not register at the site until you get your player.

 

[saketb]

Hello friends!

Finally joined the race and yesterday ordered this player from US! Actually one of my friend was coming to Pune, so just asked him to bring one for me. http://www.hifivision.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

I've a Panasonic 42V20 plasma at home to complement that player. He is coming on 10th, so eagerly waiting for that. http://www.hifivision.com/images/smilies/ohyeah.gif

Now I need to buy a voltage converter for that. Can I get that in local shops in Pune, or big stores like Croma keep those?

Also need to buy few BR discs to enjoy that beauty!

I really thank to all the forum member who provided such a great info and review about this player.

Thanks,
Durgesh

Congrats!!

Dealer for the MX voltage converter in Pune, as given on MX site.

NATIONAL ELECTRONICS
347, Somwar Peth, 15 August Chowk
Region : Somwar Peth
Country : India
State : Maharashtra
City : Pune
Pin : 411011
Email : [email protected]
Mr. Deepak Chabria
Tel: 26051200
Mob: 9822074754

 

[edurgesh]

Thanks saketb! I didn't see that website earlier. I'll check with them.

 

[Amarendra]

You can get these converters any where at an electronics hardware shop that sell wires, cables etc and not the high end ones. The MX site is quite useless, I had tried ordering online and realised that you need to buy worth Inr 1000 to have it delivered .

 

[edurgesh]

Thanks Amarendra for the info! Yeah, first I'll check in local shops; if not found then with the MX dealer suggested by Saket. I still have 2 days time before I get my player in hand.

Anyway, what & where is the best place to buy BR disks in Pune; may be any member from Pune can help? Or should I order online; if yes, from where?

Thanks,
Durgesh

 

[saketb]

Thanks Amarendra for the info! Yeah, first I'll check in local shops; if not found then with the MX dealer suggested by Saket. I still have 2 days time before I get my player in hand.

Anyway, what & where is the best place to buy BR disks in Pune; may be any member from Pune can help? Or should I order online; if yes, from where?

Thanks,
Durgesh

For time being you can buy a few Blu-ray's from stores like Reliance Timeout, Planet M, crossword, etc in your city.
And in the meanwhile you can buy them from amazon UK/US as it works out much cheaper from there, but do consider customs duty charge.

Amazon keeps running some kind of offers and discounts on Blu-ray/DVD media and one can use these offers and save a lot of money.
You can check the offers at Blu-ray, Blu-ray Movies, Blu-ray Players, Blu-ray Reviews and order them from amazon.

 

[jsmithe]

Or should I order online; if yes, from where?

Thanks,
Durgesh

Online, the usual suspects in India, flipkart.com. infibeam.com, rhythmhouse.in etc.

Flipkart has a few low priced Disney BD's. Infibeam have screwed up their search and made it difficult to filter.

Rhythmhouse is currently running a buy 1 get 1 free and buy 2 get 1 free offer, though much of the good stuff is currently out of stock. See their special offers section. They do have a weird way of taking the offer, be sure to click the steps for ordering link on the offer page. However as saketb has mentioned Amazon UK/US will be cheaper when they run offers, though there might be duty etc.

The R/15 above rated movies abroad might be heavily mutilated for India releases. G / U rated stuff or documentaries might be a safe bet buying from stores in India, offline/online

 

[jsmithe]

Thanks Amarendra for the info! Yeah, first I'll check in local shops; if not found then with the MX dealer suggested by Saket. I still have 2 days time before I get my player in hand.

If your friend hasn't yet left the US onward to India ask if he can get you a 50W 220-110V travel adapter. These adapters are usually available in the travel section of stores like Target, Walmart etc. or at electronics stores like Best Buy, Frys etc. Have him look for something that weighs a bit substantial as opposed to the lightweight stuff. Should cost approx USD 10.

 

[just4kix]

I just checked that firmware upgrade site and I dont see a place to donate and download.

You need to register there and be accepted. Then only you will get to make a donation. The firmware is not for sale but is available as a previlege for supporting the website and the modder's efforts.

 

[edurgesh]

Wow, we have so many options to buy BR discs!

Thanks Saket & jsmithe for your valuable inputs. Initially I'll get few discs locally or Indian websites to get started. Also will keep an eye on Amazon offers for deals.

If your friend hasn't yet left the US onward to India ask if he can get you a 50W 220-110V travel adapter. These adapters are usually available in the travel section of stores like Target, Walmart etc. or at electronics stores like Best Buy, Frys etc. Have him look for something that weighs a bit substantial as opposed to the lightweight stuff. Should cost approx USD 10.

That's a good idea; I also thought about that even for few BR discs. But my friend has already left from US, and will reach India today late night. Hopefully I will get my player tomorrow.

 

[soamz]

You need to register there and be accepted. Then only you will get to make a donation. The firmware is not for sale but is available as a previlege for supporting the website and the modder's efforts.

Okay will first order it and then register . Amount of donation is ?

Dealer for the MX voltage converter in Pune, as given on MX site.

So, does that mean, we can buy any electronics good from USA and simply get this plug and use it in India ? :clapping:

 

[jsmithe]

Okay will first order it and then register . Amount of donation is ?

Register only once you have the BDP in hand and are ready to begin the process. Screw up at the firmwareinfo<dot>com site and you'll get your BDP MAC address banned. With regard to the donation amount, Google for the sitename and go through the avsforum link in the results. Not likely anyone here will post the amount.

So, does that mean, we can buy any electronics good from USA and simply get this plug and use it in India ? :clapping:

You will need to get the converter appropriate to the power draw of your electronics. Some electronics, mostly older, that use the mains frequency as a clock will not work with the convertors.

 

[narenkum]

And... finally I have it. The Panasonic DMP-BDT220 Blu-ray player.

Firstly, I would like to thank "just4kix" for recommending this player. "baijuxavior" for recommending ishopinternational.com. And all other FM's for giving and sharing, information asked for.

Oh, I have waited for this for a long time and ever since, you all started discussing regarding importing from the US, I fell for it.
I ordered the player through ishopinternational.com and made a payment of Rs. 8601.00 including everything, yes I mean everything. The payment was made on the 25th Dec, morning and I got the delivery today i.e., 3rd Jan, 2013.

That's 10 days in total. Payment was through credit card in Indian Rupees, so no bank charges on foreign exchange and delivery was through ICC Worldwide from New York to Mumbai and through Blue Dart from Mumbai to Bangalore.
The packaging was good and damage free with original amazon carton.

Now, that I got the player, I was eagerly waiting to use it, so went ahead with all kinds of media. Its an amazing player and plays anything fed to it. The best part I liked was the up-scaling or re-master of audio media which are of/below 44.1kHz (Audio CD's/MP3) to 88.2kHz. I found the difference in some of the songs played. Even the internet radio (shoutcast radio) is re-mastered at 88.2kHz.

Played a few flac files of 16Bit 44.1, 24 Bit 88.2, 96 & 192kHz and I can say, they were amazing and sounded great which anyone can fall for.

Played some Blu-ray movies, and the video and audio quality was jaw dropping. Much better than what I was playing till now, through a Blu-ray writer on my computer. I guess that's why a dedicated Blu-ray player is made for. No luck on 3D as I lack a 3D display, but I'm glad that the player has the feature for future use. The loading times are really fast on this player.

Made it region free as per instructions given by "just4kix". Tried all regions of Blu-ray and DVD's and it plays everything flawlessly. PAL is not an issue, once you have this firmware updated, though you have to enable it.

Bought a step-down converter from Maxconn rated at 50 watts, priced at Rs. 200. And even after a continuous use for almost 5 hours its just warm.

Overall, I am satisfied with this player and can give a 10/10 for its value, quality and playability.

Dear Saketb,

Based on your above route, I too have now ordered Panasonic DMP-BDT220 from ishopinternational today :yahoo:.

This is my first online import of a product and hoping everything works well to motivate me for my future purchases.

Once I get the player will have to trouble either you through PM for firmware details as you have recently done it or will have to trouble our Expert "just4kix"(Off course after paying a referrer commission:lol

Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[edurgesh]

Congrats buddy! I think the BDT-220 is becoming a hot player of current times, and lots of forum members are already enjoying that. :clapping:

 

[jsmithe]

This is my first online import of a product and hoping everything works well to motivate me for my future purchases.

Good luck!!! Of course once you get motivated, your wallet will begin feeling a whole lot lighter :sad: .

 

[jithudigitised]

So finally got the Panasonic DMP BDT-220 at my hand. Purchased this on 30-12-2012 for Rs 8249 from amazon through ishopinternational.

Was not able to check it as i forgot to buy the 110 to 220v converter. .

 

[mgdelhi]

Okay will first order it and then register . Amount of donation is ?

A quick Google suggests that it is 30 Euros.

LCD/Plasma/CRT/DLP - questions - Page 513

I don't know what is the need to keep it like a big secret. There is a fee (not donation, donation is never mandatory and donee has no right to decide the amount) and people should know before buying this BD-Player so that they can decide it is worth spending that much money or not.

 

[saketb]

Bought a Spike Suppressor for the Blu-ray player and other devices.

Its a MX 4 Way with individual fuse switch, which allows me to switch off power to unused devices.

 

[sudeeps]

Bought a Spike Suppressor for the Blu-ray player and other devices.

Its a MX 4 Way with individual fuse switch, which allows me to switch off power to unused devices.

Good buy. Did you buy it online from their website ?

Thanks

 

[edurgesh]

Finally I got my player here!

Still need to buy the voltage converter to make that work. Will go out tomorrow & buy that too to complete my setup.

One quick question. If I buy BR discs in India (Hindi & English both), will those work with my US BR player which is Region A? Which region BR discs are sold here; my guess is C but not sure?

Thanks,
Durgesh