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Panasonic DVD-S97 DVD Player
Panasonic DVD-S97 DVD Player
MSRP: $

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Rating
Reviewed by:

Jimbo7981

(AudioPhile)

Review Date
January 5, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Rate this review?

Review 1 of 1

Price Paid:  $500.00 from Good Guys Australia

Summary:
Very high quality player producing high quality images due to Faroudja FL2310 circuitry for scaling/de-interlacing and an 11-bit/216Mhz video DAC from Analog Devices. The player also boasts a HDMI connection with ability to upscale to 720p & 1080i HD resolutions and includes a HDMI cable in the box. However the HDMI PQ is not as good as i have seen in other players producing overly sharp images and a green and/or pink tinge cast over the picture especially in black. Also the FL2310 chip is known for macroblocking and can cause artifacts in some displays. You are much better off making use of the Analog Devices 11-bit/216Mhz DAC through a component connection in progressive scan mode. Regardless of these minor flaws, this is probably one of the best players ever constructed at this price range. Their are a lot of options in the menu to play around with, load up times and layer changes are good but best of all is the picture quality especially through component which is up there with some $1000+ players and of course the amazing price on this gem. This is a winner from Panasonic! If you can get a hold of one snatch it up as they are becoming rare these days, as this model is better than its replacement, the S77.

Strengths:
Price
Picture quality
Faroudja FL2310 scaler/de-interlacer
Analog Devices 11-bit/216Mhz video DAC
HDMI connection with cable included
720p & 1080i upscaler
Amount of options/settings

Weaknesses:
FL2310 macroblocking evident on some displays
HDMI picture quality (overly sharp and green and/or pink tinge)


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