DVD-S97 Remote Control and Benchmark Video Tests

This was much better than the DVD-RP82 remote. The buttons are reasonably well laid out, and provided better tactile feedback when pressed. Although there is no back-lighting, the commonly used controls are different enough that you can just about operate the remote by feel if you memorize the button layout.

In addition to controlling the player, the remote also has a number of basic controls for a TV. Unfortunately, these buttons are not learnable, so if your video display is not amongst the two digit codes preprogrammed into the remote you are out of luck.

I was surprised that Panasonic decided to include dedicated remote buttons for picture adjustment settings (brightness, contrast, sharpness and color) yet there is no Eject button (however, the eject remote control code from older remotes still work). The presence of AV Enhancer , Multi-Remaster and Audio Only buttons will no doubt please audiophiles (in addition, the Group button allows selection of DVD-Audio Groups without requiring a video display), plus all the usual buttons for DVD navigation are present.

Audioholics/HQV Bench Testing Summary of Test Results

Perfect Score is 130
DVD-S97 score: 85/130 very respectable and very typical of Faroudja FLI-2310-equipped players. The player performed adequately as a progressive scan player in Auto1 mode, failing only on unusual cadence sequences (although the player will detect 2:2 cadence in Auto2 mode).

Performing measurements and tests on a DVD player using tools at our disposal is somewhat objective, but still results in a certain amount of subjective decision-making in terms of scoring and evaluation. As such, we recommend that these test results be used as a guideline only. For the review of this DVD player, the performance was based on the player in conjunction with the display monitor. We used the Sony VPL-VW11HT projector which was calibrated as close as possible to ISF reference standards using the SMART III calibration software. For the test and evaluation of the DVD-S97 we used selections from AVIA, Digital Video Essentials, the Microsoft WHQL 3.0 DVD Test Annex and the Silicon Optix HQV Technology Benchmark DVD test discs in addition to various test clips from popular movies.

All final test scores were derived using the component video output in progressive scan mode.

*All tests were done with the component video output at 480p.

Comments on Audioholics DVD Torture Tests

For the full list of features and testing, please see the new DVD Player Features and Benchmark Comparisons Chart.

The use of the Genesis FLI-2310 video processor with DCDi ensures that the player passed the jaggies and waving flag test, which Silicon Image based players have problems with. The Panasonic was a bit slow at film detection and, although it still rates a pass by HQV standards, it's right on the borderline. In practice, this means that you will encounter combing during bad edits, more so than Silicon Image based players or even HTPCs using the Nvidia 6600/6800/7800 based graphics chipset and the PureVideo decoder.

The FLI-2310, however, is prone to the macro-blocking 'bug', especially noticeable on digital video displays. Word has it that Panasonic has done some tweaking in the firmware to reduce the effect of the bug. In any case, I did not notice any issues with enhancing macro-blocking over the component video output.

In terms of other components of the DVD Torture Tests, the DVD-S97 passed all of them successfully, except for a Y/C delay of around -0.07 in the red channel.

Layer changes were good, with the WHQL 'worst case scenario' layer change coming in around 0.5 second. Boot up time was reasonable, around 6 seconds. After the WHQL disc was inserted, it took around 7 seconds before it brought up the menu, and around 2 seconds to eject the disc from the main menu. Overall, the player feels slightly sluggish with front panel and remote buttons responding with a small but perceptible lag.