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Panasonic DVD-S97 DVD Player Review

by — December 10, 2005
Panasonic DVD-S97 DVD player

Panasonic DVD-S97 DVD player

  • Product Name: DVD-S97 DVD Player
  • Manufacturer: Panasonic
  • Performance Rating: StarStarStarStar
  • Value Rating: StarStarStarStar
  • Review Date: December 10, 2005 19:00
  • MSRP: $ 299
  • Buy Now
Hardware:
  • MPEG/MLP/DD/DTS Decoder: Panasonic MN2DS0004AP
  • Deinterlacer/scaler: Genesis FLI2310-LF
  • DVD/CD Transport driver: BA6679FM
  • DVD/CD controller: BA5838FM
  • Graphics (SDR SDRAM) Memory: Samsung K4S643232H-UC60 2Mx32, 2 x Samsung K4S641632H-UC75 4Mx16
  • Memory (Flash): Fujitsu 29DL323TE-90PFTN 4MB
  • D/A Converter for Video: Analogue Devices ADV7320 216MHz/12bit with NSV and Macrovision
  • D/A Converter for Audio: 4 x TI/BB PCM1791 192KHz/24bit
  • Audio op amps: 4 x JRC 4580 dual op amps
  • HDMI Transmitter: Silicon Image SiI 9030CTU PanelLink

Software:

  • Updatable via DVD-ROM

Power Supply:

  • Input Voltage/Frequency: AC 230~240V 50Hz
  • Power Consumption in Standby: ~1 Watt
  • Power Consumption in Operate: 20 Watt
Video Characteristic:
  • Video Amplitude VP-P (V): 1.0 (75 ohm)
  • S-Video Amplitude VP-P (V): Y:1.0VP-P/75 ohm, C 0.286VP-P/75 ohm (NTSC), 0.300VP-P/75 ohm (PAL)
  • YCbCr: Y:1.0VP-P/75 ohm, Cb/Cr 0.7VP-P/75 ohm
  • YCbCr Resolution: 720X480X30/NTSC or 720X576X25/PAL (progressive and interlaced)
  • Horizontal Resolution (TV Line): ≥ 500 lines
  • Video Signal-to-Noise Ratio: ≥ 65dB
  • HDMI: 480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i

Audio Characteristic:

  • Frequency: 4Hz~44KHz (DVD @ 96kHz), 4Hz~20KHz (CD), 4Hz~88KHz (DVD-A @ 192kHz)
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 115dB
  • Dynamic Range: 100dB (CD), 110dB (DVD)
  • Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.002%

Unit Dimension:

  • 16-5/16" x 10-1/16" x 2-5/16" (430mm X 249mm X 59mm)
  • Net Weight: 2.5kg (5.3lbs)

Pros

  • Excellent video and audio
  • HDMI 1.1 A/V digital out with support for 5.1 high resolution multi-channel audio
  • Good value for money

Cons

  • User interface is a bit sluggish
  • Front panel display is too minimalist (doesn’t display elapsed time)
  • Remote control has no back-lighting
  • No time delay for subwoofer
  • Time delay in milliseconds, not feet/meters

Introduction

Panasonic has always made highly regarded DVD-video players, and the DVD-RP82 was widely regarded by many as one of the best DVD players ever made (so much so that when it was discontinued, these players were selling on E-Bay for higher than the original Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price!) However, it seems that after the DVD-RP82, Panasonic went down-market and released a set of lackluster models.
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About the author:

Christine Tham has always been a keen "hi fi" enthusiast, which is an affliction she inherited from her father. She has a degree in Computer Science and a Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University. In Chris' spare time, she contributes not only to Audioholics but also maintains her own web site.

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