“Let our rigorous testing and reviews be your guidelines to A/V equipment – not marketing slogans”
Facebook Youtube Twitter instagram pinterest

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.
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.

View full profile

Confused about what AV Gear to buy or how to set it up? Join our Exclusive Audioholics E-Book Membership Program!