Panasonic DVD-S97S Progressive Scan DVD Player with HDMI (Silver)

Average customer rating: 4.5

Surprise-Doesn't play HD DVDs!
Was great for a year but now it overheats
The best DVD I have got sofar
Best of the Upconverting HDMI DVD players
Panasonic couldn't locate a replacement part.

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Panasonic DVD-S97S Progressive Scan DVD Player with HDMI (Silver)

Manufacturer: Panasonic
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B0001G0FGW

Related Categories:

DVD Players

Audio & Video

| Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

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DVD Players

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Upconverting DVD Players

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Product Description

Most people think of their DVD player simply as a movie machine. This DVD player not only plays prerecorded DVDs and DVD-R2/DVD-RAM discs, but also plays CD, CDR and CDRW - including CDR and CDRW with recorded MP3 and WMA files. HDMI offers a new high-performance digital standard for outstanding video and sound. It's also more convenient. HDMI carries high-quality digital video and audio over the same thin cable, allowing you to run one cable from your DVD player to an HDMI-compatible TV or home theater receiver. 1 Coaxial and 1 Optical Digital Audio Outputs 5.1-Channel Surround Sound Audio Output, Subwoofer Output, 2-Ch. Audio Output Slow and Fast Audio Playback 216MHz/11-Bit Video D/A Converter 192kHz/24-Bit Audio D/A Converter Remote Control Included MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) Playback Capability on recorded discs 4 - 3 Shrink Function with Letterbox Zoom and Shift MPEG Digital Noise Reduction (Mosquito/Block/3D) with Depth Enhancer Variable and Auto Zoom slect modes Picture Control - Brightness, Color, Contrast, Gamma Correction, Sharpness Black Level Control Advanced Surround, Headphone Surround (V.S.S.), Dialog Enhancer Dynamic Range Compression Channel Balance Control, Delay Time Control Audio Only Function (Video Circuit OFF) Direct Navigator, Playlist Playback, Quick Replay Hi Speed Scan (x100) Progress Indicator HighMAT Compatible (Level 2), Gamma Correction Position Memory (Up to 5 Discs) Sleep Timer, Quick Guide Setup, Energy Star Compliant Audio/JPEG Navigation Menu Dimensions (H x W x D) 2-5/16 x 16-15/16 x 10-1/16 Inches / Weight 5.3 lbs Color - Silver

Customer Reviews:

Surprise-Doesn't play HD DVDs!.......2007-05-19

So I read the glowing Amazon reviews listing all the various media the S97S can handle and said to myself--"This is clearly the best DVD player around. Jeez, it can play anything but a 45 rpm record!" Hooked it up to the new flat panel TV and eagerly ordered some HD DVD's from Netflix. Gathered friends, popped popcorn and told them to fasten their seatbelts in preparation for a visual treat--"Apollo 13" in glorious High Definition! Slipped the DVD in and there was a long delay as it whirred and stopped and started and then came the message "Can't Play Disc." I guess I should've been more aware of the format war in which I had just become an unwitting casualty. Hope this review will save someone from the bad investment this Netflix fan has made in the wrong player...

Was great for a year but now it overheats.......2007-05-14

I loved my old panasonic DVD player for 5 years, but when the spinning wheel finally broke, I decided it was time to buy a new machine. After a lot of research I purchased this one. For about 8 months it works perfectly, but then I started to notice some strange behavior. The picture blanks out about 3/4s through a normal length movie. You can still hear the sound and if you press the audio only a few times, the picture comes back, but the color is distorted. I changed the cables to make sure this wasn't a non DVD problem. As another reviewer mentioned, the machine gets VERY hot and I'm fairly sure this is the problem. Once the thing is turned off for 5 minutes, the picture comes back looking normal. This is pretty dissapointing as I havent' had it that long and my other machine lasted me for 5 years.
(Also, the fact the remote doesn't have an open/close button bugs me a lot).

The best DVD I have got sofar.......2007-05-11

I just got this DVD today and tested it right away. My first impression is the slim, light-weight but high-tech look design. The included HDMI cable makes the connect so simple. Since I have the top of the line SA-XR70S home theather receiver, 8 speakers surrounding sound system (5 bose, 3 infinity), the sound is just simply wonderful, so theater-like environment. The HDMI cable doesn't really improve the sound compared with the optical cable. The DVD heats up quite fast and high after a few minute. I am not so sure if this is a general thing with this DVD line or just a individual flaw with my new DVD. In general, I would give this toy a 4 star rating (I'd give 5 if there is no heating problem).

Best of the Upconverting HDMI DVD players.......2007-03-17

Has the best picture <exclaimation point> ! That is all you need to know. The truest color and enough adjustments for poor source video material to make almost anything watchable. I use it on a 60" TV and it makes most good quality DVD material look better than anything at 480p. Some poor quality material may actually look better on component inputs rather than HDMI but that my be my TV but at least you have the choice.

The remote is not the easiest to use nor are any of the actions exactly lightning fast but remember the picture quality is goal one!

The S77S is nearly as good for as much as $100 less - might be the best buy for the dollar.

Panasonic couldn't locate a replacement part........2007-02-19

I surely wouldn't reccomend buying this dinosaur. Bought it online and it never did work. Panasonic "support" was as bad as it's DVD. One support specialist told me to unplug it and then plug it in again. Another was reading from a list of "What to do if the caller says this." The repair shop gave me the idea that Panasonic no longer makes this product. They couldn't find a replacement part so they are replacing my DVD. In all I've waited over a month and a half to watch my $299 DVD player and I still haven't got a new one from the repair shop. If your smart don't purchase one of these antiques.

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