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I don't think I will utilize all the BD-Live capabilities, but downloading new firmware is a nice feature. The difference between blu-ray and regular dvds is not as big as the difference between HD and cable, but on this player there is a noticable improvement in the picture quality. I waited until all format BS subsided and for the new generation blu-rays to be released. Also, photographers will enjoy the HCSD slot. One great surprise was the sound improvement. The sound quality will really blow you away.(I recommend the Matrix scene where Morpheus is rescued).The BD-50 is easy to set-up. If you don't throw away all your regular dvds, I think the upconversion does make them look a little better. I know the BD-50 is more expensive, but you will be happy with the purchase.
The picture quality and sound on this player are excellent. My unit seems to have issues with the BD-Live feature. After numerous calls into Panasonic Tech Support, they were not able to solve the problem and it looks like I am going to have to send it in to the service center (on my own dime). This is the only trouble that I have had with the unit, the other features work like a charm.
We received the Panasonic DMP-BD50K very quickly after our order through Amazon. The player has worked flawlessly and we have enjoyed playing both blu-ray disks and regular disks. Great equipment. Updates the software via the internet connection we provided.
I tried that and, voila, the BD-LIVE worked. It's not for the faint-hearted to set up. It took forever for me to connect this to my Onkyo SR-604 A/V receiver I connected it via the 5.1 analog connections because my receiver doesn't decode the HD audio. And, the setup allows you to test the Internet connection which verified that I DID have a working connection to the Internet. A very knowledgable and courteous support person helped me and asked if I had an SD card inserted into the player - I did not, and I didn't see anything in the instructions that told me that was necessary. But, because of all the difficulty I had setting it up, I would have liked to have given it a 4.5 instead of a 5. Great picture, great sound, and BD-LIVE.
Here are the problems I faced. Perhaps it will save someone else some grief. I've had this player for about 2 weeks, now. I kept getting the message, "No internet connection," even though there was an Internet connection - in fact, when I established the Internet connection, the first thing it did was offer to download the latest firmware. I did that and installed it successfully. This was the only problem that required a call to Panasonic. I created 6 different install CDs from two computers and the player would not recognize any of them. Lastly, before I had the Internet connection, I downloaded the firware upgrade from the Panasonic web site.
Now that I have confirmed that all functions work, including BD-LIVE, I am thoroughly happy with it. However, it's still upsetting that the error message was, "No connection to the Internet," rather than, "Please insert an SD card." And, speaking of network connections, I had to buy a power line network bridge to connect the player to the Internet, for about $50. It took forever to get sound, until I finally read that the "multichannel" button on the A/V receiver needed to be pressed - that was not the fault of the Blu Ray player, of course. Then, today, I couldn't get BD-LIVE to connect - I was using the Iron Man disc. My DISH PVR has that home networking bridge built into the unit - it would have been nice, if the Blu Ray player had that also, or if it had a wireless connection. Having all that behind me, this is a great Blu Ray player - I'd recommend it, highly.
The unit is thin and looks great. Purchased the unit through Amazon and it was shipped from 6ave.
I read a lot of forums and the one thing that kept being said was to purchase one which had; Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. I spent a lot of time reserching what type of Blu-ray player to purchase.
Can't wait to go out and purchase some Blu-Ray DVD. This unit had everything I was told I should look for.
I'm playing my regular DVDs on it currently and the picture is amazing compared to the old DVD player. Arrived on time and in great shape.
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