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"Panasonic DMP-BDT210 could have been a good product"
0.5 starson by markmi300Pros: Easy setup and good interface
Cons: Netflix streaming and Panasonic Tech Support
Summary: Since I do not own a 3D television, the feature on the Blu-Ray player was not a driving factor for me.
Sorry if some folks don't agree with my review, but when I buy a product I expect ALL of the features to work and the manufacturer to take responsibility for their product. This is a heads up for anyone that DOES want to use the Netflix feature in conjunction with the Blu-Ray.
I bought the DMP-BDT210 from Best Buy for the Internet streaming options of Netflix and Amazon Video On Demand. I was very disappointed that I was forced to return this player and replace it with the Sony BDP-S580.
The reason I say disappointed is that (PROS) I liked the setup and feel that Panasonic has for its interface. The wireless setup automatically connected to my Wireless N instead of Wireless G using the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). The DLNA services worked without issue.
The problems (CONS) are with the Netflix streaming. Panasonic uses the login/password method for you to connect to Netflix instead of the activate code used with other products. Once you input your credentials, you are presented with a very nice layout of your Instant Queue, Recently Watched and Recommended. Unfortunately, YOU CANNOT WATCH THEM! When you choose ANY movie/TV show, you get the message "We're having trouble playing this title right now. Please try again later or select a different title."
When I contacted Netflix about it, I was informed that this is a known issue with the T210 and they gave me Panasonic's Support phone number. Netflix also told me to ask for 2nd level support as first level would not be able to actually do anything to fix the problem. Long story short, Panasonic DID NOT HELP with the issue. Their response was that Panasonic is aware of the problem. I was told that someone from 2nd level support would contact me within 24-48 hours. A week and a half later I still had not heard from tech support. I did some Google searches and discovered that this has been a problem since early March 2011. This is now the middle of April!!
As of this writing the latest firmware update is 1.56 and does not resolve the issue.
Now here is the kicker. It appears that this problem is a hit-or-miss. SomeT210's work perfectly while others do not. Something is different on the player other than the firmware/Software. I tried with two different BDT210's from two different Best Buy stores and had the same error with Netflix. I exchanged the Panasonic for the SAMSUNG BD-D6500 and was able to stream Netflix, but it would occasionally freeze. The player also would freeze on the Twitter App. I exchanged the Samsung for the SONY BDP-S580. Sony uses its own custom interface for the internet apps and the Netflix one is not as sophisticated as the Panasonic or the Samsung. Actually Sony's is subpar compared to the competition, but it works. The other (semi-bad) thing about the Sony is that they did not integrate a high end Wireless card in the hardware. The player will not connect to a Wireless N network unless you are broadcasting at the lower 2.4 GHz range. 5.0 GHz will not even show up when scanning for networks. Both the Samsung and the Sony connected to the 5.0 range.
My feelings on the Panasonic: It could have been a very good product. I might have been willing to wait a bit longer for a fix if the Panasonic Tech Support would have been more straight forward about the problem AND had at least responded to me in the 24 to 48 hour time frame that they committed to. I work in a tech support environment and a nonchalant answer and no follow up with the customer would be un-acceptable at my company.
So if you're thinking of getting the Panasonic DMP-BDT210 for Netflix streaming, check on the Panasonic site to see if they have a newer firmware version than 1.56. Also call Netflix to see if the problem is still being reported. Good luck.
Updated on Apr 20, 2011
- 12 replies to this review
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I believe this reviewer when he says that Panasonic customer support was of no help. I had a very similar experience with a Panasonic Blu-ray player. Also had an issue with a Panasonic bathroom fan. Once again customer support was bad.
I'll never understand why everyone seems to be so taken with Panasonic products. Most of their products are average at best, and God help you if you ever need customer support.
I personally do not buy anything with the Panasonic name. If it says Panasonic I pass over it. The reason for this is mostly because of the bad customer support. -
Caveat Emptor. I am upset that cnet said that this device has Skype. I learn later after paying $130 for this player that I need to pay additional $150 for the proprietary webcam. Would be nice if I could just connect my existing Logitech C910 webcam. I also noticed player has high pitched humming sound. Not so noticeable when speakers are blaring during action movie but more noticeable during quiet dramas. Cnet should also mention that you only need to add inexpensive SD card for on board memory. Thank you for the advice. I bought this player and it works great. After the firmware update to 1.68 I received applications or channels that cnet said were not available such as Hulu Plus, Facebook, MLB.TV, and sport channels. Go to the web site, search for the blu-ray play model, select Drivers & Downloads. Install firmware onto CD, save, and close session. Insert CD into blu-ray player and reboot. Firmware upgrade http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMP-BDT210?t=downloads&support#tabs
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Thank you for the advice. I bought this player and it works great. After the firmware update to 1.68 I received applications or channels that cnet said were not available such as Hulu Plus, Facebook, MLB.TV, and sport channels. I found this link and hope you can use it as well. http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMP-BDT210?t=downloads&support#tabs
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Seriously you rate an otherwise great blu-ray player 1 star based on stupid netflix issue? That's a little lopsided considering this is to play blu-ray discs and do 3D. More than likely this issue will be fixed with a new software update in the future if it isn't fixed already.
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I calculated some statistics from the reviews and estimated the margin of error based on the 27 original reviews. It makes the number of people that have problems at the approximate 50% level...so you are right...it is a hit-or-miss...flip a coin...I was using Firmware version 1.59 and still ran into problems. Now no Netflix nor internet connectivity even though it shows network connectivity
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I have gone through many of the same steps including replacing the unit. As of May 14, 2011 version 1.59 has still not corrected the problem. Panasonic did get back to me and referred me back to Netflix. Netflix ran me through a lot of connectivity exercises that were a waste of time. They are nice but clueless. If you search around you will see that Panasonic has a problem with some TV's as well as this unit. One Netflix agent suggested I go back to Panasonic and demand a model that does work. Well maybe I will go that way or maybe just stick to my Nintendo. The quality of the Amazon and Vudu downloads is quite good and when it comes down to content, Netflix is just ok and not worth spending much more of my money or time on.
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When will CNET review OPPO BDP-93 (www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-93)?
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WELL SAID..... SOME WORKING AND SOME NOT.. OR A COMPANY NOT RESOLVING ISSUES IS UNACCEPTABLE FOLKS NEED TO KNOW SO THEY CAN TAKE THEIR MONEY ELSEWHERE.
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Editor's choice? Are you joking? Hasn't CNET heard of OPPO?
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Firmware update 1.59 is out by the way. Sadly you really have to search for it to find it since Panasonic's USA website still shows the 1.56 as being the most current. You can find it here though: http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/bd/download/bdt110/bdt110_na.html. What is frustrating about Panasonic (and other manufactures such as Samsung) is they don't bother to update their main support page with the most current drivers. I should not have to go to the Japanese Panasonic website to get support for a North American player with myself being located in the USA. Why the update is on their site (and yes it is for the North American models) but not on the USA Panasonic website is beyond me. Some say it doesn't correct the Netflix problem, but simply adds some fixes to playability of Blu-rays and Skype. I do agree a product should be able to work for everything it advertises right out of the box. Mine didn't want to connect to download the firmware but I think that is a user issue, me.
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Firmware update 1.59 is out by the way. Sadly you really have to search for it to find it since Panasonic's USA website still shows the 1.56 as being the most current. You can find it here though: http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/bd/download/bdt110/bdt110_na.html. What is frustrating about Panasonic (and other manufactures such as Samsung) is they don't bother to update their main support page with the most current drivers. I should not have to go to the Japanese Panasonic website to get support for a North American player with myself being located in the USA. Why the update is on their site (and yes it is for the North American models) but not on the USA Panasonic website is beyond me. Some say it doesn't correct the Netflix problem, but simply adds some fixes to playability of Blu-rays and Skype. I do agree a product should be able to work for everything it advertises right out of the box. Mine didn't want to connect to download the firmware but I think that is a user issue, me.
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I have the same problems with streaming video (netflix, hulu, etc). It starts to download the movie, but then gets hung up with an error. It works fine for streaming audio (e.g, Pandora.) Panasonic is "escalating" my support request, but my hunch is I'll end up returning it and getting a sony. I know its not my home network as I have a sony player on another TV that streams fine. On the bright side, the 3D playback works very well - as does the rest of the features on the unit.
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