Panasonic Blu-ray Player DMP-BDT210 Installation

The night of January 16, 2012 I replaced my DVD player (Panasonic DMR-ES10) with a Blu-ray player (Panasonic DMP-BDT210). Jumping to my end reaction: I only wish I has purchased a Blu-ray player a long time ago!

The installation was extremely easy. The DVD player was connected to the Onkyo TX-NR609 via component video and optical audio connections. I connected the Blu-ray player to the Onkyo TX-NR609 via HDMI for both audio and video. While I was at it I upgraded the version 1.3 HDMI cable connecting the Cable Box to the Onkyo. Both the Blu-ray player and the Cable Box are now connected with version 1.4 HDMI cables from BlueRigger.

By removing the DVD player I am now able to connect the Sony PlayStation 2 to the Onkyo via component video and optical audio connections. I have not fully setup this configuration yet so a comparison to the standard composite cable connection cannot be made right now.

After the system conductivity changes were made and the components were put back into the AV stand, it was time to start up the Panasonic DMP-BDT210. After a few setup screens we were ready to enjoy the first Blu-ray movie. We have small children so we played Rio as the first movie. Having just watched the movie on DVD it was easy to do a comparison. The detail was impressive. The sound is 1,000 times better. Welcome to the wonderful land of High Definition entertainment!

After the kids went to bed I loaded up Inception. Having seen this movie in the theater, on DVD and on Showtime HD I was coming to expect certain detail. I am sure that it is my eyes playing tricks, but to me watching on Blu-ray provides the greatest detail. What an experience.

The following night I went through setting up the network connections for the player. While I do not have a strong need for network capabilities on this player, I do like the possibilities of testing out these options. Having streamed Netflix via the Wii I have experience in streaming video. I cancelled Netflix (like a lot of others) and right now I am consuming a lot of Pandora. I plan to compare Pandora streaming via the Onkyo UWF-1 and the Panasonic DMP-BDT210.

The one element I need to address right away is the component spacing for ventilation in my AV stand. The Panasonic DMP-BDT210 is rather short in depth, only 7 5/16 inches. This creates a stacking challenge as I like to use black plastic rings to create about 2 inches of spacing between components. The Cable Box and Onkyo receiver are both about 5 inches deeper, 12 15/16 inches. I believe that I will be able to make wooden block spacing that will accommodation this need/desire.

Also left to do is reprogram the Logitech Harmony 880 remote to reflect the removal of the Panasonic DMR-ES10 and the addition of the Panasonic DMP-BDT210.

For now we sit back and enjoy the wonderful picture that Blu-ray provides. God I love High Definition entertainment!

New Surge Protector Installation

The night of January 15, 2012 I replaced two very old and inexpensive surge protectors with a Belkin Pivot-Plug Surge Protector (Model # BP112230-08). As I mentioned previously, this new surge protector was required by the purchase of a Sleep Number p7 bed.

The installation was very simple and straight forward so no details are needed. I spent most of the time laying out the connected components and using wire ties to make it look clean and organized. I have provided some pictures below of the before and after.

For a point of reference the surge protector and connected components are "hidden" under the bed. This helps keep the components from being an eye sore. Based on my observed tests the current location has no noticeable impact on signal strength for the wireless network. Right now I have 5 components that can connect to the wireless network.

Surge protectors are not sexy or exciting (OK maybe they are to us geeks), so I'll just say that the surge protector is doing exactly what it should be doing. I hope never to hear from it and I hope to only replace it when it no longer meets my needs. And now my data network component layout is clean and organized. I have a second phase plan for all the data network components and if it pans out I will post about it.

The following data network components are connected to the surge protector:

Mortorola SURFboard SB5100

AT&T 2.4 GHz Cordless with Digital Answering System E2811

Obi100 VoIP Telephone Adapter and Voice Service Bridge

D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Router DIR-655

Also connected to the surge protector:

Alarm clock

Night stand lamp

Sleep Number Bed Pump

Layout of Data Network before installation:

Layout of Data Network after installation:

System Notes 01/15/2012

For some time now my attention as been focused on what replacement speakers I am going to purchase. I noted previously that I was going to go with the NHT SuperZero's but after carefully consideration of budget and my overall system needs I am going to go with either the Klipsch HD 500 or the Energy 5.1 Take Classic. Making a speaker upgrade decision is so complex.

I finally felt like it was time to buy a Blu-ray player. On 01/14/2011 I purchased the Panasonic DMP-BDT210 from Amazon for $127.99. Not the best deal that I have seen but I was ready to make the purchase. This will retire the Panasonic DMR-ES10.

I will be connecting the DMP-BDT210 via HDMI to the OnkyoTX-NR609. I will be replacing the version 1.3 HDMI cable from the Cable Box to the AVR as well. The HDMI cables from the Cable Box and Blu-ray Player will be version 1.4 from BlueRigger. These are stated to be Category 2 Certified and provide 48-Bit Deep Color, 3D, Audio Return Channel, Ethernet, 4K, True HD Dolby 7.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Other things I have added or reintroduced include:
I reintroduced a Sony PlayStation 2 to the system setup (01/14/2012). The PS2 was just hanging out in the closet and since we had several games for it the executive decision was made to see what the graphics looked like on an HDTV. I purchased a component cable (SCPH-10490) to get the best possible video quality. However at the time I was using both component connections on the OnkyoTX-NR609. Hence the tipping point on purchasing the Panasonic DMP-BDT210.

Another system tweak was the purchase of the Belkin Pivot-Plug Surge Protector (BP112230-08) (01/01/2012). This is used with the data network components and was necessary due to the purchase of a Sleep Number p7 bed. The bed requires a UL1449 surge protector and this protector should meet all my needs for the bed and the data network. I will be building a holding rack and cable management system for the data network components once the bed is delivered and installed.

My anticipated upgrade sequence is now:
1. Component rack or cabinet

2. Speaker stands for rear channel speakers

3. Home theater speaker package. (Klipsch HD 500)

4. Clean power (PS Audio Power Port Classic)

5. Surge protection (Tripp Lite HT10DBS)

Onkyo TX-NR609 Firmware Update

Tonight I installed a firmware update to my AVR, an Onkyo TX-NR609. The firmware update was released on 12/20/2011 and the press release contains the following updates:

The 12/20/2011 update addresses the following:

1. Improves noise during playback of DTS-HD Master Audio with particular Blu-ray disc

2. Corrects operation of speaker distance calculation in Audyssey 2EQ

See official release here on Onkyo's website. It should also be noted that this update is not just for the TX-NR609. It is also for HT-RC360, HT-R690 (HT-S7400/8400 receiver) & HT-R990(HT-S9400 THX receiver).

While I can say that I have not had trouble with either of these elements in my AVR, I always like to have the latest firmware loaded to my systems. This update provides a firmware version of 1121-1300-0010-6104.

I find it interesting that Onkyo does not keep prior versions of their firmware posted to the web. For backup reasons I have downloaded the versions released on 09/15/2011, 10/31/2011 and this one from 12/20/2011. If you want or need these versions please let me know and I will be happy to see that you get them.

New Surge Protector

On January 1, 2012 I purchased as Belkin Pivot-Plug Surge Protector to replace the surge protector currently used for all of the Data Network components. This purchase was necessary because of the purchase of a Sleep Number p7 bed. This bed requires a surge protector that has at least a joule rating of 700 and complies with Ul 1449 where clamping voltage is 330 or better.

I went with the Belkin Pivot-Plug Surge Protector because we have several large format wall warts for the modem, router, phone, Obi, cell phone chargers, etc. This surge protector will provide a means to accommodate all the current needs as well as any future additions.

I plan to organize the data network components in a more clean and tidy fashion than the current state. Right now everything is loose and hidden under the bed. I would like to cable tie all cables and lay out all cables so that power cables do not cross data network cables.

If the completed organization works out I will post pictures under the Current Equipment List.