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!
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