Customer Reviews

Panasonic DVD-LS55 Portable DVD Player with 7-Inch Widescreen LCD

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I did a lot of research on portable Dvd players before deciding on this one.
This one somehow has been skipped over and most people know it's brother the DVD-LS50. In short I believe the key differences between the LS50 and this the LS55 are the battery life and the fm modulator on this unit. But the battery life is INCREDIBLE compared to any other similar player I've seen. Panasonic says it gets TEN hours of battery life. Most players barely get 2 or 2.5 hours.

From what I've seen so far the battery life is indeed great. I haven't run it a full 10 hours yet so I can't say it really gets a full 10 hours of play on the battery. But I've used it a lot and the battery meter has yet to drop in level. Even if Panasonic is not telling complete truth..imagine even getting 6-7 hour battery life. I did try the fm modulator in my car with Alpine radio. It was very good to so so. I guess it will depend on where you have the Panasonic vs your car stereo and antenna. But it sure does sound great hearing your DVDs thru your car speakers!
I was also VERY impressed that this unit has played EVERY cd, DVD
I own...including home burnt DVD-R, DVD+R DVDS,all vcds, mp3 discs. I haven't tried RW discs yet. But this unit doesn't even say it plays DVD+R what a pleasant surprise. Matter of fact this unit seems to play some of my semi flawed discs much better than my home Sony multiformat DVD player.

The endless angles of the tilt of the screen are highly useable and a great feature too. The picture quality is very good..nice detail, contrast, and color overall.
In short if you want to read more about the LS55 read the LS50 reviews..just add a TEN hour battery and the abilty to stream your dvds on your car stereo speakers.
BTW the battery seems normal size...no huge battery taking up any extra room than the standard 2.5 hour battery.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

This is my first portable DVD player. After reading reviews on many different players, looking at the actual players at different stores, and reading descriptions on manufacturer's websites, I finally decided on this one. At that time it was difficult to find many reviews on the LS55 and it isn't readily available in most stores around where I live. I was taking a chance on this one as I did not have much to compare it to other than the LS50, which is very similar in size and shape. I am very much a Sony enthusiast, but found that this Panasonic player has many features to compete with. Here's what I like and dislike about the player.

The picture quality on this player is very nice and I haven't had any problems with dead pixels. The picture is a little dark, but easy to correct with the brightness or cinema control which enables you to sharpen darker scenes or enhance the scene's a/v quality. One of the most convenient qualities about this player is that it can swivel the screen in almost any angle forward or back, or to lie almost flat against the bottom half of the player. It does not swivel to lie perfectly flush against the bottom half of the player, which is not really important but good to know if you're spending your money on this player. Controls on the player are easy to use, however I would have liked to have more of the remote functions as easy to reach on the actual player itself. I don't think I would ever be far enough from the player to have to use the remote. The remote itself is simple to use as every function is labeled, but is the size of a full sized remote. This may be good as it's harder to misplace, but it takes up space if you're traveling around or storing it. I would have like to have a smaller more compact remote. Even without the remote, navigating DVD menus is simple with the direction control on the player itself. The blue LED on the player which brightens the up/down/left/right control is able to be set to be turned off.

Video out is excellent. It can be set to 4:3 pan&scan, 4:3 letterbox, or 16:9 widescreen. Unfortunatly this must be set before playing the movie in the player's main setup screen. On the player itself, there is a button to change the monitor mode from normal to full to zoom. The A/V out cord is composite. The manual does show that there are S-Video adapters as well as optical adapters, but these must be purchased separately. I don't see the sense in it because they are shown to be plugged into the same outputs as the composite output cord.

DVD+R/W's, DVD-RW's, CD-R/W's all work flawlessly. I had no trouble playing mp3's from a CDR, but have not yet tried mp3's from a DVD+/-R. It played video CD's well, but could not read DiVX or other formats in a data CD. I think I will be using VirtualDub to convert some movies. I don't understand why the manual says that it doesn't play DVD+R's when it actually does.

Maybe I read the technical description of the player on Amazon's site incorrectly, but I somehow thought that this player had 1 video input. It doesn't. It does have 1 video output, 1 audio output, and 2 headphone outputs. You could count the FM tuner as another audio output as well. I haven't had the time to try the FM tuner yet.

Battery life IS in fact excellent, which is the main reason that I decided on this player. What is the point of having a portable DVD player if it can't even play an entire movie or two without having to be plugged into an outlet? I haven't tried to use the player for the 10 hours that it says it will, but I have used it for over 6 hours without a problem. The power cord is lightweight and comes in 2 sections, one length to plug into an outlet, and the other that is the small 'brick' (~4.5x2x1") that begins with the brick with another length of cord that plugs into the player. I know it sounds like complaining, but the long battery life comes with a slight imperfection. The battery makes the player longer (depth wise), when the player is flat on the table facing you. I would have to say a little more than half an inch. It also lifts the entire back of the player higher (about 1/4 inch) off of whatever flat surface it is resting on. This makes the player tilt toward you, but not so that it's a problem because of the easy tilting of the display. It just makes the player not seem as sleek as it could be if it had a battery that was flush with dimensions of the player itself. I suggest looking at a display model if possible first to see if it may affect your decision on purchasing the player.

Overall, I like this player very much as it is convenient to have wherever and whenever I choose to watch a movie. It's been difficult to find a case for the player, but there is a promotion from Panasonic going on until March (2005) for a FREE case + car adapter. I just wish that I had the case when I purchased the player because I'm paranoid about carrying the player without one. I hope this review helps as I've tried to describe the features that I did not find in other reviews. I WOULD buy this portable again knowing these features.

Did a lot of research before buying the LS55. Considered players from Samsung and Toshiba, both of which offer more bells and whistles like progressive scan and video inputs, and personally I believe sharper pictures (likely the by-product of progressive scan). Gave up the sharper picture and video input for longer battery life, compact size and the flexibility of screen positioning. Battery life was a huge consideration as players that cannot last 6 hrs are of no use to me. 2hrs of viewing on a 6hr plane ride is a waste. Haven't had the opportunity to drain the battery yet but will bet it goes at least 6 hrs under normal conditions (mfg claims 10 with brightness all the way down). The screen flexibility is really cool. When on the train I move the bottom edge of the screen to the front of the unit and put the thing right up against my stomach rather than having to hold it out on my knees, which is where is see other commuters holding their conventional portables. This will come in handy when flying when the person in front of you reclines as you can flatten the screen to view. The size is a huge positive as well. Even with the battery on (clips underneath on the back of the unit and extends slightly both under and behind the body) the thing is like a large calculator. Most of the other machines I looked at would have been the equivalent of carrying a laptop. Picture quality is acceptable (I am a bit of a fanatic who only has hi def at home). You can see some pixilation and jaggered edges, which would go away with progressive scan. Strange that at this price point Panasonic opted for no progressive scan (maybe that's how they get 6+hrs out of the battery?). Sound is better than anything I have heard. I can hear subtle sound effects in movies that I didn't know were there previously (I use Sony MDR-EX71SL Fontopia ear buds which are outstanding). Haven't used the FM transmitter yet but can use the Belkin I bought for my iPod, so I may never even use the one that is built in. Build quality is outstanding. It feels like it has an aluminum chassis. Super solid all the way around.

Bottom line, if you want a highly portable unit with phenomenal battery life and screen flexibility for viewing under any position imaginable then this player is probably the one for you. Offer for free travel case and car power adapter til 3/26 also swayed my decision to buy. At this price it's criminal to have to go out and buy these items.

However, if value is what you're after check out the GoVideo DP 8440 for $249 with progressive scan, video inputs and a 8.4" screen. Personally, I think the picture on the GoVideo was outstanding. Also, the Toshiba SD-P1600 is a nice player at just over $200 (no progressive scan but has a video input for game systems, camera hook up, etc.). Best picture quality goes to the Samsung DVD-L300 hands down.

I have been looking forward to the arrival of this DVD player since I ordered it a few days ago. It arrived with the H03 error. I never even got to play one DVD. After searching the internet for the code it appears lots of people are having problems. Many people are not getting the code until after the unit is out of warranty. At least I can still return mine.

The LS55 is the second Panasonic portable DVD player I've owned. Previously I owned the marvelous LS5 model (perhaps you read my old review on Amazon) with a 5" screen which gave me several years of excellent service despite a punishing life of constant travel, the occasional drop and several hard knocks. The only downside with the LS5 was the relatively short battery life (about 2 1/2 hours) and weak speakers which I compensated for with an additonal longer life battery (4 hours) and a tiny pair of folding Sony speakers (that they unfortunately don't make anymore). I carried all this around in snug camera pouches that protected everything during transportation. Unfortunately the tsunami was a bit more than I'd bargained for at Christmas. Which brings me to the present... my new Panasonic LS55.

I first became acquainted with the LS55 because I'd seen and rented one from that company which rents it out at several airports in the U.S. for passengers to watch movies during their flight and then drop the DVD player and DVDs at the destination airport. Perhaps you've seen the places. All their staff enthused about the LS55 amazing battery life - about 10+ hours which is easily long enough to last almost any continental US flight including delays and layovers! Moreover as you can imagine, these players take a beating. Also in my experience, children are a considerable proportion of the viewers - you get the picture. Nonetheless I was assured that the LS55 held up very well to knocks and spills.

In my own experience, Panasonic's screens are excellent and very long lasting without any degradationor pixel loss. The machine's themselves are solid, tough and well designed. The LS55 is a great upgrade over my previous Panasonic portable DVD player. The beautiful 7" screen is crisp with excellent contrast and color. The player's understated modern styling is extremely elegant but also tough and practical. The slightly rubberized feel of the body's coating makes it firmer to grip and more resistant to knocks, falls and dings. After spending a few minutes with the LS55 you'll be hooked.

I'm sorry to read someone's poor review regarding the LS55 which seemingly had something spilt on it. Personally I've never had to deal with Panasonic's customer service and judging by your experience, I hope I never have to. However, on the whole my experience of the Panasonic brand has been outstanding over the years. One does pay a premium, however unlike a brand like Sony, I feel that one really is paying for what one get's -> a vastly superior, well designed, well constructed machine produced by what is perhaps Japan's best electronic's company. Indeed the LS55 is almost unique in this marketplace in being completely "Made in Japan" in a state of the art Japanese factory.

Already since buying the LS55 (an open box model from MacMall for USD 320 including free shipping (and I also bought an extended warranty from them due to the wear and tear I put these machines through) - I advise you to shop around and check eBay because it's silly to needlessly pay 400-500 bucks) I have travelled extensively with it. It's taken a few tumbles from the tray table, a couple of hard knocks and I think the maid in my hotel room dropped it once. Nonetheless it works flawlessly. Usually I keep it in a snug neoprene camera pouch ("zing").

THE BATTERY IS TRULY AMAZING!! I've watched 4 or 5 movies on a single charge and still had juice to spare! From New York, I frequently fly to the West Coast, Europe and Asia and simply put, this battery has more stamina than either I or my nephews and nieces do!! They watched an entire season of Friends on DVD (I think that's 16 episodes), the Spongebob movie and Spy Kids before giving up. More likely than not, you'll tire of watching stuff before the battery runs out. Whether you've owned a portable DVD player before or are thinking of buying your first, the LS55 IS REVOLUTIONARY!! Add to this, the beautiful screen and stunning good looks and anything else pales in comparrison. No one else makes a portable DVD player to touch it.

As if that wasn't enough, the speakers are good - not as good as my old Sony fold-ups but probably better than any other portable DVD player or laptop - and of course I can get some new mini speakers although the quality is such that I don't think I need to. However, the sound quality through earphones is stunning! A great touch is the double earphone jacks which work fantastically both acoustically and poltically! In addition, the FM transmitter that transmits the soundtrack through one's car speakers works well in my sister's Renault Espace, although if you have children, you may regret that good innovative feature! Anyone who used itrip with their ipod will be familiar with this technology.

All in all, a portable DVD player without equal. Excellent build quality, very attractive design, a beautiful large crisp 7" screen that can be easily adjusted on it's cantilevered hinge to the prefect viewing angle and pitch, good acoustics especially via earphones (I recommend Bose's noise cancelling ones for travel) and even car sound system.

Also functions very well as a DVD player using the AV cables attached to a TV, especially useful if you've "unlocked" your LS55 so that you can play DVDs from around the world at home.

I was looking for something for the plane and car. After viewing and trying many out it was interesting to see the picture difference and audio quality (or lack of) in many players. The LS55 provided great picture and real good sound. Then there are the formats supported. This one plays everything I through at it!

We bought this product in December 2004(from amazon.com). Worked fine for the first 5-6 times. Then wouldn't power up. Took it to the authrized panasonic service center. They said the printed circuit board was corroded(!) They said it looked like something spilled over it But the unit didnt show any signs of spillage(their words). We had treated it with such TLC(it cost 400 bucks - no joke!) Anyways contacted Panasonic - they washed their hands off it saying it was all our fault. We are still following it up. But would like to caution any prospective buyers!!!

We bought our Panasonic DVD-LS55 in Nov '04 and it lasted until Jul '06, when we finally got the dreaded HO3 error and the player stopped working. It sat in the closet collecting dust after I heard from a Panasonic tech rep how much it would cost to fix it. Before purchasing a new portable player, we decided to see if anyone else had this error and if anyone else new of a way to fix it.
That's when we found the Amazon review for the DVD-LS90 by mkb that gave step by step instructions on how to try one thing that fixed the HO 3 error on 2-3 players he worked on. We tried the procedure and it worked!!
So thanks to mkb, wherever you are. We owe you big time!
Here is what we did:
1) Find a clean place to work and the following tools: you;ll need a very small precision screwdriver set, tweezers, exacto knife, a small magnet, and canned air to remove dust.
2) Unplug and take out the battery for safety. Remove the 12 screws on the back of the player. I used the small magnet to help get the screws out of the holes and hold on to them. Put in a safe place, you don't want to lose these.
3) Pick up disc tray off of the 3 rubber suspension feet. Be careful with the 2 flat wire cables. Turn this tray over.
4) Find a small black cover on the back of the tray that has 2 screws. Take the this black cover off to reveal a small electric motor and a set of small plastic gears. Use tweezers and canned air to clean/pick out any debris. I had small plastic shavings caught up in mine.
5) I'm not sure if this was really necessary, but I picked up the small white gear in the middle with the tweezers and used the exacto blade to trim a small amount of platic away from the side of the large cog that comes very close to rubbing against the large black gear.
6) Put the white gear back in place. Make sure the metal axle it rotates on is in place. Make sure the cog from the electric motor engages the white plastic gear. Try to gently rotate the white gear to make sure it will rotate the other gears smoothly and move the laser reader assembly along its track.
7) Use the canned air to remove any more dust/debris from the inside of the player.
8) Put the cover back together and the screws back in place. There were 2 screws that go down by the battery compartment that took me forever to find where they went.
9) Give it some power and try it out.

This procedure may seem daunting at first, but really, if you are about to trash the machine anyway, what do you have to lose? In my opinion, loosening and getting all the screws out, in order to open up the machine, was the hardest part.

After these steps, our player started working again. I hope this saves someone else the money of having to go out and buy another player just like it helped us. Good luck!

There are several easy DIY fixes for the H03 problem to try before despairing and turning your back on the otherwise excellent Panasonic LS55 DVD portable DVD player!

I've owned my LS55 for about a year and lived in dread of the much discussed H03 message appearing. To be fair I travel a great deal and although my DVD player has a snug neoprene case and I've never dropped it off a tray table or hotel bed, nonetheless it really does get stuffed into bags, and carried around a lot. The LS55 has been a pretty solid performer and the 10+ hour battery is absolutely incredible. My last Panasonic 5" screen portable payer was amazing and super durable until lost. However I did have to carry around the regular battery as well as an extended play one to be able to watch a couple of movies (say 2 1/2). The LS55 allows me to watch at least 3 or 4 plus a few TV episodes (on DVD) including skipping around alot. If I've charged it fully before a long distance international flight, I've never ever run out of juice! The battery is genuinely good for at least 10 hours which is an incredible and puts this player ahead of the competition in this respect. Whatever else it's faults, battery life is not one of them!

However the picture is also excellent. I still think my Panasonic 5" screen was crisper but the number of lines and resolution for smaller screens is the same as 7" and 9" models (I believe) so a small screen is always going to be sharper. A 9" model is just a little too big for convenient portability and the 7" is just about right for 1 or 2 people.

The sound via (noise cancelling) headphones is incredible. The speakers are a bit weak but if played in a car using the FM transmitter, the quality is superb. Instead of using the player's speakers, I tend to plug the DVD player into my ipod speakers for very good strong stereo sound. I've had half a dozen people crowded around entralled in a movie with big sound making the 7" screen seem much larger.

All in all an excellent DVD player. However no discussion of the LS55 is complete without addressing the dreaded H0 problems. The H03 message seems the most common certainly here on Amazon. Many people have spoken of very indifferent treatment from Panasonic and repair bills/estimates ranging from $100 to $200. I agree with many people that there is a serious issue that Panasonic has not addressed at all and I think this has seriously impacted customer trust in what I've always felt was a very superior brand for quality and durability. Anyway, I myself recently got an H03 message. I feared the worst - that the DVD player was essentially a write-off with prohibitive repair costs. However I quickly found several posts on line with various solutions/fixes. Some ranged from removing the bottom plate of the player with a small (jeweller's) screw driver and very carefully using compressed air (Dust Off etc...) to spritz away any dust and debris. Other options included moving the laser head along the track or straightening bent parts, unhooking and re-attaching the electric ribbon wire connectors etc... You can read all the various solutions.

Personally I decided that I was going to start with the simplest and most benign methods and gradually take more intrusive steps.

I was lucky. The most simple step is to switch the DVD player off and leave it off for a couple of minutes. Then power on. You'll still see the H03 message (unless you're really lucky!). Then press the skip back (l<<) and skip forward (>>l) buttons (bottom left 2 buttons on the LS55 at the same time you press the play button (>). Hold all three buttons down for 4 or 5 seconds. Apparently this will re-initialise the DVD player's system software/firmware. In many cases especially where there are stories of brand new players getting an H03 message, the H03 message does not refer to an actual physical problem but a diagnostic glitch. The method I described worked for me and I really hope it works for everyone who experiences this problem. If it doesn't work if I ever experience this problem again, I'll take the next step - of unscrewing the bottom plate (10 small screws - no problem) and carefully dusting the exposed mechanism with Dust-Off to dislodge any dust or debris that might have triggered a H03 diagnosis that then tells the player to disable itself.

Apparently there are several steps one can take with this and most other DVD players using a combination of keys pressed down while powering on or after powering on to reboot the system just as one would with a computer (of course this player has a micro-chip of it's own).

Good luch with this method if you experience an H03 message. Don't despair - go online to research a number of methods one can take to reboot the system or solve the problem. It's very likely that there isn't a serious problem and certainly not one that justifies immediately throwing the player in the trash after getting no where with Panasonic or deciding to spend $100+ on getting it "repaired". I'm not sure why Panasonic hasn't done more to help it's customers solve these problems - perhaps it would be an admission of a problem that is probably a software/firmware gremlin instead of a mechanical flaw.

Anyway H03 suffers - don't despair there are lots of success stories of people no more technical than you, fixing their LS55 DVD players with a bit of ingenuity and refusal to accept that an otherwise pretty solid little machine could inexplicably tell you it's "broken" - thing is, the thing just thinks it is but it's probably fine, just needs a little prod. I recommend you start with the method I described - took all of 6 seconds and I felt so smart (happy and relieved) after. The more intrusive methods are pretty easy too. So far from all the stuff I've read online, the success rate with the button method has been very high. Combined with other quick fixes some more intrepid using a small screw driver - I believe the chances of "fixing" the H03 message is incredibly good.

After less than one year, I have also gotten the H03 error code, and the player is dead. This appears to be a common problem from other reviews I've seen.