Panasonic DMP-BDT210

2010 saw the introduction of 3D video playback in the home. While the jury is still out on whether 3D is the way to go, we are seeing a plethora of TVs and blu-ray players that are all geared for the 3D explosion. With mass market acceptance prices are dropping too. The new Panasonic DMP-BDT210 retails for less than $200 and you get a full blown 3D blu-ray player with seamless networking options plus many original and cutting edge features from Panasonic’s design team.

Panasonic DMP-BDT210 3D Blu-ray Player

Design & Connectivity

The Panasonic DMP-BDT210 comes in a slim and lightweight chassis measuring just 1.5″ thick. It looks simple and nondescript but the thought and design that goes into this unit is anything but. Much effort has been put into making it energy efficient, fast loading and ergonomic. Using an innovative “Touch-Free Sensor” you can open the disc tray by just moving your hand over the top without touching it. This is very useful when your hands are full or when you’re in a dark room and can’t see the buttons clearly.

Its energy-saving design utilizing the latest processing chipsets lowers power consumption by 48%.

Connectivity options on the back panel is basic but adequate if you have a newer generation AV receiver with HDMI inputs. You get one HDMI output, composite video, stereo analog audio output, an optical digital audio out, one USB and an Ethernet LAN port.

Features

The DMP-BDT210 features a new 3D Enhancer and Depth Controller along with the latest UniPhier chip to produce movie theater-style 3D effects in pristine HD picture quality. Its natural depth perception enables the BDT210 to regulate the degree of 3D depth to your preferred level. Vertical color data has also been increased by 1.5 times compared to last year’s models. It also has the ability to convert regular 2D images from blu-rays and DVDs into 3D.

Sound quality is also another hallmark of Panasonic’s design philosophy. The new HDMI Jitter Purifier improves sound quality, delivering pure and robust bass sound reproduction.

Besides being a top notch blu-ray player, the DMP-BDT210 is a multimedia heavyweight. Through Viera Cast, Panasonic’s IPTV functionality, you can now stream multimedia content from the net directly into the DMP-BDT210. Panasonic recently added Skype voice and video calling, Twitter and Pandora to an already robust list of popular entertainment and information options, including Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Picasa, Bloomberg News and a weather service. Wi-Fi is built-in so you can easily access Viera Cast.

The DMP-BDT210 is also DLNA-certified, allowing you to access content from your computer or other DLNA compatible devices. By downloading an app from iTunes store you can also access and control DLNA content using your iPad, iPhone or any Apple devices.

Here are some extra features designed to enhance your experience with the DMP-BDT210:

• Incoming Ringtones – while watching a TV program or movie, a ringtone from the player tells you that you have a call. The ringtone also rings during standby mode.
• Auto Answering Video Message – You can record an original message onto an SD memory card and set it as your answering voice message. The message will respond automatically when you receive a phone call while you’re away.
• Video Mail Recording – callers can also record messages for you onto the SD memory card, so you can view the messages when you return home.
• Home Screen Wallpaper – simply insert an SD card into to transfer an image for use as your screensaver or wallpaper.

Performance

Using Universal Studio’s animated Despicable Me in 3D, we were able to put the Panasonic DMP-BDT210’s latest 3D capabilities to the test.

One of the shining attributes of the DMP-BDT210 is its ability to project vibrant and immaculate colors. From the beautifully coated yellow minions to the orange shaded Vector, it is simply near flawless in that aspect. It also captured every minor detail frame by frame, meticulously. Every single dent, scratch on the machine, as well as textures of the fabric was visibly lucid and brought to life. The magnificence of Panasonic’s 3D Enhancer and Depth Controller was fully illustrated in a scene where Gru was drifting around in space. With Gru just mere inches away from our eyes and Earth in the backdrop, the distance was unmistakably apparent yet natural. The DMP-BDT210 strikes a perfect balance with its stunning 3D image performances without trying too hard and being pretentious.

The audio quality was equally outstanding with its decoding of accompanying DTS-HD MA 5.1. It doesn’t matter if it were action packed scenes with dynamic missile sounds or insipid sequences, the BDT210 handled it with ease. In fact, the booming dramatic fight scenes not only brought out the best in the speakers but even mundane sounds such as pressing a door bell was realistically captured and accentuated. The bass occupied a sweet spot with its commanding but not overpowering reverberation. Dialog was crystal clear and sharp. With its resounding audio performances, the DMP-BDT210 delivered a complete cinematic experience fit for an audiophile.

For those who are not inclined to go 3D soon, you’ll be glad to know that its 2D performance is just as impeccable. Using The Tourist blu-ray disc, the texture of Angelina Jolie’s character flawless complexion and Johnny Depp’s unkempt goatee was vividly prominent. The BDT210 strikingly captured the essence of the grandeur of the Italian Renaissance architecture buildings in Venice, revealing every bit of its centuries’ old age. Contrast was in sync with the impressive whites. The colors were nothing short of spectacular as it was with 3D movies. On the whole, regardless of your preference of 2D or 3D movies, the DMP-BDT210 will devour everything you throw at it.

Bottom Line

The blu-ray player segment is a competitive one with major manufacturers jostling for market share by offering the latest technologies at ever cheaper prices. Great picture quality is a given among the latest crop of blu-ray players. The winner in this high stakes game depends very much on the features it has, ease of use, trouble free video and content streaming, seamless integration with home network, and ultimately, price. At less than $200, the feature packed Panasonic DMP-BDT210 scores on all counts and is firmly poised as the winner in this battlefield.

Average User Rating:
Actual User Reviews:

• “I will start by letting you all know that I used to own a Sony BDP-S570 and recently decided to upgrade due to the problems with Netflix streaming on the Sony. After plugging in the BDT210 and installing the firmware update, I quickly realized what I had been missing out on. The BDT210 has a much more appealing and pleasing UI (user interface) for the user to experience. It is also very simple to use. There are a lot of cool “extra” options: you can customize your own wallpaper, customize the layout of various internet apps (Netflix, Pandora, Amazon VOD, Vudu, Weather Channel, etc.), use the new “Touch Sensor” to open/close the disc tray by simply waving your hand over the player, and much more.

Blu-ray loading is EXTREMELY fast. I have played Ninja Assassin and The Last Song – both loaded in less than 5 seconds. Also, picture quality and sound quality is phenomenal. You can select “Enhanced Sound” within the player’s main menu which made the sound much more clear and crisp, in my opinion. I am extremely pleased with this product! Way to go, Panasonic! “ – J.Springs (GA,USA)

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• “Got it a few days ago and tried both blu-ray and DVDs right out of the box. The picture and sound quality were both excellent. It does load MUCH faster than my older Panasonic BDT60 model.
Same night I opened it, we opened a netflix account and streamed a movie. The only issue we had was trying to figure out how to put our sign-in information into the Netflix page (oh, and we didn’t notice the Netflix button on the remote at first either – it’s RED). When it asks for that info, press the OK button on the remote and it takes you to a screen to put in your Netflix account/password info. From there, everything was seamless and the interface for selecting movies was pretty slick. Great purchase for the price now on Amazon. Also now prepped for the day I have a 3D TV and will receive a free Avatar BRD by mail.” – MTV (Atlanta,GA,USA)

• “The player is great. The menu system is the best I’ve used in a player and I returned both a Sony BD560 and a Samsung 6500 before getting this unit. The internet options are extensive, new options to me like Amazon streaming and Skype, mixed with the mainstay apps like Netflix, Pandora, and many more. make this player very attractive to the streaming and online entertainment user.” – D.Regal (MN,USA)

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