Panasonic DMP-BDT350

Panasonic has just announced its lineup of blu-ray players for 2010 and unveiled their flagship model – the Panasonic DMP-BDT350 at the recent International Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas. The 3D capable DMP-BDT350 features VIERA CAST, 96kHz surround sound re-master, multi-format playback and 1080p up-conversion for DVDs. Of the four new players announced, the DMP-BDT350 is the only player with dual HDMI outputs. It received the Consumer Electronics Association’s esteemed Innovations Award 2010 for its innovative 3D technology.

Latest Update: The Panasonic DMP-BDT350 is now shipping and on sale at Amazon.com

Panasonic DMP-BDT350 Blu-ray Player

Panasonic DMP-BDT350 Blu-ray Player

Design

The DMP-BDT350 has a slim form factor similar to previous Panasonic players. Panasonic has also placed emphasis in its design to reduce power consumption. With Power Save Mode the player automatically turns off when you return to TV operation using the VIERA Link menu. A USB port and an SD card slot is conveniently located behind a flap.

In addition, the development of the UniPhier® single chip LSI makes it possible to pack an entire video signal processing circuit onto a single chip. This helps lower power consumption, reduces the number of parts needed and allows for a more compact design. Continuing its corporate commitment to improve the environment, Panasonic has reduced the players’ depth by 18%, resulting in a 15% reduction in the carton’s volume.

Features

Active Shutter 3D Glasses

Active Shutter 3D Glasses

First and foremost, the Panasonic DMP-BDT350 is 3D capable. This means that if you play a 3D blu-ray disc on this player and connect it to a 3D HDTV, you will be getting 3D playback. But the issue on many people’s minds is that you will need a pair of 3D glasses for each member of your family to enjoy 3D in all its glory. Some manufacturers are bundling one pair of these with their new TVs, some aren’t. The glasses are estimated to cost around $100 per pair.

In addition to its Full HD 3D technology, Panasonic has also added VIERA CAST technology that was first featured in it’s 2009 blu-ray models. The Internet-enabled technology provides access to selected sites without the need of a PC to enjoy the entertainment provided by Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Picasa Web Album , Bloomberg and a Weather Channel. Netflix, Pandora, Twitter and Fox Sports have been added to the VIERA CAST functionality, providing you with two premium movie sites, a music service and a sports site to enhance the entertainment quotient.

The DMP-BDT350 employs the PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus image processing. Developed in collaboration with Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory, this high image processing technology reproduces clear and vibrant colors that are faithful to the original film. It also features a high definition audio decoder that decodes Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio to take advantage of the high resolution 7.1 channel surround sound now incorporated in blu-ray discs.

Convenient access to YouTube via VieraCast

Convenient access to YouTube via VieraCast

The BDT350 comes with an USB slot in front for easy connection with Wireless LAN adaptor for wireless connection to online content. You can also play media data like JPEG photos, music MP3s and DivX HD movies stored on your USB thumb drive. It also provides 1080/24p output, reproducing cinema images from a blu-ray disc and DVD in their original 24p form with no need for conversion. This allows you to enjoy cinema images in the same format used in film industry with a 1080/24p-compatible TV. It will also up-convert to full high-def 1080p for content recorded in the 480i/p or 720p format.

Another interesting feature is the inclusion of 2 HDMI outputs. That is important because 3D blu-ray players will use the new HDMI 1.4 standard, and existing AV receivers only support HDMI 1.3. That means you won’t be able easily connect a new 3D Blu-ray player to an existing AV receiver. With the DMP-BDT350, you can send the high-bandwidth 3D video directly to the display and the audio directly to the AV receiver. It seems like the best option if you don’t plan on buying a new HDMI 1.4 receiver.

Complimenting the HD audio codecs, the BDT350 comes with 96kHz surround re-master, a function that enhances the sound quality of CDs and other sources, and even improves the quality of the multi-channel audio data on blu-ray Discs and DVDs.

Last but not least, Panasonic engineers have lowered the start-up time, from when the player is turned on to beginning of playback to 14 seconds.

Actual user review:
“I ordered this player so I could play the 3D “checkerboard” format on my older (2008) Mitsubishi model WD-60735 TV. It worked beautifully with my TV in the 3D mode using the newest technology 3D blu-ray discs (Monsters vs Aliens). The player also came with a demo 3D blu-ray disc that really displayed the 3D capabilities of this player with my TV set. I felt like I was swimming with the fish in the coral formations in the ocean. You have to select “checkerboard” mode in one of the menus to use it with the older Mitsubishi/Samsung DLP sets. The rest of my setup was a pair of XPAND X102 DLP link glasses that require no emitter for use. The 3D experience easily exceeded my expectations and was definitely impressive, as good as being at the theater in my opinion. I really enjoyed watching the 3D movie and demo disc much more than I thought I would and feel it’s worth the expense and additional equipment. I’m very glad I made this purchase.” – O.G. Wilson (FL,USA) Amazon Verified Purchase

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