Panasonic DMP-BDT350
Viera Cast ™ Blu-Ray Disc Player

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.