Panasonic DMP-BDT210 3D Blu-ray Player Review

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Panasonic DMP-BDT210 3D Blu-ray Player Review

Panasonic DMP-BDT210 Integrated-Wi-Fi 3D Blu-ray DVD Player

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List Price: $200.00

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The Panasonic DMP-BDT210 is one of Panasonic’s high-end entries into the Blu-Ray player market. It offers good design combined with power and up-to-date technology, making it one of the bestselling Blu-Ray devices available today. However, it’s not without its flaws, so read on to find out whether it’s the right player for you.

Key Specs for the Panasonic DMP-BDT210

RRP: $200.00
3D Ready
Wi-Fi? Yes
Online Streaming Services: Netflix, Amazon Instant, Hulu Plus, Pandora
BD Live? Yes
USB? Yes
Dimensions: 16.9 x 7 x 1.5 inches

Panasonic DMP-BDT210: The Pros

3D Compatibility

If you’re movie fan, and have loved all things 3D since James Cameron’s Avatar, then you’ll almost certainly want to enjoy your movies in 3D. The Panasonic DMP-BDT210 supports 3D Blu-ray and DVD discs, offering viewers the most up-to-date home entertainment experience. The 3D Effect Controller gives you greater control over the 3D leaping effect, helping to create the perfect 3D picture.
Built-in Wi-Fi

The DMP-BDT210’s built-in Wi-Fi is quick and easy to use, allowing you to connect to your home network as soon as you get the player out of its box, without the need for an additional Wi-Fi dongle.
Fast Disc-Loading Speed

Many older Blu-Ray players suffered from excruciatingly slow disc loading times when compared to DVD players. Better, more powerful technology now means that load-times are quicker, and this Blu-ray player is no exception. Disc loading times can be as little as seven seconds, which is excellent for Blu-ray.
Good Range Of Streaming Media Services

The DMP-BDT210 supports a good selection of streaming media services. These include Netflix, Amazon Instant, Vudu, Pandora, and Skype. Though some competing products offer a few other media services in addition to these (Hulu Plus is noticeably missing), there are still plenty here for the average user, and Panasonic’s interface is very easy to use.
Design

The DMP-BDT210 has a black glossy finish with minimal buttons, ports and slots. In addition, the disc-tray is operated by a touch-free sensor on top of the box, which means that opening and closing the tray is accomplished with a simple swipe of the hand. This can be useful in dark conditions where finding the eject button might be a problem. The device’s simple style also means that this player will fit in to almost any living room setup.
Good Remote

The remote control is well-designed and packed with features. Not only are all the standard buttons included and well-placed, but there are also several buttons dedicated to specific streaming services such as Skype and Netflix. The only small criticism is the positioning of the Viera Cast button, which can sometimes be pressed instead of the “menu up” button in dark conditions.
BD-Live Features

BD-Live is a Blu-ray player innovation that allows for extra content beyond what’s included in the on-disc special features. Many Blu-ray discs now include BD-Live features, which are accessible online as downloads or as streaming media. These features can be updated over time, meaning that even months after you have bought your Blu-Ray disc you may potentially have access to new features. Unfortunately the DMP-BDT210 doesn’t support BD-Live out of the box, and requires you to purchase an SD card for the device before you can access these features.

Panasonic DMP-BDT210: The Cons

3D Requirements

3D isn’t a benefit for everybody. While there are many fans of the new 3D home cinema technology, there are those who prefer their films in old-fashioned 2D. Owning a 3D Blu-Ray player doesn’t mean you have to watch films in 3D (simply buy films in 2D format), you may find yourself paying extra for the 3D technology that you won’t use.

Users unfamiliar with 3D technology, but who like the idea of watching films in 3D, should also be aware that owning a 3D Blu-Ray player alone is not enough to watch films in 3D. Though it may seem obvious to some, it’s worth noting that you’ll also need a 3D-ready display (whether that be a TV or computer monitor) with the ability to connect to your Blu-ray player via HDMI cable, 3D Blu-ray discs, and 3D glasses.
No Component Video Output

Some users may wish to connect their Blu-Ray player to their display set using a component video connection. With the DMP-BDT210 this isn’t possible. This is a relatively small issue for most, but will impact your choice if your TV doesn’t have HDMI.
USB Keyboard Support

Any device that includes access to streaming media services will likely also see the benefit of keyboard support in some form, which the Panasonic DMP-BDT210 doesn’t have. Typing in search terms for movies and TV series can be a painfully slow process using only an on-screen alphabet and the directional arrows on the remote to navigate it.
Remote Control Usability

Although the buttons on the remote are well placed, and the remote is feature-rich, it would have been nice to include either glow-in-the-dark or backlit buttons. Movies are very commonly watched in the dark, and such a feature would make using the remote much easier in these conditions.

Is The Panasonic DMP-BDT210 Worth Buying?

Overall, the Panasonic DMP-BDT210 is an excellent device. It offers great image quality, fast load times, a good variety of streaming media services and built-in Wi-Fi making it a great all-round package. The drawbacks of the device are pretty minimal, and won’t present any serious stumbling blocks for the vast majority of potential customers. There’s a reason why this device is a best-seller: it’s a great all-round product at an affordable price.