Panasonic's first 3D-capable Blu-ray players have arrived. The 3D lineup includes two models: the DMP-BDT350 ($429.95) and the DMP-BDT300 ($399.95, sold exclusively through Best Buy). We have not performed a hands-on review of the DMP-BDT350, but here is an overview of its features. This Profile 2.0 player supports BD-Live Web functionality and BonusView/picture-in-picture playback, and it offers both onboard decoding and bitstream output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Panasonic incorporates its new PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus and its P4HD technology designed to produce a more detailed image with standard-def DVDs, as well as Adaptive Precision 4:4:4 color reproduction and an HDMI Jitter Purifier to reduce jitter in HDMI audio. The DMP-BDT350 comes with an 802.11n adapter for a wireless network connection; you can stream content from a PC or DLNA-compliant server, and the player supports Panasonic's VIERA Cast Web platform, which includes access to Netflix and Amazon video-on-demand, Pandora, YouTube, Picasa and more. (The DMP-BDT300 omits the DLNA media streaming.)

In terms of video connections, the DMP-BDT350 offers two HDMI outputs, allowing you to send the 3D video signal directly to your 3D-capable display via an HDMI 1.4 output and still send HDMI audio to your A/V receiver via HDMI 1.3 (so you do not have to upgrade to a 3D-compatible receiver). The back panel also has component and composite video outputs (no S-video). This player supports both 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 output resolutions via HDMI. Picture adjustments include the ability to choose between preset picture modes or go with a user mode in which you can adjust contrast, brightness, sharpness, color, gamma, and noise reduction. The setup menu also includes options for chroma process, detail clarity, and super resolution.
Additional Resources

• Read more Panasonic news and reviews at HomeTheaterReview.com
• Get the spin on Blu-ray from HDTVetc.
• Shop the Blu-ray store at Amazon.com
• Vent your spleen about picture quality and cheesy dialogue at HomeTheaterSpot.com
  

On the audio side, outputs include HDMI, optical and coaxial digital, and 7.1-channel analog. The DMP-BDT350 has onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, and it also passes these high-resolution audio formats in their native bitstream form over HDMI, for your A/V receiver to decode. You can set speaker size, level, and delay for the multichannel analog audio outputs. The player also allows you to choose between different sound-effect modes (Digital Tube Sound, Re-master, and Night Surround), and there are settings for dialog enhancement, high clarity sound, and audio delay.

The DMP-BDT350 supports BD, DVD, CD audio, AVCHD, Divx, MP3, and JPEG playback. You can add the player to your home network either by using the back-panel Ethernet port or by attaching the supplied wireless LAN adapter to the back-panel USB port. The DMP-BDT350 lacks internal memory to store BD-Live content, but an SD card slot is provided for this purpose. The SD card reader also supports music, photo and movie playback, as does the second, front-panel USB port. The player lacks advanced control ports, such as RS-232 or IR.

Competition and Comparison
To compare Panasonic's DMP-BDT350 Blu-ray player against its competition, read our reviews for the Samsung BD-C7900 Blu-ray player and the LG BX580 3D Blu-ray player.  Another resource for information is our All Things Blu-ray Player section, as well as the Panasonic brand page.