Panasonic DMP-BDT320 Pro Reviews

Overall, the DMP-BDT320 is a splendid bit of kit, albeit not without complexity. Video quality is fabulous, and sonically the deck shines. But I’m unimpressed by the new touchpad controller. It’s a nuisance when navigating and will prove a complete mystery to anyone who hasn’t studied Panasonic’s operational tutorial. Still, you can always download the brand’s generic control app, I suppose.

The BDT320 sits just above the BDT220 in Panasonic's new Blu-ray player range and as such includes a £30 price premium. The only real differences between the two are the better build quality and more attractive styling of the BDT320, the 'digital tube sound' and the touch pad remote. So the question is, do these changes justify the additional cost? In terms of the build quality and design the BDT320 is definitely an improvement on the cheaper model and as a result it feels more substantial. Whether or not you prefer the central disc slot over a disc tray is a matter of personal but there's no denying that the BDT320 is attractive to look at. The added benefit of the improved construction is that the BDT320 is far quieter in operation when compared to the slightly plastic BDT220.

The Panasonic DMP-BDT320 has a tough act to follow: the company's budget Blu-ray players were the best-in-class last year, so the pressure's on for the company's 2012 arrivals. The DMP-BDT320 is first out of the traps and, thankfully, it picks up where 2011's decks left off, producing a scintillating 2D picture and an immersive 3D one to boot.

A fantastic new design, an odd remote control but superb image quality

Stuffed with goodies on a Wi-Fi-powered Viera Connect, the Panasonic DMP-BDT320 handles a plethora of digital files and indulges - albeit in a somewhat muddy manner - in DLNA home networking. A super-slim Blu-ray player that needs only Wi-Fi to perform a host of tricks, the Panasonic DMP-BDT320 boasts excellent 2D and 3D Blu-ray coupled with reference-level DVD upscaling. This makes for a deck that has few flaws. Whether or not the inclusion of a trackpad-style remote control makes this slightly slimmer deck a worthy upgrade from its little brother, the DMP-BDT220, is doubtful. But as a standalone Blu-ray proposition, the Panasonic DMP-BDT320 is a top-notch all-rounder that oozes class.