Panasonic DMP-BDT220 - Best Bang for the Buck Blu-ray Player

The Panasonic DMP-BDT220 Blu-ray player is one of the best selling Blu-ray players for 2012, and for good reason. Many useful features are packed into this unit such as built-in Wi-Fi and Skype. The DMP-BDT220 can do many of the things that the flashier DMP-BDT320 does, but for less money. The differences between the two are mainly cosmetic, making the Panasonic DMP-BDT220 a good alternative to the DMP-BDT320 and an attractive budget player.

The Panasonic DMP-BDT220 is marketed and priced as an entry-level Blu-ray player, yet its picture quality, audio settings menu, and intuitive operating system are more than consumers may expect from such a low-priced machine. The unit does have some drawbacks though. Some of the menus are sluggish, the remote is clumsy, the design is clunkier than more expensive models, and the Skype feature requires use of a (not included) external connected camera.

Panasonic DMP-BDT220 Blu-Ray Player Key Features

Built-in Wi-Fi
Skype
3D Blu-ray playback
Viera Connect
DLNA media streaming
Network drive support

The look of the Panasonic DMP-BDT220 is not as sleek as higher priced players, but it is still a tasteful looking player with a black finish. The device is 38 millimeters high, which is taller than the DMP-BDT230 but small enough to fit under a television or in an AV rack. A mirror finish plastic cover hides the disc tray, SD port, USB port, and single line LCD display. Customers who wish to use BD live content must keep a 1GB SD card in the SD port. There is also a play button and a stop button under the plastic cover.

A HDMI output is found on the back of the player. There is also a USB port for a Panasonic Skype camera, an Ethernet port, and analogue stereo and digital optical audio outputs. For users who do not want to run a network cable to their televisions, the Wi-Fi works well for playing video files like DivX and MKV. People can easily stream content from Hulu Plus, Pandora, Netflix, and Amazon Instant.

The Panasonic DMP-BDT220 Blu-ray player is overall a good buy. Customers get a great picture, noise reduction, and good sound quality, though the device is missing some of the high-end audio adjustments that come with the DMP-BDT230. No doubt, the budget conscious should consider the DMP-BDT220 this holiday season if shopping for a present around $100.