Panasonic and Samsung have announced pricing and availability for their 2012 Blu-ray Disc player lineups.

Panasonic is offering four new Full HD 3D models - the DMP-BBT01, DMP-BDT500, DMP- BDT320, DMP- BDT220, and two 2D Blu-ray Disc players - DMP-BD87 and the DMP-BD77. All four of the 3D models include Panasonic's proprietary VIERA Connect IPTV platform, while the 2D models feature IP VOD, a service that offers a targeted selection of sites including Netflix, Vudu, CinemaNow and YouTube on TV

Panasonic's Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc players (BBT01, BDT500, BDT320 and BDT 220) include an improved UniPhier chip processor, 24p output for VOD, an expanded VIERA Connect functionality, and FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec),192Hz/32bit Audio DAC (not available on the DMP-BBT01), Smartphone remote control capability, a new touchpad remote control (available on DMP-BBT01, DMP- BDT500, DMP- BDT320), 2D-to-3D up-conversion, which can convert 2D images from VIERA Connect, DVDs and Blu-ray discs into 3D with natural depth perception, a new slim design and a slot-in drive that is found in two of the models (the DMP-BBT01 and DMP- BDT320). The slot-in drive allows the user to insert a disc without the need for a tray and prevents inadvertently loading a second disc. In addition, the DMP-BBT01 introduces a new design concept and a greatly reduced form factor featuring a stand and enables operation either vertically or horizontally.

The DMP- BDT220 (SRP $149.99) and the DMP- BDT320 (SRP $199.99) are the first of the Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc players to ship and are now available. Also now available are Panasonic's two 2D Blu-ray Disc players -- the DMP-BD87 (SRP $119.99) and the DMP-BD77 (SRP $89.99). Panasonic's two top-of-the-line Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc players; the DMP- BDT500 (SRP $349.99) and the DMP-BBT01 (SRP $269.99) will be available in May.

Samsung's 2012 Blu-ray disc models include:

• Full HD 1080p playback, even for DVDs, non-HD media and low-resolution streaming video
• Samsung Smart Hub for access to web-based content and services
• Samsung's AllShare content sharing service, compatible with a range of devices
• Disc to Digital, which converts consumers? DVDs or Blu-rays into digital content that can be accessed and shared on multiple devices
• Built-in WiFi for convenient access to a variety of web-based content
• Full web browser