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Why Buy Sony BDP S580? Read our review

Sony BDP-S580 replaces the BDP-S570 from 2010. The BDP-S570 was the high end model back in 2010. The BDP-S570 was full featured player with all the decoding options as well as some limited internet streaming contents. Sony was one of the last manufacturers to fully jump on the internet streaming contents on the Blu ray players. While it did add internet streaming contents, it was not as varied as other manufacturers. The BDP-S570 took a step in the right direction adding more contents. Even with limited internet streaming contents, the Sony players have always had great picture qualities. The BDP-S580 adds more features as well as some improvement in performances.

Features

It is very hard to differentiate the 2011 Blu ray models in terms of performances. You will be hard pressed to find one that has any artifacts or defects in video or audio processing. The main differentiation comes from the features and prices. The BDP-S580 does offer up very nice array of features for around $200 MSRP. With BDP-S380 as an exception, all other Sony Blu ray players are 3D capable. Like other 2011 models, the BDP-S580 comes with Sony’s own BRAVIA internet Video platform. You have access to Netflix, YouTube, HuluPlus, Pandora, and many other streaming contents. According to Sony, you have access to over 30 internet streaming contents via BRAVIA Internet Video. Unlike the BDP-S380, the BDP-S580 comes with built in WiFi capability. This should be a big plus for anyone who wants less clutter around their home theater system. Like other Sony players, Gracenote metadata service is included to provide full information on the movie you are watching. This is handy little to use if you have any question about the content while watching the movie. The BDP-S580 has onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Also, it is capable of decoding the standard Dolby and DTS audio formats. It is also capable of playing the standard MP3, AAC, WMA, and DTS standard audios. As with BDP-S380, the BDP-S580 lacks 5.1 or 7.1 channel analog audio outputs.

Design

The overall dimension and design of BDP-S580 is identical to that of BDP-S380. The front face has glossy finish with LCD located on the right side with playback function buttons located right beneath it. The USB port is located on the right side as well. The loading tray is located on the left side of the player. The overall dimension of 17 x 1.4 x 7.8 Inches is exactly same as the BDP-S380. The BDP-S580 comes with basic output options like component and composite output as well as coaxial audio outputs. The Ethernet, USB, and HDMI ports are standard as well. As noted earlier, it does not come with multi channel analog outputs. Extra HDMI port is conspicuously missing. If you have older receiver, you might need to output audio via digital audio output if you want to watch 3D contents. The included remote control should be sufficient for most people. The button lay out are well thought out and the buttons are large enough for most people. Sony added remote app for Iphone and android phones to control their Blu ray player for extra convenience.

Performance and Video

As noted in BDP-S380 review, Sony has dramatically improved the average load time on their 2011 Blu ray player models. It is significantly faster than the first or second generation Blu ray players. The longest loading time for a Blu ray movie was less than 15 seconds. The overall video processing was excellent as expected. The movies showed no processing defects like jaggieness, motion blur, or moiré. While the Blu ray movies and DVD movies played flawlessly, the internet streaming contents weren’t as nice even with high speed internet. While this is not Sony’s fault, I would love to see more high definition contents from the internet streaming services. After watching Blu ray movies, the internet streaming quality seems very average at best. The problem of playing MKV and Divx files are still present on the BDP-S580 as it did on the BDP-S380 model.

Audio

The audio processing was flawless as well. All the audio formats decoded properly without any hitch. The MP3, AAC, and WMA all played without any problems. I did not test DVD audio or SACD as I do not have them for compatibility test. Only downside of this player was the lack of multi-channel output and the lack of extra HDMI port.

Final Thoughts

As of this review, this player can be purchased for around $170 at most retailers. This is fairly good price for a high end model. The 3D capability and inclusion of WiFi makes this a big improvement over the BDP-S380. While BDP-S380 is capable of WiFI, you had to buy extra equipment to make it truly wireless. For extra $30 or so, you get 3D as well as built in WiFi. This is pretty good value for a solid Blu ray player.

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Sony BDP S380 Review: Better than S370?

Sony BDP-S380 replaces the popular BDP-S370 model from 2010. The BDP-S370 was a solid entry level Blu ray player. Sony introduced the BD-S370 at 2010 CES and it quickly became a great performer at a modest price. As with 2010 models, Sony upgraded all their Blu ray players from entry level to high end models. The BDP-S380 is the direct successor to the BDP-S370. As with BDP-S370, the BDP-S380 model is not compatible with 3D contents. This is somewhat disappointing as other manufacturers have decided to include 3D playback on their entry level models as well as their high end models.

Features

Even as an entry level model, the BDP-S380 boasts impressive amount of features. In the past, Sony lacked some of the extra features found on other players. Even as a driving force behind the Blu ray technology, Sony lagged behind other manufacturers in terms of features. However, Sony always delivered quality video and audio playback functions. While older Sony models lacked the internet streaming contents, the 2010 and 2011 models all come with internet streaming features. The BDP-S380 is able to stream Neflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus, Pandora and other internet streaming contents. On top of the streaming contents, Sony has added iPhone and Android remote application. The remote application allows you to control the Blu ray player as well as displaying movie information. Also, Gracenote metadata service is included to provide full information on the movie you are watching. At first, I didn’t think it was useful tool. However, you can instantly look up all the information about the movie without having to go to your computer to look up the information. As expected, the BDP-S380 is fully compliant with Profile 2.0 and BD-LIVE contents. The BDP-S370 has onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Also, it is capable of decoding the standard Dolby and DTS audio formats. It is also capable of playing the standard MP3 files as well as SACD format discs. While the player is capable on audio options, it does not have any 5.1 or 7.1 analog audio outputs.

Design

The overall design is fairly similar to the BDP-S370. The front of the player is finished in glossy material. The LCD is located on the right side with few playback function buttons right below it. It also houses a USB port on the right side of the player. The left side of the player houses the loading tray for the disc. The overall dimension and weight is very close to the BDP-S370 as well. The connectivity option is identical to the BDP-S370. The player includes basic analog audio output as well as coaxial audio digital output. For the standard definition television owners, you can connect the player via component or composite outputs. You also have Ethernet and another USB port. It is lacking the second HDMI output. Sony includes a basic remote control. It is fairly functional unit and most users shouldn’t have problem operating it. The buttons are large enough with good layout. Nothing seems to be out of place and few dedicated function buttons are convenient as well.

Performance and Video

Sony has once again delivered a very fast player. The average load time is significantly faster than the older generation models. The BDP-S370 was light years ahead of first and second generation models in terms of loading speed. The BDP-S380 is no exception. It delivers a very fast performance in terms of loading times. The video processing showed no processing defects like moiré, jaggieness, or motion blur. Most of today’s Blu ray player will deliver flawless video processing. I’ve yet to see any significant video processing errors in 2010 or 2011 models from major manufacturers. Spot tested with an action movie, the BDP-S380 handled the movie without any problem. The aspect ratio problem seen on BDP-S370 in DVD playback is corrected. I’ve yet to see any defects when playing DVD in the BDP-S380. The BRAVIA internet streaming contents were acceptable at best. Compared to Blu ray quality, the streaming quality is not as crisp. This is same on other player as well. Unlike some of its competitors, the BDP-S380 had problem playing some of the file formats like MKV and Divx encoded files.

Audio

As with BDP-S370, audio processing had no hiccups. All the audio formats were tested via Blu ray discs and they all played without any hitch. Even the MP3 formats played without any problem. I could not test the SACD compatibility as I didn’t have a disc on hand to test them. However, I don’t expect any problem playing the disc if you have a collection of SACDs. The lack of 5.1 or 7.1 channel shouldn’t be a big problem for most users.

Overall

As of this review, the player can be bought for under $150. While this represents fairly decent deal for a fast Blu ray player, the lack of 3D support makes it hard to justify buying this model. For $150 or little more, you can easily purchase a Blu ray player with all these features and 3D compatibility. Also, the lack of WiFi means you’ll need to buy an adapter for extra money. If you want a quality non 3D Blu ray player, this is definitely a great buy. However, you’ll definitely want to avoid this player if you intend to purchase a 3D television set in the near future.

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Sony BDP S770 Blu Ray Player Review

Sony’s high end Blu ray disc model, BDP-S770, packs small bit of extra features as well and a slick new design. The BDP-S770 is a 3D compatible player with Profile 2.0 compatibility. The BDP-S770 will be fully able to display all the Profile 2.0 contents without limitations. In terms of features and performance, the BDP-S770 is almost identical to the BDP-S570 from Sony. Like BDP-S570, BDP-S770 can natively decode Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital +, Doldby True HD, DTS, DTS-HD, and DTS-HD MA. It can also output these in bitstream as well. On top of these audio formats, the BDP-S770 can also read MP3, AAC, SACD, and WMA audio files. The BDP-S770 also comes with the Bravia Internet Entertainment platform. The Bravia Internet Entertainment platforms works a lot like Samsung App. You can download various widgets that you want on your player and view them at any time. You have access to many video streaming contents like Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video, Netflix, and YouTube. Also, there are other internet accessible contents like Facebook and twitter. You can also access news and weather feeds from various sources like USA Today and Yahoo. Like the previous version, the BDP-S770 is capable of playing mkv, wmv, and divx files. You can stream the files from other DNLA compliant devices or use the USB port to play these files. The BDP-S770 also comes with 1GB internal storage.

Design

The one of few things that separates the BDP-S770 from BDP-S570 is the more refined design. Sony designed the BDP-S770 to match the 3D Bravia HD television sets. While not radically redesigned, it does look sleeker than the BDP-S570 model. The BDP-S770 has a flush design unlike the BDP-S570. The disc tray is located on the left while the LCD is located on the right side. The playback buttons are located on the top right side with USB port located right beneath it. The input and output options are identical to the BDP-S570. For audio, the 2 channel analog audio, coaxial and optical audio outputs are available. For video, composite and component video outputs are available for standard definition. There is 1 HDMI 1.4 compliant port, ethernet port, and 2 USB ports available as well. The lack of second HDMI 1.4 port was disappointing as BDP-S770 is supposed to be the high end model for Sony. The BDP-S770 remote is step up from the BDP-S570 remote control. The included remote control is a backlit whereas the BDP-S570 is not. Overall, the remote control functionality and ease of use is about the same.

Video and Performance

Like BDP-S570, the BDP-S770’s loading time was very fast. The speed of power up and loading Blu ray movie was noticeably faster than most other players. The power up and loading of Blu ray movie disc was less than 10 seconds total time for most movies. The interface is the same one used in the BDP-S570. It is very similar to the PS3 interface.

I could find no fault with the video playbacks. Check for defects using two different Blu ray movie titles, I found no video processing defects. The BDP-S770 lacked any moiré, jaggieness, or motion blur during the playback of the movie. The DVD upscaling was fairly decent as well. While not as good as Oppo, it did deliver fairly nice image quality on upscaled images.

Audio

As with BDP-S570, there was no issue with audio decoding on BDP-S770. All the formats decoded properly with onboard decoding. SACD and MP3 formats had no problem with the playback as well. Overall, audio quality was on par with other mainstream Blu ray players.

Overall

This is an almost identical player to the Sony’s previous model. The Wifi, onboard storage, 2 USB port, and backlit remote control are all pretty impressive. However, the same weakness follows the BDP-S770. Primarily, it lacks addition HDMI 1.4 port. Most of the older receivers will not be compliant with HDMI 1.4 specification for 3D images. The extra port would have solved this problem. Given that this is a premium model, I would have liked to see the extra HDMI port like the Samsung’s high end model. Even with this minor complaint, I can recommend this player as it is a very feature packed player.

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Blu Ray Player Review: Sony BDP S570

Sony’s second 3D effort, BDP-S570, is a Profile 2.0 player fully compliant with Profile 2.0 contents like BD-LIVE. The player is able to natively decode Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital +, Dolby True HD, DTS, DTS HD, and DTS-HD MA. It can also decode MP3, AAC, SACD, and WMA. Like other players, the BDP-S570 is capable of streaming different internet contents. The Bravia Internet platform is a lot like Samsung’s app platform. You can pick and choose different widgets and apps to add to the overall Bravia Internet Entertainment. For example, you can add Hulu Plus, Amazon Video, Netflix, or YouTube video for video streaming. There are many more widgets you can download for the Entertainment. You can also add facebook or twitter for social networking. Also, you can download news feeds from Yahoo, USA Today, and various other service widgets. The player is capable of playing mkv, wmv, and divx files as well as standard Blu ray and DVD formats. The built in WiFi eliminates the need for ethernet connection.

Design

The overall design is fairly standard. The loading tray is located on the left side with the LCD located on right. The overall dimension is similar to the BDP-S470 model. However, the BDP-S570 is little bit thicker than the BDP-S470. The power button and the playback functions are placed on the “lip” of the player. One of the two USB port is located on the right side of the player. I always liked having the USB port in the front even if player only has one. USB on front allows for easy access for using USB memory sticks to watch photos or occasional divx or mkv file formats. The input and output options are fairly standard for a Blu ray player. For audio, the 2 channel analog audio, coaxial and optical audio outputs are available. For video, composite and component video outputs are available for standard definition. There is 1 HDMI 1.4 compliant port, Ethernet port, and 2 USB ports available as well. The universal remote control is very standard affair. It’s fairly easily to program and use with other home theater equipments. The button layouts are nice and logical.

Video

While the overall video processing was as expected, the loading speed and overall operational speed was noticeably better than other players. The speed of power up and loading Blu ray movie was lightning fast compared to other comparable Blu ray players. The user interface can slow you down some if you have never used Sony’s interface. While intuitive, it is not some simple point and click generic interface. For people that have used PS3, it will come as second nature.

The video processing was superb on all level. There was really nothing to nitpick in terms of video processing. Spot tested with 3 different Blu ray disc and 2 different DVD discs, I found no video processing errors. This is to be expected from Sony’s Blu ray players. The Blu ray movies showed no moiré, jaggieness or motion blur during several sequences in the movie. The DVD upscaling was somewhat lacking compared to the top end player from Oppo. However, the overall performance was top notch.

Audio

All the audio formats BDP-S570 advertised to natively decode did so without any problem. The high definition audio formats all decoded properly without problem. SACD and MP3 formats had no problem with the playback as well. Overall, audio quality was on par with other mainstream Blu ray players.

Final Thoughts

The inclusion of WiFi, 3D capability, onboard storage, and 2 USB ports were all very impressive for the player with the street price of around $175 at most internet retailers. The inclusion of internet streaming platform was also impressive. Only thing lacking from the player was the second HDMI port. With 3D streaming requiring HDMI 1.4 specification, some of the older receivers will be not be able to properly pass these signals. Some of the newer players come with 2 HDMI port to eliminate this problem. Even with this minor gripe, the overall performance and price point makes this player an excellent choice for buyers looking for 3D Blu ray player.

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Sony BDP S370 Review

The new CES brought slew of new consumer electronics. The much anticipated 3-D television sets stole the headlines. However, the Blu-ray disc players still dominated the overall attention for consumer dollars. The electronics manufacturers usually announce their new line up of Blu-ray disc players at the CES. The 2010 CES was no different. Sony offered up three new models, the BDP S370, BDP S470, and the BDP S570. Releasing three new models of Blu-ray disc players have become a standard affair for all the big manufacturers. The BDP S370 is the only player out of the three to not have a 3-D support. This seems little odd as Sony is the biggest supporter of the 3-D movement in home theater market. No manufacturer is betting more on 3-D technology than Sony. Their new line of television set as well as the Blu ray player capable of playing 3-D disc is clear sign that Sony is pushing hard for consumers to adopt to 3-D technology.

Features

The BDP S370 boasts some nice specification for its price range. While the features and improvements aren’t as big as the leap from the first generation to the second generation players, it does offer up more features and performance upgrades. The predecessor BDP S360 was already a very capable player. The BDP S370 adds internet streaming via BRAVIA Internet Video service. Except for BDP N460, Sony chose not to include any internet streaming contents on their last generation player. The newest players will all include the BRAVIA Internet Video service. The audio decoding functionality doesn’t change much from the previous generation player. The BDP S370 has onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Also, it is capable of decoding the standard Dolby and DTS audio formats. It is also capable of playing the standard MP3 files as well as SACD format discs. While the player is capable on audio options, it does not have any 5.1 or 7.1 analog audio outputs. As expected, the BDP S370 is fully compliant with Profile 2.0. The player rectifies the lack of internet streaming from the previous generation players. The BRAVIA Internet Video includes Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, and Slacker for all the internet streaming needs. Also, it includes Gracenote Metadata service. Gracenote is a service where you can access detailed information about the movies you are watching. Also, Sony integrated the DLNA network into the BDP S370 model. With DLNA, you can share various media files across different compatible Sony devices.

Design

There is nothing too striking about the design of the player. The front of the player is finished in glossy material. The LCD is located on the right side with few playback function buttons right below it. It also houses a USB port on the right side of the player. The left side of the player houses the loading tray for the disc. The back includes all the connectivity. The player includes basic analog audio output as well as coaxial audio digital output. For the standard definition television owners, you can connect the player via component or composite outputs. You also have Ethernet and another USB port. And of course, you have your standard HDMI connectivity. As stated earlier, the player lacks 5.1 or 7.1 channel analog audio output ports.

Remote

Sony includes a basic remote control. It is fairly functional unit and most users shouldn’t have problem operating it. The real nice bonus is the iPhone/iPod touch app that can function as the remote. The owners of the Apple device will be able to download the app free and use it operate the player as well as search for detailed information on the movie and the cast. This is fairly nice integration of popular device into the overall function of the player.

Performance and Video

In terms of performance, Sony lagged behind Samsung and LG when it came to loading times on last generation players. This has been largely fixed with this player. The loading time was lightening fast with little delay. Most movies took only about 25 to 35 seconds from loading to viewing the movie. This is a nice improvement from the earlier players. The overall video processing of the player had no problem with any of the movies used to test the quality. The usual video processing errors like moiré and jaggieness were not found in any of the movie. The motion blurs were nonexistent as well. The BRAVIA internet service took little time setting up but was well worth the effort once you register with Sony. You have access to many streaming sites like Netflix and Youtube. While the picture quality can’t compare to Blu-ray high definition standard, it did look decent on the high definition television. One complain about the player from some users was the inability of this player to properly display 4:3 DVD in a proper ratio. If you own older DVD with this ratio, you will find that player will stretch to fill the wide screen format. Sony will most likely address this with future firmware update.

Audio

Audio processing had no hiccups. All the audio formats were tested via discs and they all played without any hitch. Even the MP3 formats played without any problem. I could not test the SACD compatibility as I didn’t have a disc on hand to test them. However, I don’t expect any problem playing the disc if you have a collection of SACDs. The lack of 5.1 or 7.1 channel shouldn’t be a big problem for most users.

Overall Opinion

Overall, you will be hard pressed to find a more complete player for under $200. I’m sure Samsung, Panasonic, and LG will mount a good challenge for the entry level market with their latest offerings. Nevertheless, Sony heard the complaints about lack of internet streaming and rectified it with BRAVIA Internet Video. Also, Sony has added very nice features like DLNA and integration of remote apps on iPhone and iPod touch. This is definitely a solid entry level player in an increasingly crowded Blu ray disc player market.

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Sony BDP S470 Review

http://www.buyblurayplayer.com/out/SonyBDPS470

The S470 is produced by Sony, one of the leading electronics providers in the entire world. If anyone can call themselves the most respected name in the mass production of quality electronics, it's Sony. This is a super fast player that has a host features that are definitely worth mentioning. Check out the new technologies!

http://www.buyblurayplayer.com/out/SonyBDPS470

Features

• Blu-ray 3D Playback Ability
• Internet Video Presented by BRAVIA: Movies, Music, Videos & More Are Available Through Online Connectivity
• Remote Capability That Works with iPhone/iPod Touch
• Quick Start/Load
• BRAVIA Monolithic Matching Design

You can control your blu ray player from your iPhone. This is a feature that is bundled along with the ability to access the Internet from the blu ray player. There are Internet presets like Netflix and YouTube that gives you immediate access to the most popular video sites on the Internet.

http://www.buyblurayplayer.com/out/SonyBDPS470

Design

Small, lightweight and slim, this player has the classic Sony feel that is often found in the other Sony DVD players. The CD drive is on the right hand side on this unit, which is worth mentioning to people who need left or right side disc drives. This drive will also fit perfectly in any thin space designed to hold DVD players and VCRs.

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Remote Control

The remote control is an average remote control, nothing incredibly amazing here. But since its a Sony, it is high quality hardware.

Performance

This player is very fast for the category it's in. If speed is your thing, this player will be perfect for you. Quicker starting and loading features have made this a competitively fast machine that is comparably speedy.

Problems

While the remote works correctly with the blu ray player's features, it will have some difficulty with TV cross compatibility. There are some users reporting that the S470 remotes don't work with the TV's functions without the blu ray dvd player. While this may not present a problem for many, for a few it will be a deciding factor on whether or not to purchase the unit.

Sony remotes are also very simple and the functionality you gain from the remote, in terms of the blu ray functions, is very basic.

There might also be problems with the player locking up when accessing the Web content. It doesn't happen very often but there have been some sporadic user reports of such. The remote is also sometimes very picky about the angle it chooses to work at when pointing it at the unit. Just figure out how it likes to be angled and you should be fine.

Overall Opinion

There is not a lot that really stands out about this player. It is an overall good player that has all the most common features and even some that we really like. In the incredibly competitive world of Blu-Ray DVD players, there are much fuller featured players available. This is a really good player though, especially for the price and we do recommend it as a good purchase option.

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Sony BDP N460 Blu Ray Player Review

Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand were conspicuously absent on the Sony Blu ray players. The BDP-S360 and BDP-S560 both lacked any type of streaming services for some reason. Even Sony’s PS3 lacked the streaming services until Sony recently added the Netflix support via firmware update. This was odd omission since Sony’s rivals all included comprehensive streaming services on all of their Blu ray player models. There was some speculation about Sony adding these streaming services via firmware update on their current Blu ray players. However, Sony decided to launch entirely new model with included streaming services. Instead of including few major streaming services, Sony has gone all out and included over 25 streaming content providers. With the release of BDP-N460, Sony finally catches up with LG, Samsung, and Panasonic in terms of streaming services.

Features

Perhaps Sony felt the majority of the home theater buyers didn’t need or want streaming services on their Blu ray players. While there are segment that do not care for streaming contents, I would have to think that majority of the consumers would still want some type of streaming option on their Blu ray players. The BDP-N460 fills that segment nicely. The overall feature is comparable to the BDP-S360 model with added streaming services. The BDP-N460 is Profile 2.0 player with full support for BD-LIVE content. The BDP-N460 features full audio decoding options. It can decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio as well as Dolby Digital and DTS audio. A drawback on audio side is the analog output of 7.1 channel audio. You will need a receiver if you want 5.1 or 7.1 channel analog output. For storage, you will need a USB storage unit. Also, BDP-N460 lacks WiFi found on the BDP-S560 model. As with other Blu ray players from Sony, BDP-N460 comes with BRAVIA Sync technology. This basically eliminates you from having to use multiple remote controls on Sony products. If you don’t own a nice programmable remote control, this should be a nice feature.

Design

The BDP-N460 retains the flip down tray design like the BDP-S360 model. The tray is located in the middle of the player beneath the tray. The see through LCD screen is located on the right side along with play and stop buttons. Unlike the BDP-S360, the USB port is located outside of the flip down tray on the BDP-N460. This is much better design compared to BDP-S360 model. The back of the player houses the HDMI, Component video, composite video, and Ethernet port. Also, there is optical and coaxial digital audio port as well as analog audio output port.

The Remote

The included remote is the one provided on the BDP-S560 model. The included remote control is similar to the older player’s layout. It is more compact and streamlined than the previous offerings. The numeric pad is located at the top of the remote followed by the function buttons in four different colors. The menu and directional buttons are located in the middle with playback function buttons at the bottom. However, the remote does not contain the channel buttons whereas the older version did have them at the bottom. Nevertheless, it is very functional and easy to use remote control. The lack of channel button might not be a deal breaker if you already own a quality universal remote control.

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Performance, Video, Audio

The Blu ray playback and the DVD upscaling are very good on the BDP-N460 model. The quality is carried over from the BDP-S360 and BDP-S560 model. For the DVD upscaling, the BDP-N460 uses the same Precision Cinema HD Upscale circuitry found on the other models. While not as good as the Oppo upconversion, it does fairly good job of upconverting DVD movies. As for the Blu ray playback, it is in line with the playback quality from other Sony Blu ray players. The playback itself is very good without any discernable defects. The playback of two movies, The Dark Knight and Marley and Me, showed no problems. The action sequences in The Dark Knight had no glaring or noticeable defects. The first generation players showed some jaggies and moiré but the current generation models including BDP-N460 showed none of the jaggies or moiré. Pausing during the movie also produced no defects. Overall, the video processing quality is comparable to BDP-S360 and BDP-S560 model. On the other hand, the loading time and overall processing time is not on the par with other manufacturers. It is very similar to BDP-S360 and BDP-S560. While not horrendously slow, it is still slower than other players in its class.

As with video quality, the audio processing quality is on par with other Sony Blu ray players. There are very limited differences between Blu ray players when it comes to audio processing quality. Most consumers will not notice any difference even when you step up to the high end models offered by premium audio and video manufacturers like Pioneer or Marantz. The real difference comes from the audio decoding options. The BDP-N460 will handle all of the audio decoding needs including the high definition audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. The only drawback of BDP-N460 is the lack of analog 7.1 channel audio output. Otherwise, the player handles all the audio decoding functions perfectly.

Overall

Sony BDP-N460 comes little late to the streaming service market. LG, Samsung, and Panasonic all launched their latest Blu ray players with streaming services like Netflix and Youtube. While little late to the market, the BDP-N460 boasts the most comprehensive streaming service on Blu ray player. Some of the streaming services include Netflix, YouTube, Blip.tv, Crackle, slacker, Wired, and Fear.net. If you are in market for a Blu ray player with great streaming service contents, clearly the BDP-N460 is the best choice. There is one caveat to the Netflix streaming. If you purchased it thinking Netflix was ready to go out of the box, you would have been disappointed. Sony just added the Netflix streaming via firmware updates. So, update your firmware as soon as you unbox the Blu ray player.

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Review of Sony BDP S560 Blu Ray Player

Like other major manufacturers, Sony offers multiple Blu-ray player models ranging from entry level to more loaded high end models. The Sony BDP-S560 represents the direct update to the BDP-S550 model. The BDP-S550 was the high end model from the previous year. While the BDP-S560 is the replacement for BDP-S550, it shares many similarities with the current lower end model, BDP-S360. Sony’s standalone players are in an odd situation as it has to compete with other Blu-ray players and Sony’s own PlayStation 3. This is a problem since PlayStation 3 is considered one of the best Blu-ray players on the market. Even so, Sony’s Blu-ray players are very competitive against the offerings from the other leading manufacturers. The BDP-S360 is one of the most capable player in its segment.

Features

The BDP-S560 adds few more features to the already feature packed BDP-S360. This has been the trend with Samsung, LG, and other top electronics manufacturers. They take the base model and add few more features to the top end models. The BDP-S560 boasts all the features found on the BDP-S360 and adds WiFi and media streaming from your computer. Like the BDP-S360, the BDP-S560 is fully compatible with Profile 2.0 for BD-Live contents. On the audio side, the BDP-S560 is capable of decoding Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio as well as all the other audio options including DTS audio and Dolby Digital. This eliminates a need for a receiver for full decoding options. Strangely, the BDP-S560 is missing the 7.1 channel analog audio output. If you want the 7.1 or 5.1 speaker set up, you will need a receiver with HDMI input. As with BDP-S360, the BDP-S560 does not have internet video streaming contents out of the box. LG, Samsung, and Panasonic have all opted to include video streaming capabilities in one way or other. It is disappointing to see Sony not include Netflix or Youtube capability.

Design

The BDP-S560 retains the flip down front tray design from BDP-S360. The dimension and weight is almost identical to BDP-S360. The LCD screen is located on right side of the player. The playback function buttons are located on the right side of the LCD. However, unlike the BDP-S360, the BDP-S560 placed a USB port at the front of the player for easy access. It lies below the face plate for easy access without having to open the front face plate. The back panel contains the HDMI, RJ-45, Component outputs, and Digital audio output. The overall finish and glossy front face plate makes for an attractive player.

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Remote Control

The included remote control is similar to the older player’s layout. It is more compact and streamlined than the previous offerings. The numeric pad is located at the top of the remote followed by the function buttons in four different colors. The menu and directional buttons are located in the middle with playback function buttons at the bottom. However, the remote does not contain the channel buttons whereas the older version did have them at the bottom. Nevertheless, it is very functional and easy to use remote control. The lack of channel button might not be a deal breaker if you already own a quality universal remote control.

Video Performance and Quality

As with previous Blu-ray player models and PlayStation 3, the BDP-S560 handles Blu-ray playback without any problem. The latest Blu-ray players are fairly good compared to the first generation players. The BDP-S560 displays outstanding video quality. If you are going from DVD to Blu-ray and own a HDTV, you will definitely notice a very nice improvement. The video testing showed no artifacts, jaggies, or moiré during the playback. The fast motion sequence showed no blocking or other defects that was prevalent in the previous generation players. And, the still images during pause showed no defects in the picture. Overall, two movies tested, Batman Begins and Marley and Me, had no problem in any areas. The only down side of the player was the slow loading time. This was present in the BDP-S360 and it carries over to this player as well. The new Samsung, LG, and Panasonic players all had dramatic improvement on loading time compared to the new Sony players. I’m hoping the performance can be improved with firmware updates.

Audio

The audio output was flawless on the BDP-S560. Aside from the missing analog 7.1 channel output, BDP-S560 has no faults when it comes to audio output. There are no audio formats that can’t be decoded natively on the BDP-S560. The inclusion of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding should cover all the high definition audio decoding needs. Even with top notch audio system, you will be hard pressed to find any faults in any of the new generation Blu-ray players.

Overall

This is a feature packed player that can be had for around $250 as of this review. While there are other players in this price range with more features, you will be hard pressed to get a Sony product and the all the reputation that comes with it. The one true down side of Sony’s Blu-ray player is the loading time compared to its competitors. I would have liked Sony to improve the loading time over the previous generation players. Also, the lack of internet streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Video on Demand was a small disappointment. If you want a Sony Blu-ray player with Netflix, you might want to consider PlayStation 3.

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Sony BDP S360 Review

Sony’s update to their BDP-S350 arrived later than its competitor’s update to their mainstream Blu-ray disc players. Most of the Sony’s competitors have released their updates for their Blu-ray players. This includes Samsung, LG, and Panasonic. While Sony was the main force behind the Blu-ray format, it had some trouble finding a firm footing with their stand alone Blu-ray players. This was partly due to the PS3 being able to handle Blu-ray playback in more than adequate fashion as well as the higher price than its competition. Nevertheless, the BDP-S350 and BDP-S550 were both very capable players with outstanding image qualities. The BDP-S360 went on sale few weeks after the competitor’s players were available to the public. The price point and the features are comparable to that of Panasonic DMP-BD60 and Samsung BD-P1600.

Loaded with Features

The BDP-S360 is direct successor of the Sony BDP-S350, the base model of Sony’s stand alone players. However, there is nothing “basic” about BDP-S360. Like the Panasonic DMP-BD60 and Samsung BD-P1600, the BDP-S360 comes loaded with features at a very competitive price. As with most new players, the BDP-S360 is fully compatible with Profile 2.0. This means you can access any BD-Live content via internet. The BDP-S360 features full audio decoding options. It can decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Essentials as well as the Dolby Digital and DTS audio. As with the other entry level models, it lacks the 5.1 or 7.1 channel analog audio output. You will need receiver or higher end model for the output options. One glaring omission is the video streaming capabilities offered by Samsung, LG, or Panasonic. Samsung and LG integrated Netflix for their video streaming while Panasonic has opted to integrate the Amazon Video on Demand features. On the other hand, Sony does not come with any streaming or video on demand capabilities. This is somewhat unfortunate as video streaming has become a big draw for many consumers.

Design

The BDP-S360 resembles Samsung BD-P1600’s design. It has flip down front tray much like the Samsung player. The front panel has glossy finish much like the Samsung BD-P1600. The LCD screen is located on the right side along with play and stop buttons. The placement of the USB port in the back is either a good choice if you rarely used them or a bad choice if you frequently use them. Otherwise, there is nothing incredible or terrible about the overall design of the player. The back panel contains the HDMI, RJ-45, USB, and Component outputs. Digital audio output can be done via optical or coaxial along with analog audio output.

The Remote Control

The included remote control is similar to the older player’s layout. It is more compact and streamlined than the previous offerings. The numeric pad is located at the top of the remote followed by the function buttons in four different colors. The menu and directional buttons are located in the middle with playback function buttons at the bottom. However, the remote does not contain the channel buttons whereas the older version did have them at the bottom. Nevertheless, it is very functional and easy to use remote control. The lack of channel button might not be a deal breaker if you already own a quality universal remote control.

Video Quality and Performance

Sony has always produced outstanding video qualities with their disc players. The BDP-S360 is no exception. Even the previous efforts, BDP-S350 and BDP-S550, were among the best performing players on the market. With more refinements in the current crop of players, it is difficult to point out or single out a player based on image quality. Most of the new players will offer excellent video quality. The BDP-S360 offers image quality comparable to the other new players. The video testing showed no discernable defects such as jaggies or moiré. The fast sequence show no disruption or blocking up issues. Even the pause showed no signs of the defects. The player performed flawlessly on all three movies tested. The only downside of the player was the loading time. All three movies tested exhibited longer loading time than any other player tested. The Samsung, LG, and Panasonic’s new players all offered faster loading time than the BDP-S360. This might be improved with firmware updates but as of now it is the slowest performing player when it comes to loading time.

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Audio Quality

As with video quality, there are little separations between the players when it comes to audio quality. The decoding options are what separated the first generation players. Some players were not able to fully decode all the high definition audio formats. However, the current generation players including the BDP-S360 all cover majority of the audio formats. As mentioned earlier, the BDP-S360 will be able to decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Essential out of the box. Similar to other entry level players, the BDP-S360 lacks the 5.1 or 7.1 channel analog audio outputs. The BDP-S360 showed had no problem with audio decoding.

Overall

This is a worthy successor the BDP-S350 and maybe even Playstation 3. Sony has cannibalized their own stand alone units with thePS3 filling in nicely. However, should you not wish to buy a gaming machine along with Blu-ray disc player, the BDP-S360 should have no problem filling in for the PS. The lack of video streaming might turn off some people as it is nice little bonus to be able to stream Netflix or Amazon video on demand services. Otherwise, it is very good player with competitive price.

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Exclusive Review: Sony BDP-S550 Blu Ray Player

The Sony BDP-S550 represents an upgrade to the popular entry level BDP-S350. Like Samsung's BD-2500's upgrade over BD-1500, this player adds few more features as well as audio processing from the entry level models at a nomial cost increase. The BDP-S550 includes out of the box support for most of high definition audio decoding as well as bitstream capability. Also, it includes ethernet and USB connectivity as well as internal storage capacity.

As with Samsung's upgrade, the Sony BDP-S550 looks remarkably similar to the BDP-S350 model. The tray dominate the middle of the player with LCD screen to the right of the tray. The basic play back function at the far right. The true 24 fps light is there when the play back is at true 24 frames. The back contains all the connectivities. These include the analog 7.1 channel output, HDMI, ethernet, usb port, and your s-video, and component outputs. Most people would probably only use the HDMI and the various audio outputs.

BDP-S550 adds profile 2.0 out of the box unlike the previous BDP-S350. It's not a huge deal since BDP-S350 can be upgraded to profile 2.0 via firmware upgrade. Most significantly, The BDP-S550 adds the onboard decoding capability of DTS-HD high resolution audio and DTS-HD Master audio. These can be handy if you don't have receiver capable of decoding these audio. Also, the 7.1 channel might be useful if you have that home theater set up. Another addition is the 1 GB worth of internal storage available which might come handy for various BD-LIVE features or just storing digital medias files.

The video quality is outstanding as usual. Most players will display great video quality. The pictures were vibrant and sharp. I didn't notice any artifacts or jagginess. The fast motion sequence were
flawless as well. The upconversion of regular DVDs were not as sharp as I'd like them to be. However, you can't expect too much in upconversion as it is just a bonus in my opinion. You buy the Blu-ray player to play Blu-ray movies. This does not mean it looks terrible. It just means your dvds are not going to be as good as the blu-ray movies. The plethora of audio output option is nice to have. I have the 7.1 channel set up and it sounds pretty good. I've ran it through receiver and directly from the unit itself. I did not notice any drop off in sound quality.This is a great player to go along with your high defintion television set. As of writting, you can purchase this player at sub $400.00 price mark in various retailers and internet retailers. This is solid performing unit at a competitive price.

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