Sony adds $700 Blu-ray player its ES line

Sony's Blu-ray megachangers may be the big news today, but the company also announced a single-disc high-end Blu-ray player, the BDP-S1000ES ($700, August release date).

It's the least expensive Blu-ray player in the Sony ES ("Elevated Standard") line and comes with a few premium features like integrated 802.11N Wi-Fi, better build quality, and 7.1 analog outputs, along with now-standard features like Profile 2.0 compatibility and onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Like the step-down Sony BDP-S560, the BDP-S1000ES is DLNA-compliant and is capable of streaming photos off a connected DLNA-friendly device.

The BDP-S1000ES also features Sony's HD Reality Enhancer, which Sony claims "continually analyzes the original source bit by bit, sharpening edges and reproducing detail, while reducing the effects of film grain." We'll wait until hands-on testing to see how well it works, but generally we prefer the original video source without sharpening "enhancements."

While the BDP-S1000ES's $700 price tag seems steep, its worth pointing out that the step-down Sony BDP-S560 ($350) is also coming out next month and includes nearly all the same features, except the 7.1 analog outputs and Sony HD Reality Enhancer.

[mhaven98]

Why would you buy this over a PS3?!?!?! It is almost twice the cost and has less than half the features. Even if you don't want/like video games, the PS3 is a great media player/Blu Ray. Anyone who buys this is wasting their money.

[BlitzBoy1120]

I don't understand buying a standalone Blu-Ray player that is over the price of a PS3. With PS3 you're simply getting more bang for the buck. 802.11N eh? Bet that doesn't come with PSN. But still, some people out there would love to have one of these.

[mcintire21]

The PS3 doesn't offer onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio or 7.1 analog outputs. Some people like me need both of these in a blu ray player.

[gparris]

The PS3 does offer internal decoding of both Dolby TRUEHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, sent out to the AV Receiver by PCM for amplification over HDMI-only, it just doesn't allow external bitstreaming for decoding in the newer AVRs.
As for 7.1 analogue outputs, yes, the PS3 lacks that, but considering the real estate on the back of the PS3 as it is, I don't really know where 8 more RCA outputs could be placed. However, had the PS3 had these outputs, I would never had sold it and replaced it with the Sony player I bought at the outlet store with them to connect to my Denon AVR-3805.

[genghis-ron]

"continually analyzes the original source bit by bit, sharpening edges and reproducing detail, while reducing the effects of film grain."
______________________________________________________________

Between Sony's new Blu-ray player and LCD's band aid technologies you now have absolute assurance that film will never look as it was intended to look. Everything will be turned into soap opera video quality. If I was given this unit for free I wouldn't connect it to the Kuro.

[douggdangger]

Why buy bluray at all?

Optical disc technology has one foot in the grave already. I download my HD movies and I don't pay $30 per disc.

I also rip the movies in my HTPC's hd and play from there. Thanks to netflix.

[g8crapachino]

Whether it's DVD, Bluray, or some other kind of disc there will always be a need for physical media. Those of you stuck believing that everything can and should be done via the internet are very unrealistic. Not everyone has unlimited bandwidth nor an internet connection in every possible location. Even you yourself acknowledged the need for phycial media by admitting to ripping the stuff you get from netflix.

[joshdeboer]

Downloading is just a convenience, the ISP's don't have the bandwidth. Blu-ray is quality! Downloading means storage, storage means back-ups and being a system admin at home, screw that!

[atlrus]

Yeah, right...downloading movies has one foot in the grave, considering ISP offering broadband are already looking for ways to limit your bandwidth. Not to mention that high-speed+high-bandwidth has very small penetration in the U.S., where there is a Blockbuster on every corner (and online).

The PS3 is still the best BluRay player, proven over and over again. No 7.1, no big deal. The vast majority of the consumers will not pay twice the price for 2 xtra speakers and sound supported by only a handful of movies. Plus, most of the households simply don't have the room for those 2 extra speakers, hence audiophiles will continue to pay premium to get it.

[joshdeboer]

I agree on the bandwidth problem everyone fails to talk about about when trying to convience the world has no need for physical media. As far as the PS3 being the "best" BD player, no way. The best blu-ray player is the Oppo BDP-83.

[ev61]

The PS3 is a great device. There are better BD players made by Panasonic and Oppo, to name a few.

[atlrus]

Yeah, right...downloading movies has one foot in the grave, considering ISP offering broadband are already looking for ways to limit your bandwidth. Not to mention that high-speed+high-bandwidth has very small penetration in the U.S., where there is a Blockbuster on every corner (and online).

The PS3 is still the best BluRay player, proven over and over again. No 7.1, no big deal. The vast majority of the consumers will not pay twice the price for 2 xtra speakers and sound supported by only a handful of movies. Plus, most of the households simply don't have the room for those 2 extra speakers, hence audiophiles will continue to pay premium to get it.

[yamaha745]

put my oppo bdp-83 blu ray player up against any ps3.ha!ha! bring lots of money!

[the_iceman]

I guess I dont get how someone could buy this over a 200$ BR player. 700$ is just crazy...
I paid like 70$ for my sony 1080p upconverter

[yamaha745]

cant beat the new oppo bdp-83 blu ray player. all other blu ray players just cant compete with this bad boy!!

[atlrus]

I'll put the PS3 over the much more expensive oppo any day. My PS3 loads the blurays in under 15 sec every time! Oh, yeah, and I can also play games and stream media from my PC, wireless :)

[atlrus]

I'll put the PS3 over the much more expensive oppo any day. My PS3 loads the blurays in under 15 sec every time! Oh, yeah, and I can also play games and stream media from my PC, wireless :)

P.S. But I would buy the Oppo BD player over this $700 Sony, though

[adlieb]

Here's a couple reasons why one would be a SONY ES model anything in comparison to the standard 200-300 units from any brand. (This information also applies to virtually all DENON, Pioneer Elite, Yamaha REFERENCE, Integra, other high end manufacturers)

First off, a Sony ES product is not a standard Sony model. The ES line of product is built to the "ELEVATED STANDARD" that Sony has determined for its high-end line of product. The parts that are used in the construction are higher quality and have met a bettter build standard than the stuff they use in their standard line. Additionally all Sony ES products come with an industry leading FIVE YEAR WARRANTY!!! That is a SERIOUS warranty.

Sony ES products are specifically designed and marketted as a Luxury item. The end users who go after Sony ES equipment are looking for product that are built to a higher standard than the rest of the stuff that's out there at the entry level price point. It's built better, and is intended to perform better for longer. Additionally if someone has a full blown Sony ES home theater system, with say a Sony ES receiver, multi-disc changer/mega changer, high end SACD transport etc., a Blu-Ray player of an entry level quality is just not up to par for that type of an application.

For those that don't care about build quality, or are looking for units at an entry level price, Sony ES equipment is not intended for such a user. Additionally while as fantastic as the PS3 is, with its media streaming capabilities, game play, etc., most people who are going after a Sony ES product already have or are looking at higher end solutions for media streaming and storage.

Once again, most of what was said above also applies to other high end manufacturers of Blu-Ray equipment that is priced and built better than the $200-$400 me-too units that are readily available.

[atlrus]

Of course, no one is debating the "luxury" side of the product. But in this case luxury means something that's too expensive, not better. I have owned some of the so-called "me-too" Sony products for years without any problems and some have been of really poor quality. Here we are talking about a BluRay player performance for the money and nothing else.

You have to be filthy rich to spend $1000+ on a BluRay player and you have to be filthy rich + an idiot to do so on Sony. There are much better niche products at that price catering to the Joneses and those who try to keep up with them.

If you would allow me the reference, Sony is just like Ford - they make relatively good cars, but when people buy real luxury cars, they don't buy Lincoln but a Mercedes or an Audi. Of course, some will buy a Lincoln (dressed-up Ford) thinking they are buying a luxury car, but for a little more money you can buy a true luxury car at the MB dealership. Neither of the two will guarantee quality and longevity, however. The Lincoln is just as you described this Sony player - the same base car made with slightly better parts. What I am saying is that the PS3 is a Ford with all options for half the price :)

[joshdeboer]

One word. Oppo

[atlrus]

One word - Chinese...nuff said

[zerokewl]

Someone please tell me, why does a Manufacturer have an Elevated Standard option! Like Sony.
Shouldn't the consumer have the right to get the best quality product from the Manufacturer.
I think Sony is exorting from cosumers ! This just baffles me!

[adlieb]

Altrus, the main reason I posted was because I always see people knockin on the high-end for being too pricy and a luxury item. It seems that most people don't appreciate nor do they understand what goes into a quality built product. I think the new Blu-Ray players from Samsung are super cool with all their connectivity and access to online content, but I would NEVER put a DVD in the thing, that's why I have a stupid expensive Upscaling DVD player that weighs 26 pounds with serious circuitry (Onkyo DVSP-1000). You just don't get the same type of performance from the entry level product. I will say though, that the entry level is extremely feature laden though and value packed, but all that capability without proper power supplies or better circuitry will always lead to a device that fails to perform at a REFERENCE LEVEL.

I completely agree with you on your Sony comparison to the FORD concept. For those who don't know about the ES line (Sony's Lincoln) or other similar high-end product from Denon CI, Pioneer Elite, Yamaha Reference, Integra, NAD, etc. they should look into it before knocking on something just because its expensive. A Honda Civic will get you to your location just like the Audi, but the Audi is just going to be a nicer ride.

In reference to ZeroKewl, manufacturers have need to meet the needs of many diffferent people. Sony and others, can't simply build just an entry level unit, they must make a whole line of product with different build quality, different circuitry, different power supplies, different video processors, cuz all that stuff costs MONEY!!! A standard power supply in an entry-level unit just does not supply the power that is needed for more powerful processors, and thus the whole reason why Torroidal power supplies even exist. Additionally, like I said in my last post, why would someone who has a $25,000 put a $200 player in their rack when they have the option of getting a Reference grade unit for $1000, and thus increasing the performance of their theater that much more.

[pmh1939]

Sony ES videodisc players are generally very good to excellent, and offer very good build quality. I have owned two and have been pleased with both. The PS3 is an excellent device and I own one. Based on my use, the PS3 is the fastest at loading discs of my three players. However, in terms of picture and sound quality it scores lower than my other two players.

By far, the best audio is provided by my Toshiba HD DVD player with its Sharc processors. The Toshiba also provides the best overall color balance, and the best upscaling of DVD's through its ABT processor. The differences here are between very good/excellent for the PS3 and outstanding/extraordinary for the HD DVD.

The better of the two Blu-Ray players - overall in both video and audio - is the Sharp, now that it is fully up-to-speed with the latest firmware updates. It is, however, very slow to load.

[bet2007]

I would never buy a PS3