New Sony Blu-ray players: Better than PS3?

Is the BDP-S550 the first standalone Blu-ray player better than the PS3?

(Credit: Sony)

Sony has announced two new Blu-ray players scheduled to be released in the second half of the year: the entry-level BDP-S350 and the step-up BDP-S550. We haven't been the biggest fans of Sony's recent standalone Blu-ray players (the BDP-S300 was really slow and the same price as the PlayStation 3). Fresh off its victory over HD DVD, however, the company has announced two new Blu-ray players for 2008, both of which sport considerably more attractive feature sets and prices. Here are the details:

Key features of the Sony BDP-S350:

• Supports BonusView, which means it is Profile 1.1 compliant
• BD-Live ready, which means it can gain BD-Live capability with a firmware update
• Ethernet port for firmware upgrades
• Supports 1080p output at both 24 and 60 frames per second
• Onboard decoding for Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD
• Bitstream output for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio
• About $400 list price, scheduled to come out this summer

Step-up features on the BDP-S550

• Onboard decoding for DTS-HD High Resolution and DTS-HD Master Audio
• 7.1 analog outputs
• 1GB local storage, which should make it Profile 2.0 compliant
• About $500 list price, scheduled to come out in the fall

While the BDP-S350 is interesting for its relatively low price point, it's still going to be hampered by the fact that it costs the same as the PlayStation 3--which offers almost all the same functionality (except bitstream audio output for high-resolution soundtracks), plus you get a high-definition game console and a media streamer. On the other hand, we could see the BDP-S550 being a hit with home theater enthusiasts because it offers a couple of key step-ups that make is a particularly solid standalone player--DTS-HD Master Audio Decoding and 7.1 analog outputs. We're betting that the PS3 eventually gets onboard DTS-HD Master Audio decoding--which will make BDP-S550 less attractive--but for right now it looks like a solid option for audiophiles, especially those who plan to use the 7.1 analog outputs. Of course, the BDP-S550 will also have to compete with other step-up standalone players coming out this year and we're betting the Panasonic DMP-BD50 will give it a run for its money.

[pkscout]

Profile 2.0???????

Let's see, the blu-ray players made 6 months ago aren't profile 1.1 compatible.
Now the high end one *might* be profile 2.0 compatible. I had been waiting for
the format war to end before buying, but if the blu-ray folks are going to
release a new profile every 6 months as a way to drive hardware sales, I think I'll
skip the HD discs all together. DVD works for me and I can even move the
content to my PMP. No-can-do with blu-ray, unless they ever bother to enable
managed copy. Maybe Profile 2.10374802 will do that. :rolleyes:

[pkscout]

Profile 2.0???????

Let's see, the blu-ray players made 6 months ago aren't profile 1.1 compatible.
Now the high end one *might* be profile 2.0 compatible. I had been waiting for
the format war to end before buying, but if the blu-ray folks are going to
release a new profile every 6 months as a way to drive hardware sales, I think I'll
skip the HD discs all together. DVD works for me and I can even move the
content to my PMP. No-can-do with blu-ray, unless they ever bother to enable
managed copy. Maybe Profile 2.10374802 will do that. :rolleyes:

[Ksal005]

Prices need to drop

When will BR learn? Toshiba accomplished a poor marketing plan for HD-DVD. That's over and they payed for it. Sony continues to believe that it can win over the mass market which is the average family. These prices are ridiculous. To add to that, they keep releasing newer profiles with newer, higher prices.

Drop the prices before it's too late. Sony will never learn. I'll stay with regular DVD or I'll go out and buy an HD-DVD player and use it as an upconverter for standard DVD's.

[Ksal005]

Prices need to drop

When will BR learn? Toshiba accomplished a poor marketing plan for HD-DVD. That's over and they payed for it. Sony continues to believe that it can win over the mass market which is the average family. These prices are ridiculous. To add to that, they keep releasing newer profiles with newer, higher prices.

Drop the prices before it's too late. Sony will never learn. I'll stay with regular DVD or I'll go out and buy an HD-DVD player and use it as an upconverter for standard DVD's.

[Wes#1]

Who needs profile 2.0??

Unless you just like downloading more trailers and "extras" somebody left off the disc -- assuming any studio provides this for a handful of movies AND leaves the link up -- profile 2.0 is fluff.

The BIG question about these new players: Do they have upgraded processors for cold starting and loading the movies FASTER??

[Wes#1]

Who needs profile 2.0??

Unless you just like downloading more trailers and "extras" somebody left off the disc -- assuming any studio provides this for a handful of movies AND leaves the link up -- profile 2.0 is fluff.

The BIG question about these new players: Do they have upgraded processors for cold starting and loading the movies FASTER??

[ender21]

Betting PS3 gets DTS-HD??

PS3 doesn't currently have DTS-HD *anything* onboard, but the Panasonic BD30 *does.* Methinks *that* is the standalone blu-ray player to beat, *not* the PS3 (though it's a great media machine). Not to mention the Panny is infinitely quieter. That's not to bash the PS3 as it's the only player out that can be described as "future-proof," but it's not a blu-ray player I want in my a/v rack due to noise, DTS-HD incompatability, and the bluetooth remote control fiasco.

[Orbitalint]

Noise? Really?

You are totally entitled to your opinion but are we talking about the same ps3 here? If I turn my tv to a below normal listening level, I can't even hear the ps3 when watching a movie.

I completely agree with you however on the bluetooth problem. A controller kind of kills the living room decor and I refuse to buy the remote to work on just one device.

[ender21]

Betting PS3 gets DTS-HD??

PS3 doesn't currently have DTS-HD *anything* onboard, but the Panasonic BD30 *does.* Methinks *that* is the standalone blu-ray player to beat, *not* the PS3 (though it's a great media machine). Not to mention the Panny is infinitely quieter. That's not to bash the PS3 as it's the only player out that can be described as "future-proof," but it's not a blu-ray player I want in my a/v rack due to noise, DTS-HD incompatability, and the bluetooth remote control fiasco.

[Orbitalint]

Noise? Really?

You are totally entitled to your opinion but are we talking about the same ps3 here? If I turn my tv to a below normal listening level, I can't even hear the ps3 when watching a movie.

I completely agree with you however on the bluetooth problem. A controller kind of kills the living room decor and I refuse to buy the remote to work on just one device.

[planblove]

Why is this such a big deal...

If you just wanna watch movies and extras like you would any regular DVD, any Blu-Ray player made in the past year will do you just fine. Don't let these firmware upgrades fool you into believing you're gonna be missing out on some spectacular miracle in HD. Most average consumers (which are the majority of buyers) will not know and probably won't care about profile 2.0, only the most hardcore videophiles will. Or just get a PS3 like everyone keeps advising since its hard drive, CPU and internet connection makes it the most future proof for any upgrade they throw at it.

[planblove]

Why is this such a big deal...

If you just wanna watch movies and extras like you would any regular DVD, any Blu-Ray player made in the past year will do you just fine. Don't let these firmware upgrades fool you into believing you're gonna be missing out on some spectacular miracle in HD. Most average consumers (which are the majority of buyers) will not know and probably won't care about profile 2.0, only the most hardcore videophiles will. Or just get a PS3 like everyone keeps advising since its hard drive, CPU and internet connection makes it the most future proof for any upgrade they throw at it.

[HI-Def88]

Just to let everyone know

On Sony's playstation blog they plan to issue 2 big firmware updates to the ps3 this spring that will allow the ps3 to do True HD and DTS.I have the Ps3 and the sharp blue ray player and I tell you the Ps3 is the way to go.

[HI-Def88]

Just to let everyone know

On Sony's playstation blog they plan to issue 2 big firmware updates to the ps3 this spring that will allow the ps3 to do True HD and DTS.I have the Ps3 and the sharp blue ray player and I tell you the Ps3 is the way to go.

[AnkMeht]

Future is fiberoptics..blue ray must get cheaper

I believe the future of movie rentals is fiber optics /online services like iTunes which provide high def content much cheaper and convenient. Currently Blue ray players are expensive and overpriced, BD discs are about 30$ each with limited titles, even rental services like blockbuster and netflix have raised their subscription prices as they have to buy these BD discs and have limited number in circulation.If Blue ray has to compete with online HD content providers it has to start with cheaper players to begin with, so more people will start buying/renting BD discs. Also BD discs should get cheaper to buy...hope u r listening Sony!!

[AnkMeht]

Future is fiberoptics..blue ray must get cheaper

I believe the future of movie rentals is fiber optics /online services like iTunes which provide high def content much cheaper and convenient. Currently Blue ray players are expensive and overpriced, BD discs are about 30$ each with limited titles, even rental services like blockbuster and netflix have raised their subscription prices as they have to buy these BD discs and have limited number in circulation.If Blue ray has to compete with online HD content providers it has to start with cheaper players to begin with, so more people will start buying/renting BD discs. Also BD discs should get cheaper to buy...hope u r listening Sony!!

[fowersb]

PS3 and 7.1 sound

Does anybody know if it is possible for Sony to update the PS3 so that true 7.1 sound can be transmitted via optical output? Is it something that can updated to the PS3 or is it just not possible?

[fowersb]

PS3 and 7.1 sound

Does anybody know if it is possible for Sony to update the PS3 so that true 7.1 sound can be transmitted via optical output? Is it something that can updated to the PS3 or is it just not possible?

[griz_fan]

Clearing up a few misconceptions

First, no way for the new DTS-HD or TrueHD audio to be sent over optical. Optical has a max bandwidth of 1.5 Mbit/s and TrueHD can use 18 Mbit/s, as an example.
To the clown that thinks downloading movies will take over Blu Ray slaes, you are so wrong in so many ways. Too many holes in your argument to bother with.
The playstation 3 already supports TrueHD, and there is no official word on a firmware update to let the PS3 support internal decoding of DTS-MA, "just to let everyone know".

For the guy wondering why this is such a big deal, chill out. There's a lot of people who really like movies. We like them so much, we have nice TVs, and good sound systems to enjoy them. For me, movies with DTS-MA soundtracks really enhance the experience. The sound is amazing. And, while the PS3 has a lot going for it, it does miss this important feature for me. If a firmware update makes that happen, well, that's a big deal to me (and a lot of other people who care about these things). So, that's why its a big deal. If it doesn't matter to you, fine, but why whine about it?

Ender21, your comments are right on. Wes#1, no one needs profile 2.0, but it could be cool, who knows what it might lead too. Not a show stopper not to have it, but nice. And yes, faster loading players would be nice.
Ksal005 - nice caveman mentality. Prices are dropping, and when the new Sony players hit, the bd50 from panasonic arrives, and the bargain players from China show up later this year, prices will start to fall faster. Still, this is mostly high-end kit with full bells/whistles and not the $30 Coby DVD player you're probably used to. Still, but this spring, you should be able to find a nicely made, nicely equipped BR player for around $300.

pkscout - don't get your panties in a wad over profile 2.0. Remember, profile 2.0 is optional, profile 1.1 is the final. Its true, Blu Ray is just now becoming a complete spec, but 1.1 is good enough. Heck, I've had online content support for months in my Toshiba A2, yet I haven't gotten around to running a network connection too it.

Relax, enjoy the HD picture and HD sound, and enjoy the movie!

[griz_fan]

Clearing up a few misconceptions

First, no way for the new DTS-HD or TrueHD audio to be sent over optical. Optical has a max bandwidth of 1.5 Mbit/s and TrueHD can use 18 Mbit/s, as an example.
To the clown that thinks downloading movies will take over Blu Ray slaes, you are so wrong in so many ways. Too many holes in your argument to bother with.
The playstation 3 already supports TrueHD, and there is no official word on a firmware update to let the PS3 support internal decoding of DTS-MA, "just to let everyone know".

For the guy wondering why this is such a big deal, chill out. There's a lot of people who really like movies. We like them so much, we have nice TVs, and good sound systems to enjoy them. For me, movies with DTS-MA soundtracks really enhance the experience. The sound is amazing. And, while the PS3 has a lot going for it, it does miss this important feature for me. If a firmware update makes that happen, well, that's a big deal to me (and a lot of other people who care about these things). So, that's why its a big deal. If it doesn't matter to you, fine, but why whine about it?

Ender21, your comments are right on. Wes#1, no one needs profile 2.0, but it could be cool, who knows what it might lead too. Not a show stopper not to have it, but nice. And yes, faster loading players would be nice.
Ksal005 - nice caveman mentality. Prices are dropping, and when the new Sony players hit, the bd50 from panasonic arrives, and the bargain players from China show up later this year, prices will start to fall faster. Still, this is mostly high-end kit with full bells/whistles and not the $30 Coby DVD player you're probably used to. Still, but this spring, you should be able to find a nicely made, nicely equipped BR player for around $300.

pkscout - don't get your panties in a wad over profile 2.0. Remember, profile 2.0 is optional, profile 1.1 is the final. Its true, Blu Ray is just now becoming a complete spec, but 1.1 is good enough. Heck, I've had online content support for months in my Toshiba A2, yet I haven't gotten around to running a network connection too it.

Relax, enjoy the HD picture and HD sound, and enjoy the movie!

[ACxJima]

do people really buy standalone blu-ray players?

i dont see why you WOULDNT buy a ps3 if you wanted a blu-ray player. damn videophiles!

[ACxJima]

do people really buy standalone blu-ray players?

i dont see why you WOULDNT buy a ps3 if you wanted a blu-ray player. damn videophiles!