Hands-on with the Sony BDP-S500 Blu-ray player

It's not like it's too big of a deal, but we happened by this new Blu-ray player from Sony while we were on our mass-wanderings amongst the gadgetry at IFA, and we thought we'd share a few images. Really nothing to write home about, though it does have a snazzy sliding front panel (the one that appears mirrored) -- but we couldn't say what that panel's function actually is. Maybe you can figure it out, so have a look at the gallery.

Gallery: Hands-on with the Sony BDP-S500 Blu-ray player

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[Mister Kay @ Aug 31st 2007 11:19PM]

I'm sure this got put into production because some Sony exec could see his reflection and thought "this looks good"

[Jake @ Sep 1st 2007 12:28AM]

It is just there for looks; to disguise its thickness. It has no purpose just a look alike to the bdps1.

[Chris @ Aug 31st 2007 11:40PM]

I am a little concerned about the size of the buttons on that orange corduroy jacket.

[Joe C @ Sep 1st 2007 12:36AM]

The only real point to the (i'm assuming) motorized door is to hide the clutter of buttons and to make it do something that you don't normally see. Sony did literally the same exact thing with one of it's first component out DVD players, the DVP-S7000, which is 7-9 years old right now. I know this not because I don't have a life, but because my parents bought the same one for our family a million years ago and it's now in their bedroom..... where all archaic items end up.

[Anton @ Sep 1st 2007 1:14AM]

Ugly Remote.

[John Doe @ Sep 1st 2007 5:36AM]

Yah because when I go out I want to be able to put some sexy control in my breast pocket to show off. Its a remote control for god sake. They could make it yellow and pink as long as it does the job well.

[james cordero @ Sep 1st 2007 3:07AM]

Nice looking unit, simple front panel design, no clutter and straight-forward remote. Nice to see Sony trying a minimal approach to their blu-ray designs.

[Joe C @ Sep 4th 2007 9:18AM]

It's a little too minimal a design. The dvd player I mentioned earlier had LED backlit buttons for play, pause, and stop on it's front. Sony probably could've done electrostatic controls since it has evolved, but only being able to open the damn thing and slide the panel down without the remote seems a bit problematic. But it does get points for sex appeal

[Dave @ Sep 1st 2007 3:13AM]

Perfect.

[TheWakeUpCall @ Sep 1st 2007 7:47AM]

God how do they make the player so tiny and so thin!!!!


....or not.