BDP-S570
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Sony BDP-S570 Blu-ray player review
So much has changed since we reviewed our first high-def disc player years ago, but one thing that hasn't changed is that each generation manufactures add more features and charge less. The latest Blu-ray player from Sony continues that trend featuring things like WiFi and 3D output, and at a super low price. This of course piques our interest, because we wanted to find out if there's a catch. So although the firmware update that enables 3D and DLNA hasn't been release yet, we put the BDP-S570 to task as our Blu-ray player for a few weeks to see how it fared. %Gallery-91984%
Sony's 3D-ready Blu-ray players released into the retail wilderness
Sony's latest Blu-ray players have been shipping online for a while but now they've invaded retail, spotted by our friends at FormatWarCentral on the shelf at a local Best Buy. A quick check on the website shows the BDP-S470 and BDP-S570 available at most, if not all, area stores so they shouldn't be hard to find. We know they're ready to give a Full HD 3D experience, and have speed to burn, but a few readers have already complained that the DLNA access mentioned in the specs isn't available yet, pending a future firmware update. If you just can't wait to get 3D ready (or just get a PlayStation 3) then this would be your chance.
Sony's Blu-ray players do 3D in 1080p even with HDMI 1.3
More than a few commenters were confused to see Sony's first 3D Blu-ray players sporting HDMI 1.3 outputs when they were announced recently. Rumors circled that we would see some sort of lower res, even "3D-Lite," experience (similar to the quality of DirecTV's side by side compression) as a result of a lack of bandwidth in the connector. We went straight to the source to find out what buyers can expect from the BDP-S470, BDP-S570 and other hardware when they receive those MVC encoded discs later this year. Luckily, Sony's Greg Belloni has responded and informed us that will definitely not be the case: "The 3D-ready models mentioned in the release will be fully capable of 3D playback of Full HD 1080p for each eye. The players and theater systems support the HDMI 1.4 spec for 3D playback, but may not support all of the qualifications of spec (which is why we haven't labeled it specifically 1.4 at this time)." We're not sure if that's enough to make the buying decision on your next player easier (the BD-C6900 does have that ever enticing window) but we have yet to hear from any manufacturer that when it comes to 3D, buyers will be limited to lower resolution playback because of player bandwidth issues. Our only quibble is why DivX playback is limited to the Canadian editions of these players (check the manual after the break,) but if there are any remaining questions, let us know and we'll get them answered.
Sony Canada shows off BDP-S570 Blu-ray load times compared to a PS3
Just in case 3D readiness wasn't enough to get your preorders in for the BDP-S470 and family, Sony Canada has created these videos. embedded after the break, pitting the BDP-S570 against a PS3 Slim in a battle of load times and another showing off the iPhone remote control app. The new standalone player comes out ahead in the battle of speed -- or example of the long and tedious Blu-ray movie loading sequences, depending on your POV -- we'll see if it edges out the game console the next time we find out which one is your favorite player.
Sony's $200 BDP-S470 is company's first 3D-ready Blu-ray player
And the flood gates are now officially open. Just hours after Panasonic introduced its newest 3D Blu-ray recorders and players, along comes Sony to brag about its first 3D-ready standalone deck. The BDP-S470, which is slated to ship later this month for $200, arrives with the ability to handle BD, DVD, CD and even SACD, with a 3D Blu-ray upgrade (via firmware update) planned for this summer. You'll also find BD-Live support, BRAVIA Internet Video, a USB socket for playing back media stored elsewhere, 1080p DVD upscaling and TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio decoding. If you were planning to snag a BDP-S570 BD player or one of the BDV-E770W / BDV-E570 Blu-ray Disc home theater systems, you'll be elated to know that those systems will also get a gratis 3D update in just a few months, with exact pricing and release details tucked down there in the source. Time to pick up a pair of 3D Gunnar Optiks, don'tcha think?
New Sony Blu-ray players do 3D, WiFi, iPhone remote, more
Since releasing the initial Blu-ray players on the market years ago, Sony has been lagging a little behind in regards to features. Today that's about to change as the top of the line BDP-S770 (pictured above) not only supports 3D, but also has built in WiFi, and iPhone/iPod Touch app for a remote (in addition to the standard remote) and plenty of streaming options like Netflix, Amazon and many others. The BDP-S570 also has built in WiFi, but unlike the 770, it will require a firmware update before DLNA works. The BDP-S370 brings the line home which is similar to its bigger brothers but requires an optional WiFi adapter if you need wireless.
