BDP-S350
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Sony issues revised firmware for BDP-S350 Blu-ray player
Sony already gifted its BDP-S350 Blu-ray player with BD-Live functionality last September, but apparently that firmware just isn't good enough any longer. The outfit has just released a newer version that elevates the machine from 010 to 015, and with the update comes "improved BD-Java compatibility to enhance interactivity with some BD-ROMs and improved BD-Live performance." The file weighs in at a rather hefty 49.42MB, so hit up the read link if you're interested in getting it started.[Thanks, Brendan]
Sony intros BRAVIA HTP-BD3iS / BDV-FS350 Blu-ray HTIB systems in UK
Just in case you needed some new kit to throw on and around your BRAVIA RHT-G500 home theater stand, Sony's got two new bundles that ought to fit the bill -- so long as you're in the UK, that is. The BRAVIA BDV-FS350 (pictured) gets things going with a compact 2.1-channel sound system paired with an undisclosed Blu-ray deck (likely the BDP-S350) and an active subwoofer. The package also promises DVD upscaling over HDMI, BRAVIA Sync, a DIGITAL MEDIA PORT for hooking up your portable music device and S-Force PRO Front Surround technology. Moving on, we've got the HTP-BD3IS, hailed as Sony's "most advanced home theater setup yet." This one includes 450-watts spread over 5.1-channels, three HDMI inputs (one output) and inbuilt Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD decoding. You can add either to your basket right now for £489.00 ($751) / £678.99 ($1,043), respectively.
BD-Live-capable Blu-ray players get offered in multi-region form
If you held back from snapping up a multi-region Blu-ray player the last time you had a chance, today's your lucky day. BlurayMods has finally returned to the scene, and it brought along with it some fancy new toys. The ICOS HD mod converts your current BD deck into a multi-region bundle of fun, and if you believe the seller, it's totally easy to install and operate. For those not willing to hand over €69 ($88) for the mod chip -- which functions with Sony's BDP-S350 / BDP-S550, Panasonic's DMP-BD35 / DMP-BD55 and Denon's DVD-2500 -- you can buy a pre-rigged player for quite a bit more. We'd say the euro-to-dollar conversion really rules these out for most Americans, but if things get much crazier, you may find yourself looking at a steal.
Sears Black Friday deals slip out: Sony Blu-ray player for $179.99
And so it begins. With the day after Thanksgiving in the USA (more affectionately known as Black Friday) closing in, we're starting to see the earliest slippage of deals from big box retailers. Up first this year is Sears, which has let loose a laundry list of discounts that will be available for a limited time on November 28th. When peering at the items we care about, the most notable inclusion is a Sony Blu-ray player for $179.99; granted, we've seen the BDP-S300 for under $200 already, but the link takes us to Sony's fresher, better BDP-S350. Hard to say how legitimate that is, but at any rate, those looking for BD and audio can find Samsung's HT-BD2E Blu-ray home theater system for $599.99, and folks just now looking to dive into DVD will find a Memorex DVD player for $14.99. Check the read link for the full rundown, and get prepared for an onslaught of lists just like this from elsewhere as B-Day draws closer.[Via I4U News]
Sony gifts BDP-S350 with BD-Live via firmware update
Earlier this summer, Sony promised that it would be pushing out a firmware update in the future that would add BD-Live functionality to its BDP-S350 Blu-ray player. Fast forward a few months, and lo and behold, it has kept its word. Available right this very second, the version 010 firmware adds in BD-Live support and improved BD-Java compatibility / improved sensitivity to the Remote Commander signal while in standby mode. Hop on down to the read link and get that 56.23MB download going -- given Sony's typically slow (and by slow, we mean hosted over a 14.4k modem) servers, you could be waiting awhile.[Thanks, Dan and Brendan]Update: Seems as if the URL download has been pulled, though users are reporting that the Network Update directly through the player works fine.
Sony's BDP-S350 Blu-ray player hitting Canada this month
First came the US, then came the UK. Now, it's Canada's turn. Sony Canada has just announced that the BDP-S350 Blu-ray player will be made available "later this month" at Sony Style retail outlets, SonyStyle.ca and other authorized Sony retailers in the Great North. By this point, you should know all there is to know about this BonusView-packin', BD-Live-ready machine, and yes, the $400 price tag remains in tact.[Via Digital Home]
Sony BDP-S350 review
At just over the two year mark since the first Blu-ray players hit the streets, Sony releases its third-generation player, one that some would argue isn't even a fully featured unit. But aside from how important you think BD-Live is, Sony's latest BDP-S350 has a lot more to offer than its predecessor (the BDP-S300); in fact, it addresses most of our complaints, but unfortunately our favorite feature also got the axe (source direct). The biggest difference you'll notice right off the bat is the size, as it's about half as deep as the 300. While this really doesn't make much difference when enjoying Blu-ray movies, it does show how much more mature the HD chipsets have become in two years. The speed improvement of the player on the other hand will make a difference. While the 300 took 45 seconds just to eject when powered off, the 350 can do it in 6. This puts it in a two way tie with the fastest player we've tested.%Gallery-29362%
Sony's BDP-S350 and BDP-S550 Blu-ray players take the UK by storm
The "BD-Live-ready" BDP-S350 only started shipping in the US a few weeks ago, so we suppose the Brits / Scots / Welsh / Northern Irish (did we just make that up?) can't grumble too loudly about Sony's latest release. Both the BDP-S350 and BDP-S550 have finally been deemed official and ready for use in the United Kingdom, though specifications are precisely the same outside of that really funky power adapter. Curiously, there's no mention of release dates or prices, but it's almost guaranteed that you UKers will be forced to cough up way too many pounds as Sony takes advantage of the current exchange rate situation fiasco.
The Sony BDP-S350 goes under the knife
No sooner did the Sony BDP-S350 start shipping, then someone took it apart to see what makes it tick. No surprises in there either, as it seems to use the latest Sigma SMP8634 RevC chip, which is a popular choice for Blu-ray players. Interestingly this was the chip of choice in the older Samsung BD-P1400, but in the more recent BD-P1500, for whatever reason Samsung went a different way with the Broadcom BCM7440P. While it was fun to get our hands on Sony's latest player, we really can't wait to run it through the paces and see how it stands up to it's old brother.
Hands-on with Sony's BDP-S350 and more
For those out there totally stoked about paying $400 for a Blu-ray player that's just "BD-Live-ready," have we got a surprise for you! Our brethren over at Engadget Classic got a chance to swing by Sony's demonstration today in New York City and take a peek at the firm's recently released (as in, shipping) Blu-ray deck alongside a few other audio related products. Whatcha waiting for? Get over there and check it all out!
Hands-on with Sony's new BDP-S350 and other HD frivolities
So Sony's got a $399 Blu-ray player on the market now, huh? Really blasting away at that price point, huh Sony? Really keeping on your toes now that HD DVD is dead and gone, giving you zero competition in the physical format space, yeah? Oh, we forgot, you're using a blue laser, and those require bloody war with dastardly intelligent man-eating monkeys to boot up. We got to handle Sony's new BDP-S350 Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player tonight, and while we aren't mad that the new player draws less power, takes up less space, and supports more technical HD hotness, it literally feels like a $20 DVD player in the hand -- no way Sony has $400 of electronic components in this thing. Even the front LCD is teensy: we've bought $200 home theater in a box systems from Sony with more extravagant displays. We understand Sony trying to make back a few dollars from a pricey format war, but at this point this ridiculous price point is looking way artificial. In other, less insulting news, Sony was showing off the new HT-SS2300 Home Theater System, which is designed to complement the S350, along with the HT-IS100 "Micro System," which we found intriguing. Sony also showed off its HDR-CX12, which is nothing special in person, though we certainly like what's under the hood.%Gallery-27899%
Sony's $400 BDP-S350 Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player now shipping
Wow, Toys 'R Us was only a day off. Sure enough, Sony's BDP-S350 -- which was first introduced / spotted in February -- has gone on sale at Sony Style retail outlets, the Sony Style website and other fine retailers near you. If you're looking for a quick refresher, this Profile 2.0-compliant deck supports BonusView (picture-in-picture), but curiously enough, Sony mentions that "a firmware update enabling BD-Live is planned [for] later this year." You'll also find full 1080p output, 7.1-channel Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio support and a promise to suck down 21% less power in playback compared to the BDP-S300. All yours for $400 (give or take a few pennies).
Sony's $400 BDP-S350 Blu-ray player shows July 15th ship date
When Sony introduced its classically-styled BDP-S350 Blu-ray player in late February, all we knew was that the $400 machine would land sometime this summer. Now, we're seeing a pre-order page (on Toys R Us, admittedly) that pegs the ship date at July 15th. Yeah, a fortnight from now. The price remains unchanged at $399.99, but at least you'll find Profile 2.0 compatibility as well as bitstream support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, right? Okay, now that it's a date, who's buying (and more importantly, who's not?)[Thanks, Rahul]
Sony BDP-S300 review
We know, we know, we're really late on this one -- thanks Sony -- but around here we think it's important to review every Blu-ray player. And we're sure there are some who don't want to wait for the replacement due out in a few months, so here's the impressions of Sony's current entry level Blu-ray player. The good news is that although this player is missing many critical features, it shares just about everything we loved with the much more expensive BDP-95FD that we reviewed last month (psst: it's obvious that Pioneer and Sony work together on their Blu-ray players). So if picture-in-picture, internet content, TrueHD and DTS-HD aren't important to you, then you may want to save some money and pick one of these up now.%Gallery-20431%
Sony announces BDP-S350, BDP-S550: first new Blu-ray players since the fall of HD DVD
Those waiting for the next generation of Blu-ray players, here you go: Sony's got two new ones for you today, the BDP-S350 and BDP-S550. Both feature BD-Live (and thus Ethernet) and USB (for external) storage and PiP (BonusView), while the S550 has 7.1 discrete analog outputs and 1GB of onboard storage. As for the rest of the specs, well, expect TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus (and DTS-HD MA & HR in the S550), AVCHD and xvYCC color support, and, of course 1080 60/24p. The S350 will hit for $400 this summer, while the S550 will run you $500 this fall.%Gallery-16927%
