Sony BDP-S350 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player
Revel in astounding HD clarity with the BDP-S350 Blu-ray Disc player. The most noticeable additions to this year’s model are the Ethernet port that lets you download firmware updates directly to the player, and — with one of those firmware updates — access web contetent encoded to Blu-ray discs via BD-Live, compatibility with the Bonus View feature of select Blu-ray movies, and a USB port that allows you to add more storage to access the growing number of special features that will be available given the immense storage capacity of Blu-ray discs themeselves. This player also outputs a Full 1080/24p True Cinema picture, and upscales your existing DVD collection to 1080p when using an HDMI connection. Dolby TrueHD capability delivers lossless sound that is true to the original studio master. Bringing it all together is the new icon based Xcross Media Bar, which provides simple navigation of the player’s menu system.Key Features True 1080p Output (Learn more) Dolby TrueH (more…)
I went to Circuit City yesterday to purchase the Panasonic DMP-BD30K Blu-Ray Player. As the salesman showed me where the Blu-Ray players were located in the store I told him I was interested in the DMP-BD30K. His response was that I should consider the new Sony BDP-S350 instead. He claimed that the BDP-S350 had received great reviews and is a better player than the Panasonic DMP-BD30K. Usually I don’t listen to anything the sales people at Circuit City say, but this time I decided to see if he knew what he was talking about. I did some quick research online, while in the store, and discovered that he was correct about the Sony receiving decent reviews. I had my mind set on the Panasonic DMP-BD30K after months of research and waiting until the price dropped below $300, so the prospect of the Sony BDP-S350 through me for a loop. I decided to purchase both players, try then both out, and then return the looser.
I have to admit that the results surprised me. As I said before I had my heart set on the Panasonic DMP-BD30K, but after installing the 2 players and carefully comparing their image quality and features the Sony BDP-S350 is the clear winner in my opinion.
Panasonic DMP-BD30K: (Profile 1.1)
The start up time was respectable (as the reviews I had read indicated) and the menu interface was straight forward and relatively easy to navigate. After setting up the player, my first test was to compare its ability to upconvert standard definition DVDs with my now obsolete Toshiba HD-A20 HD-DVD player. I had read online that the DMP-BD30K’s upscaling abilities had something to be desired and my tests confirmed this. To be honest the results were a little disappointing. Next, I decided to move through the players setup menu and change a few settings. At this point I made another disappointing discovery. If for any reason you need to access the players setup menu while you are watching DVD or Blu-Ray disc the player will not remember where you left off. When you exit the menu and resume play, the disc will start playing from the beginning of the disc. Although accessing the setup menu looses your place on the disc the Panasonic does remember where you left off if the DVD is stopped or the the player is shut down and then turned on again. Other than these criticisms the DMP-BD30K is a very nice player that yields excellent results using Blu-Ray discs, but doesn’t do a great job with SD DVDs.
Sony BDP-S350: (Profile 1.1, but soon to be updated via firmware to 2.0)
The Sony player was a pleasant surprise. The start up time was very respectable, and was comparable to the Panasonic DMP-BD30K. After setting up the player I proceeded to run the same tests that I ran on the Panasonic. I had read online that people were impressed with the BDP-S350’s upconvertion abilities, but having owned multiple Oppo DVD players (in my opinion, some of the best out there) I was skeptical. I put in a SD DVD and could immediately see the improvement over the Panasonic. Although the image is a little softer compared to my obsolete Toshiba HD-A20 HD-DVD player, and my other Oppo DVD players, it was still excellent. It made the Panasonic’s upscaling abilities seem unrefined and outdated. Next, I then jumped into the players setup menu and changed the players output resolution. What really amazed me was that when I exited the menu the player began playing my disc where I had left off. Finally, I tried powering the BDP-S350 down while in the middle of a DVD. When I powered the player back on it remembered where I had left off and began to play the disc. The Sony BDP-S350 seems the winner in my opinion due to its superior upconversion and disc playback memory.
Finally, I wanted to add that I read a review comparing the Sony BDP-S350 to the new Panasonic DMP-BD50K that declares the DMP-BD50K the winner (http://hdguru.com/first-review-of-sonys-latest-blu-ray-player-exclusive-sony-bdp-s350-vspanasonic-dmp-bd50/256/). This may be true, but the almost $300 price difference makes me feel that this is an unfair comparison. In my opinion, the Sony BDP-S350 is currently one of the best deals out there.
I take my home theater hobby pretty seriously, that’s why when it came time to invest in a Blu-Ray player (finally the wait is over!!!), I did a ridiculously great amount of research. I was willing to spend much more money on a blu-ray player, but the prices have come down so much, you don’t have to! I narrowed down my extensive search for the right player to the Panasonic DMP-BD35K and the Sony BDP-S350. **I BOUGHT THEM BOTH AND DID A “SIDE-BY-SIDE” TEST!**
I have some nice equipment, so I feel that the test was an excellent representation of the capabilities of these two players. My equipment includes a 100-inch Stewart screen with a 1080p Sony Pearl front projector, an Integra 9.8 DTC processor (with all the latest surround sound goodies), an NAD amp, 7 Paradigm Signature speakers, and a dual M&K subwoofer (for full 7.1 surround sound).
I do understand electronics, but the Sony manual was really hard to follow. After only one call to Sony, I eventually got the player set up properly. After I set up the Panasonic, everything became much clearer. The Panasonic manual is so much better. But, who really cares about manuals? How do these two players perform side by side?
Audio for BOTH Blu-ray discs and standard DVDs: The Panasonic unquestionably has better audio. Compared to the Sony, the highs were much clearer. The 7.1 surround sound put me right in the middle of the “explosion” (my first test blu-ray disc was National Treasure I) when the Charlotte blew up. The biggest Audio difference was the bass. The bass in the Panasonic was so much better than the Sony. In fact, my old Sony standard-DVD player had better audio than the Sony BDP-S350. I’d give the Sony 3 stars with the audio. The Panasonic had outstanding treble, bass, and surround: 5-star audio!
Video for BOTH Blu-ray discs and standard DVDs: The Sony’s video was ok, but the Panasonic’s video was fantastic. The skin tones were more realistic and the colors were more vibrant with the Panasonic. The Sony seemed to have a thin gray film over everything — like looking through a filmy-dirty window. The Sony had 4-star video, the Panasonic and its upscaling gets an easy 5 stars!
Both my wife and I did the “side-by-side” test by going back and forth between Blu-Ray discs and standard DVDs. We didn’t discuss any of our thoughts until we each independently formed our own conclusions. After seeing and hearing both players, we were both in complete agreement that in every way the Panasonic DMP-BD35K was superior to the Sony BDP-S350.
By the way, the card slot on the Sony for BD-Live is very hard to get to. I do like Sony as a brand for some things, but not Blu-Ray players.
Also, to save you some research time, I’ve already checked out all of the professional reviews including the ones on CNet.com: The Sony is considered ok, and CNet liked the Panasonic so much that it is the first Blu-Ray player EVER to receive CNet’s “Editor’s Choice Award.”
I have to go to the store now and return the Sony player that I bought. I’m keeping the Panasonic!!
Hopefully you found this review helpful!
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sony BDP-S350 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player
Picture is excellent for the blu-ray discs. The most impressive feature is the upconvert of a standard DVD. Seems to increase them to about a 750p. Impressive.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sony BDP-S350 1080P Blu Ray Disc Player
Very satisfied with ease of installation via HDMI cable.
Only 3 HDMI cables between my Sat Receiver, Disc player, Surround Amp and TV. Great sound and picture.
I purchased my BDP-S350 from Sony Style web site. This is my first BD player. I was waiting for the format war to end once it did I read a column by David Pouge in the New York Times that said you might consider waiting to making the jump to BD until the next generation of players to come out on the market.
This one loads pretty fast. From what I read it is much faster then older models. I was upgrading coming from a Sony 5 disc up converting DVD player and that thing was slow so I’m very satisfied. The picture is awesome and the audio is great too. I don’t even have it connected to a amp that does Dolby Tru-HD or DTS-MA. That will be my next purchase.
There is only one thing that I’m disappointed with the player has the Bravia Theater Sync feature. Which works great with my Sony amp. But for some reason the DVD remote will only control the volume for the TV not the amp. So I still have to use a second remote for volume on my Sony amp. This makes no sense to me.
We watched Batman Begins, Mission Impossible III, and the Bucket List on BD so far. Batman Begins was jaw dropping good from an audio and picture quality issue. My wife said she had no clue that a DVD could look that good.
I also watched Stop Loss on a SD DVD and that look pretty good too.
The DVD player has a slot in the back for a USB drive and it also has a ethernet port so it can connect to the net for firmware updates and to access bonus features.
There is another model the S-550 due out in the fall it will cost more but it decodes all the audio inside the player.
Overall a week in I’m happy with the purchase and I’m happy I waited for this model.
5.0 out of 5 stars
VERY SOLID AND RELIABLE
Here is some background on my home theater equipment. I’ve got an older 1080i Toshiba 50H82 (Jan 2003), a Yamaha 300 (5540) surround sound, a solid Panasonic DVD player, the RP82…
1.0 out of 5 stars
Didn’t last long
ACT I:
Got this player at Best Buy nearly a month ago. One evening, out of the blue (no pun intended), the player started sliding the images right to left.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blue Ray Player
We have been really pleased with this product. Easy to set up, great picture. Great product.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Best for Blu-Ray
Blu-ray discs look and sound terrific in this player. Sound is quite nice and expansive, even through the TV speakers. Upscaling is only ok, though.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don’t overlook the audio
There are many reviews listed here that list the various merits or shortcomings of the player, so I wont get deeply into those here beyond this:
1) firmware updates…
1.0 out of 5 stars
Worst Electronics Purchase Ever
I have to give it at least one star, but this is easily the worst electronics purchase I have ever made.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Blu-ray Disc Player
Unit arrived and works well. Up-converted standard DVDs look great. Haven’t played too many Blu-ray, but the few I have look great.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sony BDP-S350 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player
Exactly what I expected, Great product, really impressed with upconverting of regular dvd movies. Can go wrong weith this one.
Sony BDP-S350 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player,
excelent picture and qualtiy product, it’s wondorfull