Sony's new profile 2.0 (capable) Models: S350 (Bitstream all), and S550 (decodes all)

[buzzyboy]

Lifted this from Engadget...

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, while the S550 has PiP (BonusView) and 1GB of onboard storage. As for the rest of the specs, well, expect TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, dts-HD (and dts-HD Master 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.

Pics in Ben's post here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post13228248

[Richard Paul]

Impressive specs, and besides the somewhat inaccurate Engadget article here is the Sony press release. The Engadget article is inaccurate because the author didn't understand that both models would support PiP. I would recommend reading the Sony press release since it contains more accurate information and a few more details. Here is a brief summary of the similarities and differences between the two models:

Both models
BD-Live
Ethernet port
An external port for local storage
1080p60/24 output
7.1 channel decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DD+
Bitstream output for all audio codecs
AVCHD support

BDP-S350
Summer release date
$400 MSRP

BDP-S550
7.1 channel decoding for DTS-HD MA
7.1 channel analog output
1 GB local storage device included
Fall release date
$500 MSRP

[jorgerod]

I wonder if the 550 will play SACD.

Jorge

[GoND]

The S550 should make for an interesting comparison with the new Panasonic and Pioneer Elite coming out this summer.

[David Susilo]

any chance seeing any of these sold for $250 in Canada? (I don't think so, but hoping though)

[Majestyk]

Sony products being less in Canada? Um...

[J4yDubs]

The BDP-S350 and BDP-S550 models both support BonusView (Picture-in-Picture) featured on some of the new Blu-ray Disc theatrical releases. The BDP-S350 model is BD-Live ready featuring an Ethernet port for an easy firmware update and access to Internet-based interactive content features. The BSP-S550 is BonusView and BD-Live capable when it ships.

This is confusing. What profiles are these? The 550 must be 2.0, but what is the 350? 1.1 and upgradeable to 2.0 (how?)? Why are they making it so confusing? Just release 2.0 players and be done with it.

The 550 looks interesting. Does it come in black? The blue would stand out in my rack.

John

[BenDover]

this article seems to have some more details...

http://www.electronichouse.com/artic...u_ray_players/

Both the BDP-S350 and the BDP-S550 support BonusView, which is a picture-in-picture feature that has been popping up on some of the newer Blu-ray movie titles. The BDP-S350 is BD-Live-ready, with an Ethernet port for firmware updates and access to web-based interactive content. The BSP-S550 will be BonusView- and BD-Live capable when it ships.

Each player also has an external port so that users can add local storage; the BDP-S550 comes with a 1GB storage device.

Other highlights include 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema output, 1080p upscaling via HDMI, 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus decoding and bit-stream output, and dts-HD High Resolution Audio and Master Audio bit-stream output. The BDP-S550 also adds in dts-HD High Resolution Audio and dts-HD Master Audio decoding as well as 7.1 channel analog audio output. Also expect support for a slew of video formats, as well as AVCHD discs encoded with x.v.Color (xvYCC) technology.

Both of the new models also feature fancy new slim designs—an easy add to your overcrowded A/V cabinet.

The BDP-S350 will be available this summer for $400. The BDP-S550 is coming in the fall for an extra $100.

[bases1616]

Will the BDP-S550 internally decode DTS-HD MA? For us PS3 owners we are hoping this will happen in the next couple of months.

[PeterK]

Wonder if the 550 will impact the pricing on the Panny BD50 coming? I am guessing the BD50 will be at least 700 if it ever shows up. I would purchase the 550 right now if available.

[oliverjg]

Originally Posted by J4yDubs

This is confusing. What profiles are these? The 550 must be 2.0, but what is the 350? 1.1 and upgradeable to 2.0 (how?)? Why are they making it so confusing? Just release 2.0 players and be done with it.

The 550 looks interesting. Does it come in black? The blue would stand out in my rack.

John

they want to sell you the "memory device".

[oliverjg]

Originally Posted by bases1616

Will the BDP-S550 internally decode DTS-HD MA? For us PS3 owners we are hoping this will happen in the next couple of months.

i hope they are planning to add dts ma to the ps3 but i suspect they will keep it out of the ps3 to help sell sa players.

[Donnie Eldridge]

The S550 looks like the ticket for me.

[Chefkoch81]

I hope they finally make playes without fans. No noisy player comes in my living room.

[deepstang]

Originally Posted by bases1616

Will the BDP-S550 internally decode DTS-HD MA? For us PS3 owners we are hoping this will happen in the next couple of months.

I guess the key word here is hope. I have been PATIENTLY waiting to buy a BD player, and all arrows were pointing to the PS3 as of yesterday. Now with these new Sony options, I wonder which player is the best future proof player? Bitter-Sweet!!

[8IronBob]

Yeah, I saw the main website's article on Interactive Blu-ray Players. Sounds like Sony's finally getting the features that "other format" had for a while now. About plumb time... I'm guessing that these same features are going to be provided through a firmware update to the PS3 as well?

Oh yes, and I do recommend the PS3, since that one has been confirmed to be one of the most futureproofed devices around that plays the BD format. I'd definitely keep that in consideration. Plus with a hard drive, you can make like a "Living Room/Home Theater iPod" of sorts, too. The PS3 is definitely a home theater hub device. It's just that Sony didn't market the PS3 that way initially, but now home theater enthusiasts like us are finally catching on to the other side of the PS3, rather than the gaming end that Sony intended.

Needless to say, I'm interested in the features of the S350/550, and see what they can do as opposed to a game console turned BD player.

[jzoz01]

I noticed that as well. The 550 is 2.0 and includes 1gb storage. the 350 says it is 2.0 ready, I would assume you need to buy some sort of storage in order to use BD live. It fails to mention if it is USB or some Sony proprietary connection.

[oliverjg]

Originally Posted by deepstang

I guess the key word here is hope. I have been PATIENTLY waiting to buy a BD player, and all arrows were pointing to the PS3 as of yesterday. Now with these new Sony options, I wonder which player is the best future proof player? Bitter-Sweet!!

living with ps3 as the only possible "future proof" choice for all this time, i moved my equipment rack to another room and solved the ps3 fugliness and noise issues.

only thing left for me that is bad about the ps3 is lack of dts ma decoding. i am beginning to believe they will not put it in the ps3.

if the 550 had existed in october before my remodel i probably would have kicked the ps3 to the curb.

[oliverjg]

Originally Posted by 8IronBob

Yeah, I saw the main website's article on Interactive Blu-ray Players. Sounds like Sony's finally getting the features that "other format" had for a while now. About plumb time... I'm guessing that these same features are going to be provided through a firmware update to the PS3 as well?

Oh yes, and I do recommend the PS3, since that one has been confirmed to be one of the most futureproofed devices around that plays the BD format. I'd definitely keep that in consideration. Plus with a hard drive, you can make like a "Living Room/Home Theater iPod" of sorts, too. The PS3 is definitely a home theater hub device. It's just that Sony didn't market the PS3 that way initially, but now home theater enthusiasts like us are finally catching on to the other side of the PS3, rather than the gaming end that Sony intended.

Needless to say, I'm interested in the features of the S350/550, and see what they can do as opposed to a game console turned BD player.

for somebody even remotely interested in connectivity features, the ps3 also has wireless built in. really easy to get connected if you have no ethernet wires near your ht rack.

[madkaw]

Be carefull, I am willing to bet that it will not do dts ma over analog. Notice that the 7.1 analog out and the 7.1 decoding are in different statement lines.

[cnjvh]

Big question is will they properly de-interlace 1080i sources (per CNET the S300/500 did not).

[cnjvh]

Another unknown is the bass management capabilites for the analog outputs...

[jdmac29]

Originally Posted by madkaw

Be carefull, I am willing to bet that it will not do dts ma over analog. Notice that the 7.1 analog out and the 7.1 decoding are in different statement lines.

The electronic house articles says dts-HD high resolution and dts-HD master audio decoding as well as 7.1 channel analog audio output on the 550.
If it will internally decode the dts ma and send it out via analog outs this is the one I want to purchase. Hopefully the price will be $450 or less around Christmas 08.

[Joe Cole]

The BDP-S550 will be tops on my list to replace my current BDP-S1. I am wondering if they will have a BDP-S2050 ES in the 'near' future......

[William]

Originally Posted by Richard Paul

Impressive specs, and besides the somewhat confused...

You should also add that they both pass full bitstream.

[corwiniii]

Sounds like there are SA units finally coming out that are compelling enough to interest me. But not at a $500 price point.

[8IronBob]

Well, what'd be better for $500? A S550, or an 80GB PS3? They'll probably both perform about the same in the BRD HDM department.

[DavidHir]

I thought $350 and $450 were the original prices?

[John Ballentine]

Originally Posted by JOE COLE

The BDP-S550 will be tops on my list to replace my current BDP-S1.

Yep. Higher performing at half the MSRP

[wakashizuma]

S550 seems very good. This and BD50 from Panasonic have impressive features.
Now, what does fall exactly mean? August-September?