Thread: New Sony Bdp-s350 Blu-ray Disk

NEW SONY BDP-S350 BLU-RAY DISK, so much effort could go into making a budget Blu-ray player, but a peek at the BDP-SjSo shows that Sony really has pulled out all the stops. It's a lean, mean, disc¬spinning machine. Sony has crammed all the electronics into a small chassis that's been embossed and strengthened in key areas to reduce the effects ofunwantedvibrations.

The player also uses a new, virtually silent fan, and even the solder has been changed in an attempt to help improve performance. Like the Samsung, the BDP-SjSo is Prome I.I enabled and needs a firmware update to enable Prome 2.0. Again, as with the Samsung, you can do this over the internet using the Ethernet port. The Sony similar in style to the ones you get with Sony's latest flatscreeen televisions and AV receivers. Excellent sound quality Regarding picture quality, the Sony will output I080ph4fpS for Blu-ray and, of course, upscale DVD to I080p, too. For sound, the player can output HD audio in bitstream form, or if you want to do the decoding in the player, it can convert everything to LPCM apart from DTS- HD Master Audio. Like the other BIu-ray players in this test, the Sony doesn't have any multichannel analogue inputs. And, it's audio quality where the Sony really leads the way. The explosions and gunfire in Die Hard4.o sound bold, solid It's also arguably the most intuitive, user-friendly player here, it still loads Blu-ray discs quicker than its rivals, and it's a really smooth operator when it comes to cycling disc menus.




The PSj is also extremely easy to navigate, even with the familiar handheld controller (a dedicated remote control is a Rs I.490 optional extra), and despite its age, the PlayStationj is still capable of producing a decent Blu-ray image. Detail levels are on a par with the Samsung BD-PISOO, but they're no match forthe likes of the DMP-BDjS or Sony's own BDP-SjSo. The PSj'S picture isn't as clear or three-dimensional and and weighty. Dialogue sounds full-bodied and natural, and there's no trace of brightness ofleanness. CD playback is pretty respectable too - the BDP-SjSo sounds relatively rhythmic and entertaining with a range of music.

This player dishes out a fine Blu-ray image, too. Spin 21 and the Sony really brings home the glitz and glamour of the Vegas nightlife and casinos. The picture is polished, showing great attention to detail, and excellent sharpness and realism is also apparent.The Sony is also a dab hand with DVD playback. The BDP-SjSo does the crisp transfer of Forgetting Sarah Marshall justice, displaying a welcome absence of on-screen noise. There's no doubt in our minds that this is Sony's best Blu-ray player to date. But, is it good enough to snatch victory from the jaws ofthe Panasonic?