Amazon.com has cut the price of the Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray player to $258 with free shipping (from $399). The player received a 7.0 out of 10 from CNET, who liked the unit’s “excellent Blu-ray image quality and very good DVD upscaling” and its “compact size.” The BDP-S350 didn’t originally ship as a Profile 2.0 player, but subsequent firmware updates have added the ability. Check out CNET’s video review below:
Other specs for the BD-S350:
1080p DVD upscaling
Sony’s XMB graphical interface
Dolby TrueHD decoding
Bit stream output for all high-res audio
Ethernet port for firmware updates
USB port
The Sony BDP-S350 is a step up in quality from the BDP-S300, which we just mentioned had its price lowered to $199. It’s thinner and faster (less load time for Blu-ray discs) than its slightly cheaper brother, the BDP-S300. EngadgetHD also reviewed this unit and also noted the quicker loading times and that the player had no problems with every Blu-ray disc they threw at it. Their biggest complaint:
Our favorite feature of the BDP-S300 (source direct) is missing and the 24p “auto” feature didn’t work on our favorite 1080p30 title, Planet Earth (BBC). So to watch it at its native resolution, we had to stop the movie to change the frame rate to the native 30.
The good folks over at DealNews.com have some predictions for Black Friday, and among them are:
Blu-ray player for the low, low price of $149
Blu-ray player and movies bundle for $199
Blu-ray movies for $9.99
46 inch to 47 inch 1080p LCD for $799
52 inch 1080p LCD for $1,199
50 inch 720p plasma for $699
Of course, most Black Friday deals are clearance junk you probably shouldn’t buy in the first place, but sometimes there are solid deals. We’ll be keeping our eye on the enticing Memorex MVDB-2510 ($269) Blu-ray player.
For Black Friday 2008, we here at My HDTV Choice are a little more conservative, predicting Blu-ray players going for $199 and 47-inch 1080p LCDs going for $899. But do expect crazy deals on 720p sets, which are a solid choice for anyone looking at 42 inches or lower.
Amazon.com has dropped the price of the 1080p Sony BDP-S300 to $199.98 (while supplies last). The initial list price is $399.99.
CNET rated this player 6.5 out of 10. They liked the player’s “excellent picture quality” for Blu-ray discs and upconverted DVDs. Their cons included the extremely slow load times for newer Blu-ray java discs like Pirates of the Carribean, and the fact that there is no Ethernet port for firmware upgrades.
Some more drawbacks are that the Sony BDP -S300 lacks some advanced surround sound decoding abilities like the Dolby TrueHD and it doesn’t handle 1080i deinterlacing as well as other Blu-ray players.
Still, for those just looking for a solid 1080p picture to pump into their HDTV, the Sony BDP-S300 seems like a good choice. Check out CNET’s video review below:
The Godfather trilogy is being released on Blu-ray and DVD on Tuesday, September 23, as a four-disc gift set. The suggested retail price is $124.99, but Amazon currently has it on sale for $61.95.
This version of the trilogy is known as the Coppola Restoration. Godfather parts I and II have been restored under the watchful eye of original cinematographer Gordon Willis to ensure they match the original color schemes. Technical enhancements were made to all three of the films as well.
The new set introduces some extras that weren’t on the previous DVD releases of the films. One covers the restoration process. Another, titled “Godfather World,” shows the films’ effect on American culture.
HDTV shoppers with a budget of around $2000 will have a new option come November. The Epson Powerlite 6100 1080p HDTV projector will go on sale for $1999. Until now, projectors had priced themselves out of most shopper’s budgets.
With another budget projector, the Sanyo PLV-Z700 ($1995), joining the fray, it seems $2000 is the new entry-level price for those looking for a 1080p projector.
Memorex has introduced a bargain Blu-ray player, the Memorex MVDB-2510, at a nice starting price point of $269. The player will go on sale in November 2008 (right around Black Friday, eh?). It has all the basics you’d expect: 1080p and frame rates of 24p and 60p. It does not have Profile 2.0 (aka BD Live), but that’s hardly a knock against it. Features for BD Live have been lame so far and not worth the premium price the inclusion usually brings.
Memorex is also touting the MVDB-2510’s good looks, pointing out the player’s “elegant details” like brushed metal chroming and a white LED display.
What else has it got? Check the list below:
DVD upscaling
7.1 HDMI digital audio output
5.1 analog audio output
Dolby TrueHD audio
Dolby Digital Plus audio
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio decoding and bit stream output
Master Audio bit stream output
Feature-wise, the Memorex MVDB-2510 stands toe-to-toe with more expensive players. We’ll track the reviews when it’s released in November to see if the hardware inside matches our excitement. With the November release date, it’d also be nice if a Black Friday 2008 deal could knock down the price even more.
If you’re waiting for a Blu-ray player to drop below $200, the Insignia NS-BRDVD is currently the closest to the mark at $230 at Best Buy. This is the base price without coupons or rebates.
The Insignia BS-BRDVD outputs a 1080p signal and is a profile 1.1 player (no BD Live). It also upconverts DVDs.
According to CNET, if your television accepts 1080p/24fps signals, the Insignia will deliver a decent 1080p picture. However, if your HDTV is relegated to 1080p/60fps, you may experience strange lines called moire that appear due to down conversion to 1080i and a reconversion back to 1080p/60fps. If your set has a decent deinterlacing chip, you can set the Insignia to output a 1080i signal and let your HDTV handle the deinterlacing, which may solve the problem.
Load times are also slow. CNET noted it took 49 seconds to load Mission Impossible: III starting with the player at off. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest took 2 minutes and 16 seconds. CNET also noted that other “better” Blu-ray players also have slow load times, just a little quicker than the Insignia (with the PS3 having the fastest load times).
Still, you can’t argue much with the price if you are currently looking for a cheap Blu-ray player that outputs 1080p. Check out CNET’s video review below:
