Are Blu-Ray players future proof?

[Dwight Schrute]

Is there anything I need to look out for? I know it needs to be 2.0 Profile, but is there anything else so that x years down the line, I can still play all my Blus without problems? For example, is the Sony BDPs370 future proof?

Thank you

[squijee]

for now yes lol.. and i would go with the Sony BDP-S570, its 3d and wireless and very fast. plus its only $138 on amazon right now

[XRA]

I've got the BDP-S470 myself, think the only difference is that it's not wireless. Love it BTW.

[ZoetMB]

I agree that the Sony 570 is an incredible buy for the money. It does permit you to download software updates if you have it connected to the internet (either by cable or wirelessly), so it's somewhat future proof, but there's never any guarantees.

Sony especially is known as a company that starts formats, then gives them up. Betamax, Minidisc, SDDS Theatrical sound and SACD (at least in the U.S.) are just a few examples (although this player does support SACD audio).

But you know, for $138 (for the Sony 570), if you had to buy another player in 3-5 years, so what? Chances are the drive motor or the tray mechanism would die before the player becomes obsolete anyway.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by squijee

for now yes lol.. and i would go with the Sony BDP-S570, its 3d and wireless and very fast. plus its only $138 on amazon right now

I am in love with that player. Automatically tells you when a new firmware is available (internet connected), wireless built in, and 3D for possible future / current upgrade. It is fast, has Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, Amazon, ect.

[K_Williamson42]

I bought My Sony BDP-S570 back in June and it was a great upgrade from my S300. I upgraded for these reasons: Wireless N capable, Internet Apps, 3D, and SPEED! Its blazing fast! Highly recommend blu-ray player! If you arent going the route of a PS3, get the S570

[Mahatma]

I have the sony BDP 500 profile 1.0,and the only thing I would miss is the fancy dancy interactive menus.It'll play the movies which is the main thing for me.Oh,and nothing is future proof

[The Doc]

Originally Posted by Dwight Schrute

Is there anything I need to look out for? I know it needs to be 2.0 Profile, but is there anything else so that x years down the line, I can still play all my Blus without problems? For example, is the Sony BDPs370 future proof?

Thank you

Assuming that Sony continues to provide firmware updates for the BDP-370 and you don't need or want 3D, then it is as future-proof as any player out there.

Firmware updates are a big deal in Blu-Ray, since newer discs most likely won't play in older players without a firmware update. Some companies have better reputations for providing firmware updates. Sony is pretty good about providing firmware updates as needed. Other companies that also provide updates on a regular basis would have to include Panasonic and Oppo.

[wallendo]

I believe that blu-ray is now a mature technology. Firmware updates may be necessary from time to time due to changes in copy protection mechanisms. I am not aware of any "new big thing" in the pipeline for blu-ray.

Nothing is really "future proof". Even the PS3 has to make compromises to play 3D content.

A modern player though, should last as long as the BD format is popular, unless it mechanically wears out.

Sony is a good brand, they quickly update their firmware when an incompatible disk is released. Some manufacturers are very slow to update firmware.

[Anthony P]

Nothing is ever future proof. Anyone that tells you something is future proof you can be assured the are feeding you BS. On the other hand you can only live in the now, and for now if you want the most future proofing then you might want to get one with 3D, that is as future proof as you can get right now. But no one knows what the future will hold, and BD might add more features and the player you pick might not be able to handle them, but even if that happens you will still be able to watch the movies that are out now and probably the movies that will come out then (minus those extra features) at least until a new format comes out.