Which one...Sony 350 or 550

[LostinHD]

I have been pondering this decision since August and I have still not made a purchase. I plan to go out this Sunday and buy the blu-ray!

I have a Pioneer Elite 92TXH, which should I buy the Sony 350 or 550? My understanding is that my 92TXH will do the decoding, so do I need the 550?

Please explain.....because I am not well versed in this at all.

Thanks for your help.....

[crackinhedz]

the 350 will do pretty much all you need.

[Pfdjr1]

With future updates in the..............ahh...........future, always go with the latest and greatest the 550.

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by Pfdjr1

With future updates in the..............ahh...........future, always go with the latest and greatest the 550.

Why????

The only thing the S550 has over the S350 is onboard decoding of DTS-HDMA and 7.1 HD audio over analog. He needs neither.

They are both from the same Sony line, so both are late and great.

[callas01]

350... everything you need as said before

[bryce.thompson]

That AND it comes loaded with Live 2.0. No need to update.

[ixlegitballinxl]

more options with the 550, even if u dont need it for your current setup, you may need for the next. Either option, you'll be happy

[jw]

S350, great price
Its 221.86 on Amazon now or
K-mart will have it for 179.99 on Thanksgiving and Sears on Black Friday for 179.99 or go to the Wal-Mart on Thanksgiving and ad match the K-Mart price and avoid that mayhem

Features:

• True 1080p Output (Learn more)
• Dolby TrueHD compatible (Learn more)
• Ethernet connection for BD-Live Compatibility and firmware updates (Learn more)
• USB Port Allows More Storage for Access to More Special Features, Like Bonus View (Learn More)
• Higher Bit Rates mean less video compression (Learn more)
• Emmy-Award Winning Xross Media Bar Interface (Learn More)
• Bravia Sync for Easy Connectivity (Learn More)

S550, ok price
Its 326.15 on amazon now and no sales prices in its future yet.

Features:
Key Features

• Slim chassis
• True 1080p Output (Learn more)
• 7.1 Channel Dolby Sound , Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD (Master Audio and High Resolution Audio) (Learn more)
• 1 Gb of onboard memory and a USB Port Allows More Storage for Access to More Special Features, Like Bonus View(Learn More)
• Ethernet connection for BD-Live Compatibility and firmware updates (Learn more)
• Higher Bit Rates mean less video compression (Learn more)
• Emmy-Award Winning Xross Media Bar Interface (Learn More)
• Bravia Sync for Easy Connectivity (Learn More)

I highlighted features that s350 didnt have

[Kirsty_Mc]

Hiya,

I have an S550 (Region B) and it is a very nice machine indeed. PQ is excellent, it loads fast. I really recommend this player. For those who don't need the added audio specs, I would still go for the 550, as it will provide an element of future proofing should you need (want!!!) them in the future

[LostinHD]

Okay, so the only differences are that the 550 has onboard decoding of DTS-HDMA (Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD) and 7.1 Channel Dolby Sound. But, doesnt my Pioneer Elite 92TXH have those functions?

And thanks for the replies.

[Zman2k2]

Yes, you are correct in the functions of the S550. You don't really need that though, because you can bitstream all the HD audio to your receiver for decoding already. The S350 will do all that you need.

People are recommending the S550 for the extra that it does over the S350, like the decoding of the HD audio and the ability to send out HD audio over the 7.1 analog outputs. Not really necessary for you.

Go with the S350, and you should be pleased.

[Yeha-Noha]

I agree with you and crackinhedz, he should get the S350. It has everything he needs. Why pay $100 more for the S550?

BTW, the OP asked does his Pioneer Elite 92TXH have DD TrueHD, DTS-HD MA decoding, and 7.1 DD surround? Yes, indeed it does and also PCM 7.1 and DTS-HD MA 7.1. That's a fine receiver too.

[LostinHD]

Today is the big day, I'm going to go buy the blu-ray. I have one last question so please bear with me, the 350 does not have the 1Gb of onboard memory, what is the on board memory used for? And do I need it?

I know the 350 has a USB port, the only problem is that it is in the back of the machine....once I put my player in it's cabinet there is no way that I will be able to fit a flash drive in the back.

Thanks again for all the valuable help. I am leaning towards the 350.

[Zman2k2]

The memory is used for BD-Live features. What I would do is go to the store, and buy a 1G thumb-drive when you buy the player. Just examine the display model, and find a thumb-drive that will fit in the slot, as it is in a rather deep port on the back. Or find a USB extention cord in the computer section. Then you could route the thumb-drive to the front and change it out whenever you wanted.

[Sunnyboy]

Ladies and gentlemen: has anyone compared the PQ of 350 and 550? On my Sony KDL-32XBR6, 350's PQ is better than that of 550, does anyone have similar experience? Kind of strange to me

[JasonR]

Sounds fishy, they both use the same chipset.

[Sunnyboy]

Originally Posted by JasonR

Sounds fishy, they both use the same chipset.

Hi Jason: I felt exactly the way as you did! I did the comparison as following:

(i) calibrate my Sony KDL-32XBR6 TV using Panasonic DMP-BP55K
(ii) warming up TV, Sony BDP-S350, S550 all for 30 minutes
(iii) all cables are Oppo 6 ft HDMI directly from S350 to 550
(iv) watch "The Rock" chapter 26: I can see more details on Sean Connery on S350.

As you mentioned, this situation should not happen! Do you know if I can use DVD lens cleaner for BD laser head cleaning? At the same time, I will open S350 and S550 , put all wires, etc at the same location, then compare them again...

[Samsang]

Originally Posted by Kirsty_Mc

Hiya,

I have an S550 (Region B) and it is a very nice machine indeed. PQ is excellent, it loads fast...

I am also considering a choice between Sony's 350 and 550 (and Samsung's 1500 and 2500). No, I don't see a pressing need for Dolby 7.1, Tru HD, BD-Live, etc. Maybe in the future, but certainly no now.

So why consider the upmarket models? I am assuming that the load times will be quicker than on the entry level models. I'm not certain that this is true between these particular models, but it appears to be a trend that each successive generation improves load times over its predecessor. Life is short, and I spend enough time waiting on machines already.

Can anyone specifically confirm or deny this for these four machines?

[steve1971]

The Sony BDP-S350. Its all you will need in an excellent Blu Ray player.

[mmunro2003]

i agree the bdps 350 is an amazing player