The Sony BDP-S300/301 Review Thread

[SamInNorthCakalakey]

I only have the S300 so I don't know but do the PS3 or any of the other players have the resume function?

Originally Posted by Julman

I spoke to a Sony rep regarding the BDP-S300 firmwire updates and he told me that they are working on the "resume play" feature for future updates. It amazes me that this hi-end technology can't resume play like a DVD player or VHS. Unreal.

The Sony rep also told me that they are working on support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD support for future BDP-S300 firmwire updates. That would be really nice.

The BDP-S300 is a great Blu-ray player but in time it will be a little powerhouse.

[Julman]

Originally Posted by SamInNorthCakalakey

I only have the S300 so I don't know but do the PS3 or any of the other players have the resume function?

No Blu-ray player has a true resume play function. Meaning if you turn off the player it will start from the beginning of the disc and not the point you left off. This is due to the java feature in Blu-ray. Hopefully they will fix this soon.

Also, regarding someones comment on the board earlier. When you download the firmwire you can burn it to a CD-R as well as a DVD-R. I burn the firmwire to CD-R all the time and it works fine. The firmwire is a small enough file to fit on a CD-R.

[easycure299]

Originally Posted by Julman

I spoke to a Sony rep regarding the BDP-S300 firmwire updates and he told me that they are working on the "resume play" feature for future updates. It amazes me that this hi-end technology can't resume play like a DVD player or VHS. Unreal.

The Sony rep also told me that they are working on support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD support for future BDP-S300 firmwire updates. That would be really nice.

The BDP-S300 is a great Blu-ray player but in time it will be a little powerhouse.

It amazes me that this hi-end technology doesn't have Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD support yet. I much rather have this than the resume play feature if I had to choose one for them to work on first. Crosses my fingers on the auido support...

[Dotpattern]

[QUOTE=Julman;374531]No Blu-ray player has a true resume play function. Meaning if you turn off the player it will start from the beginning of the disc and not the point you left off. This is due to the java feature in Blu-ray. Hopefully they will fix this soon.

Not true, actually. I have the Panasonic DMP BD10A and it resumes play even after you've powered it off.

[quetzalcoatl]

Originally Posted by Dotpattern

Not true, actually. I have the Panasonic DMP BD10A and it resumes play even after you've powered it off.

On a Java title?

[Donnie Eldridge]

Originally Posted by quetzalcoatl

On a Java title?

No.

[Donnie Eldridge]

Originally Posted by tron3

S300 does 5.1 sound. The s301 does 7.1. It could make a slight difference in the firmware, but a difference which should not be ignored. Don't chance it.

Are you sure about that? I used ISOBuster on both firmware images and they appear identical other than the file name.

[Dotpattern]

Originally Posted by quetzalcoatl

On a Java title?

Sorry, I didn't notice you had mentioned Java specifically. The answer is no, however the only title I have right now that utilizes BD-Java is Ratatouille, but that title allows you to bookmark scenes, so if I had to shut it off for any reason I believe I could use this bookmarking feature.

[quetzalcoatl]

I was not the one asking the question and I did know the answer. Just did not want them to get their hopes up that a player could do it.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by Julman

...
Also, regarding someones comment on the board earlier. When you download the firmwire you can burn it to a CD-R as well as a DVD-R. I burn the firmwire to CD-R all the time and it works fine. The firmwire is a small enough file to fit on a CD-R.

So you burned your s300 firmware to CD and it loaded? If so, how long did it take? I've done 3 updates so far and each takes under 9 minutes to complete. Does CD take longer? In theory it would because CD doesn't have the transfer rates of DVD.

[N2DVD]

I loaded the 3.3 update last night, and it took about 25 minutes.

[Go Blu]

It took me about 20 minutes after the first 2 tries.

It seems to load movies a tad bit faster now.
before I did the update I have to wait 17 load cycles before it showed anything for Day after Tomorrow.

[Stratocaster]

Well, since I can't start a new thread (newbie) I will ask it here.

I am looking for the differances between a PS3 or BDP-S300. I would be a movie watcher, but I do have a kid in the house that is a gamer. So I could use the PS3. But I am looking for the technical differances. Can any one explain why I would get over the other?

Thanks

[tron3]

Originally Posted by Stratocaster

Well, since I can't start a new thread (newbie) I will ask it here.

I am looking for the differances between a PS3 or BDP-S300. I would be a movie watcher, but I do have a kid in the house that is a gamer. So I could use the PS3. But I am looking for the technical differances. Can any one explain why I would get over the other?

Thanks

The PS3 is simply the sane choice for you, with the kid and all. The PS3 also loads any movie in seconds compared to the S300, which may not ever be a speed demon, even with new firmware.

I believe you can purchase a remote control to make movie watching on the PS3 easier.

[Go Blu]

Originally Posted by Stratocaster

Well, since I can't start a new thread (newbie) I will ask it here.

I am looking for the differances between a PS3 or BDP-S300. I would be a movie watcher, but I do have a kid in the house that is a gamer. So I could use the PS3. But I am looking for the technical differances. Can any one explain why I would get over the other?

Thanks

I have both the PS3 and the S301.
The PS3 for sure loads movies very fast.
and the built in WiFi make firmware updates a breeze.

On the other hand I do like having a stand alone to give my PS3 a break.
It runs cool and quiet. It's a solid unit and doesn't feel as fragile.

If you consider/compare the price then you def get a bigger bang for the buck with the PS3.
Technical advantages:

The processor and on board memory make load times very fast.
The built in WiFi makes keeping it up to date simple.
You can play games on it
Surf the internet
Built in Blu-tooth
Download and play your music on it
Photo Slide shows

[Stratocaster]

Originally Posted by tron3

The PS3 is simply the sane choice for you, with the kid and all. The PS3 also loads any movie in seconds compared to the S300, which may not ever be a speed demon, even with new firmware.

I believe you can purchase a remote control to make movie watching on the PS3 easier.

Well, they way I understand it, correct me if I am wrong, the PS3's remote is BlueTooth and not IR. So using a single smart remote is a non starter.

So the load speed is better with the PS3, but the remote is incompatible with standard universal remotes. What about PQ and other technical features?

[xwingsct]

Originally Posted by Go Blu

I have both the PS3 and the S301.
The PS3 for sure loads movies very fast.
and the built in WiFi make firmware updates a breeze.

On the other hand I do like having a stand alone to give my PS3 a break.
It runs cool and quiet. It's a solid unit and doesn't feel as fragile.

If you consider/compare the price then you def get a bigger bang for the buck with the PS3.
Technical advantages:

The processor and on board memory make load times very fast.
The built in WiFi makes keeping it up to date simple.
You can play games on it
Surf the internet
Built in Blu-tooth
Download and play your music on it
Photo Slide shows

I have the same thing that you have.
PS3 and 301
I originally bought PD3 because my brother and newphew love to play games.
I would bring it to my place every weekend for movies (Since I'm not really into gaming, so Ps3 is pretty much a player for me) it's becoming a hasle to plug and unplugging it so I just left my PS3 there and picked up 301 at Bjs for $279
I think PS3 is an excellent BD player. Load much faster and always connected to the internet. I love the remote control, Since it's bluetooth you don't really have to hold and point it to the PS3. Picture and sound quality is the same as a standalone player if you hook it up properly. I hook mine up via HDMI and use Toslink optical output for the audio part.
Sometimes it makes me wonder if PS3 owner use theirs on HDTV set. Since Sony include analog Audio/Video cable with it. If you play BD movie on those old analog TV set it would be the same as playing regular DVD.

In my opinion. PS3 is the best BD player. if you hook it up properly, if you're into gaming it's a big plus.

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by Stratocaster

Well, they way I understand it, correct me if I am wrong, the PS3's remote is BlueTooth and not IR. So using a single smart remote is a non starter.

So the load speed is better with the PS3, but the remote is incompatible with standard universal remotes. What about PQ and other technical features?

Nyko makes an IR remote for the ps3, it has a USB Infra red thingee and you can then teach the Nyko remote to any learning remote. The only thing you can't do from the IR remote is power the system on/off.

Originally Posted by xwingsct

If you play BD movie on those old analog TV set it would be the same as playing regular DVD.

I don't know about with the included composite cables, but with the component cables it is a big improvement, even on a standard def tv. (two freinds have it set up this way) You gain more than resolution from blu-ray. Most titles don't have the horrible edge enhancement, macroblocking or other mesquito noise artifacting. Color and contrast are alos improved. So even if you're TV isn't 1080p you will still see an apprecciable difference. Then there is the sound

[xwingsct]

Originally Posted by BTBuck1

Nyko makes an IR remote for the ps3, it has a USB Infra red thingee and you can then teach the Nyko remote to any learning remote. The only thing you can't do from the IR remote is power the system on/off.





I don't know about with the included composite cables, but with the component cables it is a big improvement, even on a standard def tv. (two freinds have it set up this way) You gain more than resolution from blu-ray. Most titles don't have the horrible edge enhancement, macroblocking or other mesquito noise artifacting. Color and contrast are alos improved. So even if you're TV isn't 1080p you will still see an apprecciable difference. Then there is the sound

My roomate's TV has the component input also but most analog TV can only handle up to 450 something line of resolution right? Hi-def is double that number. correct me if I'm wrong.
I hooked up the HD digital tuner to his awhile ago Via Component and I don't really a big improvement in picture quality with Hi-def channel playing.
Yes, picture will definitely look better but are most game in PS3 is in 16:9?

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by xwingsct

My roomate's TV has the component input also but most analog TV can only handle up to 450 something line of resolution right? Hi-def is double that number. correct me if I'm wrong.

Yes wrong, it's 480 and HD 1080p is nearly 6x that

I hooked up the HD digital tuner to his awhile ago Via Component and I don't really a big improvement in picture quality with Hi-def channel playing.

re-read the post I made, i speak to benefits regarding compression (or lack there of on BD) color and contrast, not detail.

Yes, picture will definitely look better but are most game in PS3 is in 16:9?

yes and they will appear with black bars top and bottom on a 4:3 tv.