The Sony BDP-S300/301 Review Thread

[bimbamboom]

Firmware 3.30 now available.

Improvements over firmware version 3.20:

Improves BD-Java compatibility to enhance interactivity with some BD-ROMs.
Additional improvements over original firmware:

Compatibility with the newly released BD-R/RE format (BDMV).
Improves BD-Java compatibility to enhance interactivity with some BD-ROMs.

[whsbuss]

Anyone try it yet? I just upgraded to 3.2 last week.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by whsbuss

Anyone try it yet? I just upgraded to 3.2 last week.

I did. POTC 1 loads in 1:58, which adds about 3 seconds to the load time. But POTC 2 loads in 1:09 which cuts about another 20 seconds off.

Just some minor improvements in menus and such. It should help some of the BD-J games. I think we will just be seeing Java tweaks and copy protection encryption updates from this time forward.

Unless we get some kind of streamlined update, I think most of the speed updates could be minimal from now on.

[Go Blu]

Ok any help here would be appreciated.

I just hooked up an S301 today.
I downloaded 3.20 update to my computer.

1.Does this file need to be unpacked first before it is burned on a CD?
2.Does do an auto update after it recognizes the CD?

[martigen]

I bought my BDP-S300 this afternoon at a local electronics chain store in Miami called Brandsmart USA, it is on sale throughout the weekend for $298.00 in case anyone wants one and lives in a city with a Brandsmart. I havent opened it yet since im redoing my home theater system.

And by the way, this is my first post hehe.

[monkyman]

Originally Posted by Go Blu

Ok any help here would be appreciated.

I just hooked up an S301 today.
I downloaded 3.20 update to my computer.

1.Does this file need to be unpacked first before it is burned on a CD?
2.Does do an auto update after it recognizes the CD?

Yes, you need to unzip the files, then burn them as an "image". I never tryed in onto a cd, I use a dvd-r. Make sure to finalize disc (probibly will anyway)

Also 3.3 is out as of 11/20

Yes it will automatically update once you put the disc in, just leave it alone untill you see "DL OK" on the panel.

This should help:

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...d=3200&os_id=7

You could also just have them send you the disc free it this seems to complicated.

[monkyman]

Originally Posted by martigen

I bought my BDP-S300 this afternoon at a local electronics chain store in Miami called Brandsmart USA, it is on sale throughout the weekend for $298.00 in case anyone wants one and lives in a city with a Brandsmart. I havent opened it yet since im redoing my home theater system.

And by the way, this is my first post hehe.

Congrats, I have had absolutly NO problems playing any discs with the S300, it is a great machine. (unless you count cracked discs from netflix).
Just keep the firmware updated and enjoy.

[martigen]

I have a question, if i connect the BDP-S300 to a receiver which decodes DTS-HD and Dolby True HD, even though the player doesnt, will it work?

I bought the Pioneer VSX-92TXH (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...tailsComponent

can someone tell me if this will work?

[BTBuck1]

had a couple of shutdowns on Cars since fw 3.3

seems when I am navigating around the menu's it just shuts down and reboots.

It's done it 3 times on this disc. I am guessing Sony will be fixing this in yet ANOTHER fw update soon.

If anyone else could try putting Cars in, and do alot of navigating around, using pop up menu's etc. See if yours shuts down and reboots too.

Thanks!

[davethomasowns]

Hello all! First of all, let me just say that I only have a 720p Panny 42" plasma, and a non-HDMI switching receiver. I have an HD-A2 which I flipping love, and a month or two ago I purchased a 60gb PS3 to go purple.

It's been kinda glitchy recently and since I have a PRP with Best Buy, I can exchange it for something. Here is the question.

I do not and will never play video games. I also do not like having a game console in my system. It is sort of loud and gets really hot in the space. I also wish for a tray instead of that automatic crap with the PS3. Should I exchange for another PS3? I know the 60gb are extinct but our store still has one, so I COULD get one. Or should I get the Sony BDP-S300. I like the whole $350 deal with 10 free blu-rays. This means I could even exchange for another 60 gig, or get $150 back and 10 Blu-Rays if I get the S300.

I like the look of the standalone, and I like the fact of having an IR remote, and a tray (haha... even if it is slow, I don't mind,) but I was reading some negatives about it.

Is it really not capable of using the new BR features? Is it something that firmware updates can fix or will it be extinct soon? Also, I read that it doesn't do the new audio tracks. I don't have HDMI capability on my receiver, in fact, I don't even know if it can do the whole TRUEHD or whatever. Here is the specs: http://yamaha.com/yec/products/prod...ml?CNTID=200504

With that receiver can I even take advantage of the tracks I would be "missing out on?"

Lastly... picture quality. Is the S300 just as good as the PS3? Better? Worse? I really can not decide what to do here and I was thinking about switching it soon.

Please give me some opinions soon! I appreciate it!!!

Thanks
Shane

[easycure299]

Hello everyone,

I just bought a Denon 3808ci receiver and I have a 7.1 speaker set up. My bdp-s300 is connected via an HDMI cable. So, should I be leaving the audio setting for my s300 to Auto, or PCM? If I set it to PCM, the receiver displays multi channel in, if I use Auto, my receiver displays Dolby Digital, DTS, etc. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Marc

[jkwest]

WaaHoo!!!

Just talked my mom into buying a BDP-300 on Friday. I own a PS3, and she saw how amazing my tv looked compared to hers.

I have a 50" Sony hooked up via HDMI compared to her old setup on her 65" Mitsu via RCA to regular DVD.

Wow!! Does her tv look good now!! Amazing that some people think they can buy a big HDTV and they are done.

Blu-ray, FTW!!

[tron3]

Originally Posted by easycure299

Hello everyone,

I just bought a Denon 3808ci receiver and I have a 7.1 speaker set up. My bdp-s300 is connected via an HDMI cable. So, should I be leaving the audio setting for my s300 to Auto, or PCM? If I set it to PCM, the receiver displays multi channel in, if I use Auto, my receiver displays Dolby Digital, DTS, etc. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Marc

I am no expert, but I hear that PCM is best. Then again, if it is not on auto, you might run into problems with movies which have no PCM on them. Putz with it, see what happens.

Anyone?

[Go Blu]

Movies seem to load a little faster after the 3.30 update.
I got mine at BJ's for $279

[GregBlu5]

Is the 3.3 firmware update for the S300 also or only the S301?

-Greg

[tron3]

Originally Posted by GregBlu5

Is the 3.3 firmware update for the S300 also or only the S301?

-Greg

s301 as well.
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=BDPS301&LOC=3

Be sure to specify your PC operating sytem before d/l'ing.

[Donnie Eldridge]

Originally Posted by GregBlu5

Is the 3.3 firmware update for the S300 also or only the S301?

-Greg

They are the same model. One comes with an HDMI cable and the other without.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by Donnie Eldridge

They are the same model. One comes with an HDMI cable and the other without.

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.

[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.

[GregBlu5]

Originally Posted by tron3

s301 as well.
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=BDPS301&LOC=3

Be sure to specify your PC operating sytem before d/l'ing.

Thanks! I will probably instead request the DVD be sent to me. I did that the last time and all went well.

Again, I really appreciate this forum and these posts; otherwise, I'd never have been aware that there's another firmware update.

-Greg