Sony BDP-BX1 = BDP-S350?

[mr.hidef]

Originally Posted by rwojtalewicz

I was in Sam' Club today and came across a new player on display, the Sony BDP-BX1 for $378.00.

So I was wondering if this another one of those alias names for the same product used by stores to circumvent price matching schemes.

It was displayed next to the S301 which is selling for $100 less than the BX1. There's no question in my mind that the BX1 is a cheaper build and looks like a toy next to the 2x bigger, heavier S301. I asked an associate if it was the S350, and she said she didn't think so. I still think it is though or very close to it.

The carton says it's BD Live 2.0 which I can careless about. It didn't say anything about requiring a FW update to get it either. Also it comes with a 1.5 meter HDMI cable, but didn't say which version. Other than that, spec for spec, it seems to be the same beast as the S350.

I was going to get the S350 in the near future. But now, the Panny DMP 30, even though it costs $50 more at Walmart, looks better built and more expensive than the BX1. The Samsung 1500 from user opinions seems to be about as buggy as its predecessor. Since the quality is going down on the new entry level players while the prices are still astronomically high, I am even considering keeping my S301 for awhile until the prices dip down to $200 especially before I would buy the cheap looking Sony-BX1.

Take a look at DVD players lately? (small and cheap looking) That is where blu-ray players are headed.....powerfull and compact. By the way, the 350 is 4lbs, and built very well ,and it's extremely fast and efficient.

[Yeha-Noha]

Originally Posted by mr.hidef

Take a look at DVD players lately? (small and cheap looking) That is where blu-ray players are headed.....powerfull and compact. By the way, the 350 is 4lbs, and built very well ,and it's extremely fast and efficient.

That's true. But I was just a little bit shocked by it though and was expecting more for the money. And if what you say is true, the prices are bound to come down then like they did for DVD players.

Well, like someone else suggested, when the BD 35s come out, the BD 30 should cost less than the S350. That's going to be my choice.

[Valore]

Hi All,
I just purchased a BDP-BX1. First time user. I had imagined it would operate somewhat similar to my PS3, until I realized there is no internal wireless card. Ergo, I am attempting to connect it wirelessly to my network so I can receive the latest java and firmware updates. Does anyone have any suggestions on which type (if there are different types) of wireless antenna I should get to plug into the back of my player? Your input it greatly appreciated.

[DrXym]

Originally Posted by Valore

Hi All,
I just purchased a BDP-BX1. First time user. I had imagined it would operate somewhat similar to my PS3, until I realized there is no internal wireless card. Ergo, I am attempting to connect it wirelessly to my network so I can receive the latest java and firmware updates. Does anyone have any suggestions on which type (if there are different types) of wireless antenna I should get to plug into the back of my player? Your input it greatly appreciated.

You will need to buy a wireless to ethernet bridge. They are sometimes also known as wireless gaming adapters. They cost from $60 upwards and consist of a box that does the wifi and an ethernet cable that plugs into your non-wifi device (e.g. an XBox 360). As far as the 360 is concerned, it's just hitting ethernet and all the packet transfer, crypto etc is automatically done in the adapter but it does need to be configured. Wifi is pretty complicated with multiple speeds (802.11b/g/n), protocols (clear/WEP/WPA/WPA2) and network configurations (DHCP / manual) to consider so you should probably check out the reviews and see if the device supports your home network, and how you go about configuring it.

Most will be configurable through a Windows app or web browser. Web browser would be best especially if you have a PS3 sitting there. You could fire up the PS3's browser to configure the device without leaving the room.

I have yet to see any BD-Live content that even justifies the effort. If you have a PS3 then you probably should access the content through that and ignore the features on the other player. I'm surprised that no standalone has appeared with wifi yet. It seems like an obvious feature for BD-Live and a great way to boost sales for the first player to implement it.

[Valore]

Thanks much for your advice. I will look into it.

[Entertainment72]

From my research the linksys one does not need to be configured (if I recall correctly) just plug and play. Google them, there are many out.

[DrXym]

Originally Posted by Entertainment72

From my research the linksys one does not need to be configured (if I recall correctly) just plug and play. Google them, there are many out.

They must have some way to be configured. For example my wifi network uses WPA personal key encryption. Unless there was a way to tell the adapter what the password was it would never get on the network.

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by Valore

Hi All,
I just purchased a BDP-BX1. First time user. I had imagined it would operate somewhat similar to my PS3, until I realized there is no internal wireless card. Ergo, I am attempting to connect it wirelessly to my network so I can receive the latest java and firmware updates. Does anyone have any suggestions on which type (if there are different types) of wireless antenna I should get to plug into the back of my player? Your input it greatly appreciated.

What you need is a wireless access point. Here is one of the cheapest ones, the Linksys WAP54G :

http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WAP54G.../dp/B00007KDVJ

It's pretty solid (as solid as "bleeding edge" technology can be) and you can get it for about $60-70 shipped.

[Valore]

Originally Posted by gvortex7

What you need is a wireless access point. Here is one of the cheapest ones, the Linksys WAP54G :

http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WAP54G.../dp/B00007KDVJ

It's pretty solid (as solid as "bleeding edge" technology can be) and you can get it for about $60-70 shipped.

I have a wireless access point. My modem acts as one. What I need is something to plug into the back of my player to that it will connect to the access point. You'd think for all the money you pay for these damn things they would at least feature an internal wireless card or something. From what most are saying, I need a wireless bridge.

[matthewrounds]

Originally Posted by Valore

Hi All,
I just purchased a BDP-BX1. First time user. I had imagined it would operate somewhat similar to my PS3, until I realized there is no internal wireless card. Ergo, I am attempting to connect it wirelessly to my network so I can receive the latest java and firmware updates. Does anyone have any suggestions on which type (if there are different types) of wireless antenna I should get to plug into the back of my player? Your input it greatly appreciated.

How about downloading the firmware to a CD? If you need help, respond to my post.

[Kage]

If the BDP-BX1 is the same as the BDP-S350, can someone please confirm if the BX1 has the internal Dolby TrueHD decoder?

[BluCheez]

Originally Posted by Kage

If the BDP-BX1 is the same as the BDP-S350, can someone please confirm if the BX1 has the internal Dolby TrueHD decoder?

Here is what I have noticed...

I have the S350. In my manual under Audio Output Signals it has a table that has a few differences from the corresponding table on the BX1 manual that I am viewing online.

The S350 has the following under DD TrueHD via HDMI and set to Auto: LPCM 7.1ch

The BX1 has the following under DD TrueHD via HDMI and set to Auto: LPCM 5.1ch (Dolby Digital)

For DTS-HD Master Audio, both manuls have: LPCM 5.1ch (DTS core). So, both players are not identical in the way they handle the audio. Whether this means that the BX1 does not decode DD TrueHD, I'm not sure.

[Valore]

Originally Posted by matthewrounds

How about downloading the firmware to a CD? If you need help, respond to my post.

will that work? and if so where would I go to dl the firmware? and if found could i burn the firmware to a regular recordable data disc? HAHA sorry for the questions but you bring up a great idea and a much cheaper alternative

[dmyck]

Yes the way you update the firmware, use this site or the Sony website and download the latest firmware. Burn it to a CD-R and put it in the player and it will update the firmware. I just got this model. I had a S301 and it went belly up so I brought it back to Sam's Club and of course they didn't have any S301's anymore so I spent a little more money and bought this one and I think the picture is a bit better. And to anyone else out there, they do not list this model on the Sony website. Who knows why, maybe they just make this model for Sam' and Costco.

[Richie Rich]

Not sure if this is of interest, but I bought a Sony BDP-BX1 at Sam's Club today for $277.00. I'm a bit confused because to get the best picture as I understand it, the unit must be connected to my TV using the included HDMI cable and my Mitsubishi HD-1080 TV does not include an HDMI connection, any ideas?

Thanks all,

Richard

[ryoohki]

Originally Posted by Richie Rich

Not sure if this is of interest, but I bought a Sony BDP-BX1 at Sam's Club today for $277.00. I'm a bit confused because to get the best picture as I understand it, the unit must be connected to my TV using the included HDMI cable and my Mitsubishi HD-1080 TV does not include an HDMI connection, any ideas?

Thanks all,

Richard

Yeah well they only say that because 1080p/24 will get you the best Picture but it's only available in HDMI, you would be in 1080i using the component i presume witch is also very good..

[fivestarplus]

Originally Posted by Richie Rich

Not sure if this is of interest, but I bought a Sony BDP-BX1 at Sam's Club today for $277.00. I'm a bit confused because to get the best picture as I understand it, the unit must be connected to my TV using the included HDMI cable and my Mitsubishi HD-1080 TV does not include an HDMI connection, any ideas?

Thanks all,

Richard

I recently bought the Sony BDP-BX1 and I also have a 65" Mitsubishi (HDTV ready) RPTV that is 10 years old. It does not have a HDMI interface. I only have 1 component input. Therefore, if you have more that one device that you want to connect via component hookup, you will need to get an audio/video receiver. I have my satellite receiver and the Sony BDP-BX1 connected to my A/V receiver via component hookups at 1080i resolution. When I want to watch a Blu-Ray movie, all I have to do is to switch the A/V receiver from DBS to DVD. The Blu-Ray movies on my TV @ 1080i resolution looks just as good as those TVs in the show rooms. If you need to buy an A/V receiver, I would suggest getting on that supports HDMI 1.3 and above. If you eventually replace your TV with a new one, then just connect your devices directly to the TV via HDMI cables, assuming you have enough HDMI inputs on your new TV. If not you could still connect your devices via HDMI through the A/V receiver. I have been told that connecting your devices directly via HDMI to your TV has a slightly better picture than going through an A/V receiver. I think it depends on your A/V receiver. I have a entry level Denon AVR-2807 and love it. When you setup the Sony BDP-BX1 for component hookup, you have to select an output resolution of 480i, 480p, 720p or 1080i.

[nvrpc]

What's the best Sony Bluray player on the market today? Or, for that matter is Sony the way to go? Should I be looking at Phillips?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by nvrpc

What's the best Sony Bluray player on the market today? Or, for that matter is Sony the way to go? Should I be looking at Phillips?

Most people will say either to go with Sony or Panasonic, I have the Panny and its great. Sony is a great player too.

[kewl1]

Originally Posted by Valore

Hi All,
I just purchased a BDP-BX1. First time user. I had imagined it would operate somewhat similar to my PS3, until I realized there is no internal wireless card. Ergo, I am attempting to connect it wirelessly to my network so I can receive the latest java and firmware updates. Does anyone have any suggestions on which type (if there are different types) of wireless antenna I should get to plug into the back of my player? Your input it greatly appreciated.

I just bought one also but I simply ran a wire from one of the ports on my wireless modem in the next room to the back of the BX1 and updated it in about a minute.