New Sony BD player, BDP-S300

[Bruce Morrison]

The one significant omission in this new player appears to be the lack of decoding for the lossless codecs DD TrueHD and DTS HDMA. Is Sony's promised high-end player coming out towards the end of 2007 expected to have this decoding capability? If so, I will probably wait for that one.

[Rob Tomlin]

This is good news all around!

They will keep getting cheaper....and better.

[bruce]

Originally Posted by Rob Tomlin

This is good news all around!

They will keep getting cheaper....and better.

Except it is not better, it is already obsolete since it does not do the advanced audio codecs which is just amazing since this is a second generation player, for every step forward BR makes ( better prices) they seem to take a step back( missing importent stuff).

The reason I am so pissed about this is I need a second player for my projector downstairs that is not a PS3 ( no HDMI on my Pre-Pro), I keep waiting for the right one but no luck.

[Blackraven]

Should be price at USD$499 instead.

Still the PS3 for my upcoming purchase so I'll be skipping this one.

[HDTV1080P]

Here is brief article about the new Sony from TV technology. Nothing really new, just old information.

http://www.tvtechnology.com/pages/s.0114/t.2308.html

[Rob Tomlin]

Originally Posted by bruce

Except it is not better, it is already obsolete since it does not do the advanced audio codecs which is just amazing since this is a second generation player, for every step forward BR makes ( better prices) they seem to take a step back( missing importent stuff).

The reason I am so pissed about this is I need a second player for my projector downstairs that is not a PS3 ( no HDMI on my Pre-Pro), I keep waiting for the right one but no luck.

The lack of decoding of the advanced audio codecs in early gen units has been a big NEGATIVE issue for me from the beginning. You are right!

[Zinn]

Does this player have BD-J 1.1?

Originally Posted by bruce

Except it is not better, it is already obsolete since it does not do the advanced audio codecs which is just amazing since this is a second generation player, for every step forward BR makes ( better prices) they seem to take a step back( missing importent stuff).

The reason I am so pissed about this is I need a second player for my projector downstairs that is not a PS3 ( no HDMI on my Pre-Pro), I keep waiting for the right one but no luck.

Well it has HDMI 1.3 so it's not obsolete, so you could have it set for bit-stream and let your future avr do the decoding.

I do understand your point though. By the way the abbreviation of Blu-ray Disc is BD not BR, just a heads up.

I must say that this player has the features the I was hoping for in a "budget" player and I think that this will be the standard for even cheaper players in the future, but on those all analog outputs will be gone. And all will have BD-j 1.1.

[HDTV1080P]

Hopefully Sony will have a high-end BLU-RAY model this year for $1000-$1500 that does the advanced audio decoding. Long term I think only a few BLU-RAY players will have the advanced audio feature. It is better to have the receiver decode the advanced audio which would keep the price of the BLU-RAY players down in cost. Some people have not even setup a surround system yet in their home. Also I like the receiver decoding the advanced audio to keep everything digital to the receiver and also future products on the market several years in the future like Verizon FIOS might offer DTS-HD with 1080P. They have the bandwidth for it.

[Dave]

I hope they release this soon. We need those extra feutures!
Whith them hd dvd is smacked to the ground!

[cawgijoe]

I'm looking at either buying a PS3 or possibly the new Sony BDP-S300 when it comes out. If they are both priced at $599, I will most likely get the PS3 even though I'm not much of a gamer.

I have a feeling however that the BDP-S300 will "street" price for less than the $599 and that will make things very interesting.

In anticipation, I've now purchased three BD discs from some of the sales. Trying to be patient and hold off on HW, but it's not easy!

[Zvi]

So, how does this player compare to G2 Sammy?

[Bruce Morrison]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Hopefully Sony will have a high-end BLU-RAY model this year for $1000-$1500 that does the advanced audio decoding. Long term I think only a few BLU-RAY players will have the advanced audio feature. It is better to have the receiver decode the advanced audio which would keep the price of the BLU-RAY players down in cost. Some people have not even setup a surround system yet in their home. Also I like the receiver decoding the advanced audio to keep everything digital to the receiver and also future products on the market several years in the future like Verizon FIOS might offer DTS-HD with 1080P. They have the bandwidth for it.

But if a BD has Advanced Content, then the decoding of any lossless audio tracks will have to be done in the player - it will not be possible to output a native lossless audio stream to be decoded externally. The decoded bitstream can still be passed digitally over HDMI to the receiver.

Advanced Content is expected to be implemented in BDs later this year - the only reason for the delay has been that the necessary AC authoring tools for Blu-ray have not been immediately available to the studios and the authoring houses.

[The Big Blue]

Looks nice, they kept the blue glasss.

hi res pic

press release

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by Bruce Morrison

But if a BD has Advanced Content, then the decoding of any lossless audio tracks will have to be done in the player - it will not be possible to output a native lossless audio stream to be decoded externally. The decoded bitstream can still be passed digitally over HDMI to the receiver.

Advanced Content is expected to be implemented in BDs later this year - the only reason for the delay has been that the necessary AC authoring tools for Blu-ray have not been immediately available to the studios and the authoring houses.

For advanced audio like DTS Master Audio you can use a BLU-RAY HDMI 1.3 output with a Audio Receiver that has HDMI 1.3 with DTS-HD Master audio decoding capabilities. New receivers should be on the market by summer or late 2007 that decode all the advanced audio formats on BLU-RAY.

Click here for more information.
http://www.dts.com/dts-hd/dtshd-master-audio-with-new-receiver.php

quote
"The DTS-HD bit stream will pass through the player and HDMI cable to be decoded by the AV receiver. Both player and AV receiver will need to be equipped with new HDMI Version 1.3* outputs and inputs. This way you can enjoy DTS-HD Master Audio at up to 7.1 channels at 96 k/24 bit sound that is bit-for-bit identical to the studio master."

[Bruce Morrison]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

For advanced audio like DTS Master Audio you can use a BLU-RAY HDMI 1.3 output with a Audio Receiver that has HDMI 1.3 with DTS-HD Master audio decoding capabilities. New receivers should be on the market by summer or late 2007 that decode all the advanced audio formats on BLU-RAY.

But this will NOT be possible for Blu-ray discs authored with Advanced Content. The decoding will have to be done in the player, as it needs to mix other audio tracks in.

That's why I'll be holding out for a Blu-ray player with full on-board decoding for lossless audio.

HDMI 1.3 is being marketed (even by DTS it would appear) as a necessary standard for carrying lossless audio streams to the receiver for decoding, but this is only a half-truth at best. For Advanced Content discs, this ability will be irrelevant. The decoded bitstreams can already be carried by HDMI 1.1 and above.

[Jodi]

Originally Posted by Bruce Morrison

But this will NOT be possible for Blu-ray discs authored with Advanced Content. The decoding will have to be done in the player, as it needs to mix other audio tracks in.

That's why I'll be holding out for a Blu-ray player with full on-board decoding for lossless audio.

HDMI 1.3 is being marketed (even by DTS it would appear) as a necessary standard for carrying lossless audio streams to the receiver for decoding, but this is only a half-truth at best. For Advanced Content discs, this ability will be irrelevant. The decoded bitstreams can already be carried by HDMI 1.1 and above.

Bruce, does the Sony BDP-S1 and/or the forthcoming Sony BDP-S300 have full on-board decoding for lossless audio (particularly DTS-HD MA)?

Jodi

[Zinn]

Originally Posted by Jodi

Bruce, does the Sony BDP-S1 and/or the forthcoming Sony BDP-S300 have full on-board decoding for lossless audio (particularly DTS-HD MA)?

Jodi

No, none of them.

[Rob Tomlin]

Originally Posted by Bruce Morrison

But this will NOT be possible for Blu-ray discs authored with Advanced Content. The decoding will have to be done in the player, as it needs to mix other audio tracks in.

That's why I'll be holding out for a Blu-ray player with full on-board decoding for lossless audio.

HDMI 1.3 is being marketed (even by DTS it would appear) as a necessary standard for carrying lossless audio streams to the receiver for decoding, but this is only a half-truth at best. For Advanced Content discs, this ability will be irrelevant. The decoded bitstreams can already be carried by HDMI 1.1 and above.

This is exactly the way I understand it as well.

[Ralph P.]

Originally Posted by Rob Tomlin

This is exactly the way I understand it as well.

Greetings,

As do I....

[Rob Tomlin]

Originally Posted by Ralph P.

Greetings,

As do I....

Hi Ralph, welcome to the forum!