Which player, the Sony BDP-S350 or BDP-S550?

[Audio5oh]

Here is an article that desribes the features on both models. "The models offer 7.1 channel Dolby® TrueHD and Dolby® Digital Plus decoding and bit-stream output, as well as dts®-HD High Resolution Audio and Master Audio bit-stream output. The BDP-S550 adds dts-HD High Resolution Audio and dts-HD Master Audio decoding as well as 7.1 channel analog audio output." So what's the difference?

[gavin995]

The 550 can actually decode the DTS-Master Audio tracks internally and pass them on via the 7.1 channel analog outs. The 350 will only be able to stream this surround codec via its HDMI port. You will need a newer A/V receiver that can decode the new surround formats (namely DTS-MA in this case) to hear it.

[johnnyd1]

Originally Posted by gavin995

The 550 can actually decode the DTS-Master Audio tracks internally and pass them on via the 7.1 channel analog outs. The 350 will only be able to stream this surround codec via its HDMI port. You will need a newer A/V receiver that can decode the new surround formats (namely DTS-MA in this case) to hear it.

I was planning on the new Panny 50 for the analog outs, but may wait for the Sony 550.

[MacDaddyOJack]

It depends on what kind of receiver you have. If your reciever can already decode TrueHD and DTS-MA, then you will only need the 350. If your receiver is older and cannot deocde the new audio codecs, then you will need a 7.1 (5.1 minimum) analog input and the Sony 550.

[JimPullan]

If you have a Receiver that has HDMI 1.3 inputs and DOES the Decoding in the Receiver, then the BDP-S350 is the best marriage. IF your Receiver has HDMI Inputs BUT DOES NOT Decode the Advanced Audio Codecs, then the BDP-S550 is the solution. If your Receiver DOES NOT have HDMI In, but DOES have Multi-Channel ANALOG in, then the BDP-S550 is again the best choice. [Jim]

[Xerious]

550 for me

[blurayisking]

Thanks for the clarification.

Definitely the BDP-S550 for me since I have a non-HDMI receiver.

[meckel]

Originally Posted by JimPullan

If you have a Receiver that has HDMI 1.3 inputs and DOES the Decoding in the Receiver, then the BDP-S350 is the best marriage. IF your Receiver has HDMI Inputs BUT DOES NOT Decode the Advanced Audio Codecs, then the BDP-S550 is the solution. If your Receiver DOES NOT have HDMI In, but DOES have Multi-Channel ANALOG in, then the BDP-S550 is again the best choice. [Jim]

this is why I'm waiting for the 550. Unless the panny 50 is priced at 499.99 (my guess is it will be 599.99)

[Elandyll]

If I understood correctly, the S350 will also be 1.1 at release (upgradeable to 2.0), with a SD card slot, while the 550 will be 2.0 compliant at release, with 1Gb of persistant storage.

[Blinkman987]

Obviously the 550! It's 200 units better than the 350!

Serious- it depends on what receiver you have, just as people have posted before me. I just couldn't resist the joke.

[Audio5oh]

That's what I figured but I wasn't sure. I plan on upgrading my reciever anyway to one that can decode TrueHD and DTS-MA. I'll be happy with the S350. How quickly are we able to upgrade the S350 to a profile 2.0?

[bluseminole]

I am really pumped up about the S550 (see signature!). However, I was wondering if there is any slight chance that it will support SACD?? I checked other Sony player specs, and was disappointed to see that so far no Sony BD players have supported SACD. Is there any reasonable hope for this feature on the S550? or on any future player?

I know my Panny DMP-BD10A supports DVD-Audio, a nice bonus.

And, the age-old question, when is the speculative release date? I know Fall 2008, but do you think it will be early (Sep/Oct) or later, toward the holidays?

[sarge1976]

does anybody know when these new sony models are going to hit stores? I have the sony bdp-s500 and i am sick of not being able to listen to the dts-hd ma tracks, I really don't want to wait until the holiday season, any suggestions besides the ps3 for a dts-hd ma bd player?

[nycomet]

Doesn't the use of analog instead of HDMI to pass the audio signal to the receiver defeat or degrade the otherwise pure digital audio?

[Audio5oh]

Does anyone know when the BDP-S350 will be in stores? Also, will this player support music CD's in MP3 format?

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by sarge1976

does anybody know when these new sony models are going to hit stores? I have the sony bdp-s500 and i am sick of not being able to listen to the dts-hd ma tracks, I really don't want to wait until the holiday season, any suggestions besides the ps3 for a dts-hd ma bd player?

350 in July. 550 in August. Subject to change, of course.

Originally Posted by nycomet

Doesn't the use of analog instead of HDMI to pass the audio signal to the receiver defeat or degrade the otherwise pure digital audio?

If (and its a BIG if) you have a high-end receiver that has a 'direct mode' function that can avoid redigitizing the analog inputs, then it shouldn't have much inpact. Lower end receivers, though, and any receiver if you apply any DSP to the signal, though, will run the analog input through an ADC, apply whatever nonsense the receiver feels like, and then run the audio through another DAC in order to amplify it. In that case, your audio would almost certainly suffer.

But 'pure digital audio' is sort of a myth. The audio has to be converted to analog at some point in order to amplify it and send it to the speakers. What you want, though, is to only do that once. Going through multiple conversions is never a good idea.

[Audio5oh]

But will either units play music CD's in MP3 format? I know this sound like it's the least of my worries, but the older BDP-S300 and S500 played MP3's recorded to DVD. I have a few CD MP3's lying around, this is why I'm asking.

[Woody]

I am anxious to see how well laid out the analog section is for the new 550 and the Pana 50.

If the bass management or speaker delay adjustment sucks, it will be a big disappointment.

[Woody]

Originally Posted by sarge1976

does anybody know when these new sony models are going to hit stores? I have the sony bdp-s500 and i am sick of not being able to listen to the dts-hd ma tracks, I really don't want to wait until the holiday season, any suggestions besides the ps3 for a dts-hd ma bd player?

Sammy 1400, 1500
Pana BD30
Denon 2800, 3800
Maganavox player

[Woody]

Originally Posted by Audio5oh

That's what I figured but I wasn't sure. I plan on upgrading my reciever anyway to one that can decode TrueHD and DTS-MA. I'll be happy with the S350. How quickly are we able to upgrade the S350 to a profile 2.0?

That is an unknown.