Got a Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray player and it is awesome!

[STV]

Got it yesterday and I have to say it knocked my socks off! First off the player is slim, quiet and very good looking (kinda sounds like I'm describing a woman LOL! Well I'm happy to say that this player is more than just another pretty face. The features, user friendliness, and most importantly the picture quality and sound are amazing.

The boot up and disc load times are way improved over the company's first generation model (BDP-S1). On mine, boot up time from power on to when the player is ready takes 40 seconds. Disc load time from tray closed to when the first screen logos appear takes 20 seconds.

The PQ on the Blu-ray titles I sampled (Casino Royale, Deja' Vu, The Wild, Apocalypto), were stunning. The PQ on these Blu-ray titles are every bit as amazing as what I've seen from the best HD DVD's.

I'm loving this new player. Now I can watch the best that both HD DVD and Blu-ray have to offer.


Seth

 

[JonFo]

Cool, and congratulations.

How do you manage the audio path from your player to the rest of your rig?

 

[STV]

Thanks! I'm using a coax digital connection. At some point in the not too distant future I'd like to upgrade to a different pre-pro and take advantage of audio through HDMI. But even though coax, the sound quality is great!


Seth

 

[STDCMR19]

Question....

I don\'t have the BDP-S300 in my store yet and I am trying to find out if the unit has analog 5.1 outputs. The website says no but the manual says yes and the Sony \"technical support\" people are ignorant. Please Help!

Thanks,
Chris

 

[STV]

The BDP-S300 does indeed have analog 5.1 outs. This unit is pretty loaded for its $499 selling price.

 

[tonyc]

STV, does it decode True HD and DD plus and send them out over the analog outputs like my RCA HD DVD player?

 

[STV]

STV, does it decode True HD and DD plus and send them out over the analog outputs like my RCA HD DVD player?

As far as I know it does. I personally haven't tried it yet, but others I have talked to who own the S300 said it does.

Seth

 

[Pcar928fan]

STV, does it decode True HD and DD plus and send them out over the analog outputs like my RCA HD DVD player?

I thought they could only do True HD and HD/DD (or whatever they call it) over the HDMI cable. I am sure I will get raked over the coals for saying that and told that I should shut up if I don't fully understand the HDMI standards, so I am sorry I am not an EE fully informed on HDMI standards...

 

[STV]

I thought they could only do True HD and HD/DD (or whatever they call it) over the HDMI cable. I am sure I will get raked over the coals for saying that and told that I should shut up if I don't fully understand the HDMI standards, so I am sorry I am not an EE fully informed on HDMI standards...

Actually TrueHD, DTS HD, uncompressed PCM 5.1, and Dolby Digital Plus, can all be decoded by the player if the player has built in decoders for each of those formats. For example my Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD player has built in decoders for TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus. Since my Sunfire TGIII doesn't accept HDMI, I use the analog 5.1 outs on my XA2 to the 5.1 analog ins on my TGIII. Uncompressed sound is amazing!

My Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray player has built in decoders for uncompressed PCM 5.1, core DTS and Dolby Digital Plus. From what I've been reading, the S300 also decodes TrueHD, but I have to try this out for myself to see if that's correct.



Seth

 

[tonyc]

New Panasonic Blu Ray

I went to best buy yesterday looking for the new Sony, but they were not yet available. I ended up purchasing a Panasonic DMP-BD10A for 599, which is essentially the same player that was selling for $1300 2 months ago but now with Dolby True HD and dts HD available on both the 7.1 analog outs and over HDMI. They even include 5 Blu Ray discs in the box (Pirates of the Caribbean 1 and 2, Fantastic 4, Crash and The Transporter). Brought this thing home and hooked it up to my new Sharp Aquos 1080P 42" LCD I bought myself for Father's Day. WOW! The best HD I have yet seen. A pretty good deal, I think, considering the costs of the discs. Another alternative for you guys to consider!

 

[STV]

Tonyc,

That is AWESOME!! From what I've read the new Panasonic player is pretty sweet also. It was a tough call for me choosing between the two. When I purchased my Sony S300 the Panasonic player wasn't yet available. I have had great results with Sony (TV, CDP, Minidisc), so that's what made my decision a bit easier.

But at $599+ 5 BD movies included, that's a great deal! And knowing that this player is pretty much the same as the one that was selling for $1300 a few months ago, makes the deal even sweeter I'm curious, how quick are the disc load times for Blu-ray titles? And how long does it take for the player to boot up?

Big congratulations on your new player!! Thanks for sharing and enjoy!


Seth

 

[Pcar928fan]

Still waiting for more otions in the Super Blue combo players...

 

[tonyc]

Seth, I'd guess nearly a minute. Less than my 1st gen RCA HD-DVD player. I think both players are getting cheap enough for folks to finally take the plunge for either or both of these formats. I do want a player which plays both formats but the LG seemed too primitive to me.

 

[Reverb2009]

I thought they could only do True HD and HD/DD (or whatever they call it) over the HDMI cable. I am sure I will get raked over the coals for saying that and told that I should shut up if I don't fully understand the HDMI standards, so I am sorry I am not an EE fully informed on HDMI standards...

Nope, you can do Dolby digital Plus and True HD over analog AV out's. That's how I have been enjoying it for the last year or so.

In fact at this point in time you don't even need HDMI to enjoy HD-DVD or Blu-Ray. You can output a 1080i signal over component video to your TV and use the analog outs for audio and say to hell with HDMI. But if you want 1080p video you have to use HDMI 1.1 or better.

Only thing to keep in mind, is if in a few years they activate the ICT (imaging constraint token) it would disable the ability to output HD video over component and make HDMI a requirement.

 

[Reverb2009]

Actually TrueHD, DTS HD, uncompressed PCM 5.1, and Dolby Digital Plus, can all be decoded by the player if the player has built in decoders for each of those formats.

Thats True,
But unless DTS has changed there stand in the last month. DTS did not want there DTS-HD or DTS Master audio decoded in the player they are being adamant about only decoding the signal in the receiver/processor. So if DTS has there way HDMI will be the only way you will beadle to enjoy DTS-HD/Master audio. Well see.

 

[STV]

Seth, I'd guess nearly a minute. Less than my 1st gen RCA HD-DVD player. I think both players are getting cheap enough for folks to finally take the plunge for either or both of these formats. I do want a player which plays both formats but the LG seemed too primitive to me.

That's not too long of a wait, especially considering that the first generation players took 2 minutes or more. You're right, HD DVD and Blu-ray players are really coming down in price, making it much easier for the masses to buy. I'm sure that it won't be too long before we start seeing players under the $200 mark.

I'm with you, the main reason I opted not to go for the LG combo player is because it doesn't fully realize all of HD DVD's features. I wanted the best of both worlds, and by owning two dedicated players I'm getting just that.


Seth

 

[STV]

Thats True,
But unless DTS has changed there stand in the last month. DTS did not want there DTS-HD or DTS Master audio decoded in the player they are being adamant about only decoding the single in the receiver/processor. So if DTS has there way HDMI will be the only way you will beadle to enjoy DTS-HD/Master audio. Well see.

Yeah you're right, it doesn't seem too likely that DTS will offer this, even though it is possible. Too bad.

Seth

 

[HsvToolFool]

STV, how well does it play standard DVD? I've been thinking
about buying, I can't find specs clearly stating that it upscales.
I really want to replace my crappy $80 upscaling player,
but I refuse spend $500 for a player which can't make my
existing DVD library look as good as an $80 player.

 

[STV]

Brian,

The Sony S300 does an excellent job with upscaling. While my Toshiba HD-XA2 does do a bit better, the difference isn't night and day. And that says a lot, especially considering that the XA2 uses a Silicon Optix Reon chip. Being that the S300 comes close says a lot for the upscaling abilities of the S300.

The S300 is an excellent upscaling DVD player and a phenomenal Blu-ray player. In my opinion it's a very well spent $500.


Seth

 

[bober]

I actually work at best buy (hehe) and we haven't gotten the bdp-s300 yet, but we did get that new panasonic. The Panasonic is supposed to upscale regular dvd's really well, just as good as the Toshiba XA2.. but we don't carry the XA2 so i can't do an a/b comparison. I plugged up the Panasonic player for a customer to that new 50" Panasonic 1080p plasma, and it looked good.. but not nearly as good as the Sony bdp-s1 player that is normally hooked up to that tv.

But hey, 5 free movies.. can't beat that!