Sony Blu-Ray Disc Player Reviews

[1 of 2 customers found this review helpful]

We had this unit as part of a dedicated home theatre set-up. Originally we were very pleased, but after about one month the unit started to freeze during movies, then later stopped playing any discs (Blu-ray or Standard DVD). It also would not accept the firmware update CD.

We are in the process of considering other options, even if the price point is a bit higher than this Sony. The last thing you want in a dedicated home theatre is an inconsistent Blu-Ray player.

Great Blu Ray Picture!! The movies pop off of the screen. Any of the movies that come from a digital source like Pixar movies are breathtaking. The only real problem with this player is the load time and an occasional frozen picture when you are watching a film. I have had more problems with newer blu ray disks.
I ordered a firmwear update from Sony and it helped with some of these issues.

Great design gives it a sleek look. When turning it on, it takes longer than a minute for the tray to open up. I have heard this before so it may be common for these types of DVDs. With the HDMI connection, the picture is very sharp! I definitely noticed a difference in DVDs to HD Blue Rays.

Disadvantage on all HDMI connection is that you don't get closed captions signal through it. If the DVD doesn't have subtitles, then you need to use a different connection and the quality reduces, big time.

The manual section on hook-up is confusing a little on the variety of choices. HDMI is too simple and yet the manual shows to many wires with options that won't make sense to some users. You need to figure out the settings if you want PCM audio, mix-down, etc. You need to know which quality is better.

First couple of days on using it, it locked up once watching a movie. I had to unplugged it from the back to restart it. It could be a dirty DVD but it hasn't happened again.

My biggest peeve is when you turn off the DVD and want to continue watching where you left off next time, you at the beginning of the DVD again.

Not so sure about improvement on audio quality because I can't imagine audio sounding better than regular DVDs.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

In store demo unit, which was reported as coming direct from Sony, exhibited erratic behavior. I purchased a new one anyway (unopened) which worked well for 20 minutes into the first movie then froze. Would not read any discs thereafter.

makes my 56" 1080 p display worth having

[1 of 2 customers found this review helpful]

watch all my dvds with this even the non blu-rays play fabulously high quality sound and picture resolution am pleased to the hilt

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Discs formatted in the Blueray format excel in picture quality. The "upconversion" is no better than a DVD player with component video outputs in my opinion. The only con I have is that this player has locked up on playback to the point I had to unplug the power cable as the controls would no longer function either from the remote or front panel. Other than that I would say if anyone has a HDTV it's worth the money to get a HD DVD player.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

The unit was delivered on time and in excellent condition.

Very good product for the money. Well worth getting if you want to get the best picture from your large widescreen HDTV. Only downfalls are lack of ethernet connection for firmware updates and slow startup. Overall, good value and good product.

[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Great Sony product, plays normal DVD's exceptionally well as well as Blu-Ray. Tried a few others units that cost more but the Sony had the better picture and by the way great sound on Movies AND CD's.

HDMI cables a must for best performace and an upgraded power cord. I used the Audioquest NRG 2 and the HDMI Audioquest NRG 1.5.

For the money you cannot be this unit. By the way very easy to setup and the picture looks natural in all modes, some Blu-Rays I tried had an over process picture, it looked phoney and very digital, the Sony looks like your watching a movie, it is very natual with perfect color.

Along with my new Pioneer 950 HD, I am very happy with my system.