Blu Ray DVD Player Reviews

Did quite a bit of research before buying a Blu-ray player - wanted something that did more than play B/ray - Internet video (esp iPlayer) & media streamer were two features high on the list. Whittled it down to the Sony or LG range, but went for this in the end & glad I did. Things that sold it were:-
1. Built-in WIFI... some models (including Sony) had option of WiFi dongles... but they're expensive & take a slot
2. DLNA functionality for home network media streaming
3. 3D for the day when I can afford a 3D TV!
4. Seems to have UK-specific functionaltiy like ITV/BBC players... something LG lacked
5. Price... all this a a (on Amazon at least) price that beat polayers with similar functionality

I was expecting a lot & its did pretty well meet my epxectations! Connected easily to home network wirelessly (no problems with signal so far), updated its firmware, picked up my NAS storage drive automatically (& videos/pics), plays a good selection of Web... Read more

It is a while since I bought a new DVD/Blueray player, I've always bought Sony and have been pretty impressed with the reliability. I may have paid a bit more, but have usually seen many years of good service.

Whilst the S570 does not appear to be as robust as my old player, it is a good looking, piano black box with tiny controls on the front facia.

Set up, once I had worked my way through the fairly slim instruction manual was very easy ... however, my player seemed to be shipped with German as the default language, so it took a few minutes to reset to English.

The internet connection to my home wifi was very easy and having done that I registered at Sony (for enhanced features) ... still not sure what they are yet, but am sure that will come to light later.

The next thing to do was check Network Updates ... there was a firmware update to do and that was downloaded and installed in minutes.

The menu Items are pretty intuitive... Read more

Customer Video Review Length:: 5:25 Mins

I bought this to go with my Sony KDL-40W4500 - 40" Widescreen 100hz / 1080P Full HD Bravia LCD TV - With DLNA Technology & Freeview as I knew it would not only connect up simply but also be perfectly linked up on the Bravia's menu's and I could put aside my main remote or use either the TV or Blu-Ray one for most functions. The Blu-Ray one even has a handy off button for the TV as well as one for the Blu-Ray player.

Connecting up to the TV: Using a HDMI cable, I used the one I had already for my DVD player, had it for ages and is nice and solid. Snakebyte Mamba Premium 3D Audio/Video HDMI Cable (PS3/Xbox 360) and then plugged the player into the... Read more

I've never been one for Sony's hi-fi gear as I prefer the sound of other manufactures' equipment, but I had been looking for a blu-ray player that met my requirements for over a year now. I was waiting for Oppo's BDP-831, which was inexplicably cancelled about a week after receiving 5 star reviews in the major home cinema and hi-fi magazines. Then the Cambridge Audio 650BD came out for the about same price as the Oppo's SRP, but had worse quality DACs and Video scaler, which put me off.

Then the Sony came out that played most of the disc types that the Oppo and Cambridge Audio players (all but DVD-Audio) for less than half the price of those players. Chuck in iPlayer support and I was sold!

I'm very glad I decided to get this player. It loads Blu-Ray films faster than a Playstation 3, DVDs faster than my old Denon 1920 DVD player. DVD up-scaling is strong, with the exception of line drawn animation (like Family Guy or The Simpsons) which sometimes causes thin... Read more

This is the 2010 model, an improved version of the earlier BD60, which in itself was a benchmark leader. Coupled with a Panasonic home theatre and full HD plasma, this blu-ray absolutely excels. This was purchased to replace a Sony BDP360, which was to be fair, also pretty good.
Some reviewers have complained of slow start up times. Well, there is a solution. Connect to the web using ethernet cable and allow the unit to perform a firmware upgrade (if it is needed). You can also make use of the webcast functions whilst you are connected. So start up time is now quick, even with the "Quick Start" disabled.
Colour, sound and picture quality top notch. Set up can be fully auto or if you feel clever, there is an amazing set up menu if you prefer to do it manually. Check out some of the reviews from professional film buffs, you'll find that there are currently two hot contenders for the top spot for this kind of money........this model and one from LG.

Once again Panasonic have produced another great blu ray player. The quality of the blu ray picture is 1st class and the quality of upscaled dvd is pretty good too. Faster loading times of blu ray discs than other machines I've owned, but still not perfect, but then again there is a large amount of data on a blu ray disc. The mechanism is very quiet too when playing a disc.
Extra features include wireless networking, but has to be fitted with Panasonic's own wireless dongle at £80 a shot, stick to the ethernet connection for your fixes of bd live material and the viera cast facility. An sd card slot which will play your camcorder footage, stills and other material you may put on your card and a usb socket next to the sd card slot neatly hidden under a flap on the front of the machine.
On the rear of the machine are a single hdmi socket for connection to your tv or av amp, essential to view hd content on your tv, an ethernet port, and a digital audio output to carry your... Read more