Sony BDP-BX1 Blueray Player

[Steve Mann]

Hi Folks,

Looks like I'm finally going to make the Blueray plunge. I had originally went with HD DVD, but now after the war is over, I'm finally confident in a BD standalone player. Sam's has the Sony BDP-BX1 unit for $277. I'm heading there at lunch to pick it up. It's just a re-numbered Sony BDP-S350. The only differences are it includes a HDMI cable and a back lit remote.

Out of the box the unit is profile 1.1 but the Sony firmware update is available now that moves it to 2.0. It can be downloaded from Sony's site and then burnt to CD to update, or if you're connecting the unit to your home network, it can download and install the update itself.

Here's CNET's review of the BDP-S350. While not being the 'top of the line', I think it will serve my needs just fine.

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up... just wait till I get mine at noon before you storm the store please.  :cool:

[gparris]

Steve, congradulations!
With your new player, you will notice your Blu-ray Discs will show finer details than std. DVDs on the bigger screen like you have in your true HT setup.:wave:

Note too, that the BDs, like the HD DVD discs, require good authouring to make it a great video - and - audio upgrade from DVD.
-I always take a quick visit to highdefdigest (see our forum's main page for site) before I take the BD plunge and rent/buy one first as to disc quality and also, their movie reviews.

[Steve Mann]

Steve, congradulations!
With your new player, you will notice your Blu-ray Discs will show finer details than std. DVDs on the bigger screen like you have in your true HT setup.:wave:

Oh no doubt. I have a Toshiba HD DVD player and have enjoyed HD movies for awhile now. I just decided to move to BD as they finally released a decent standalone player that was profile 2.0 (after firmware update). Plus, the price was decent too. I probably could have waited until closer to Christmas and gotten a better deal, but I'm never too good at waiting.  

Note too, that the BDs, like the HD DVD discs, require good authouring to make it a great video - and - audio upgrade from DVD.
-I always take a quick visit to highdefdigest (see our forum's main page for site) before I take the BD plunge and rent/buy one first as to disc quality and also, their movie reviews.

Good advice. I typically follow the same rule before buying. I rent most DVDs anymore, but the ones I do want to own, I research before making the plunge.