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Review on πŸ”₯ Sony BDP-S350: Unleash the Power of 1080p with this Blu-Ray Disc Player by Brent Porter

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Excellent upgradeable BD Profile 2.0 player

For the first time, Blu-ray owners want a modern player without the higher price point of newer models like the S550. It has an Ethernet port and 1 USB slot which many older BD players don't have. All the hardware is 2.0 compatible and you only need to connect it to the internet to update the firmware. You don't need a computer to update it. It has direct internet access and can be updated via the OSD. Installation is easy and takes 1 minute. You can use the included RCA connectors, but do yourself a favor and buy an HDMI cable ($5) for the best experience and quality. I also bought an optical cable ($5) and output the audio to my home theater surround system. The player's user interface is nice and attractive and uses Sony's intuitive Xross Media Bar (XMB) which is used by some of Sony's more expensive devices such as the PS3 and PSP gaming systems. One of the main problems is the remote control. The buttons are very small and difficult to find/press. Of particular concern is the button ring configuration in the center of the remote, where most of the playback navigation takes place. It's modeled after a PS3 remote but of lower quality and poor button force feedback. The inner ring is indented, and I often accidentally press the HOME button instead of the DOWN button, which throws me out of the movie and back into the XMB player. If you have big fingers, you're going to be in trouble. There are too many controls in this tiny lot, and the problem is made worse when you're in a darkened room (when you're watching a movie, for example). This small space accommodates 10 control elements (picture here: [.] ). I have small hands and still have a problem with it. Another potential design issue for you is the location of the USB port. Sony should have placed the port on the front of the device. It's on the back and recessed, so you need a slim USB drive. The position can be uncomfortable for some people as it forces the stick to stick out straight. If it's in your closet, accessing the flash drive will be a problem. Any standard flash drive will do. The manual recommends a Sony stick, of course, but any brand should work. I had Kingston. Generally a good player with two downsides. 4.5/5.

Pros
  • Precision Cinema Progressive HD
Cons
  • Connection required