Sonys new Blu-ray player BDP-S350 - Page 5

SimonI · 18-10-2008, 19:58

Thanks for the info Robert; my amp does have the six analogue inputs but they're taken up by my EP35. Long term that'll have to change but meantime I'd be happy just using the coax or optical from the blue player.

rwniel · 18-10-2008, 23:33

It depends on your requirements really and if you're wanting to hook it up to an existing home theatre surround system, for example. It should be pointed out that the standard Dolby Digital and DTS surround soundtracks over optical/coaxial should stilll sound pretty good and because of the extra bandwidth allocated to them would typically sound better than the dvd version anyway.

But otherwise in terms of hook-up to av amp/receiver with the following capabilities;

1) hdmi input able to accept LPCM surround audio - the Panasonic BD35, Sony S550 (or PS3) would provide the best compability with the player doing the decoding. With the S350 you'd lose out on DTS-HD Master Audio decoding which is the lossless audio soundtrack of choice on many Fox movies for example.

2) hdmi input along with in-built hd audio decoding. Either player can bitstream the soundtracks over hdmi for the av amp/receiver to decode.

3) no hdmi input, or input just used for video switching purposes.

a) If it has multi-channel analogue output free, then the Panasonic BD50/55 or Sony S550 would provide the better compatability.

b) no free coaxial digital input, but a spare coaxial digital input - Sony S350 will playback either the standard Dolby Digital surround soundtrack or the DTS one depending on the disk.

c) free optical digital input - either the Sony S350 or Panasonic BD35. However, as you've found the Sony S350 is less expensive and can easily be made multi-region as far as dvd playback. Audio and video quality seem very similiar on both. Again you'd get the standard Dolby Digital or DTS soundtrack depending on the particular disk.

You might find the following of use as it helps explain the different soundtrack formats present on blu ray and what you need to play them back.

Robert

SimonI · 21-10-2008, 12:22

It seems the BD35 only has an optical digital out - you need to go to the 55 to get both.

I'm tending toward the Panasonic over the Sony because it can do the DTS HD-MA - multiregion SD support is less important now that I've made my EP35 m/r... but I'm still undecided on the audio front, so it may end up being one of the 55s I go for

Semps · 21-10-2008, 14:16

This is now £179 at Amazon.co.uk

ColinP · 21-10-2008, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semps

This is now £179 at Amazon.co.uk

That's an excellent price. I'm very tempted to pick one of these up at that price.

AKPiggott · 21-10-2008, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinP

That's an excellent price. I'm very tempted to pick one of these up at that price.

Better get one quick! It'll probably be back up to £200 by tomorrow!

Excellent price indeed.

ColinP · 21-10-2008, 19:53

Wouldn't be able to get this one past the Mrs at the moment.

wcheung · 21-10-2008, 19:54

Register the player to get Casino Royale and Batman Begins. Info

AKPiggott · 21-10-2008, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by wcheung

Register the player to get Casino Royale and Batman Begins. Info

Oh how annoying! I've got both these films.

charlie angel · 21-10-2008, 21:37

Does this come with an HDMI cable?

AKPiggott · 21-10-2008, 21:48

Nope.

charlie angel · 21-10-2008, 21:59

Thanks man - can you point me in the direction of a suitable remote to do the multi-region hack at all?

zantarous · 21-10-2008, 23:31

Can the remote hack be done with something like a Harmony?

Semps · 22-10-2008, 08:44

No I dont think so. at the moment you need a one4all remote / a pronto or you can do it with a infrared enabled laptop or PDA

Semps · 22-10-2008, 08:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinP

Wouldn't be able to get this one past the Mrs at the moment.

I'm having the same problem

dean richardson · 22-10-2008, 13:27

ask her for it for xmas.
worked for me!!

AKPiggott · 22-10-2008, 15:33

You could always use the free copy of Casino Royale as a turning point. I'm sure most women would love to watch that scene of Craig and his trunks in hi-def.

zantarous · 22-10-2008, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semps

No I dont think so. at the moment you need a one4all remote / a pronto or you can do it with a infrared enabled laptop or PDA

But surely any thing that can give out a infrared signal can be copied by a Harmony?

Semps · 23-10-2008, 07:59

Possibly then. Not seen any instructions on how to do it though! Although if you have something that can emit the signal, then surely you dont need the harmony to do it?

SimonI · 23-10-2008, 08:06

It does seem to be shrouded in mystery, with those who've done it strangely oblique in their information... or is it just me

Anyway, this site here has some useful info:

http://www.auspaytv.com/sony/