Sony Blu-ray BDP-S370
Sony Blu-ray BDP-S370 is 43x23x3cm and weights only 1850grams with the hard wired 1.5metre long mains lead included in the weight.
The rear of the unit has mains lead entry point, Ethernet port, Audio and Video out, Component out, HDMI, Coaxial, Optical and USB. The sides top and base are free of sockets while the front has another USB socket on a 1cm shelf protruding just four buttons, on the left on/off, in the centre open, play and stop. Not quite enough to control the unit. I know this as the unit was originally sent to me minus the remote control and you are unable to scroll up and down to make selections that would at least allow you to play movies on DVD and Blu-ray.
So the 44 key remote control is vital to control of the unit and the only way to delve into the myriad of extras available. This does its job well and while most would choose to do things from the arm chair there are times when that remote control manages to be invisible and basic control – to play a DVD – should be on the unit itself.
It plays DVDs and Blu-rays well and of course connection to a TV is via a supplied HDMI cable sound quality used in this way is down to the quality of the speakers of the TV it is connected to, better sound can be achieved by using the sockets on the back of the unit but sound quality was perfectly acceptable via my TV.
However unlike early units where they were just enhanced DVD players this can and does have many more functions.
Internet is available via wired Ethernet or wireless (optional adapter) the latter avoids the need to have trailing wires and this is normally popular with the other half, or to be more accurate I should say the former is unpopular.
One frame a second may not seem much but TV always plays back at 25FPS while cinema uses 24FPS here you can choose.
A whole range of things only normally available at your PC become available You Tube, BBC iPlayer, Demand Five to name but three all available to watch on your TV screen rather than using your PCs monitor to view. You can also play MP3 and your JPG images.
For those with an extensive DVD collection this unit allows upscaling to 1080P and allows you go get better viewing pleasure.
Initial setup works efficiently and is quick. As indeed is the boot up at only three seconds while there is a faster eject system meaning changing DVDs or Blu-rays takes fewer seconds to do, the eject is not only possible from the unit but unless you have telescopic arms you need to be there to change the disc anyway, so this is not a criticism.
A very nice unit that would grace any living room and with the one proviso that you must not lose the remote control, a Blu-ray player to enjoy.
Doing my Internet searches found the unit available from the site below at £99.99 with a voucher code provided on the site.
http://origin.www.sony.co.uk/product/blu-ray-disc-player/bdp-s370
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