The new BDP-S570 is one of Sony's first 3D-ready Blu-ray players; by "3D-ready," I mean that it can't display 3D content out of the box but will be able to do so when Sony releases the necessary firmware update--planned for this summer, to coincide with the release of the company's first 3D-capable TVs. We have not performed a hands-on review of the BDP-S570, but here is an overview of the player's features. This Profile 2.0 player supports BD-Live Web functionality and BonusView/picture-in-picture playback, and it offers both onboard decoding and bitstream output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. The BDP-S570 features built-in 802.11n for a wireless network connection, and it can receive streamed photos, music, and videos from any DLNA-compliant server. The player supports Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video platform, which includes access to Netflix, Amazon VOD services, Pandora, YouTube, Picasa, and more. Sony has also developed an iPhone/iPod touch app called "BD Remote" that allows you to control the BDP-S570 from your handheld device, and the new Entertainment Database Browser uses Gracenote technologies for browsing details like actor and production information.
Additional Resources
• Read full 3D HDTV reviews from HomeTheaterReview.com
• Read over 100 other professional Blu-ray player reviews from Sony, Panasonic, Vizio, and others.
• Check out the Sony page on the Sony BDP-S570 Blu-ray player
In terms of video connections, the BDP-S570 offers HDMI, component video and composite video outputs (no S-video). This player supports both 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 output resolutions via HDMI. Picture adjustments include the ability to choose between preset picture modes and engage three types of noise reduction; Sony has also added IP noise reduction to specifically address the quality of Internet video sources. Audio outputs include HDMI, optical and coaxial digital, and 2-channel analog. The BDP-S570 has onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, and it also passes these high-resolution audio formats in their native bitstream form over HDMI, for your A/V receiver to decode. The player lacks multichannel analog audio outputs, so the only way to pass decoded high-resolution audio formats is via HDMI.
The BDP-S570 supports playback of BD, DVD, SACD, CD audio, AVCHD, Divx, WMV9, JPEG, and MP3. You can add the player to your home network using either the back-panel Ethernet port or the internal 802.11n wireless module. The BDP-S570 has 1GB of internal memory to store BD-Live content, and a back-panel USB port is provided for additional storage. A second, front-panel USB port supports music, photo and movie playback. The player lacks advanced control ports, such as RS-232 or IR.
Click to Page 2 for The High Points, The Low Points and The Conslusion.
High Points
• The BDP-S570 is 3D-ready. A future firmware update will allow the player to transport 3D Blu-ray content to compatible TVs.
• The BDP-S570 supports 1080p/24 playback of Blu-ray discs.
• The player has internal Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding and can pass these formats in bitstream form over HDMI.
• It supports BD-Live Web content and can play picture-in-picture bonus content.
• You can wirelessly connect the BDP-S570 to your network and stream music, photos, and movies from any DLNA-compatible server.
• This player supports a wide variety of online media platforms, including Netflix, Amazon VOD, Pandora, Picasa, and YouTube.
• An iPhone/iPod touch control app is available.
Low Points
• The BDP-S570 lacks multichannel analog audio outputs, so it's not the
best choice for someone who owns an older, non-HDMI A/V receiver.
• This player lacks an advanced control port like RS-232.
Competition and Comparison
See how this player stacks up against other similarly priced models by reading the Toshiba BDX2800 Blu-ray player review and the Sharp BD-HP24U Blu-ray player review, both reviewed by Adrienne Maxwell. Or to learn more about Blu-ray players in general, please visit our All Things Blu-ray Players section.
Conclusion
The BDP-S570's 3D-readiness may be its marquee feature, but this $250
Blu-ray player is also loaded with worthwhile features that you can
enjoy right now. In addition to Blu-ray features like BD-Live,
high-resolution audio decoding, internal memory, and built-in 802.11n,
it adds network-friendly perks like the BRAVIA Internet Video platform
and DLNA media streaming. It's worth noting that Sony has also released
two less-expensive Profile 2.0 players, both of which offer the same
network-friendly features. The $200 BDP-S470 is also 3D-ready but omits
the onboard memory and built-in 802.11n network connectivity, while the
$180 BDP-S370 omits 3D capability, onboard memory, and wireless network
connectivity.
Additional Resources
• Read full 3D HDTV reviews from HomeTheaterReview.com
• Read over 100 other professional Blu-ray player reviews from Sony, Panasonic, Vizio, and others.
• Check out the Sony page on the Sony BDP-S570 Blu-ray player
