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Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray Player Review

by Tom Andry last modified November 06, 2007 04:56
Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray Player Review

Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray Player

Summary

  • Product Name: BDP-S300
  • Manufacturer: Sony
  • Performance Rating: StarStarhalf-star
  • Value Rating: StarStar
  • Review Date: November 06, 2007
  • MSRP: $499.99
Specifications

Dimensions (Approx.) - 17 x 3 1/8 x 14 7/8" (430 x 79 x 375mm)

Weight (Approx.) - 10 lb. (4.5kg)

Dimensions (Approx.) - 17 x 3 1/8 x 14 7/8" (430 x 79 x 375mm)

Limited Warranty - 1 year parts / 1 year labor

Remote Control Functions - Multi Brand TV Remote Control

Screen Saver - Yes

DVD+R Read Compatibility - Yes

DVD+RW Read Compatibility - Yes

DVD-R Read Compatibility - Yes (Video Mode Only)

DVD-RW Read Compatibility - Yes (Video Mode Only)

High Definition - Full HD 1080/24p and 60p

BD-ROM - Yes

BD-R/RE Read Compatibility - Yes (BD-MV only. Requires firmware higher than ver.1.55)

JPEG Playback - Yes (Content must be in DVD+R/+RW/-R/-RW format.)

x.v.Color™ - Yes (output without Meta Data)

Analog-to-Digital Converter - 192KHz/24bit

dts® Output - Yes

MP3 Playback - Yes (Content must be in DVD+R/+RW/-R/-RW format.)

Dolby® Digital - Decoding: Yes; HDMI™ bitstream out: Yes

Dolby® Digital plus Decoding - Yes

Dolby® TrueHD Decoding - No (Dolby® Digital Stream Only)

dts® Decoding - Yes

dts®-HD Decoding - Hi-resolution Audio: No (dts® Stream Only); Hi-resolution Audio HDMI™ bitstream out: No (dts® Stream Only); Master Audio: No (dts® Stream Only); Master Audio HDMI™ bitstream out: No (dts® Stream Only)

SA-CD Playback - No

HDMI™ Connection Output(s) - 1 (Rear)

Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output(s) - 1 (Rear)

S-Video Output(s) - 1 (Rear)

Composite Video Output(s) - 1 (Rear)

Optical Audio Output(s) - 1 (Rear)

Coaxial Audio Digital Output(s) - 1 (Rear)

Analog Audio Output(s) - Analog Audio Output(s) : 5.1 ch; 1 (Rear), 2 Channel; 1 (Rear)

PCM Output(s) - Linear PCM Decoding; Linear PCM out via HDMI™ bitstream

Remote Control - Multi Brand TV Remote Control

CD - Yes CD-DA

DVD - Yes (Video)


Pros

  • Price - one of the lowest on the market
  • Easy setup

Cons

  • NO DOLBY TrueHD OR DTS HD DECODING
  • Long startup time
  • Unresponsive remote and interface
  • Lackluster upconversion ability
  • No SACD support

Introduction

While the Sony BDP-S300 is an entry level Blu-ray player, entry level doesn't necessarily mean cheap. At $500, you're getting a capable high definition video player and that's about it. The unconversion ability of standard DVD's is lackluster at best and it only decodes Dolby Digital Plus. If you already have a capable upconverting DVD player and don't care about the decoding of Dolby TrueHD and the myriad of high definition DTS formats, this may be the Blu-ray player for you.
  1. BDP-S300 Build Quality and Set-up
  2. S300 Menus, Remote, and Measurements
  3. S300 Viewing and Listening Evaluations, Conclusion