Sony Blu-Ray 350 vs. 550: If i bought the 350 would i just be buying an obsolete player?
241955
The 350 and 550 are almost identical except for 7.1 audio (550) and 1GB of internal storage (550). That's it. So the 350 isn't obsolete, it just has a few less features.
1105870
Yes, correct. Man, the price has dropped significantly since I bought it.If you're looking for more inputs, you might want to try the other ones. I've been looking to upgrade since there's only two inputs, but then again I really don't need any more. I have a Blueray player and my PS3, but that's pretty much it.
584014
According to their website it is only for BD35K, but I wonder if they would honor it for the 55K. I might try. http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Video/Blu-ray-Disc-Players.list.75009_11002_7000000000000005702
474308
the bitstreaming through optical on the a30 and the a35 should be the same. you SHOULD get better sound with the analog outs than with the optical with the discs that have truehd, since you cannot get truehd through optical. i'm about to upgrade from an a3 to an a35 because of the analog outs. i plan on getting a new receiver someday but am not sure when that will be and i want my truehd sound NOW. :-)
2185026
What this has over the 350. 1. Decodes DTS-MA sound internally (so your receiver doesn't need to handle it). 2. 7.1 analog outputs (so you can output lossless audio to an older receiver). 3. Profile 2.0 out of the box (no firmware update required). If you don't have a super-modern audio system, this player can actually be cheaper because you don't have to upgrade your sound system to get the same sound quality. Spend an extra hundred now to save several hundred later.
1899941
Thanks a lot for the reply. Sounds like this player does everything I want. Now, if Amazon would get them in stock...
850354
Amazon is offering 4-6 times more for the Blu-Ray 550 than the 350 in its trade-in program. A 350 in like new condition can be exchanged for a gift card worth $8.55; a comparable 550 fetches around $30. Still, in 2009, or shortly after Sony won the Blu Ray vs. Toshiba HD wars, Consumer Reports rated the 350 as the best player in the universe.
821816
All of the answers given are very accurate. My only issue (and it may be something I didn't do) is that I do not feel the 1080p up-conversion of standard dvd's is that great compared to an older sony BDP-S590. But all in all, a great player with far faster load times and audio quality and beautiful Bluray quality. And if anyone knows the secret to great up conversion with this machine, feel free to comment
538102
its on the chart in the description, the 550 is vieralink capable and the 350 is not, usually when you have model #s that are close like that, they are pretty much the same except for some small features like compatibility or it has a USB connection etc. in general the higher the number, the more features are included.
1196061
blu-ray on a bigger set w/ 1080p is a more ideal fit for Blu-ray, however 1080p resolution on a set this small is really overkill. A BR player on a 720p set will give you a better HD picture than any standard DVD player could, you'll just have to weigh is the extra cost worth it to you?
821818
Well it depends on how much you value picture/sound quality and speed. This elite player features a Qdeo video processor from Marvell which is similar to an Oppo. the ability to play FLAC files as well as uncompressed audio was important to my setup. I chose the Pioneer Elite player over the Oppo do to the fact my receiver is an Elite model as well, here is a more in depth review that may help you out: http://www.andrew-robinson-online.com/review-pioneer-elite-bdp-62fd-universal-blu-ray-player/. If you want your components to match or mount on a rack you are going to have to step up to premium components.
1757375
I actually work for sharp and that model is actually coming out in january of 2009. The 21u just recently came out for the holidays. Anyone who is looking at buying a sharp blu ray player i would advise to carefully think about it. The Sony blu ray players do not have to have any firmware updates compared to our sharp products that do. We have had 3 firmware updates come out since february. These are a big pain for anyone who isn't computer/tv savey. I would reccomend someone buy a sony blu ray over sharps any day. Tv's on the other hand are a totally different story
1172438
One really big difference according to the specs is the BD570 & 590 play Divx HD, Xvid and every other form of Divx/AVI files, and the BD550 doesn't.sorry, just looked closer at the op and I see 580 not 550 was being questioned. I'll leave this comment though because I scoured the reviews and comments trying to find this info.
987631
What player do you use it with, and do you notice improved picture, sound, or added functionality?
2185023
I have a onkyo 905 system and wanted to know if this model has any advantage then the S350.My reciever has all the bells and whistles in it for decoding. But I am always hooked for the best and trying to see if 350 is same as 550 in my settings.Thanks
561930
I know I am going to get blasted for this. I personally think that as far as Blu-Ray standalones that this player is the best option available. That being said investing over $400 in one of these when you don't have an HDMI V1.3 display (1080p/24p) is just plain insane as you are spending a whole bunch of extra money with technology that you won't use until you upgrade your set/projector. I would go with a Toshiba A3 which has 720p/1080i capabilities and costs a whopping $118.49 shipped. If nothing else the price difference is significant enough that you could make use of it until the prices on things like the panasonic or the better HDTV sets comes down to the point where it is more affordable. I know I am going to get blasted for this. I personally think that as far as Blu-Ray standalones that this player is the best option available. That being said investing over $400 in one of these when you don't have an HDMI V1.3 display (1080p/24p) is just plain insane as you are spending a whole bunch of extra money with technology that you won't use until you upgrade your set/projector. I would go with a Toshiba A3 which has 720p/1080i capabilities and costs a whopping $118.49 shipped. If nothing else the price difference is significant enough that you could make use of it until the... » Read More I know I am going to get blasted for this. I personally think that as far as Blu-Ray standalones that this player is the best option available. That being said investing over $400 in one of these when you don't have an HDMI V1.3 display (1080p/24p) is just plain insane as you are spending a whole bunch of extra money with technology that you won't use until you upgrade your set/projector. I would go with a Toshiba A3 which has 720p/1080i capabilities and costs a whopping $118.49 shipped. If nothing else the price difference is significant enough that you could make use of it until the prices on things like the panasonic or the better HDTV sets comes down to the point where it is more affordable. « Show Less
441496
The PS3 outputs 1080p as well. I still haven't purchased any new player or another PS3. I am just gonna wait for next black friday sale. I have a panasonic dmp-bd60 that I got in 2009 around black friday and I love the picture quality. I am digging the new 2011 panasonic players but they are very expensive.... Like $200 and it doesn't even have built-in wifi.