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- Solid image quality
- Lightning fast
- 3D capable
- Internet streaming
- Some reports of unreliable Wi-Fi
- DVD playback unimpressive
If you need a 3D-capable Blu-ray player to mate with a new 3D HDTV, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better all-around choice than the Sony BDP-S570. However, 3D abilities aside, what's even more significant is that the BDP-S570 is among the best 2D Blu-ray players around. Image quality with Blu-ray Discs is very, very good -- certainly good enough to please all but the pickiest of videophiles. Most say that DVD playback is also excellent, though a few reviewers spot some warts with certain discs. Streaming options are plentiful, and include Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, Pandora, Slacker, Qriocity and YouTube, with Hulu Plus due shortly. Wi-Fi is built in, but there are some reports that it is on the finicky side and won't play well with all home networks. Early issues with Netflix playback have been addressed in a firmware update. Usability is excellent, and is enhanced by Sony's Xross Media Bar (XMB) navigation and Gracenote support, which supplies cover art, artist information and other data. Reports say that the Sony BDP-S570 is also the fastest Blu-ray player to date. Sony's PlayStation 3 Slim (160 GB) (*Est. $250) is now also 3D capable and has been updated with a larger hard drive. However, streaming partners are more limited and the PS3 is notably slower and more expensive, but you do also get a powerful gaming system in the bargain.
You can find the most helpful reviews of the Sony BDP-S570 at Sound & Vision magazine, PCMag.com and CNET. The technically obsessed will appreciate the report at Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity. The reviews at PC World and ConsumerReports.org aren't nearly as detailed, but are testing based. TrustedReviews.com weighs in with the view from across the pond. Users weigh in with their opinions at Amazon.com.
Our Sources
1. CNET
The Sony BDP-S570 hits most of the high points in this review, earning one of the better grades at the site. Blu-ray image quality, good streaming content, best-in-class operating speed and 3D support all come in for praise. However, Matthew Moskovciak reports some connectivity issues with the built-in Wi-Fi link, as well as loss of image quality when viewing video-based DVDs. An issue with Netflix streaming has been resolved.
Review: Sony BDP-S570, Matthew Moskovciak, Aug. 2, 2010
PCMag.com says the Sony BDP-S570 has it all in the features department. Image quality with Blu-ray Discs is "outstanding," while DVD performance, though not perfect, is still "admirable." The BDP-S570 is also called a "disc-loading speed demon."
Review: Sony BDP-S570, John R. Delaney, April 13, 2010
3. Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity
This audiophile- and videophile-centric site puts the Sony BDP-S570 through rigorous benchmark testing and comes away very impressed. Though some of the discussion will go over the head of the non-technically-obsessed, the site's conclusions couldn't be clearer: The Sony BDP-S570 is a fast, full-featured and excellent performing Blu-ray Disc player that also fun to use.
Review: Sony BDP-S570 Universal Blu-ray Player, Gabe Lowe and Adrian Wittenberg, Sept. 20, 2010
4. Sound & Vision MagazineDetails/Subscribe
The Sony BDP-S570 is a Certified and Recommended award winner here. Al Griffin says that "you'd be hard-pressed to find a budget Blu-ray Disc player offering more bang for the buck." Video performance is solid with Blu-ray Discs and DVDs, Internet streaming is "well-rounded" and the player is 3D ready.
Review: Sony BDP-S570, Al Griffin, April 2010
This review at PC World breaks from the pack by declaring that Blu-ray video quality is unexceptional and disappointing when viewing black and white content. DVD performance -- particularly upscaling -- is also criticized.
Review: Sony BDP-S570: Fast and Flexible Blu-ray Player Falls Short on Image Quality, Lincoln Spector, May 19, 2010
6. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org includes the Sony BDP-S570 among its tested Blu-ray players. Players are rated and ranked, and recommendations are made, but the discussion is too brief.
Review: Blu-ray Players, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Britain's TrustedReviews.com looks at the version of the Sony BDP-S570 sold there, which differs in some details but should perform similarly. The "astonishing feature list, spellbinding performance and top-drawer operating system" help it earn a Recommended award.
Review: Sony BDP-S570 Review, Danny Phillips, July 16, 2010
8. Amazon.com
More than 120 owners leave feedback for the Sony BDP-S570. The majority seem completely satisfied or nearly so. Some issues with Wi-Fi or streaming are noted, but others report smooth sailing. Overall, users team up to grant the player a rating of 4 stars.
Review: Sony BDP-S570, Contributors to Amazon.com
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