Sony outs BDP-S360 and BDP-S560 Blu-ray players, new BD HTIBs

Moving on, we've got a new pair of 5.1-channel Blu-ray HTIB systems: the BDV-E300 and BDV-E500W. Both bundles include a BD-Live-capable (Profile 2.0) Blu-ray player, while the BDV-E500W sports integrated S-AIR wireless audio capabilities. In other words, your rear speakers will get their signal sans cabling, and those who opt for the BDV-E300 are getting a kit that's S-AIR-ready, meaning that you can add modules in the future to get the same wireless support. Both sets also include Sony's Digital Media Port for controlling peripherals like Apple's iPod and Sony's own Walkman line, and the BRAVIA Sync technology ensures that HDMI-CEC lovers are taken care of. The models also bring along the firm's Xross Media Bar (XMB) interface, a USB port for loading up media and an easy-to-follow setup DVD. As for pricing and availability, we've broken all that down below.
- BDP-S360 Blu-ray player: shipping this summer for around $300
- BDP-S560 Blu-ray player: shipping this summer for around $350
- HT-SS360 component home theater system : shipping in May for around $350
- BDV-E300 Blu-ray HTIB: shipping in June for around $600
- BDV-E500W Blu-ray HTIB: shipping in June for around $800
SONY'S NEW BLU-RAY DISC PLAYER AND HOME THEATER SYSTEMS GO WIRELESS
New Line Includes Wi-Fi Enabled Player and S-AIR Wireless Theater Systems
LAS VEGAS, March 2, 2009 – Sony is adding four new Blu-ray Disc™ devices to its lineup today, including a stand-alone player with Wi-Fi® capability for easy BD-Live™ access and Blu-ray Disc home theater systems with S-AIR™ wireless audio.
The BDP-S360 and BDP-S560 stand-alone players and BDV-E300 and BDV-E500W BD home theater systems deliver full HD 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema™ output, decode the latest advanced audio codecs, and are BD-Live capable with your broadband internet connection and purchase of external memory.
"The demands of today's home theater go beyond pristine picture quality and our new Blu-ray Disc product line offers a breadth of technologies that deliver an amazing entertainment experience," said Chris Fawcett, vice president of marketing for Sony Electronics' Home Product Division. "Consumers don't want a living room cluttered with wires and the new Blu-ray Disc product lineup breaks down the wired barriers of the past."
Offering built-in Wi-Fi wireless network capabilities (802.11N/G/B/A), the BDP-S560 can easily connect to the Internet through your existing wireless home network to download and stream BD-Live content including additional scenes, short subjects, trailers, interactive games, and more. It also enables easy firmware updates to assist in keeping your player up-to-date with the latest Blu-ray Disc media and features.
While compatible with most wireless routers, the BDP-S560 also supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup™, for a quick and easy connection to enabled wireless routers. Additionally, the player is Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA®) ready, allowing it to connect to other DLNA compliant devices to share digital photos.
Since many consumers own extensive DVD movie libraries, the BDP-S360 and BDP-S560 incorporate Sony's Precision Cinema HD Upscale technology that converts standard-definition signals (480i) to near HD quality.
Additionally, the models add Sony's Precision Drive™ technology?, which helps to detect and correct wobbling discs from three directions, supporting stabilization of the playback of bent or scratched Blu-ray Discs and DVDs.
The BDP-S360 and BDP-S560 models support 7.1 channel Dolby® TrueHD and Dolby® Digital Plus, DTS®-HD High Resolution Audio, and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding as well as bit-stream output via HDMI.
Both players support Deep Color video output and AVCHD discs encoded with x.v.Color™ (xvYCC) technology. They also feature compatibility with an array of video formats, including BD-R/RE (BDMV and BDAV modes), DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW, CD, CD-R/RW (CD-DA format), and JPEG on BD/DVD/CD recordable media.
The models also offer an external port for local storage so users can add their USB flash storage device. The BDP-S560 features a front USB port for viewing photos from your USB flash memory device or directly from a digital camera.
Shipping this summer, the BDP-S360 and BDP-S560 will retail for about $300 and $350, respectively.
Styled to match the BDP-S360 and BDP-S560 with a black gloss exterior design, the HT-SS360 component home theater system is an integrated A/V receiver supporting full HD 1080p video and high resolution audio. Added to either of the new players, the theater system completes the package with 5.1 surround sound for a true cinematic experience.
The model will be available this May for about $350.
BLU-RAY HOME THEATER SYSTEMS
Sony also launched two new 5.1 channel Blu-ray Disc home theater systems, the BDV-E300 and BDV-E500W. The models are BD-Live capable and support the latest advanced audio codecs including 7.1 channel Dolby® TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus, DTS®-HD High Resolution Audio, and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding as well as bit-stream.
The BDV-E500W features integrated S-AIR wireless audio capabilities. Sony's S-AIR technology transmits audio up to 164 feet from the main system to wireless rear speakers for simple surround sound (signal and sound quality may vary) or up to 10 individual S-AIR AirStation audio devices (sold separately) throughout the home. The BDV-E300 model is S-AIR ready so users can add optional modules, also sold separately.
Both systems include Sony's Digital Media Port, which adds control and connectivity options for music playback through various accessories, including a cradle for iPod® players which is packaged with each system, or an optional Network Walkman™ cradle, a PC client device, and a Bluetooth® adapter (each sold separately).
The models include an easy set-up DVD, eliminating any confusion during the set up process. Also, Sony's BRAVIA® Sync™ technology simplifies every day operation with one-button command of compatible home theater components through HDMI.
The models also feature Sony's Xross Media Bar (XMB™) graphic user interface for easy menu navigation, Precision Drive technology, Precision Cinema Upscaling technology, and a USB port allowing users to add their external flash memory for BD-Live features. The units ship with an easy set-up DVD for step-by-step instruction on initial set up process.
The BDV-E300 and BDV-E500W ship in June for about $600 and $800, respectively.
All of the new models will be offered at Sony Style stores, online at www.sonystyle.com, at military base exchanges, and at authorized retailers nationwide.





















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
lee @ Mar 2nd 2009 9:42PM
7.1 means 7 speakers plus sub Sony, thats 7 surrounds not 5. Why support 7.1 with 5 speakers? Sony really need to improve this stuff for what they charge.
Darren @ Mar 2nd 2009 10:59PM
Still no MP3 and Divx playback?
What's the hold up?
Lame Sony, lame.
HomeTeam @ Mar 2nd 2009 11:19PM
The HTiB prices seem pretty good. I'm really considering getting the BDV-E300 when it comes out.
Darren @ Mar 3rd 2009 7:11AM
Sony appears to enjoy bringing out new products with little (if any) additional features. They took forever to release DVD players with MP3 and Divx playback. Other brands like Panasonic, did it WAY earlier.
I sincerely hope they don't repeat this pattern.
There's no way I'm buying a Blu-ray player that handles less than a cheap DVD model.
Unfortunately for me, I otherwise like Sony's Blu-ray players, so I guess I'll have to wait.
Carney @ Mar 3rd 2009 3:19PM
The PlayStation 3 is from Sony, plays Blu-rays, handles MP3 and Divx just fine, and is future-proof (even the very first models support easy net-based upgrading to BD-Live and full Profile 2.0 feature compliance). And is arguably the best Blu-ray player for the money; fast and responsive (unlike many which take forever to load disks and carry out user commands), and loaded with features such as photo, music, and video (including home video) storage and support, web browsing, movie and TV show rentals and downloads, audio and video chat (with other PS3 owners) and of course games. All around your best bet as the centerpiece of your home's A/V system even if you never play any games.
Carney @ Mar 4th 2009 9:56AM
Darren, my advice is not to get hung up on the "gaming console" label; lots of people have actually bought a PS3 solely as a Blu-ray player with no interest in gaming. Again, look at the features I list in my 3:19pm post that you get for the price, and look around online; the consensus is that the PS3 is the best Blu-ray player for the money.
As for the remote, I'm a little annoyed that the CE industry has been so slow on moving away from infrared (weak, easily blocked), and I'm glad Sony has tried to move things along by making the PS3 Bluetooth only, like Apple did with the original iMac dropping floppy disks and pre-USB peripheral ports. I just wish they made the PS3 remote able to control other Sony devices like my TV, and any Sony A/V reciever I might buy.
If you're bound and determined to use legacy infrared tech for your PS3 remote, you could get an adapter for the PS3 so your Harmony will work with it.
David S @ Mar 3rd 2009 8:29AM
Does the BDV-E500W comes with internal Wi-Fi for BD-Live?
Carney @ Mar 3rd 2009 2:15PM
I've become a Sony fanboy thanks to my PS3 and Bravia TV, so I've been looking to Sony for my surround sound solutions. What I'd like is an HTIB WITHOUT the centerpiece Blu-ray player (since I already have a PS3), and with not 5.1 but 7.1 as the speaker setup.
Ordinary DVD supports 5.1; what makes Blu-ray sound special (among other things) is its support for 7.1 sound. How about it, Sony?
Darren @ Mar 3rd 2009 3:48PM
Hey Carney,
Your points make it even more frustrating that Sony don't have MP3 and Divx on their stand-alone models.
I want a stand-alone player. I never play games and I don't want a gaming console on my shelf. Plus, stand-alones are significantly cheaper.
I also want to use it with my Harmony One remote, without any hassle.
P.S. Looks like your cooking on the video side of things. Sony are tops for video products, but not for audio. You should consider looking at some serious audio equipment, like Dynaudio speakers for example. The difference between quality audio components and "all in the box" systems is truly astounding. If you can afford it, a high-end audio system will blow your mind. Have a look at What-Hi-Fi magazine for some ideas on gear and go listen to some stuff.
Ben @ Mar 30th 2009 10:58AM
Carney, or any one
I am trying to decide between the BDP-S560 and the PS3. What will I be missing if I get the PS3?, If I get the BDP-S560? I will also be getting a samsung LN46B750 TV or may be the 52 inch LN52B750. I am not a gammer. I might want to stream netflix movies and I am a nature photographer and would like to show my stuff on the new TV
Dave @ Apr 4th 2009 1:04PM
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665791144
if you go to the specifications tab and scroll down a little bit, it looks like the bdp-s360 will handle mp3 playback. BUT, in a footnote it says Internet access required. Fees may apply???
jan vanuytven @ May 8th 2009 3:13AM
Will the BDV-E300 or the BDV-E500 have HDMI inputs and all the HD audio codec decoding?
The specs on sonystyle aren't filled in...