About the Sony BDP-S1
Blu-ray Disc is a new high-definition video format that offers amazing home entertainment possibilities. When the DVD format launched in 1997, Sony's first player was a high-end model that quickly set the benchmark for picture and sound quality. History repeats itself with Sony's first Blu-ray player, the BDP-S1. For videophiles eager to feed their HDTVs the highest-quality video source available, this is as good as it gets.
The BDP-S1 is one of the first video players of any type to provide true 1080p output — 1920 x 1080 pixels progressive scan, the highest HD signal output currently available. TV makers are shifting to 1080p resolution for their top-performing flat-panel and projection TVs, and this Blu-ray player is a pixel-perfect match. Even if your HD-capable TV is a few years old and lacks a digital HDMI connection, don't worry, you can still experience Blu-ray. High-definition signals up to 1080i are available through the player's component video output.
The key to the BDP-S1's top-notch video performance is the Blu-ray Disc. This new high-capacity format can hold up to five times as much information as a regular DVD. A Blu-ray player can send this digital info to your TV at a much faster rate than a DVD player. The result is picture quality with flawless clarity and true-to-life texture and depth. Sound quality is improved, too. In addition to 5.1-channel Dolby® Digital and DTS® surround mixes like those found on DVDs, Blu-ray movies will also include a full CD-quality multichannel mix.
The BDP-S1 also plays standard DVDs, and will breathe new life into your entire DVD collection by upscaling the video to 1080p (or 720p or 1080i — you can choose the resolution that best suits your TV). The new Java-based interactive menu system further enhances the Blu-ray entertainment experience. For example, you'll be able to check out extras like commentaries and interviews without stopping the movie first. In so many ways, Blu-ray is a new chapter in home theater.
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Product highlights:
- plays Blu-ray high-definition discs (selectable output resolution: 1080p signals available through HDMI output only; 720p/1080i signals available through HDMI or component video)
- plays DVD-Video and DVD-R & DVD-RW
- plays high-def AVCHD files recorded to DVD
- does not play any type of audio CD
- selectable 720p/1080i/1080p video upconversion for DVD
(upconverted video available through HDMI output only) - built-in audio decoding for Dolby Digital and DTS, plus multichannnel uncompressed PCM
- BD-Java interactive capability
- HDMI version 1.1 digital output (combines video and multichannel audio with HDCP copy protection)
- 1 set of A/V outputs (composite video, S-video, and component video)
- stereo and 5.1-channel audio outputs
- coaxial and optical digital audio outputs
- remote control (multibrand for TVs)
- multichannel 192kHz/24-bit audio D/A converters
- 17"W x 4-1/8"H x 16-1/8"D
- warranty: 1 year
- viewing high-definition Blu-ray content requires an HDTV or HD-ready TV
- plays "Region 1" DVDs and "Region A" Blu-ray Discs only
- MFR # BDPS1
What's in the box:
- Single-disc Blu-ray disc player
- 75" AC power cord
- RMT-B100A wireless remote control
- 2 "AA" batteries
- 58" Composite video cable (has an RCA connector on each end)
- 59" Stereo RCA patch cord
- Owner's Manual
- On-line product registration information
- Free planned upgrade information
- Note about first time start-up
- Note about BD-Java
- Blu-ray experience pamphlet
- Rebate coupons for specific Blu-ray software
- Warranty information
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More details on the Sony BDP-S1
Features & specs
| General | ||
|---|---|---|
| Surround Sound Decoding | --- | |
| 4K Ultra HD | ||
| 3D Capable | ||
| Internet Movie Streaming | --- | |
| Built-in Wi-Fi | N/A | |
| Smartphone App Control | No | |
| DVD Video Upconversion | 720p, 1080i, 1080p | |
| Multibrand Remote | Yes | |
| Parts Warranty | 1 Year | |
| Labor Warranty | 1 Year | |
| Compatibility | ||
| CD-R Capable | No | |
| CD-R/W Capable | No | |
| SACD Playback | No | |
| DVD-Audio Playback | No | |
| Outputs | ||
| Digital Optical Output | 1 | |
| Digital Coaxial Output | 1 | |
| HDMI Outputs | 1 | |
| HDMI Version | 1.1 | |
| Ethernet Ports | --- | |
| Analog Audio Outputs | 5.1ch + 2ch | |
| 1080p Video Output | Yes | |
| Component Video Outputs | 1 | |
| RS-232C Port | None | |
Product Research
Features
Remote Control
Input and
Output Notes
Blu-ray Disc Overview: Blu-ray Disc (BD) is a new high-definition disc format designed to take advantage of today's high quality HDTVs. The resolution is up to 1920 x 1080 (1080p) and the data transfer rate is up to 54 mbps. Blu-ray Disc discs and players offer several advantages over the standard DVD format:
- Better picture quality: Blu-ray Disc is a true high-definition format offering video at 720p, 1080i, or 1080p resolution. While standard DVDs look very good on an HDTV, they don't provide a high-definition signal (not even when you use an "up-converting" DVD player). Blu-ray Disc delivers an extraordinarily sharp, clean, detailed picture, with deeper, richer colors.
- Better sound quality: In addition to the same multi-channel sound formats you're accustomed to with DVD (Dolby Digital and DTS), Blu-ray Disc offers Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, and uncompressed 7.1 channel PCM.
- Much greater storage capacity: What makes Blu-ray Disc's superior picture and sound possible is the much higher storage capacity of Blu-ray Disc discs. A single-layer Blu-ray Disc can hold 25 gigabytes of data, over five times the amount a standard DVD can hold. Dual-layer Blu-ray Discs hold 50 gigabytes, which equates to nine hours of High Definition or 23 hours of Standard Definition video, plus high-resolution multi-channel audio and the added features and material that require multiple discs with standard DVD.
- Compatibility with your current disc collections: To ensure backward-compatibility with your existing library of discs, Blu-ray Disc players use a dual-laser mechanism: a blue laser for playing high-definition Blu-ray Discs, and a conventional red laser for playing DVDs and audio CDs.
Dolby Digital Plus: Dolby Digital Plus was developed as an extension to Dolby Digital. The audio coding technology supports 7.1 channel surround sound. Dolby Digital Plus also includes the standard Dolby Digital bit stream and is compatible with all current Dolby Digital processors using the optical or coaxial digital output.
Dolby TrueHD: Dolby TrueHD is a lossless coding technology that supports up to 8 channels of multi-channel surround sound for the next generation optical discs. The reproduced sound is true to the original source bit-for-bit.
DTS-HD: DTS-HD is an extended format of the Coherent Acoustics audio coding system, which also encompasses DTS, DTS-ES, and DTS 96/24. DTS-HD is highly flexible in supporting the number of discrete surround sound channels. While 7.1ch surround sound is planned for Blu-ray Discs, the audio signals can be down mixed to 5.1 or 2 channels for backward compatibility, and the reproduced audio quality can either be at the bit rate of DTS Digital Surround or the lossless mode.
Disc Compatibility: The BDP-S1 is compatible with many disc types:
- BD-ROM: pre-recorded Blu-ray Discs
- DVD-Video: pre-recorded DVD
- DVD-R: record once DVD
- DVD-RW: rewritable DVD
Recordable BD: Although it's not currently compatible with BD-R or BD-RE discs, Sony plans a free disc-based upgrade in 2007 for the BDP-S1 that will enable playback of recordable Blu-ray discs.
AVCHD: AVCHD (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264) is a high definition digital video camera format used to record in high definition or standard definition on DVD, using an efficient data compression coding technology. The format is designed to compress video and audio (Dolby Digital or Linear PCM) data, enabling a high definition video signal shot on a digital video camera recorder to be recorded on DVD discs, in the same way as it would be for a standard definition signal.
Blu-ray Disc Java (BD-J): The BD-ROM format supports Java for interactive functions. BD-J offers content providers almost unlimited functionality when creating interactive BD-ROM titles.
1080p Output: Through the HDMI output, BDP-S1 has a 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixel) output option, at either the 60 Hz video or 24 Hz film frame rates.
Region Code: Like DVD, BD uses region codes. The region code on your disc must match the region code on your player, otherwise the disc will not play. The BDP-S1 is Blu-ray region A and DVD region 1.
Copy Protection: Blu-ray Disc uses the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) to prevent unauthorized recording of copyrighted material.
MP3 Playback: This unit will play MP3 audio files recorded onto DVD-R or DVD-RW discs. You can program up to 25 songs in any order you like as a Quicklist. The on screen keyboard allows you to search for a track, genre, artist, or album directly. Artist and title information is displayed on screen and you can list all songs (sorted alphabetically, by date, by artist, or by song title) or sort all artists, albums, genres, Quicklists, or folders.
JPEG Playback: This unit will play JPEG still picture files recorded onto DVD-R or DVD-RW discs. Like with MP3 playback, you can program a Quicklist of up to 25 files to run as a slideshow. You can also run a slideshow of all files on the disc. You can search for a file directly using the on screen keyboard. You can list all files at once, or browse by folder, date, or quicklist.
Movie Files: The BDP-S1 can play MPEG2 PS movie files recorded on DVD-R or DVD-RW discs. Movie title information is displayed on screen. You can search for a title directly using the on screen keyboard or sort titles alphabetically or by date.
Resume Play: Resume play allows you to resume playback of a disc from the point where you last stopped. The stopping point is cleared when the Stop button is pressed more than once, the disc tray is opened, the player is turned off, or any of the settings on the player are changed.
Surround Sound Decoders: The BDP-S1 has built-in Dolby Digital and DTS surround processors. The analog 5.1 channel signals are output through the RCA jacks.
Fan Cooled: A fan on the back of the BDP-S1 keeps the unit cool.
Multi-brand Remote: The supplied remote is pre-programmed to operate this unit and a number of functions on multiple brand TVs. Once programmed, the remote controls the TV's power on/off, input select, volume up/down, channel up/down, and mute.
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface): The BDP-S1's HDMI output simplifies A/V connections by carrying video and digital audio in one cable. This unit features HDCP copyright protection technology, and must be connected to an HDCP-compliant device. If your TV has a DVI input instead of an HDMI input, you can connect this unit to your TV using an HDMI-to-DVI adapter. You will also need to connect audio cables to the player because DVI is a video only cable. The HDMI resolution can be fixed at 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, or 1080p, or set to Auto, which selects the highest resolution accepted by your television. The video format can be set to component or RGB.
Component Video: The component video resolution can be set to 480i, 480p, 720p, or 1080i. If the HDMI output is set to 1080p, the component video output is fixed at 480i. When a copy protected DVD is played, the maximum output resolution is 480p.
Composite Video and S-Video: The composite and S-video outputs are always live and fixed at 480i. They can output video when playing a Blu-ray Disc.
Digital Audio Output: The Audio menu allows you to select the digital audio format that is passed through the optical, coaxial, and HDMI outputs. Individual settings allow you to downmix Dolby Digital and/or DTS soundtracks to 2-channel PCM audio.
Analog Audio: There is a pair of stereo RCA outputs plus 5.1 channel outputs for utilizing the built-in surround decoders.
Control S/IR Input: A 3.5mm input on the back panel accepts commands from a Control S compatible Sony TV.
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Customer Q&A
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Just purchased the Sony Blu-ray disc player to compliment our new 60" Sony HDTV and it is far better than we expected,it even plays non-blu-ray DVD's and also improves the picture quality! We just love it, the picture quality of the Blu-ray is outstanding!Highly recommended.
Casey from Bridger Valley Wyoming