Sony Announces 3D Blu-ray Player

Sony this week unveiled its first 3D Blu-ray player – the BDP-S470. Although it won't play 3D content the moment it is unboxed, a firmware update will be available this summer, enabling the BDP-S470 to play Blu-ray-capable 3D movies.

The company also announced another Blu-ray player, the BDP-S570, and two Blu-ray home theater systems that will be able to play 3D content thanks to the firmware update. The Blu-ray home theater systems eligible for the update are the E770W and BDV-E570.

All of the new models (if connected to the Internet) support Netflix streaming as well as Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube, Slacker Internet Radio, and more through the Sony BRAVIA Internet Video platform. Also, if you have an iPhone or iPod touch, the new players let you use your iPhone as a remote using the free "BD Remote" app available from the Apple App store.

The BDP-S570 will be available in February for about $250. The BDP-S470 hits stores in February as well for about $200, and the BDP-S370 will also be available this month for about $180.

Sony's Blu-ray home theater system, the BDV-E770W will be available in March for about $650. The other home theater system model, the BDV-E570, will also arrive in stores in March for around $550.

Press release:

SONY LAUNCHES ITS FIRST BLU-RAY 3D-READY PLAYER

Feb. 10, 2010 – Continuing to drive innovation, Sony today launched the new BDP-S470 stand-alone Blu-ray 3D-ready player. The model can be upgraded to play Blu-ray 3D content with a firmware update available this summer.

The company also announced that the previously introduced BDP-S570 Blu-ray Disc model and the BDV-E770W and BDV-E570 Blu-ray Disc home theater systems will be Blu-ray 3D capable with firmware updates available this summer.

The new models, along with the previously announced BDP-S370, are now shipping and will be available at national retailers, Sony Style, and www.sonystyle.com next month.

"Consumer excitement for 3D is unbelievably high and Sony is poised to deliver the best possible in-home experience," said Chris Fawcett, vice president of Sony’s Home Division. "Involved in every facet of the 3D chain from professional equipment to content production and hardware, Sony is the one company that can lean on its broad expertise to deliver 3D to the home that truly captures consumer imagination."

In addition to Blu-ray 3D playback, when connected to a broadband Internet network, all of the new models instantly stream movies, videos, music, and more from Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube, Slacker Internet Radio, Pandora (Coming Spring 2010), NPR, Sony Pictures, Sony Music, and over 25 total providers through the Sony BRAVIA Internet Video platform.

The new models also feature Sony's Entertainment Database Browser using Gracenote technologies that allows users to browse details like actor and production information from a Blu-ray Disc and access related content found on BRAVIA Internet Video content.

Unique to the new models, users with an iPhone or iPod touch device can control the players using a free app called "BD Remote" that can be downloaded from the Apple App store. The app allows an iPhone or iPod touch device to function as a remote control that includes the ability to access a Blu-ray Disc’s details such as jacket artwork, actor, and production information as well as search for additional video clips online.

The models also offer improved start up and disc loading performance. When the quick start feature is turned on, the start-up time is quicker and disc loading is faster than previous models. The stand-alone Blu-ray Disc players can start-up from power off in about three seconds.

Specifications:

BDP-S570 Blu-ray Disc Player
Available in February for about $250

• Full HD 1080p single-disc Blu-ray Disc, DVD, CD, SA-CD player
• Blu-ray 3D ready (with firmware update available this summer)
• BRAVIA Monolithic Design
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE
• IP Content Noise Reduction
• Built-in Wi-Fi Wireless (802.11) with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch remote control – free app.)
• Photo/music/video playback via USB and DLNA (with firmware update)
• DVD upscaling to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding
• Built-in 1GB Memory

BDP-S470 Blu-ray Disc Player
Available in February for about $200

• Full HD 1080p single-disc Blu-ray Disc, DVD, CD, SA-CD player
• Blu-ray 3D ready (with firmware update available this summer)
• BRAVIA Monolithic Design
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE
• Wireless LAN Ready (USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately)
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch remote control – free app.)
• Photo/music/video playback via USB and DLNA (with firmware update)
• DVD upscaling to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding

BDP-S370 Blu-ray Disc Player
Available in February for about $180

• Full HD 1080p single-disc Blu-ray Disc, DVD, CD, SA-CD player
• BRAVIA Monolithic Design
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• Wireless LAN Ready (USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately)
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch remote control – free app.)
• Photo/music/video playback via USB and DLNA (with firmware update)
• DVD upscaling to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding

BDV-E770W Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System
Available in March for about $650

• 1000W Full HD 1080p Blu-ray Disc, DVD, CD, SA-CD 5.1 channel home theater system
• Blu-ray 3D ready (with firmware update available this summer)
• BRAVIA Monolithic Design
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE
• IP Content Noise Reduction
• Integrated S-AIR Wireless Rear Speaker
• Wireless LAN Ready with included USB Wireless LAN adapter (802.11)
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch remote control – free app.)
• Photo/Music/Video Playback via USB and DLNA(with firmware update)
• iPod audio playback via USB
• DVD upscaling to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding
• Built-in 1GB Memory

BDV-E570 Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System
Available in March for about $550

• 1000W Full HD 1080p Blu-ray Disc™, DVD, CD, SA-CD 5.1 channel home theater system
• Blu-ray 3D ready (with firmware update available this summer)
• Monolithic Design
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE
• S-AIR ready for wireless rear and wireless multi-room speakers (sold separately)
• Wireless LAN Ready with included USB Wireless LAN adapter (802.11)
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch remote control – free app.)
• Photo/Music/Video Playback via USB and DLNA(with firmware update)
• iPod audio playback via USB
• DVD upscaling to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding
• Built-in 1GB Memory

SOURCE Sony