Well the press release headline states that Sony has launched it’s first 3D Ready Blu-Ray Player, but read a little bit into it and you’ll find that this model can be upgraded with firmware sometime this summer to play Blu-Ray 3D content.. I guess that’s what ‘Ready’ means then huh? Actually they’ve just launched four new models, two of which are the 3D ones which will be going for about $550 and $650, the other two will be about $180 and $200 for them, which isn’t a bad price for a Blu-Ray player really.. I need to get a new one badly, I’ve got the Sony BDP-S301 and it’s so slow to boot up, even with the new firmware etc, I’ve got to turn it on and walk away, do something then come back and it might be ready to use.. I hate it.. Anyway the two new 3D capable models will also be able to stream Netflix, Amazon Video, YouTube, Slacker, NPR, Sony Music and more, so they might be worth it..

 

Continuing to drive innovation, Sony® today launched the new BDP-S470 stand-alone Blu-ray 3D(TM)-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(TM) 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(TM), 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(TM) 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(TM)
  --  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(TM) 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(TM) 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(TM) 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(TM), 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

Web Site: http://www.sonystyle.com/