The user reviews of the Samsung BD-P1590 on cnet and Amazon are mixed, but there are enough problems reported, especially with firmware updates, that you would probably be happier with another player.

The P1590 isn't really equivalent to the Sony S360, since it streams Netflix and Pandora. If you are interested in streaming Netflix, a more equivalent player would be the Sony N460.

If you are not interested in streaming, or don't have broadband anyway, the Sony S360 would be an excellent choice for a basic Blu-ray Disc player, as would the Panny DMP-BD60.

In addition to their 3D player, Panasonic has announced three new regular BD players: the entry level DMP-BD45, the mid-range DMP-BD65, with VOD streaming, and the more capable DMP-BD85, which adds a supplied WiFi dongle and 7.1 analog output.

In addition to their 3D player, Toshiba has announced two new regular BD players: the BDX2500 with VOD streaming and 7.1 analog outputs, MSRP $200, and the BDX2700 which adds Built-in WiFi, MSRP $250.

Yeah, I never liked Samsung since I had one of their upconverting dvd players and had nothing but problems with it. I returned it and ordered the Sony. Thanks!

Is it possible to upgrade the firmware from a flash-drive? My player isn't hooked up to the internet and it'd be a pain to have to burn a new disc every time I need to upgrade.

Yep

How? Would I just put the image file on my drive then plug it in?

Assuming you're talking about the S360, not that I'm aware of. I have the S360 and as far as I know you can only update the firmware using either the internet connection or from CD.

Yes I am. Thanks.

It really isn't that difficult. Just download a free ISO burner, download the file and burn to a CD. Literally takes just a few minutes

I have the Sony BDP-S560 and I read that you have to insert a flash drive in the slot on the back to increase memory if your going to use BD-Live through the WIFI. Are you supposed to insert the flash drive every time you want to use BD-Live and then remove it or can you just leave it in permanently?

Just leave it in all the time...won't do any harm. IIRC, it comes with a 1GB Pro Duo card anyway so you don't have to buy them (or at least the S550 did. Maybe the S560 has the 1GB built-in?)

Thanks, also I bought a 2 GB drive. Is that enough to do most things on BD-Live?

1GB is enough for just about everything.

If it pulls up the correct info. It's a pain in the arse if Gracenote doesn't pull the correct info. You more or less have to put the info in old school texting style since it doesn't have a keyboard input.

That being said I love my 400 disc changer and I can't imagine going back

Just picked up a BD590 at Best Buy!

Looks like it's time to update your sig.

Picked up the LG 590 as well. I've played with it a little and so far it's pretty sweet. Streaming is very nice and it's fast as hell for BD startup and resume. Very quiet even with the hard drive. Doesn't seem to play or recognize .wmv files which is a bit of pain for me, but it works great with an external drive via USB. I'll have to check out the internal HD next.

^Added the LG BD590 and LG BD570 to the list in the first post.

Hey Lizard, thanks for updating the list, but the LG590 does not have analog out jacks.

I'll try to make the change tomorrow since I am away from home today. The info from the CES said that the 590 did have analog outs according to several reports. Interesting that LG left them off this latest generation. Players that will support old receivers are becoming rare now, as expected.

Can anybody recommend the new Slim PS3 as a good blu player?

Thinking about pulling the trigger and picking up an Oppo BDP-83. Should I consider another player that is similar? Which ones? I already use 2 PS3s so I'm only interested in ideas for a stand-alone. Any help would be appreciated.

The reasons I'm looking at the Oppo: love the size, continually gets stellar reviews, easily upgradeable to region-free dvd.

Ian

Depending on your specific requirements, I recommend you do a pro/con comparison with the Oppo BDP-80, as well. Could save yourself some bucks.

Can someone point me towards an FAQ about using the PS3 as a Blu-Ray player? We've actually been using it since Christmas or so, but I've never tweaked any of the video/audio settings (such PCM vs bitstream, etc) and I'd like to know what to do to maximize my usage.

thanks

I've added three new Sony BD players to the list in the first post:
S370 $180
S470 $200 3D capable
S570 $250 3D capable

Of interest is the low pricing for the for the 3D capable players; I would think that competing players will be dropping in price. So far as I can tell, the only difference between the S570 and the S470 is that the former has built-in WiFi and the latter requires a USB dongle.

For those who still care about disc loading speeds, Cnet reports that the S570is even faster than the Oppo 83.

The 3D capability is due to be added by firmware update in July. What is unclear is how the HDMI 1.4 will work with older HDMI receivers (if they can't read the flag correctly, they might not pass the video to the output to the display). Since it isn't mentioned, apparently it isn't a problem. Cnet just says "Sony has told us that the HDMI output meets HDMI 1.4 specification and can fully handle the 3D Blu-ray spec, but that it doesn't support some of the other features of HDMI 1.4, such as the audio return channel or Ethernet over HDMI." They imply, but don't say directly, that it works ok with HDMI 1.3 receivers.

Sony BDP-S370 Blu-ray Disc player
Access to the Bravia Internet Video platform, which includes Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Pandora, Slacker, and NPR streaming capability
WiFi capable but requires USB dongle
• Currently available; $180
• Profile 2.0
• No Analog 5.1 or 7.1 channel audio output
• Onboard decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio for output over HDMI to capable receivers
• Bitstream output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio over HDMI to capable receivers

Sony BDP-S470 3D Blu-ray Disc player
Specs say “Firmware update required (available July 2010) 3D viewing requires 3D content, 3D-ready HDTV and HDMI connection. Other 3D accessories (including 3D glasses and emitter) may also be required for 3D viewing.” There is no mention of HDMI 1.4 but Cnet reports that the output is, indeed 1.4. How that would work with HDMI 1.3 receivers is unclear but apparently it isn’t a problem.
Access to the Bravia Internet Video platform, which includes Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Pandora, Slacker, and NPR streaming capability
WiFi capable but requires USB dongle, can use iPhone and iPod Touch as remotes
• Currently available; $200
• Profile 2.0
• No Analog 5.1 or 7.1 channel audio output
• Onboard decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio for output over HDMI to capable receivers
• Bitstream output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio over HDMI 1.4 to capable receivers

Sony BDP-S570 3D Blu-ray Disc player
Specs say “Firmware update required (available July 2010) 3D viewing requires 3D content, 3D-ready HDTV and HDMI connection. Other 3D accessories (including 3D glasses and emitter) may also be required for 3D viewing.” There is no mention of HDMI 1.4 but Cnet reports that the output is, indeed 1.4. How that would work with HDMI 1.3 receivers is unclear but apparently it isn’t a problem.
Access to the Bravia Internet Video platform, which includes Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Pandora, Slacker, and NPR streaming capability
Built-in Wi-Fi, can use iPhone and iPod Touch as remotes
Cnet Review
• Currently available; $250
• Profile 2.0
• No Analog 5.1 or 7.1 channel audio output
• Onboard decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio for output over HDMI to capable receivers
• Bitstream output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio over HDMI 1.4 to capable receivers