Manage updates with the Download AppSony BDP-S550
Manufacturer: Sony Part number: BDP-S550
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Sony BDP-S550 offers excellent image quality and a solid feature set, but only consider it if you need the multichannel analog outputs.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memory4Less.com | Not yet rated | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 06/18/2013 |
CNET editors' review
Sony BDP-S550 price range: $444.24
- Reviewed by: Matthew Moskovciak
- Edited by: David Katzmaier
- Reviewed on: 11/17/2008
- Released on: 10/15/2008
The good: Excellent image quality on Blu-ray Discs; Profile 2.0 compliant; onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, plus bit-stream output; 7.1 analog-audio outputs; 1GB USB drive included in box.
The bad: PlayStation 3 may still offer a better value for some buyers; competing players offer more features or lower prices.
The bottom line: The Sony BDP-S550 offers excellent image quality and a solid feature set, but only consider it if you need the multichannel analog outputs.
User reviews
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Pristine video. Crystal clear audio.
by Dave Dugal on October 16, 2008
Pros: 7.1-channel analog audio with internal decoding of all formats.
Blu-Ray Profile 2.0.
Stunning video performance.
Crystal clear audio.
User-friendly menus.
Quick startup time.Cons: Subwoofer output is -10dB too low.
Disc handling slightly noisy. Sounds a little cheap.Summary: Let me first start out by stating that I'm living in an analog world. I'm using component video and 7.1-channel RCA connectors for audio. This ability, combined ...
Summary: Let me first start out by stating that I'm living in an analog world. I'm using component video and 7.1-channel RCA connectors for audio. This ability, combined with Profile 2.0, was the primary reason I waited for the Sony BDP-S550.
-10dB LFE Update:
Out of the box, the unit is surprisingly small. It's full-width, but only half the depth of every other component I have in my rack. This all but guarantees the new Blu-ray Disc player will sit proudly at the top of my six-and-a-half foot tower of electronics. It's a pretty unit with a slight bluish black complexion so I don't mind, really. I was just surprised. My previous foray into Sony disc players was the DVP-S9000ES which was a 40-pound, brass-plated monster.
The initial setup was a breeze. I like the matrix-like setup menus. The only tweaks I had to make were to set the Audio Output Priority to multi-channel analog and [eventually] to set the BD Audio Setting to "Direct". This last item was critically important and almost made me return the unit. By allowing menu-based sound effects to be mixed into the BD audio, it introduced a ~150ms audio delay in watching Blu-ray Discs. I was horrified until, on a SWAG, I changed this setting. Phew!
After playing a few minutes from every Blu-ray Disc I bought, I threw in a few reference quality DVDs. The upconversion from 480i to both 480p and 1080i (via component video) was excellent. It was almost too good, showing the limitations of some of my lesser DVDs. Film grain in the recently remastered "Dirty Dancing" DVD [Disclaimer: this is my fiancee's disc] was more obvious on this player than I've seen on any of my other DVD players. There are extensive noise reduction settings available in the player, but the film grain was more a testament to the clarity of the player rather than distracting.
I also tested 4x3 (1.33:1) DVDs and audio CDs, just to be sure the player could be my end-all, be-all player. Initially, the player stretched the 4x3 DVD to fit my 16x9 screen, but I eventually found the Screen Format video settings, which when set to the non-intuitive value of "Fixed Aspect Ratio", displays all DVDs in their proper aspect ratio.
In conclusion, the video on my 1080i RPTV is pristine; the best I've ever seen. The player-decoded 7.1-channel audio is also crystal clear. I didn't expect to hear an improvement over optical DTS-ES or THX-EX, but the difference is amazingly obvious. The player *does*, unfortunately, suffer from the -10dB subwoofer output limitation, which is very irritating (and the cause of only 4 stars). Relative to all the other channels, the line-level subwoofer output is over 10dB too low. This causes a major disparity in perceived output between the seven main channels and the subwoofer. I'm hoping and praying Sony will release a firmware upgrade to fix this in the very near future. Until then, I've got all the other channels set to -10 to -12dB with the subwoofer set to 0dB, which is almost close to the correct value for my home theatre.
If you can live with or compensate for the very low subwoofer output, or use HDMI for audio and video, then I do not hesitate in strongly recommending this player to anyone looking for an excellent, user-friendly, fully-functional and surprisingly inexpensive Blu-ray Disc player.
Updated on Oct 18, 2008
After doing extensive research, and finding an excellent article about LFE on AVSForum.com, I found out that the standard for LFE over analog output dictates that the signal be delivered 10dB lower than the reference level of the other channels. Digging deep into the setup menus of my Denon AVR-5800, I found a way to boost the LFE channel of the receiver's 8-channel analog inputs to bring all channel levels in line.12 out of 12 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best Blu-Ray Player Yet!!
by reg549 on October 17, 2008
Pros: Right out of the box, only needs to be plugged into your electrical outlet and plug in your existing HDMI cable. It finally woke up my 7.1 Onkyo system with Dolby Digital HD, DTS HD, and more.
Cons: Had it over 3 weeks now, had pre ordered it with Sony, and have had no problems whatsoever.
Summary: Simply the best viewing and sound from any existing Blu-Ray player ever. Sony has outdone itself this time, you just won't believe the picture and sound until you actually ...
Summary: Simply the best viewing and sound from any existing Blu-Ray player ever. Sony has outdone itself this time, you just won't believe the picture and sound until you actually have the opportunity to see and hear it yourself.
6 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
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This the first Blu-ray player that cam do it all!
by dvdirv on October 25, 2008
Pros: Support for all next-gen audio formats, Profile 2.0 compliant, backlit remote, remaining time display, reasonable price
Cons: Set-up menu always "ON"
Summary: If you're looking for a Blu-ray player that can do it all, check out the Sony BDP-S550 player.
It's got a ton of improvements over Sony's (and ...Summary: If you're looking for a Blu-ray player that can do it all, check out the Sony BDP-S550 player.
It's got a ton of improvements over Sony's (and the competition's) previous models.
It can internally decode all 7.1 next-gen audio formats. This is the player that will easily let you play Dolby TrueHD as well as dtsHD Master Audio soundtracks.
It is Profile 2.0 capable right out of the box. No upgrades required (at least not right now!). With the built-in network port, upgrades are a snap.
Sony's previous players (except the 350) had slow loading times. The 550 is much quicker. You even have the option of a quick start-up mode, even faster than the default standard one which is fast enough.
Most Blu-ray players display total and elapsed time. This player also features remaining time, crucial if you want to know how much time is left on the disc.
The 550 includes a backlit remote, a real improvement if you are using your player in a darkened room.
The best feature of the 550 is its price. Although the $399 price tag may seem high to some, actual discounts are closer to $300-$330, which is about $50 higher than the bottom line 350 model. Considering how many extra features you get, it seems like a bargain.
Only down side is Sony's Xcross Media Bar graphic display is always on except for playing discs. You only need to access this menu when you are setting up your system or making changes. Then you only need to display a neat desktop, not one cluttered with icons.
If want a reasonable inexpensive Blu-ray player that can handle all your options now or in the short-term future, the Sony BDP-S550 is the one to get!3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Solid player to me. Would love to hear CNET's opinion!
by sanramon94582 on October 16, 2008
Pros: Greate BD and DVD upscaling. Small. Stylish. Solid build. No bugs encountered so far.
Cons: Confusing info from Sony whether it decodes DTS-HD MA for 7.1 Analog set up. The Sony web site changes the desciption several times - from yes, to through future firmware update, to btistream HDMI only, and back to yes.
Summary: I got it from a local Sonystyle store. Easy set up and very easy to navigate menu. This is my first blu-ray player so I'm unable to compare it ...
Summary: I got it from a local Sonystyle store. Easy set up and very easy to navigate menu. This is my first blu-ray player so I'm unable to compare it against other players or PS3. It has the need to change BD Audio setting from 'mix' (default setting) to 'direct' in order to enjoy lossless audio format. I too want to see professional review on this against the Panny BD55.
Another pro - $150 off with a Sonystyle credit card offer.
Updated on Oct 16, 20083 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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CNET ... Please review ASAP!!!
by hawke47 on October 15, 2008
Pros: I do not own this product, and my comments would be assumptions
Cons: I do not own this product, and my comments would be assumptions.
Summary: I do not own this product, but it seems like this Bluray player will be the only competitor that will be able to stand up against the Panasonic DMP-BD55, which ...
Summary: I do not own this product, but it seems like this Bluray player will be the only competitor that will be able to stand up against the Panasonic DMP-BD55, which sells for the same price ($399). However, Panasonic has made it clear from the start that the DMP-BD55 will support decoding for all high-definition audio formats, and will allow for full 7.1 analog output of these formats. CNET, please review this item, and ALSO please do a side by side comparison to the Panasonic DMP-BD55. Thank you all for the ear. Be well. :)
2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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superior product
by marc sloan on November 25, 2008
Pros: Best H.D picture I have ever seen ( sony XBR5) exellent full 7.1 sound.
Cons: none, this is a no brainer!
Summary: easy HDMI hookup to sony E.S5300, intuitive easy interface. 5 minutes, to hookup, everything pristine perfect!
Summary: easy HDMI hookup to sony E.S5300, intuitive easy interface. 5 minutes, to hookup, everything pristine perfect!
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Everything I wanted in a Blu-Ray player
by hmbmd1 on November 20, 2008
Pros: Stunning picture quality, decodes all audio codecs, has analog 7.1 outputs so I didn't need a new receiver
Cons: None so far
Summary: A great buy for anyone with an older generation receiver, or for anyone who wants a well built player with excellent performance and fast load times. Especially ideal if you ...
Summary: A great buy for anyone with an older generation receiver, or for anyone who wants a well built player with excellent performance and fast load times. Especially ideal if you don't want to be tempted to spend all you time gaming! No doubt the Panasonic DMP-BD55 would have pleased me just as much, but the Samsung lacks DTS-MA and I have no interest in streaming SD movies.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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CNET review is WRONG about loading speed!
by bluskiessmingatme on December 14, 2008
Pros: Excellent machine
Cons: No slow-mo.
Summary: The review saying the loading forSpider-Man 3 and POTC: Dead Man's Chest is WRONG! I just tested the POTC: Dead Man's Chest and Spider-Man 3 discs and if ...
Summary: The review saying the loading forSpider-Man 3 and POTC: Dead Man's Chest is WRONG! I just tested the POTC: Dead Man's Chest and Spider-Man 3 discs and if you count from the moment the disc arrives inside the machine to the time it starts playing (including the spider symbol and the POTC keys turning), it only took about 40 seconds to load!
Also, I begin to wonder if the person really reviewed the machine. He mentions re: the remote: "We generally liked the layout, and there's enough button differentiation to navigate by feel in a darkened home theater." Umm, you don't have to...the S550's remote is backlit!1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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has a long life time
by ringwang on November 24, 2011
Pros: Good video performance!!
Cons: Failed to load Blu-Ray discs after 1 year.
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Failed to load Blu-Ray discs after 1 year
by jtredway on December 30, 2009
Pros: Good video performance.
Cons: Failed to load Blu-Ray discs after 1 year.
Summary: After 1 year of good service, it stopped loading Blu-Rays. Sony support recognizes this as a common problem. Without extended warranty, I was quoted a flat rate of $112 to ...
Summary: After 1 year of good service, it stopped loading Blu-Rays. Sony support recognizes this as a common problem. Without extended warranty, I was quoted a flat rate of $112 to repair it. Of course, I wold have to ship it (certified/insured) to Texas. So, in the end, I'm looking to replace it with a different model.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sony
- Part number: BDP-S550
- Description: The BDP-S550 model supports BonusView (Picture-in-Picture) featured on some of the new Blu-ray Disc theatrical releases. This model also features an external port for local storage, so users can add optional flash-based memory. The BDP-S550 ships with a 1GB storage device. The player features 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema output. It is compatible with most standard DVDs and features 1080p upscaling through an HDMI connection to capable HDTV sets, improving the picture performance of existing DVD libraries. The model offers 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus decoding and bit-stream output, as well as dts -HD High Resolution Audio and Master Audio bit-stream output. The BDP-S550 adds dts-HD High Resolution Audio and dts-HD Master Audio decoding as well as 7.1 channel analog audio output. The player supports AVCHD discs encoded with x.v.Color (xvYCC) technology, an international standard for wide color space reproduction. The standard expands the current data range of video by about 1.8 times, allowing the players to output more natural and vivid colors similar to what the human eye can actually see. The player also features compatibility with an array of video formats, including BD-R/RE (BDMV and BDAV modes), DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW (Video Mode), CD, CD-R/RW (CD-DA format), and JPEG on DVD/CD recordable media. The new model features a slim design with reduced depth and height compared to previous models matching Sony's new home-theater-in-a-box systems, the HT-SS2300 and HT-CT100 T-SS2300, also announced today. Optimized for Blu-ray Disc, the new component systems feature three 1080p compatible HDMI inputs making them the perfect match for a Full high-definition home theater when connected to a new Sony BRAVIA 1080p HDTV.
General
- Component type Blu-ray player
- Form factor Tabletop
- Dimensions (WxDxH) 16.9 in x 8.7 in x 2.8 in
- Weight 7.3 lbs
Blu-ray
- Media Type DVD+R,
BD-ROM,
BD-R,
BD-RE,
CD-R,
DVD,
CD,
DVD+RW,
DVD-R,
DVD-RW,
CD-RW - Recordable Media BD-R,
BD-RE,
DVD,
DVD+R,
DVD+RW,
DVD-R,
DVD-RW,
CD,
CD-R,
CD-RW,
JPEG - BD profiles Profile 1.1 (Bonus View),
Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) - Video D/A Converter 12bit / 148.5MHz
- Audio D/A Converter 24bit / 192kHz
- Built-in Audio Decoders DTS-HD decoder,
Dolby Digital,
Dolby Digital Plus,
DTS decoder,
Dolby TrueHD - Media Load Type Tray
- Upscaling Yes ( Up to 1080p )
- Supported Digital Video Standards AVCHD
- Supported Digital Audio Standards PCM,
MP3 Blu-ray Features
- Parental lock Yes
- TV screen saver Yes
- Additional features Progressive scanning ,
Cinema mode ,
JPEG photo playback Audio System
- Sound Output Mode Surround Sound
- Digital Audio Format Dolby Digital output,
DTS digital output
Connections
- Connector type 1 x Ethernet ( RJ-45 ) - Rear,
1 x HDMI output ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - Rear,
1 x 7.1 channel audio line-out ( RCA phono x 8 ) - Rear,
1 x SPDIF output ( RCA phono ) - Rear,
1 x SPDIF output ( TOSLINK ) - Rear,
1 x Composite video/audio output ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear,
1 x S-Video output ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - Rear,
1 x USB Remote Control
- Type Remote control - Infrared
Power
- Power Device Power supply - Internal
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sony products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Sony
- Address:
16765 W. Bernardo Dr., San Diego, CA 92127 - Phone: 1-877-865-SONY
- Email: contact@sel.sony.com
- Fax: 941-768-7790
