Sony BDP-S470 3D Blu-ray Player (TPV 94)

Sony’s BDP-S470 is their most affordable Blu-ray player that provides 3D playback

September 7th, 2010 -- by David Birch-Jones
Source: The Perfect Vision

I tested the player’s internal video processing with DVD and Blu-ray test discs and found that the player did a reasonably good job of DVD upconversion, and a fairly good job of converting 1080-line interlaced content to 1080-line progressive with tough test patterns. I also found that it was reasonably quick with a DVD layer change test, hiccupping for only a second or so. With actual HD content, the player performed very well indeed.

Bottom Line

This is a very good Blu-ray player for a quite affordable price. The extensive Bravia Internet Video range of applications and widgets lets users choose from a variety of streaming TV and movie content suppliers, and there’s lots of free video and audio content there as well. The player has dual USB ports, one up front and the other ‘round back, which allows the installation of a wireless USB adapter out of sight at the back (they can be had starting from around $20 or so at discount computer outlets), which will keep the front USB port ready and available for connection to portable multimedia devices.

Specs & Pricing

Sony BDP-S470 3D Blu-ray player

Disc Formats Supported: 3D Blu-ray, 2D Blu-ray, DVD, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RWCD, CD-R/RW, SACD
HDMI Direct Audio Bitstreams: Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution
Outputs 1080p at: 24 Hz, 60 Hz
Video Outputs: 1 each HDMI, component, composite
Digital Audio Outputs: 1 optical, 1 coaxial
Analog Audio Outputs: 2-ch
Other Connections: 1 Ethernet, 2 USB ports
Dimensions (WxHxD): 17” x 1.5” x 8.6”
Weight: 4.5 lbs.
Warranty: 1 year, parts and labor
Price: $169.99

SONY
(800) 222-7669
www.sonystyle.com

Comments

akrauss -- Wed, 09/15/2010 - 14:25

One important aspect to the purchase of a 3D blu-ray player the review did not address is the ability (or lack thereof) to route the HDMI signal thru a "legacy" Home Theater receiver that can not handle the HDMI 1.4 specification. I recently purchased the Samsung C8000 3D TV and their 7900 series blu-ray specifically because the blu-ray has two HDMI outs - one for the 3D video to be routed directly to the 3D capable TV and the second - audio only, to be routed thru my Denon receiver, so I may watch the 3D AND get the benefit of the latest loseless audio signal processing.

stefano -- Tue, 10/26/2010 - 10:32

Dear Akrauss following your interesting comment and being new to BluRay stuff, I wonder if this Sony model would allow me 1) play Multichannel SACD contents via any of its outputs connected to a multichannel A/V receiver and 2) play audio tracks of a Blu Ray disc still via any of its outputs conncted to the same multichannel A/V receiver. If yes whcih outputs should I use? Optical or Digital and what features should the A/V receiver have for supporting Multichannel SACD and mutlichannel BluRay audio play back, when feeded by SONY BD? Thank you

akrauss -- Wed, 10/27/2010 - 09:02

Stefano;

Not sure I can answer all your questions, but here goes: 1) Yes- the specs of this player (like many Sony players) indicate it can handle SACD. As far as outputs go, as a general matter, optical or digital will give you the same end result. I am not a big fan of the optical connections, because I find they can become faulty over time. 2) Not sure of your question. If you are trying to just play the multi-channel audio off a blu-ray (like a music concert), you should be ok with a non-3D blu-ray. However, to get Dolby True HD or DTS HD (the higher resolution audio on a blu-ray), your AV receiver needs to be able to process those signals. If your receiver is only a year or two old, it likely will handle those formats, however, you should check to be sure. As far as the output goes, you can again go with either digital coaxial or optical. You could also go with HDMI for an non-3D blu-ray, to carry both audio and video. Again, my main point was the problem of playing 3D blu-rays thru a non HDMI 1.4 AV receiver. I think if you are playing standard blu-rays, you should not have the problem. Regards.

stefano -- Thu, 10/28/2010 - 06:29

Dear Akrauss
Thank you so much for your in depth reply. I am now thinking to get this SONY player and build around it a Multichannel system for enjoying Hi rez Videos and Music. I have already had more than positive experience with cheap SONY players in the past, specifically with a Multichannel SACD player belonging to SONY NS range of players that while modest in terms of quality performance when playing RedBook CDs, was and still is a great player with SACD format, given its price. A cheap product able to make you have a go and appreciate native qualities, and superiority of SACD format over Red Book CDs. So I am confident with this cheap player too and interested into checking whether the added functionalities (BD playback capabilities)do not affect SACD quality which, I hope, be at least be on a par with its older brother. Kind rgrds

esampson -- Tue, 11/02/2010 - 12:53

I just don't know how I feel about Blu-Ray yet. I just don't know that I think the quality is so improved that I want to spend the extra money to not only buy the player but blu-ray discs are quite a bit more expensive than regular dvds....I guess for those technology buffs though it's a must have. I will say that it's good at least that the blu-ray players also play the regular dvds in addition to the blu-ray version. I think i'll wait a little longer and see if the price continues to drop so that I can feel high-tech at a low cost!

Here's an awesome infographic about other ways you can turn your plain ol' room into a luxurious getaway!
http://www.become.com/resource-center/infographic/luxury-hotel-bedroom.html