<\/p>\n
What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision<\/p>\n \u00a3 230 * * * * *<\/strong><\/p>\n Sony\u2019s entry-level Blu-ray deck means business. It\u2019s a superb achievement in terms of both form and function<\/p>\n For Against What is it with Sony? Not content with blowing us away with the STR-DG820 receiver , it’s blessed us with another hotly anticipated product, the BDP-SD350 Blu-ray player. It\u2019s so new, it\u2019s not on sale until early September!<\/p>\n The first thing that grabs your attention are the player\u2019s dimensions, or lack of them. Compared to the company\u2019s BDP-S300 machine, the new model is 45 per cent smaller overall and only 22cm deep. Its chassis has been strengthened and embossed while a new fan has been fitted to reduce noise.<\/p>\n Connectivity includes an HDMI output, a coaxial digital output, an Ethernet connection and recessed USB input. Although the player is only Profile 1.1 out of the box, Sony will be releasing a Profile 2.0 firmware update shortly after launch.<\/p>\n The player\u2019s menu system features Sony\u2019s new Xross Media Bar (XMB), which will be familiar to all you PS3 owners. It\u2019s nice to look at and easy to navigate.<\/p>\n On the picture front, the BDP-S350 outputs 1080p\/24fps images and can upscale standard-definition DVDs to 1080p. All HD audio formats can be output as Bitstream.<\/p>\n Alternatively, it can decode HD audio formats internally, apart from DTS-HD Master Audio, and output them as LPCM. There are no multichannel analogue outputs.<\/p>\n Real clarity to the image Cars\u2019 three-dimensional landscapes look stunning. The Sony digs out every last ounce of detail during darker moments such as the explosive tunnel scene from Die Hard 4.0.<\/p>\n With DVD playback, it\u2019s one of the best upscaling Blu-ray players we\u2019ve come across. Play a few chapters of Spiderman 3 and it\u2019s the clarity of image and lack of noise that impresses the most.<\/p>\n Sonically, the Sony\u2019s solid, controlled, punchy approach to Blu-ray soundtracks is hugely entertaining. The BDP-S350 isn\u2019t even fazed with CD playback. Considering you\u2019re listening to a Blu-ray player, the Sony sounds rhythmic, composed and detailed.<\/p>\n Granted, the Sony might not tick all the feature boxes, but if you and simply desire an entry-level Blu-ray player, the BDP-S350 is perfect.<\/p>\n HD DVD Blu-ray DVD-Video DVD-A SACD CD MP3 DivX DVD-R\/-RW DVD+R\/+RW DVD-RAM HDMI out HDMI 1.3a DVI out Component out RGB Scart out S-Video out Composite out Optical digital out Coaxial digital out Phono audio out FireWire out Multichannel analogue out Video scaling 24fps Dolby Digital Plus decoding DTS HD decoding Dolby TrueHD decoding DTS HD Master Audio decoding Dolby decoding DTS Decoding PCM decoding Dolby Digital Plus HDMI output DTS HD HDMI output Dolby TrueHD HDMI output DTS HD Master Audio HDMI output PCM HDMI output Dimensions (hwd, cm)
\nBreathtaking Blu-ray playback; excellent DVD upscaling; solid, punchy, dynamic sound<\/p>\n
\nNo onboard decoding of DTS-HD Master Audio<\/p>\n
\nObviously, picture performance is our major concern, and you\u2019ll be glad to know that the Sony excels. With Blu-ray discs, the BDP-S350 delivers detail, crisply defined edges and smooth motion. There\u2019s a real clarity to the image that similarly priced players can\u2019t muster.<\/p>\n
\nNo<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\nNo<\/p>\n
\nNo<\/p>\n
\nNo<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\nNo<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\nNo<\/p>\n
\n1<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\n0<\/p>\n
\n1<\/p>\n
\n0<\/p>\n
\n1<\/p>\n
\n1<\/p>\n
\n1<\/p>\n
\n1<\/p>\n
\n1<\/p>\n
\n0<\/p>\n
\nNo<\/p>\n
\n1080p<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\nNo<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\nYes<\/p>\n
\n6x43x22<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"