Sony BDP-S360 Review
June 12, 2009
Sony’s update to their BDP-S350 arrived later than its competitor’s update to their mainstream Blu-ray disc players. Most of the Sony’s competitors have released their updates for their Blu-ray players. This includes Samsung, LG, and Panasonic. While Sony was the main force behind the Blu-ray format, it had some trouble finding a firm footing with their stand alone Blu-ray players. This was partly due to the PS3 being able to handle Blu-ray playback in more than adequate fashion as well as the higher price than its competition. Nevertheless, the BDP-S350 and BDP-S550 were both very capable players with outstanding image qualities. The BDP-S360 went on sale few weeks after the competitor’s players were available to the public. The price point and the features are comparable to that of Panasonic DMP-BD60 and Samsung BD-P1600.
Loaded with Features
The BDP-S360 is direct successor of the Sony BDP-S350, the base model of Sony’s stand alone players. However, there is nothing “basic” about BDP-S360. Like the Panasonic DMP-BD60 and Samsung BD-P1600, the BDP-S360 comes loaded with features at a very competitive price. As with most new players, the BDP-S360 is fully compatible with Profile 2.0. This means you can access any BD-Live content via internet. The BDP-S360 features full audio decoding options. It can decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Essentials as well as the Dolby Digital and DTS audio. As with the other entry level models, it lacks the 5.1 or 7.1 channel analog audio output. You will need receiver or higher end model for the output options. One glaring omission is the video streaming capabilities offered by Samsung, LG, or Panasonic. Samsung and LG integrated Netflix for their video streaming while Panasonic has opted to integrate the Amazon Video on Demand features. On the other hand, Sony does not come with any streaming or video on demand capabilities. This is somewhat unfortunate as video streaming has become a big draw for many consumers.
Design
The BDP-S360 resembles Samsung BD-P1600’s design. It has flip down front tray much like the Samsung player. The front panel has glossy finish much like the Samsung BD-P1600. The LCD screen is located on the right side along with play and stop buttons. The placement of the USB port in the back is either a good choice if you rarely used them or a bad choice if you frequently use them. Otherwise, there is nothing incredible or terrible about the overall design of the player. The back panel contains the HDMI, RJ-45, USB, and Component outputs. Digital audio output can be done via optical or coaxial along with analog audio output.
The Remote Control
The included remote control is similar to the older player’s layout. It is more compact and streamlined than the previous offerings. The numeric pad is located at the top of the remote followed by the function buttons in four different colors. The menu and directional buttons are located in the middle with playback function buttons at the bottom. However, the remote does not contain the channel buttons whereas the older version did have them at the bottom. Nevertheless, it is very functional and easy to use remote control. The lack of channel button might not be a deal breaker if you already own a quality universal remote control.
| Sony BDP-S360 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player |
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Overall Rating: |
| Retail Price: $199.99 |
| Amazon Price: $128.00 |
Video Quality and Performance
Sony has always produced outstanding video qualities with their disc players. The BDP-S360 is no exception. Even the previous efforts, BDP-S350 and BDP-S550, were among the best performing players on the market. With more refinements in the current crop of players, it is difficult to point out or single out a player based on image quality. Most of the new players will offer excellent video quality. The BDP-S360 offers image quality comparable to the other new players. The video testing showed no discernable defects such as jaggies or moiré. The fast sequence show no disruption or blocking up issues. Even the pause showed no signs of the defects. The player performed flawlessly on all three movies tested. The only downside of the player was the loading time. All three movies tested exhibited longer loading time than any other player tested. The Samsung, LG, and Panasonic’s new players all offered faster loading time than the BDP-S360. This might be improved with firmware updates but as of now it is the slowest performing player when it comes to loading time.
Audio Quality
As with video quality, there are little separations between the players when it comes to audio quality. The decoding options are what separated the first generation players. Some players were not able to fully decode all the high definition audio formats. However, the current generation players including the BDP-S360 all cover majority of the audio formats. As mentioned earlier, the BDP-S360 will be able to decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Essential out of the box. Similar to other entry level players, the BDP-S360 lacks the 5.1 or 7.1 channel analog audio outputs. The BDP-S360 showed had no problem with audio decoding.
Overall
This is a worthy successor the BDP-S350 and maybe even Playstation 3. Sony has cannibalized their own stand alone units with thePS3 filling in nicely. However, should you not wish to buy a gaming machine along with Blu-ray disc player, the BDP-S360 should have no problem filling in for the PS. The lack of video streaming might turn off some people as it is nice little bonus to be able to stream Netflix or Amazon video on demand services. Otherwise, it is very good player with competitive price.
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Blu-Ray Discussions
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It won’t play the first Blu-ray discs I bought, Planet Earth. I’m returning it for a different brand.
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5.1 output doesn’t work?
I connected an optical cable to my Harmon Kardon amp and could only receive 2 channel audio. Had to go into the menu settings on the S360. See page 44 of the manual.
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Who cares about an eject button on the remote when you have to be next to the player to put the disk in! The player does what it says on the tin plays blurays an an above average standard IMHO for the price. What more could be said some other reviews are just nit picking. The picture quality is very good the sound i have yet to try through a dedicated home theatre but through a sony 46W5500 it is good enough for the average ear. i thouroughly recommend this player to all who want a blu ray without fuss and expense.
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the lack of an eject button on the remote was the first thing i noticed and hated. however, the 360 IS capable of recieving an eject command via an ir remote. just not the remote that came with the player. this may be useful to those of you that use programmable remotes such as the logitech harmony 880.
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quality at a low price
Excellent price with a crystal clear picture . A little slow but no slower than competative models . I could recommend to anyone . You must see the picture clarity in 1080p definition
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Sony BDP-S360 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player, Black
A great technological wonder. The resolution showing on my Sony screen lived to its promise, making me watch movies at home more often!!!
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not reading everything…
I personally experienced problem of reading DVD+R and even many original DVDs. This was the main reason to return it. Here is my brief look:
Good:
1. Nice looking;
2. AVCHD playback;
3. Ability to get additional BD content from Internet (BD-Live);
4. Menu integration with Sony TV (XMB and Bravia Sync).
5. If playing, it does it nice.
Bad:
1. Picky to disc reading;
2. no WMA, DivX support;
3. USB port is just for BD-Live, not for reading additional content neither from a memory stick/card nor a hard drive; If it is just for BD-Live, why Sony did not integrate it, but instead designed it as an external?!
4. Ethernet port is just for BD-Live or update again, not for streaming content, etc.;
5. Remote could be better designed.
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Good, not perfect
First the good news: Blu-ray discs really do look great. DVDs played on the BDP-S360 also look very good. Sound Quality is fabulous in all formats, including CDs. Also, I was worried about load times, but they are much better than I expected.
But, and there’s always a but, I really did find the lack of a reject button on the remote to be very off-putting. Also, I have yet to get any recordable DVD or CD to play in it, which is a big, big problem. I’ve tried updating the firmware to no avail. And the quick-start mode is just about the most ridiculous thing ever- basically, it amounts to having the unit running at all times.
Long story short, I’m glad to have an inexpensive Blu-ray player, but I won’t be getting rid of my DVD player anytime soon.
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GREAT BUT EXPECTED MORE!
Initial thought:
I recently purchased the Sony bdp-s360 after already owning a PS3, and two Sony bdp-s350’s. The difference I have noticed between this player and the previous 350 is the sound quality on the 360 which is much better. The build quality of the 360 is great but so similar to the previous 350 that I can’t rate it spectacular. The entire front face covers the disk slot and flips down to open. I immediately noticed how SONY made cut backs like on the remote, “No Eject” button, and also eliminated a few other buttons on the remote. The player is fully functional and will accept signals from a universal remote or previous 350 model remote with all the functionality on it just incase u want to use the eject from remote features, etc. You can always purchase the remotes indicated if you cant live with the 360 remote.
Video Quality:
The bluray playback is Excellent, appears to be identical to the previous 350 model. The DVD upscaling to me is just “O.K.”, again looks identical to the 350, so I dont see any visible improvement with the new Precision Drive that Sony is promoting. I have noticed that the dvd video quality is improved if the video output on the player is changed from “Auto” to “480″ when playing standard dvd’s. The player also plays movies copied to dvd-r disks flawlessly. The 360 has played every disk i’ve put in it from bluray, to dvd, to movies burned on dvd-r’s.
Options/Extras:
This player does not support any NetFlix, Pandora, Amazon, or any other streaming video features. Also, the Player does not have an internal wifi for updates or bd live. If u want internal wifi then you have to wait for the SONY bdp-s560.
Summary:
(Good)
The Sony bdp-s360 is an excellent bluray player if you are looking for a solid great looking player with execellent bluray quality play back and built in Dolby True-HD & DTS Master Audio through hdmi. No lipsync issues, jaggies, or other. It will play everything u throw at it flawlessly including copied dvd’s. Add an audio reciever with HD and u have a movie theater in the making!
(Bad)
Standard DVD playback quality is good but not the best. I compared it to my previous Toshiba HD DVD A35 player, also my Xbox 360 and both were superior to the 360 when it came to dvd quality playback. Remote has no eject feature and also missing other minor functions.
(Bottom Line)
The Sony bdp-s360 is a great bluray player, but with all the competition out there that offers more bells & whistles it’s hard to recommend it. However, if you are just looking for a solid, great looking player with excellent Bluray video quality, great sound, good dvd upscale quality, and no eject feature on the remote then this player is for you. I personally prefer Sony movie disk players thats why I made the purchase. I WOULD HAVE RATED THIS 5 STARS, BUT IT ONLY GOT 4 STARS DUE TO THE BASIC REMOTE CONTROL WITH LACK OF THE EJECT & MUTE BUTTON(S).
Note: The LCD used for this review was the 52″ Samsung A650 120hz.
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Sony BDP-S360 Blu-ray Disc Player
This player was a disappointment from the very beginning. Set up was easy enough but playback was very frustrating. All four BD movies that I played experienced constant, intermittent dropouts in picture and sound (Ironman, Dark Knight, Kung Fu Panda, Transformers). Further, the unit has toy-like build quality and the remote is cheaply made and doesn’t even feature an eject button. Sony has obviously cut corners with this unit to produce an inferior player to meet a sub $300.00 price point. In the alternative, I recommend looking at the new Denons, Pioneers, and the just released OPPO. These players will cost more but in the long run, their build quality and performance will justify the extra amount paid.
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This my be the best on the market but….
So far I am not convinced.
I waited for this unit to come out believing that this generation was the beginning of the “safe bet” blu-ray.
In the first hour of the first viewing the video went out.
I returned it and got another one.
So far so good, except I get a flash of white on the bottom half of the screen while watching “The Dark Night” every few minutes.
If this is the best that Blu-Ray is doing at this price point then I am just saddened.
If I could find a better performing player I would exchange this one for that, but I don’t know which way to look.
Regardless, I bought the extended warranty, so when a new model comes out I will trade out for the improved model.
The audio is good, except if you change audio during playback you get a loud “pop” through the speakers. This can’t be good.
I think if you want a blu-ray player, this is a good bet, but the technology just isn’t there yet.
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Awesome Blu-ray Player
I just bought this player as an upgrade to my older Samsung BD-P1000 and I must say I am extremely pleased with this player. It was very easy to set up and to operate. I have it connected to my Onkyo TX-SR705 with 7.1 speaker set-up which makes use of the lossless sound decoders. Hearing a movie in DTS- HD Master Audio has been a real experience especially on 7.1 soundtracks. My only complaint (which is minor) is that you have to manually operate the tray open and close from the player itself. This is another great Blu-ray player from Sony. I recommend you buy this player.
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