Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

To be released "Summer" of 2008. Eager.

From Sony's website, I've emailed some specifically Sony "Blu-ray" reps about release dates about two weeks ago, and they haven't emailed me back yet. I went to Sony's contact customer support section, chose sales, and did an online chat with one of their sale's reps, but he didn't know the release date either.

Anyway, the reason for this post is if anyone finds any early reviews or release dates please post links.

Also, I found this chart of high def DVD players, refer to it frequently, & thought some of you guys would like it as well:
Master List Of Blu-ray Players

Jim

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

I bought the s350 today. It's my first Blu-ray player. I haven't had a chance to watch anything on it yet. I only picked up two discs-- POTC- AWE and Flatliners. I would have gotten more, but the discs at Best Buy are way overpriced.

I have a Toshiba A3 HD-DVD player too and I'm anxious to compare it and the S350 regarding SD upconversion.

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Bryan, So what are your thoughts on this player?

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Yes. I'm especially anxious to hear about the standard def upconversion. From the few posts I've seen ( only 2 on Amazon discussion forum to address this) it's getting marks far below the HD DVD players for upconversion. I don't have one of those and have no plans to try to scrounge one up. I'm very interested in this player, or possibly the upcoming 550.

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Overall, I'm really happy with the S350. The power-on and load times are better than my Toshiba A3, but it's still nowhere near as quick as a standard DVD player. But I wasn't expecting it to be either. It's fast enough where it's not really an issue. There's a quick-start option that you can enable that will make start-up even faster, but I haven't turned it on.

The PQ is great. No complaints there at all. The contrast seemed a little low initially, but running video essentials fixed that. The PQ is equal to what I had with the Toshiba A3. Maybe someone with high-end equipment and a more discerning eye for these things could find issues, but I certainly couldn't (65" Mits DLP).

I'm not sure about the the upconversion yet. I haven't really watched any SD DVDs on it yet. My A3 handled those great, so I'll try to do some comparison tonight.

The reason I picked this up is that I was waiting on a profile 2.0 player at a decent price (I have no desire for a PS3). Between a coupon and gift cards for Best Buy, I got this pretty cheap. Out of the box this player is not 2.0, but will be made so with a firmware update later this year. Speaking of firmware, I updated the player's firmware out of the box and it worked flawlessly over the internet. Simple plug and play. No issues there at all.

In addition to a later firmware update to make this player 2.0, it doesn't have any onboard memory. So you have to buy a 1GB or larger USB thumb drive to plug into it to make it 2.0 compliant. It's not a big deal since those are pretty cheap, but it would have been nice for it to ship with the required memory. Be careful when buying a thumb drive for this player though, the USB port is recessed and most thumb drives will be too wide to fit. I had a 2GB Sandisk thumb drive laying around that I wanted to use, but it was too wide.

This player bitstreams Dolby True HD and DTS MA (and internally will decode Dolby True HD), but I don't have a receiver capable of processing those codecs so I haven't been able to try them out. My current receiver is only a few years old, so replacing it may not be in the cards quite yet.

I was surpised how small this player is. It's as wide as a typical component, but not as tall and not anywhere near as deep.

I'd certainly recommend the S350 to anyone looking for a good stand-alone profile 2.0 player.

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Thanks for the review it sounds like a very nice player.

I figured that the USB key was for the resident storage and the price of a key is so cheap I don't think that is big deal.

I'm going to recommend this to a friend who has been waiting for a 2.0 machine.

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Excellent review - I agree 100%! Like you, once I unpackaged and setup my BDP-S350, I updated the Firmware via the Internet / Ethernet port and it was Plug & Play!!!

I did buy the Onkyo TX-SR606 at the same time and I have both the BDP-S350 & HD-A35 connected to the TX-SR606 via HDMI!!!

Hearing DTS HD Master Audio along w/TrueHD is GREAT!!!

But the revelation with my new TX-SR606 was the REFERENCE Audio Calibration System via Audyssey 2EQ - the automatic calibration system that uses the included microphone to analyze the speakers' and subwoofers' sound from three positions in your room. It was relatively fast (10 mins from all 3-position SPL readings), accurate and super!!! Overall, I thought the final result with the Audyssey gave the audio a fuller sound with greater depth in the soundstage.

Anyway, the PNY Technologies 1GB USB stick fits in nicely in the back of the BDP-S350!


FYI: Change the following in:

1) Setup OPTION:

...a) SETUP / AUDIO SETTINGS / Audio DRC = "Wide Range" (pg. 45 in manual)

That's Sony's Option to TURN-OFF the Compression Circuitry!!! My unit default was "Auto".

Have fun,
Phil

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

So is DTS MA and Dobly True HD that noticeably different than DTS ES an DD EX? I looked at the 606 but not sure I can justify replacing my Pioneer 1014TK at this time (it's a great receiver except no HDMI and also has an automatic calibration system using a microphone-- but only from one position). Have you had any of the "hum" problems some have reported with the 606? I could get the 606 for $367 so it is tempting.

Thanks for the tip on the DRC. I had mine set on "auto" initially, but you and someone on another forum noted that "wide" is "off". So that's what I have it at now. Not real intuitive-- for me atleast.

Do you know if the 350 will pass Dolby True HD through the optical cable? It decodes it internally, so I thought maybe. But if I understand right, to get any of the lossless codecs you have to use HDMI. Do you know?

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Oh Yes. It has the same effect for sound quality that Blu-ray has for picture quality. You don't need to rush to get a new receiver, but, when you do get one you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Yes!!! Once you experience what your speakers can do with these High-Definition Audio formats, ... there's no turning back!!!


No - no problem with HUMM or HISS or any artifical noise when I'm playing my HD Movies @ -10 dBc below REF Level (w/approx. 106 dBc Fast LFE SPL Peaks)!

For kicks, I just put on the Blu-ray ID4 - DTS HD Master Audio, the final battle scene and turned-up the TX-SR606 volume to 55, which with this Blu-ray audio soundtrack turned out to be approx. -5 dBc below REF Level (w/approx. 1 Fast LFE SPL Fast Peak hitting 110dB - most bombastic sub-sonic LFE SPL Fast Peaks around 103-107dB) and the sound didn't hardened up like my ole' Yamaha RX-V1300!!! Pressing PAUSE and the speakers were silent!!!

The 360-degree seamless surround sound was smooth around me, w/more distinct discrete effects, the dialog track was very clear, balanced to the action scenes around it, and it sounded like the Onkyo was breathing life into a very familiar movie soundtrack effortlessly!!!

It's just amazing what the Audyssey 2EQ equalized HT Sounds vs. a manually Referenced Audio Calibration (RS SPL Meter & Test Tone).

I can say that the claims that the Audyssey 2EQ takes into account the speakers, frequency response and HT room interaction during the 3-position measurement process does work, it's amazing!!! It just amazing!!!

I think some of the problems arose with a few TX-SR606 & PS3 HDMI combinations. I don't have a PS3 so I can't comment on that.


Unfortunately no, since the optical cable has limited bandwidth.


Your understanding is correct!!! Now you know why I also bought the Onkyo TX-SR606! Once I knew that my next Blu-ray player would not include 5.1/7.1 Analog OUTputs, ... I needed an AVR that can decode TrueHD & DTS HD Master Audio! Turns out the Onkyo has great quiet discrete AMPs x7, and Getting the Audyssey 2EQ/Dynamic EQ was the bonus extra cherry on the top!

Hope this helps,
Phil

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Thanks Phil. I'll definately have to consider the 606.

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Bryan:

Please don't forget that you promised to give us your impressions of the SD-DVD upconversion capability of this unit vs. the Tosh A3. Thanks!

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Your welcome!

Back to the Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player - just remembered (yep, gettin' old! ) this little tidbit ...

If you're using a AV Receiver that encodes TrueHD & DTS HD Master Audio via HDMI ... and you want to see "TrueHD" or "DTS HD Master Audio" in your AVR display window, ... then you would set the following in the BDP-S350 ...

1) Setup OPTION:

...a) SETUP / AUDIO SETTINGS / BD Audio Setting = "Direct" (pg. 44 in manual)

------------------

Now, here's the tidbit, ... if you get a Blu-ray movie that includes Bonus View (aka Profile 1.1), ... and one day you want to watch the PiP Special Featurette w/interactive audio / secondary audio - and you WANT TO HEAR the , interactive audio / secondary audio, ...

... then YOU MUST CHANGE THE ABOVE TO ...

1) Setup OPTION:

...a) SETUP / AUDIO SETTINGS / BD Audio Setting = "Mix" (pg. 44 in manual)

-----------

I confirmed the above step with Nim's Island Bonus View disc.

So, with this Blu-ray player, it's not like all HD DVD players - play the PiP featurette and watch, ... it's more like, ...

1) Enter the BDP-S350 Setup
2) CHANGE: AUDIO SETTINGS / BD Audio Setting = MIX
3) Then - play the Movie
4) Select the PiP - Bonus View PiP Featurette option & watch.
5) AFTER watching - Bonus View PiP Featurette
----
6) Enter the BDP-S350 Setup
7) CHANGE: BD Audio Setting = DIRECT
.... a) So you can HEAR "TrueHD" or "DTS HD Master Audio" primary audio
.... b) And see "TrueHD" or "DTS HD Master Audio" in your AVR Display Window!

-------------------------------

The reason why we have to go thru the extra steps, the BDP-S350 cannot decode "DTS HD Master Audio" internally, but it can bitstreams "DTS HD Master Audio" to the AVR HDMI as a primary audio ONLY.

Using the option "MIX", as the manual states (pg. 44)


Since the upcoming Sony BDP-S550 internally encodes "TrueHD" & "DTS HD Master Audio", the above extra steps is not necessary! The BDP-S550 is like all HD DVD players - just play the PiP featurette and watch!

Just thought you'd like to know that little tidbit,
Phil

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

I do apologize I haven't done that yet. I didn't have time last night or tonight, but I will do that before the end of the weekend. I'll try to do some comparison Friday and post my thoughts.

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

I got a chance to compare SD DVD on the Sony S350 Blu-ray and the Toshiba A3 HD DVD players (viewing on a 65" Mits DLP).

I used Star Wars (A New Hope) because I have two copies of that so I could easily flip back-and-forth between the same image. I paused at numerous spots throughout the film and the A3 was consistently better than the 350. It wasn't even close. I even switched discs just in case there was a difference inherent to them, but the A3 was still better.

The image out of the A3 was sharp and detailed compared to the 350. The same image out of the 350 was downright blurry. Let me qualify this by saying I as sitting about 1 foot from the screen to do the comparison. Sitting back where I normally sit (maybe 12 feet eyes to screen) I could still tell a difference, but some of that was lost due to the viewing distance. But it was still very noticeable.

For example, I paused at the scene where 3PO and R2 were walking away from the crashed lifepod on Tatooine. It's a distant shot of both the lifepod and the droids. On the A3, while the lifepod in the background didn't have a lot of detail, it was still well defined. Also you could see details and marking on the droids well. Viewing the image on the 350, the lifepod was almost a blob, and you could make out virtually none of the detail on the droids. Every scene I stopped at had the same results.

Frankly, I was shocked at how big the difference was. Even though I had heard that the 350 had poor upconversion I really didn't think I'd be able to notice-- or I thought I'd have to look so hard for any difference that it wouldn't matter real-world. I was wrong.

If you have an A3 you'll want to keep using it for standard DVDs even if you buy a 350. I was seriously considering selling my A3 and HD DVDs until now. I won't be sticking any SD DVD in the 350.

Edit: I had mentioned that the 350 was much faster than the A3. So tonight I timed them. Starting with the power off, I pressed the eject button to see how long it took for the drawer to fully open. The A3 took 19 seconds longer.

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Thanks for all the info in this thread. I'm probably going to grab both the S-350 and the Onkyo 606 within the next few months.

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Glad the info was helpful. I think you'll be pleased with the 350.

I was able to convince the wife to green-light replacing the receiver. I'm going with the Pioneer 1018. Downside is that it has one less HDMI port than the 606. But-- even though Phil hasn't had any problems with his, I just am too nervous to pull the trigger on a 606 after reading about the reported issues.

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Thanks very much Bryan. I'm consistently hearing that the HD DVD players were better at standard def. Too bad I didn't jump on board, I guess. But my set is onlya 52 inch LCD. Perhaps the differences won't be as noticeable.

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Congrat's on the New Pioneer 1018! You'll love TrueHD & DTS HD Master Audio!!!


One reason why I bought it thru Amazon.

If there's a problem, ... it's returned and they pay for it!

If there's no problem, then I keep it and just watch the Amazon price since they have a 30-day price gurantee!

I bought the TX-SR606 for $393.45 on August 5, and so far, I received refunds = $23.79 to match today's price $369.66.

The same with the Sony BDP-S350 originally $357.20, and received refunds = $9.58 to match the lowest price ($347.62) since August 5! (it's presently up = $350.78)

I can request refunds if the price continues to go down, until Sept. 5th!

At this point, I 'm keeping everything and so I just updated my Harmony 880 with the Onkyo TX-SR606 & Sony BDP-S350 - then updated the Watch TV macro & created Watch Blu-ray, Watch HD DVD macro's.

Have fun when you get your 1018!
Phil

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

I'm anxious to try out the True HD and DTS MA. I checked out two Best Buys yesterday and neither carried it. I'm going to try a third today (online it says it's at this location). *fngers crossed*

You got a great price on the 606.

Any suggestions on a Blu-ray or two to show off the new receiver? I haven't bought many blu-ray discs yet. I've only got POTC3, Jumpers, Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles, and Flatliners.

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Bryan,

Thanks for that review! It wasn't what I wanted to hear, though *sigh*. I've *got* to get a Blu-ray player before October, and I thought this would be my best bet. But I've also got to have a player that will provide good upconversion for my current extensive DVD library. (I only want one player in the rack.) It sure would be nice if Toshiba would get off their high horse and release a Blu-ray player ...

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Thanks to Bryan and Phil for their review of Sony's 350 Blu-ray player. I just picked one up for my bedroom setup.

I'll post some of my thoughts a little later in terms of comparing it to my beloved Sony ES Blu-ray player for which I had to pay some serious change for as well as a testical. Stay tuned!

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Geez, that's pricey.

I'm also considering getting the S550 when it's released in the fall. This way I can use the analog outs and keep my still excellent Denon AVR-3805. I've got to mull this over. This will be my third BD player(not counting the two HD DVD players I have). Very pricey. But I still have my testicles(I think).

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Wow, that gives a whole new meaning to the term Blu(e)-Balls.

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Thanks! And if Amazon lowers the price again between now and Sept. 5th, ... my final price might become even better!?!?!??

Oh yeah, since I bought an HD DVD play back Aug. 2006, they gave me a $50 code to use before Feb. 2009! Once I bought my Samsung BD-UP5000 (returned for Sony BDP-S350), I cashed in my $50 Amazon code to get a few Blu-ray discs!!! Here's the kicker, ... the coded ended up to = $150 (!?!?!), ... so it paid for my first 7 Blu-rays discs!!!

Anyway, if Amazon does not drop the price of my TX-SR606 between now and Sept. 5th, ... it's A-OK since I'm happy with TX-SR606 & Audyssey 2EQ / Dynamic EQ AVR performance!

Based on what I hear from my HD DVD & Blu-ray TrueHD & DTS HD Master Audio discs - blockbuster movies w/dynamics & seamless 360-degree surround soundtracks - it's like experiencing a new sound design w/the familiar movie soundstage because of a slightly more depth and clarity. To quote David Vaughn - June, 2008 - UltimateAVmag review ...


Apparently, David Vaughn didn't have the Buzz or Hiss problem either!

Playing around with different sound formats as mentioned above, ... I agree with David's review concerning the Audyssey 2EQ / Dynamic EQ system & it's effectiveness!!!


Pre-order (if you liked the movies) "Transformers" & "Iron Man"!

Available now (from my Blu-ray collection):

DTS HD Master Audio:
1) I, Robot (Great DEMO!!!)
2) Independence Day (that is if you like that movie, ... which I do!!! - another Great DEMO!!!)
3) Flyboys (another Great DEMO!!!)

TrueHD:
1) Spiderman 3
2) The Fifth Element (Re-Issue)
3) The Hunt for Red October (Great DEMO!!! - sub effects, ... )
4) Sum of All Fear
5) Legend of Zorro

PCM 5.1 Uncompressed Surround:
1) Bridge to Terabithia

NOTE: Since the early Blu-ray disc have had production issues (i.e. The Fifth Element first release was a disaster which required a Re-Issue), I'd recommend reading the Blu-ray Movie review @ HighDefDigest! All the Blu-ray disc I put on my HT Website (linked below) links to their respective review @ HighDefDigest (or DVDTalk, HTF, etc.)

Have fun discovering your speakers/sub again!!!
Phil

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Good summary Phil. I will add this. I've had TrueHD capability since Sept. 2006 and DTS-MA since last November when I got my Onkyo 805 Receiver. Sometimes the differences between Dolby Digital Plus and TrueHD is minor. Noticeable, yes, but sometimes minor. What I often find in TrueHD, DTS-MA, and PCM 5.1 tracks is more natural dialouge and the LFE channel. The bass is not only a little bit stronger, but tighter.

I also like my sound when bitstreaming to my receiver. Not everyone is sold on the differences but they're there.

Regarding the Sony s350 Blu player, I will agree with many here and other forums that report poor sd-dvd playback. That's one of the best reasons I have for keeping my Tosh A-35 with the Anchor Bay chip.

Maybe one day someone will make a Blu-ray player that also excels at standard dvd too?....without costing me my remaining man jewell.

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Thanks Tim!!!


Well said (written?) and I agree 110%!!!

Same here, since I utilized my 6CH OUTputs from HD-A1 > Yamaha RX-V1300 6CH INputs, .. TrueHD & even Dolby Digital Plus sounded noticeably better vs. the usual SD DVD Audio flavors!!!

FYI: For those perusing this thread, here's an eye opening article on ...

Signal to Noise - Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD MA vs. Uncompressed PCM By David Birch-Jones (July 14, 2008)

====(some notable quotes - Bold sub-heads by me )
LOCATION:
Dolby Laboratories' headquarters in San Francisco.

EQUIPMENT
... our hosts ushered us into what one of their engineers called their "codec killer room." The specially designed room adheres to the ITU-R BS.1161-1 critical listening evaluation specification and companion BS.1284-1 Annex document that together specify in great detail the precise conditions, procedures and protocols necessary to achieve repeatable and truly useful results in the on-going development of these codecs. A suitably high resolution 5.1 system resides in the room, with five Revel Ultima Studio full range loudspeakers, along with a Paradigm subwoofer and a stack of Bryston power amplifiers rounding out the gear.

TESTING METHODOLOGY STANDARDS:
The computer chooses which clips are presented to the listener on a randomized basis to ensure true subjectivity, and the post-session scoring data is then entered into a database and statistically validated against the actual presentation order of the test clips. From that, the engineers can glean a useful score as to the performance of the codec compared to the reference uncompressed source clip, and the process ensures that individual biases are eliminated along the way. It is both time-consuming, and given the repetitive nature of listening to dozens or hundreds of clips in a given listening session, mind-numbingly boring (at least to me, anyway). This is why even keen-eared reviewers simply can't perform an honest evaluation of codec sound quality in their own home theaters - it can only be done under these most rigidly controlled conditions, with specialized equipment and software that is designed expressly for the task.

RESULTS:
Neither Geoff nor I could hear any differences between the original PCM track and the TrueHD version, which should be the case, as they're bit-for-bit identical.

Next, we compared the original to the Dolby Digital Plus version (that codec is found on numerous BD titles, and like TrueHD, is fully backward compatible with regular Dolby Digital decoders). Even on this extremely high-end system, we couldn't hear any difference between the uncompressed and the compressed. Then, we compared the higher bitrate (640 kbps) that is found on the Dolby Digital tracks on Blu-rays to the original. "Golden Ears" Morrison was able to hear the difference, but I, and most others in the room with us, did not. Each of us had our turn in the prime listening chair, and couldn't know the origin of the clips or their order of presentation.

The shocker came when we compared the lower 448 kbps Dolby Digital DVD bitrate to the original. There was an audible difference, but it was only ever-so-slightly noticeable (and this is with a high end audio system in an acoustically controlled environment that is so far beyond what typical home theater systems are capable of resolving). There was just the slightest decrease in presence with the DD version, not exactly a softening of the sound, but just a tad less ambience and a similarly small tightening of the front soundstage's depth. Quite a remarkable result, I thought, and I was highly impressed with how much fidelity can be packed into such a relatively small amount of bitspace. If I was doing actual scoring, I would have awarded a 4.8 grade to the results I heard - the audible difference was that subtle.

====(end of some notable quotes - click the link above to read the entire article!)

So, yes - upgrading from SD DVD DD/DTS-5.1/6.1 Audio to the Next Generation High Definition Audio - Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, DTS HD Master Audio & PCM Uncompressed 5.1 - There IS an Audibly Noticeable Improvement, ... even on a very modest HD capable HT setup!!!


Food to ponder though, ... I notice very little difference between the BD-S350 vs. HD-A35 - SD DVD Video quality!

Why???

Because, my Toshiba 62HM196 deinterlaces that 480i > 1080i > 1080p signal where the images between, (my comparisons) Numb3rs, NCIS Season 4, Stargate Atlantis Season 4, Bones Season 2 & JAG Season 6 looks equally great (SD DVD video relative sense) between my two players!

My other comparison with older 4x3 shows like The Wild Wild West, Hart to Hart and Remington Steele - the same equally great (SD DVD video relative sense) between my two players!

Of course, if the SD DVD video master is lacking, it won't make the video look better, but in both players cases, ... it didn't make it look worst either, but the best based on the video SD DVD master.

So in my situation, my 62HM196 covers over the Sony's BDP-S350 SD DVD video shortcomings - so I'll pick my BDP-S350 one day to continue watching the next SD DVD TV episode, ... then the next day I'll choose HD-A35! It don't matter to me!




I'm sure one day for around $249.00 (or less ), we'll get a Profile 1.1/2.0 Blu-ray player that also excels w/SD DVD conversion also!!?!?

Phil

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Thanks for posting this Phil as it is a good read, but based on the article and the parts of the article that you posted I am not sure your conclusion or at least the "tone" of your conclusion is supported (I hope I'm phrasing that correctly so that you understand my meaning). It seems that they all noticed, as they phrased it, a subtle difference between 488 kbps and the original. This was on an extremely high-end system and not a modest setup. I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, but I think people's expectations should be more modest especially when taking into account different listening acuities.

Do I think high-res audio is worth it? Absolutely!!! I teach a course in audio production and lecture on high-res audio including some class experiments. And the article does a great job at showing how good these new codecs are. Special note should be given to the fact that in a true scientific test, none of them could tell the difference between Dolby Digital Plus and the original. Regardless, it great that we get to enjoy this hobby at a time with such great technology available to us.

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Thanks David & you're right!

I forget that not everyone has the 'ear' to pick out the subtle differences with sound, ... in my case I was a semi-pro musician (keyboard, guitar, bass guitar & drums) and had help many family / friends / strangers - newbies, ... in laymens terms what to listen for when auditioning speakers.

My above post, ... was addressing Tim, ... and 'the subtle but audible difference comment' is due to the fact the our Onkyo's share the Audyssey technology, ... MultiEQ XT (Tim's 805) and 2EQ / Dynamic EQ (my 606) Equalizing Systems.

I would have to say that a Audyssey Reference Calibrated HT System vs. Manually REF Calibrated (RS Meter & Test Tones) HT System sounds ... is NOT a Subtle Improvement, but a Very BIG Improvement. Enjoying Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio on a Audyssey Calibrated HT Setup just raises the overall Movie experience bar markedly!!!

Now, in my case, I would consider my setup modest HT setup in terms of $$$ spent. When I use to sell Audio/Video equipment back in the mid 80's, my goal was to get my customers the best value / performance for their hard earned dollar! Hence, research and the late Julian Hirsch objective benchmarks and audio quality articles!




Try to tell that to the gentleman that uses separates to power each speaker and $$$ cables to connect his 7.1 HT Speakers!!!

My family and friends (including previous clients) are people with tight budgets - especially living in Silicon Valley where the cost of living is higher!

I'm just surprized (using my example) how implementing a simple, 3-Measurement Location Calibration System** can IMPROVE the OVERALL 360-degree seamless surround soundstage w/greater clarity and depth! You don't have to spend $799+ (think my ole' Yamaha RX-V1300) to achieve sonic bliss w/HD audio with the right speakers anymore, and products that utilize the Audyssey system makes it possible for modest HT Systems (like my $369.66 TX-SR606) to compare and hear those subtle differences.

**Onkyo TX-SR606 Audyssey System:
1) 2EQ: Measures 3 room positions, uses a basic resolution filter for the satellites. - Amazing results!!!

2) Dynamic EQ maintains consistent bass response, tonal balance and surround impression. - This is even more amazing!

Thanks for contributing David!
Phil

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Thanks for the suggestions on movies Phil. After trying multiple Best Buys, I finally found a Pioneer 1018 (dang BB employees didn't update their inventory when they sold their last 1018s so the internet gave me false information regarding which BBs to try).

Anyway, I just got it hooked up and I am really looking forward to tyring out some lossless audio tonight. It will kinda be a down-and-dirty trial, though, because I haven't run MCACC yet. It's getting late and I want to start the movie. Unfortunately I didn't see your list of suggested movies until I got home from my buying spree, so I'm stuck with watching Ghost Rider tonight for my lossless debut. Is that bad? Wouldn't be my first choice if I had more time, but hey, what are ya gonna do?