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Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player - Page 2

post #31 of 92
8/17/08 at 8:54pm

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil Iturralde
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.

Obviously physiology plays a large role, but learning critical listening is a skill. It sounds like that is something you have learned over the years as have I and I am continuing to learn. I find teaching this skill to be one of the hardest things to accomplish in my class.

I also warn my students that once they learn it they may wish they hadn't. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

I for one struggle to "turn it off" and at times that can be detrimental. I am always noticing little imperfections in my system, harsh dialog, sibilant sounds, ADR, etc. I can drive my wife nuts with it at times. Who am I kidding? It drives me nuts.

Quote:
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!!!

I have only read about Audyssey, but I have never heard it in action. It sounds impressive. I hope to upgrade my AVR in the future and will be considering Denon, but in the past I have preferred Pioneer. I'd like to check out Audyssey though as it might make the Denon more compelling to me.

Quote:


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



I was talking to an audio engineering friend who was in town visiting tonight and we were discussing this very thing. There is a reason alot of "audiophiles" refuse to do a/b testing. That is one of the things that I liked about the article you posted. It was true scientific testing.

Quote:
Thanks for contributing David!
Phil

No problem. I enjoy the dialog. And Bryan I hope you enjoy your new toys. Let us know what you think as you spend time with them.
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post #32 of 92
9/21/08 at 11:45am

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

FYI, Amazon now has the S350 for $295.

I've been thinking of upgrading to Blu-Ray for a month or so, and have been doing research and waiting for prices to come down. So the new price on the S350 is an incentive. But I still have a couple of newbie-type questions that I hope someone can answer. Sorry if these are basic questions, but the more I learn about all this stuff, the more confused I get!

First: I'm worried about the video quality of my SD-DVDs. People have mentioned that the upconversion for SD-DVDs on the S350 is not that great. So I'm wondering if there's a Blu-Ray player that has the same general features as the S350 that does the upconversion any better. Also, do the upconverted SD-DVDs on the S350 look any worse than they would on a standard DVD player? I'm using a Sony DVP-NS975V.

Second: what's up with needing to add more memory just to get the firmware upgrade to 2.0, as Bryan X indicated in a post a while back on this thread? That seems pretty lame. If that's indeed what I need to do, where does that thumb drive plug in? Internally or externally? And then does it stay plugged in for the life of the player?

Third: Sony's webpage seems to show that the only difference between and S350 and the S550 is that the S550 will have the 7.1 outputs (and possibly on on-board memory issue). Is that correct? As a follow-up, since I'm planning to upgrade my receiver as well and have my new receiver decode the audio, do I really need to care about the 7.1 outputs? Would there be any other reason for me to spend the extra $$$ for the S550?

Thanks tons for any help in answering these questions. I might have other questions later!
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post #33 of 92
9/21/08 at 7:38pm

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Quote:
Originally Posted by Geo Gabor
First: I'm worried about the video quality of my SD-DVDs. People have mentioned that the upconversion for SD-DVDs on the S350 is not that great. So I'm wondering if there's a Blu-Ray player that has the same general features as the S350 that does the upconversion any better. Also, do the upconverted SD-DVDs on the S350 look any worse than they would on a standard DVD player? I'm using a Sony DVP-NS975V.

The following answer is based on my display, the Toshiba 62HM196. The Sony BDP-S350 upconverts (480 > 1080i) my SD DVD's as good visually as my Toshiba HD-A1 & HD-A35! All HD players were definitely better than my previously owned (sold @ eBay) upconverting SD DVD player Philips DVP5960!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Geo Gabor
Second: what's up with needing to add more memory just to get the firmware upgrade to 2.0, as Bryan X indicated in a post a while back on this thread?

Thank Sony's moving-target Profile 2.0 (aka BD Live) standards. All the Blu-ray player manufactures knew is that memory (size ???) is required for Profile 2.0. Instead of committing to providing internal memory, ... they choose to allow the customer the option to add what they want. 1 GB size is the minimum requirement based on the present specification.

BD-Live / Profile 2.0
Built-in persistent memory: 64 KB
Local storage capability: 1GB (This is used for storing audio/video and title updates. It can either be built in memory or removable media, such as a memory card or USB flash memory.)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Geo Gabor
Second: ... That seems pretty lame. If that's indeed what I need to do, where does that thumb drive plug in? Internally or externally?

Externally. The USB recessed port is on the back of the BDP-S350 panel - see the following digital pic where I have my $7 purple 1GB PNY USB stick ...




Quote:
Originally Posted by Geo Gabor
And then does it stay plugged in for the life of the player?

Uh, ... Yep!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Geo Gabor
Third: Sony's webpage seems to show that the only difference between and S350 and the S550 is that the S550 will have the 7.1 outputs (and possibly on on-board memory issue). Is that correct? As a follow-up, since I'm planning to upgrade my receiver as well and have my new receiver decode the audio, do I really need to care about the 7.1 outputs? Would there be any other reason for me to spend the extra $$$ for the S550?

Thanks tons for any help in answering these questions. I might have other questions later!

I have not really compared the BDP-S350 vs. the BDP-S550 but you're correct to reason on the fact that with a new AVR that decodes HiDef Audio, ... getting a Blu-ray player w/7.1 outputs would be moot!

Hope this helps,
Phil
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post #34 of 92
9/22/08 at 2:43pm

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Thanks, Phil, for a detailed answer! That's exactly the type of info I was looking for. I think I'll be going Blu pretty soon with the S350.
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post #35 of 92
9/23/08 at 8:02am

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

I decided to pull the trigger and enter the world of BluRay. Amazon has the BDP-S350 on sale for $258 with free shipping, so I broke down and ordered one.

My receiver is an older Pioneer Elite with no HDMI inputs or capabilities to decode the newer lossless audio formats. I was leaning towards either the Sony S550 or Panasonic BDP55 that is coming out soon, but decided to forgo the audio for now -- DD5.1 and DTS 5.1 will still be quite acceptable for me. This unit costs only a little more than the Oppo 980H or 981H upconverting SD-DVD players I was considering, and I would not have benefited from the new audio formats there, either.

I will wait things out for a year or so and hope the manufacturers can make more improvements to future players, as well as reduce prices more. Then I can move this player to the bedroom eventually.
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post #36 of 92
9/23/08 at 3:05pm

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Scott - Did you have to do anything special to get that $258 price for the S350 at Amazon? I'm still seeing it listed as $295.
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post #37 of 92
9/24/08 at 4:48am

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Geo,

I did not enter anything special to get that price. I just noticed yesterday morning a posting at AVS Forum about the price, and did a search for that model.

I notice the price is back to $295 this morning, so Amazon must have raised the price again. I have already received an order confirmation for the lower price, though. Below is a copy of the pertinent section from the confirmation email I received:

Shipping estimate for these items: September 29, 2008 1 "Sony BDP-S350 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player"
Electronics; $258.37

Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC
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post #38 of 92
9/25/08 at 3:07pm

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

You have done well, Grasshopper!

It looks like Amazon can't seem to settle down on a price for the S350. Now it's up to $340. That's four different prices in the past week. I guess they don't want to remain competitive with digitalmegastore, which now has the lowest price (according to Nextag), which is $290.
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post #39 of 92
9/25/08 at 3:48pm

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Quote:
Originally Posted by Geo Gabor
You have done well, Grasshopper!

It looks like Amazon can't seem to settle down on a price for the S350. Now it's up to $340. That's four different prices in the past week. I guess they don't want to remain competitive with digitalmegastore, which now has the lowest price (according to Nextag), which is $290.

Possibly they use a dynamic pricing model, though, which as orders come in (or don't) they change the price.

Let's say I have tons of data on buying behavior, as Amazon probably does. I plan on selling and reordering about 90 S350s per month through my store (call it 3/day). On Day 1-3, I sell 9 at my target price of $300. Then a few reviews come out, and I sell, in the next two days, 18 more. Wow. So I raise the price to $400, and my orders drop over the next three days, but only to 2/day.

So given the buzz, I can sell 9/day at $300, or 2/day at $400...I can extrapolate to my target sales (and profit maximizing) rate.

Depending on their holdings, they could update prices hourly, even. Gas stations seem to do this as well, since a price I see locally in the morning is almost always different by day's end.
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post #40 of 92
9/26/08 at 4:51am

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

The S350 player arrived yesterday -- amazing since I just received the shipping notice on Wednesday. Unfortunately, the HDMI cable I also ordered has not shipped yet, so I could not install the player last night.

Do any local brick and mortar stores sell inexpensive HDMI cables, or do they just carry the outrageously-priced ones, ala Monster Cable?
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post #41 of 92
9/26/08 at 5:58am

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Scott, you can get cheap cables everywhere. I got mine at Best Buy, for about 50 bucks, i think?
You just have to look around, cause they want to steer you to the expensive ones.
I saw some CHEAP ones at Lowe's. They were about $25, but i didnt like them cause they were silver. Black cables are so much easier to hide in the rack.
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post #42 of 92
9/26/08 at 8:19am

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

For you BDP-350 owners, EngadgetHD is reporting that Sony has released the promised Profile 2.0 - BD Live firmware update for the BDP-350. Check it out:

Sony gifts BDP-S350 with BD-Live via firmware update - Engadget HD
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post #43 of 92
9/26/08 at 7:27pm

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Rick,

Thanks. I ended up picking up a cable at Radio Shack on the way home from work for $35. I do not have a Lowe's nearby, but thanks for that suggestion -- I never would have thought of them or Home Depot. HD had one listed on their website for $25, too, but for online purchase only.

We watched the first Godfather film tonight -- the Trilogy is the only BD set I have so far. The picture looked wonderful.

Robert, the firmware update is no longer posted on Sony's website. I was going to download it, but version 007 is now showing online (instead of the BD-Live version 010).
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post #44 of 92
9/27/08 at 8:49pm

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Hey I was wondering if anybody can recommend a USB external drive that will fit that recessed port on the back of the BDP-S350. I've heard that it's a pain to access and some drives won't fit.
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post #45 of 92
9/28/08 at 6:32am

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

I need to pick up a usb drive too, now that the upgrade to Profile 2.0 is out. I updated my 350 last night over the internet connection. The update went smoothly and everything seems to still be working OK.
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post #46 of 92
9/28/08 at 9:33am

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasStation
Hey I was wondering if anybody can recommend a USB external drive that will fit that recessed port on the back of the BDP-S350. I've heard that it's a pain to access and some drives won't fit.
$7 1GB PNY USB memory stick - Look @ my post #33 of 45 above.

The PNY USB memory stick comes with a couple of external color (dark & white) shells that fit over the main USB stick. I just removed the shell and the PNY USB memory stick fits like a glove (see my digital pic above)!!!
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post #47 of 92
9/28/08 at 9:35am

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryan X
I need to pick up a usb drive too, now that the upgrade to Profile 2.0 is out. I updated my 350 last night over the internet connection. The update went smoothly and everything seems to still be working OK.
Same here! When I pressed my "Watch Blu-ray" Macro button (Harmony 880) (approx. 5:15pm Pacific, Sat. 9-27-08) and since my Ethernet cable was already connected, ... the 1st message I got ...



... so I updated my BDP-S350!


Progress screen ...


Once the HDTV screen went black, ... the update took place in the BDP-S350.


Later, here's what the System Information / Software Version screen looked like.

I checked the BD Live function with:

1) Men In Black
2) Forbidden Kingdom
3) Transformers

... and ALL BD Live functions worked A-OK!!!


Transformers** BD Live vs. HD DVD example:
... a) Blu-ray BD Live "Intelligence Mode"


... b) HD DVD Web Enabled Features "Intelligence Mode"


NOTE: The HD DVD still has the "Sector 7" stolen Short (some funny) Videos x7, ... the BD Live does not!!!


**Transformers "Intelligence Mode" cropped movie screen:
Only disapointment is the BD Live "Intelligence Mode" movie screen is zoomed and the left side is cropped-off by approx. 1/5!!!

The HD DVD version re-scales the 2.35:1 AVC-encoded 1080p transfer screen to fit within the "Intelligence Mode" overlay.

Here's a few examples:


BD Live "Intelligence Mode" Movie Title screen


HD DVD "Intelligence Mode" Movie Title screen


BD Live "Intelligence Mode" Movie screen capture


HD DVD "Intelligence Mode" Movie screen capture

I love & enjoy all these behind-the-scene & back-story Web downloads, ... but based on Blu-ray "Transformers" BD Live "Intelligence Mode" cropped movie screen, ... I'll keep the HD DVD version just a little while longer!

Phil
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post #48 of 92
9/29/08 at 5:43am

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Does anyone know what disc format is required to use the photo slide show function on the BDP-S350? I tried a data DVD-R with some JPEGS, and was only able to view the photos one at a time via the "Data" menu. The "Photo" menu would not work.

The photos looked great on the big screen, so I would love to be able to setup slide shows for guests.
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post #49 of 92
9/29/08 at 8:21am

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

I'm contemplating picking this up today. My new Pioneer VSX-03TXH receiver has dropout issues with my PS3 and I'm curious to see if they persist with a standalone (in which case I'd return/swap the 03). But also I'm looking for a low-cost BD transport since my Pioneer will be doing all the audio decoding.

Just to be doubly-sure (since the manual is confusing), the 350 will output bitstream on all of the new codecs including DTS-MA, correct?

Any other red flags I should know about for this unit before pulling the trigger?

One more question: I know they pulled the download of the firmware from their site, but if I connect the 350 directly to my router, will the network download of v.10 still be up, or did they pull that down too?

Thanks!
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post #50 of 92
9/29/08 at 11:54am

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carlo Medina
One more question: I know they pulled the download of the firmware from their site, but if I connect the 350 directly to my router, will the network download of v.10 still be up, or did they pull that down too?

From what I've read elsewhere, the firmware update is still available for direct network download to the player, but the disc image has been pulled from Sony's website. So, if you connect the S350 directly to your home network, you should still be able to update the firmware. It sounds like Sony just had a problem with the disc image file, so the update image should also be reappearing on their website in a few days.

I do not have a network connection near my home theater, so I cannot personally verify this. I need to find a wireless solution for BD-Live, since I do not want to run an ethernet cable through the house to my HT.
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post #51 of 92
9/29/08 at 3:33pm

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carlo Medina
I'm contemplating picking this up today. My new Pioneer VSX-03TXH receiver has dropout issues with my PS3 and I'm curious to see if they persist with a standalone (in which case I'd return/swap the 03).

Carlo - Please let us/me know what you find out about this. I'm planning to pair a VSX-03 with an S350 as well, and want to know about issues that either/both might have before I make the plunge. Thanks!
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post #52 of 92
9/30/08 at 6:54am

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carlo Medina
I'm contemplating picking this up today. My new Pioneer VSX-03TXH receiver has dropout issues with my PS3 and I'm curious to see if they persist with a standalone (in which case I'd return/swap the 03). But also I'm looking for a low-cost BD transport since my Pioneer will be doing all the audio decoding.

Just to be doubly-sure (since the manual is confusing), the 350 will output bitstream on all of the new codecs including DTS-MA, correct?

Yep, ... dts-HD Master Audio sounds as GREAT as TrueHD & PCM Uncompressed 5.1!!! (using Onkyo TX-SR606 - Audyssey 2EQ Calibrated w/Audyssey Dynamic EQ)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carlo Medina
Any other red flags I should know about for this unit before pulling the trigger?

No red flags, just a few FYI's:

If you do get the BDP-S350 - 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".

------

If you want to listen to the PiP Audio (Bonus view aka Profile 1.1), change the following in:

2) Setup OPTION:

... a) SETUP / AUDIO SETTINGS / BD Audio Setting = Mix

... b) After you're done with the Bonus view, change BD Audio Setting = Direct (Direct = bitstream)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carlo Medina
One more question: I know they pulled the download of the firmware from their site, but if I connect the 350 directly to my router, will the network download of v.10 still be up, or did they pull that down too?

Thanks!

Connect your Ethernet cable and then turn-on your BDP-S350.

As I noted above, ... "When I pressed my "Watch Blu-ray" Macro button (Harmony 880) (approx. 5:15pm Pacific, Sat. 9-27-08) and since my Ethernet cable was already connected, ... the 1st message I got" ...



If Sony turned-off the update, ... you won't see the above message.

Hope this helps,
Phil
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post #53 of 92
10/8/08 at 12:24pm

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Finally took ythe plunge and purchased the 350. However, a couple of queries.

I can get sound via an optical connection from the player to my receiver (Pioneer) but not via the coax connection. Should any settings be different for the coax connection from the player compared to the optical connection? I think it may be a problem with the set up of the receiver but cannot work it out at the moment.

The sound seems pretty good via Dolby 5.1. Would I notice much of a difference if I got an amp that decoded Dolby Tru-HD?

Thanks, Brian
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post #54 of 92
10/8/08 at 1:32pm

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Brian, I've only tried the optical connection (that's the only type I had unused on my receiver), but there are no special options in the player to differentiate between optical and coaxial, so both should be active and working. I would suggest checking out the receiver side of the setup.
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post #55 of 92
10/12/08 at 5:44pm

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Hey guys.

I sort of discovered the existence of this player today. My first BD player has been the Panny DMP-BD10A which has served me well, but I am just itching to get a Profile 1.1+ Player. The kicker was being all excited to watch Sleeping Beauty's Cineexplore feature since I'm an animation nut only to have it pop up a message saying I need BonusView!

So I'm about to go Online and order this nice 350. I hate to do this, but I need clarification on a few things for this player.

Either by it's own decoders, or with a capable reciever, will this player let you listen to EVERY audio format out there? For those who know the BD10A, which formats does this 350 NOT decode interally compared to the BD10A? My reciever is an Onxyo TX-SR604. It does not have any Next Gen Audio, but does have HDMI so I'm able to reap the benefits of Next Gen Audio thanks to my current BD player uncompressing the audio before the reciever gets it.

Next purchase will be a new Reciever with all the latest sound formats, and I just want to make sure with the combo of this new player and the new reciever I can have it all, including DTS Master Audio of course...which I think my BD10A even decodes internally...I think.

Audio was so much simpler on DVD. Just get a reciever and DVD player with matching Dolby and dts logos and you're done. Haha.

Really excited to get this player. Gonna order online though..waiting sucks.

Oh I almost forgot. Would it be possible to connect to this players ethernet with any kind of wireless transmitter? Like maybe those kind you can get for game consoles? Because our living room is nowhere near the computer room and the router to string a cable.
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post #56 of 92
10/12/08 at 7:11pm

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Quote:
Originally Posted by RickER
Scott, you can get cheap cables everywhere. I got mine at Best Buy, for about 50 bucks, i think?
FYI, $50 for an HDMI cable isn't cheap. You can get a really good HDMI 1.3 cable from Monoprice for less than $10.
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post #57 of 92
10/13/08 at 5:52pm

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken Seeber
FYI, $50 for an HDMI cable isn't cheap. You can get a really good HDMI 1.3 cable from Monoprice for less than $10.

Well, yea it is subjective. But i didnt know you could find them for $10. To me a 50 is still a good deal for an HDMI cable. Most of them at Best Buy...and other places run about $100, or more.
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post #58 of 92
10/14/08 at 4:47am

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

FYI, I bought an HDMI cable at Radio Shack for $35. That was about the cheapest price from a brick & mortar store I could find. Home Depot's website lists one for $25, but states the product is available online only. Lowe's website also lists one for $25, but there is no Lowe's conveniently located for me.

I went the brick & mortar route because my $10 HDMI cable ordered online was on back order and I wanted to try out my new player. Of course, I now have an extra HDMI cable, since the online one was finally shipped. It just goes in my stash of extra cables.
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post #59 of 92
10/14/08 at 5:07am

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

I bought one of the $35 ones from Radio Shack and two $27 ones from Target (both were plus sales tax, of course). The ones at Target are the cheapest I found locally. Of course a few days later our computer video monitor crapped out and the one I replaced it with came with...an HDMI cable. Drat, could have saved 27 bucks!
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post #60 of 92
10/14/08 at 8:23am

Re: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

If you want quality (whether perceived or real, I'll leave up to you) and don't want to go with the no-name, no-brand Monoprice ones, but don't want to pay the Best Buy Fleece 'Em price, how about Blue Jeans Cable? I think they have HDMI cables in the $12-$40 range [depending on gauge and length] and most internet forum people seem to trust that company.
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