The impressive 2010 range of Sony Blu-ray players continues with this model, the BDP-S570, the most versatile and feature packed in the range so far.
Sitting above the entry level (but very capable) BDP-S370, and the 3D ready BDP-S470, the Sony BDP-S570 has the important features from the other two models, but includes the highly desirable built in wireless too. Continuing Sony’s amazing ‘monolithic’ styling trend, the BDP-S570 is certainly a good looking player. Although the width and depth are identical to the other two models, it is 10mm higher (at 46mm) which makes a surprising amount of difference and gives the player a more purposeful and serious look. The front of the player is very sleek with only the tiny gap around the disk tray and the front USB socket affecting the clean design.
The rear of the player shows no difference in connection options to the other players, with the standard HDMI and Component outputs, as well as composite, digital optical and digital coaxial audio outputs, a LAN terminal and another USB socket. The latter could be used for connecting a USB drive for storage of BD-Live content, but the Sony BDP-S570 does have 1Gb of memory built in so it is not necessary to start with. If like most of us you will be still playing a lot of DVDs then the 1080p upscaling is a welcome feature, and the massively improved start up (3 seconds) and disk eject times (2 seconds) that were such a bug bear on older players is a great relief.
The built in wireless is probably the biggest feature of the Sony BDP-S570 player, and with a single press of a button you can be securely connected to the internet so you can use the Bravia Internet Video service to enjoy BBC iPlayer and other catch up TV services, as well as YouTube and Dailymotion video websites. The famous Xross Media Bar on-screen menu system controls the device, which some people love and others don’t. If you’re one of the latter, you can also control the player by downloading the free Sony app to your iPhone, and view disc information as well.
Because the player is DLNA compliant, it will act as a client device so you can stream your music, photos and even movies from your DLNA complaint PC or NAS drive which can really make it a powerful media device. We tested a basic video jukebox system, where we had the HDMI cable going to the television, and a digitial coaxial cable going to our amplifier for the sound, and it worked very well indeed. The file browser is perhaps a clunky, but for most people it will do just fine. Finally, we have to give a mention to the built in Gracenote Entertainment Database Browser which you can use to find out more information about the movie you’re watching and is more useful than you’d imagine!
There is a more recent version of this Blu-ray player: Sony BDP-S580
What to consider before you buy the Sony BDPS570 Blu-ray Player
If you do not need the built in wireless and 3D ready functions of this Blu-ray player, then consider going for the BDP-S370 instead – it’ll save you at least £50.
Why you should buy the Sony BDP-S570 Blu-ray Player
Not the cheapest Blu-ray player around, but if you need or want the built in wireless and other additional features, the BDP-S570 actually starts to look very good value, and we’d go so far to say that it is the smart choice – and the one in the new range that we’d choose. Rating: /5
Sony BDP-S570 Compare Prices
As we mentioned above, this player is probably one of the best players around at the moment, and to back this up, it has recently won ‘Product of the Year’ in the Blu-ray players category of the 2010 What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision awards.
Hi,
I was thinking about buying this blu-ray player, i was wanting a sony surround system to go with it, but i don’t know which one to get. Can you advise please
Unless you want a full separates system, you might be better off going for something like the Sony BDV-E370 all in one Blu-ray home cinema system.