The Sony BDP-S580 is one of the new 2011 Blu-ray players and for us UK customers at least, likely to be the top of the range model.
This years model is quite similar to the previous model in terms of features and like the BDP-S570 before it, the BDP-S580 offers much more than just movie playing.
For starters, the Sony BDP-S580 comes equipped with built in Wi-Fi. While most media players require adapters for this to even be feasible, a player in this price range with this feature included as standard is quite a plus, and is one of the reasons why the previous model was our favourite in 2010. It means that not only can the player connect to the internet to watch streaming movies online, but it can also connect to your personal computer network to watch the movies you have on there too.
Control from your iPhone, and now from your iPad and Android too
Another interesting aspect of the Sony BDP-S580 is the ability for it to interface with mobile devices and this year Sony have added support for iPad and Android as well as the iPhone and iPod Touch. Basically, an application can be downloaded onto your mobile device and make it a “remote” of sorts, allowing use of a virtual QWERTY keyboard which then allows you to search for relevant information on the program you’re watching and search for additional movies and television shows to stream. The included application also allows for social networking, so you can share information with your friends on twitter.
The last important thing to note about the Sony BDP-S580 is it’s 3D and 1080p support. Now, long ago this would’ve sent shock waves down the backs of technology bloggers worldwide, but it is now becoming standard across the range. Other features of note include 2 USB inputs (for external hard drives), and an Ethernet port for connecting the player directly to the internet if you are without a wireless internet connection.
What to consider…
If you are able to connect your player to an Ethernet port, then you may not need the built in Wi-Fi capabilities of this player, and the Sony BDP-380 or Sony BDP-480 may be a better option for you.
What we like about the Sony BDP-S580
As we saw with the 570, this new model looks like it is the best value in the 2011/12 Sony range. As Blu-ray players go it is fully loaded with features, and Sony’s on-line content offering just keeps getting better and better. We loved the previous model to the point that we bought one as our day to day player – this model may not have enough to make us want to upgrade just yet, but if we were buying now, the BDP-S580 would be very high on our shortlist. Rating: /5
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