Sony BDP S185 - new budget blu-ray player

[bigboss]

[EDITOR'S NOTE - SONY BDP S185 REVIEW NOW ONLINE HERE]

I just noticed this budget blu-ray player from Sony. Looks very small & smart! Looks like Sony has got a real winner......watch out for a sub £50 Christmas offer!

 

[bigboss]

I can't find any info on this player apart from a few online stores. It doesn't appear that Sony has officially announced this player, nor is any information available on Sony UK website.

There is some info on Sony's Polish website.

WHF, any news on the player & any plans to review it?

 

[laserman16]

And features BBC Iplayer as well.....

 

[Clare Newsome]

News to me... But yes, we will seek and review

 

[bigboss]

It plays SACDs too!

EDIT: It probably doesn't play SACDs (going by Sony's Polish website).

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

Cheapskates- you can't even stream with it.

 

[bigboss]

When I translated Sony's Polish website (via Google chrome), it says:

BD-LIVE YES
BIVL YES
BIVL - Sony's website - Streaming YES
BIVL - Streaming Live YES

So it probably does stream. Even if it doesn't, not everyone use their blu-ray player to stream. I don't. I've got my PS3 for it, and Sonos. This is perfect for the bedroom. At £79, it's the cheapest Sony player at launch. Spend £20 more for the S380 if you want streaming as well. Simples.

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

It was a tongue in cheek comment after looking at the spec on the RS link.I have no blue ray/streaming/iplayer/freeview HD currently in the main room and I have been waiting for the price of the Samsung BD8500 to come down so I could kill lots of birds with one stone but if that Sony streams as well ...... it could be part of a 2 box move

 

[sonycentre]

We have had this unit in-store since thursday,looks very cute and does everything the bdps380/83 does minus the 3d element.Retails at £79.99 sold a few at work yesterday it's ideal for a bedroom/kitchen. :clap:

 

[Clare Newsome]

We plan to get a Sony BDP-S185 for review this week - even if we have to buy one - so will definitely throw it into the mix re Awards judging etc. No-one here had heard a word from Sony on the player, and - as noted - there's nothing on Sony UK website to date.

But if it really is as good as the Sony BDP-S380 (itself now widely available under £100) then it could indeed be a true Blu-ray bargain. Plus a great low-cost streaming option, as it supports BBC iPlayer, Qriocity etc...

Time and testing will tell

 

[manicm]

We have had this unit in-store since thursday,looks very cute and does everything the bdps380/83 does minus the 3d element.Retails at £79.99 sold a few at work yesterday it's ideal for a bedroom/kitchen. :clap:

I was not aware the 380 does 3D?

 

[Clare Newsome]

It doesn't - 3D capability comes in at Sony BDP-S480/483 upwards

 

[bigboss]

I can't find any difference between this & the S380 except the SACD capability on paper. Smaller size is to S185's advantage. If there's no difference performance-wise as compared the the S380, then Sony has something really special, at the expense of the S380.

 

[BenLaw]

AFAIK the 380 places SACDs too. So it seems an identical spec then?

 

[bigboss]

AFAIK the 380 places SACDs too. So it seems an identical spec then?

I mean the S185 probably doesn't play SACDs.

 

[BenLaw]

Oops, didn't notice your edit in your earlier post! But given that's unlikely to be a deal breaker for many, this should be a Blu ray bargain

 

[sonycentre]

Yep im at work now does not play sacd.but apart from that it's the same spec as the bdps380/83.

 

[Clare Newsome]

The Sony BDP-S185 Blu-ray player was officially launched today - more info in our news story here. Review to follow....

 

[michael hoy]

I cannot find it on Richer Sounds website today.

 

[bigboss]

Don't want to start a rumour here.....but why does Richer Sounds say "last few" for the S380?? Is the S185 replacing the S380? :?

 

[BenLaw]

Don't want to start a rumour here.....but why does Richer Sounds say "last few" for the S380?? Is the S185 replacing the S380? :?

And delve just a little deeper and they claim only to have 13 left in the whole country!! Consider the rumour started :type:

 

[sonycentre]

No bigboss the sony bdps380 is a ongoing model and won't be replaced till march/april next year.the bdps185 is just a new small model at a brill price point.

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

No bigboss the sony bdps380 is a ongoing model and won't be replaced till march/april next year.the bdps185 is just a new small model at a brill price point.

Just cos it won't be replaced, doesn't mean there will more supplies between now and April. >)

Touch of deja vu (well ,maybe,possibly, ok not)

(and yes ,this is a diacritic free zone)

 

[Anonymous]

Hi does anyone actually know where this unit can be picked up for £80, Argos want £99 for it and Amazon don't have it.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Try your nearest Sony Centre....they appear (from earlier comments in this thread) to have stock.