I have a PS3 Slim which I use primarily as Media Center. I am challenged with of the Fan Noise and decided to go for a dedicated BDP-S370 based upon the reviews. I expected low fan noise, improvement in Picture and Sound Quality as S370 is dedicated for media purposes.
I was excited about the S370 as the reviews are great and I know that it does exactly what I want (with the support for MKV, youtube integration etc). After I plugged S370 the very first annoyance I noticed is that the font quality as well as menu navigation. There is a huge difference between PS3 Menus vs S370. PS3 fonts are smooth and menu transition is extremely fluid where as S370 feels at best mediocre.
Bluray play quality is at par. I did not find any difference but the biggest draw back is the play back of SD content. S370 plays everything in a very patchy way where as PS3 is super fluid. And coming to the final nail in the coffin, SQ is too much desired for. CD playback to MP3 playback, there is some vague hollowness in the sound. I am unable to put in words, but the sound feels depth and feels very hollow.
Regarding the build quality an untrained eye can also notice very soon that S370 is compromised a lot on build.
The best thing I liked is the Youtube integration which is awesome.
I am writing this short experience, to give information for some one on the fence for such a switch or swinging between PS3 or a dedicated player.
I know that there is a price difference between the PS3 slim and S370 but given the varied things a PS3 can do today, I still feel it is a huge bargain.
PS: My only gripe about PS3 slim's fan noise is still valid. Luckily, I can feel / hear it only when I activate Mute so I will learn to live with it and S370 goes back to Amazon (Thank God to Amazon's great return policy)
PPS: When WHF gives 5 stars to a product, I guess it is very tightly tied to the category. In this case may be in sub 200Pound category of BD players this Sony shines very well.
I was excited about the S370 as the reviews are great and I know that it does exactly what I want (with the support for MKV, youtube integration etc). After I plugged S370 the very first annoyance I noticed is that the font quality as well as menu navigation. There is a huge difference between PS3 Menus vs S370. PS3 fonts are smooth and menu transition is extremely fluid where as S370 feels at best mediocre.
Bluray play quality is at par. I did not find any difference but the biggest draw back is the play back of SD content. S370 plays everything in a very patchy way where as PS3 is super fluid. And coming to the final nail in the coffin, SQ is too much desired for. CD playback to MP3 playback, there is some vague hollowness in the sound. I am unable to put in words, but the sound feels depth and feels very hollow.
Regarding the build quality an untrained eye can also notice very soon that S370 is compromised a lot on build.
The best thing I liked is the Youtube integration which is awesome.
I am writing this short experience, to give information for some one on the fence for such a switch or swinging between PS3 or a dedicated player.
I know that there is a price difference between the PS3 slim and S370 but given the varied things a PS3 can do today, I still feel it is a huge bargain.
PS: My only gripe about PS3 slim's fan noise is still valid. Luckily, I can feel / hear it only when I activate Mute so I will learn to live with it and S370 goes back to Amazon (Thank God to Amazon's great return policy)
PPS: When WHF gives 5 stars to a product, I guess it is very tightly tied to the category. In this case may be in sub 200Pound category of BD players this Sony shines very well.