Sony BDP-S1700ES Blu-ray 3D Player First Look

Adding to its high-end 3D capabilities Sony has announced new entries into its ES line that feature HDMI 1.4 capable receivers and, more significantly for this article, the BDP-S1700ES 3D Blu-ray player. The new Sony equipment is designed to sit alongside your BRAVIA HDTVs with 3D capabilities. But if you want to spend mid-fi money on products with the Sony logo, you’ll now have to go to the brick-and-mortar store to buy your hardware as internet dealers are getting the-pinch. Sony has basically announced that the new products are available exclusively at specialty AV shops and custom installers.

So now Sony's Elevated Standards (ES) line now includes a $400 Blu-ray player, the BDP-S1700ES, as well as a line of receivers. This includes the entry level STR-DN2010 retailing for $800 to the higher end $2000 STR-DA5600ES. In addition to network functionality, the new Blu-ray player is fully 3D ready and also has an IR input, Wi-Fi (802.11n) and an added bonus: you can download an app from iTunes to control the player from your iPhone or iPod Touch. The app allows the hand-held to function as a remote control and displays Blu-ray Disc details such as jacket artwork, actors, and film/TV information as well as allow you to search for related video clips online. It is also available for Andriod devices. 

The player supports full HD 1080p single BD disc playback as well as support for DVDs, CDs, and even SA-CDs.
It is Blu-ray 3D capable with the latest formats so it should be ready as soon as studios decide to actually release real software that supports the new format. BRAVIA Internet Video and Sony's Qriocity, an oddly VUDU-like streaming media service. There is an IR input jack on the rear panel for easy control system integration and built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi with support for WPS encryption. An Entertainment Database Browser allows easy identification of discs with Gracenote technology and you can play back photos, music, and videos via USB and DLNA streaming (from Windows-compatible devices). DVD upscaling is provided to 1080p with Sony's Precision Cinema HD Upscaling circuitry. And of course, the player supports Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding.

It’s just too bad Sony chose to pull away from online retailers. The press release says they’re doing it to "…focus on seamless integration with customer home theater control partners…". Only specialty dealers and professional installers will have access to new 2010 Sony ES sales. The new 3D BD player will be available this August.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.