Two Sony Blu-ray players (Profile 1.1 and 2.0) announced

[NaitoSan]

The BDP-S350 and BDP-S550 models both support BonusView (Picture-in-Picture) featured on some of the new Blu-ray Disc theatrical releases. The BDP-S350 model is BD-Live ready featuring an Ethernet port for an easy firmware update and access to Internet-based interactive content features. The BSP-S550 is BonusView and BD-Live capable when it ships.

Both models also feature an external port for local storage, so users can add optional storage device. The BDP-S550 ships with a 1GB storage device.
Priced at around $400, Sony's BDP-S350 Blu-ray player (Profile 1.1) is due this July, while its BDP-S550 player (Profile 2.0, priced at around $500) is expected to ship this fall. Take a note, S350 is Profile 2.0 ready (assuming you'll be needing memory stick if you want to take advantage of BD-Live.) Otherwise S550 has 1GB storage device built-in.

Source: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080226/latu018a.html?.v=1

[ViN86]

still dont like that $400 price point. wish it was around $250.

anyways, the upgradeable firmware sounds good. it's a start. :)

[Zeta]

I really do not get this at all. Why are they releasing a new 1.1 player??

[crainger]

I really do not get this at all. Why are they releasing a new 1.1 player??

Cheap? Perhaps the new 1.1 player is just a re-cased older model they want to shift.

2.0 discs work fine in 1.1 players, they will just miss out on a few features.

[nekrosoft13]

so when will 2.1 and 3.0 come out?

prices are still way to high

[NaitoSan]

so when will 2.1 and 3.0 come out?

prices are still way to high
As far that I know, Profile 3.0 is mainly for standalone Blu-ray audio player (supposely it's to replace music CD/DVD).

I never heard anything about Profile 2.1 so I don't know.

[nekrosoft13]

i was just guessing ;)

[Monolyth]

Why even bother w/Blu-Ray set-tops @ that price? Just get a PS3, teH cELl can handle it all.

[nekrosoft13]

Why even bother w/Blu-Ray set-tops @ that price? Just get a PS3, teH cELl can handle it all.

stand-alone players have slightly better image quality, and are less ugly.

[Monolyth]

stand-alone players have slightly better image quality, and are less ugly.

I guess if your only concern is to play movies then it makes sense despite the obvious situation where you may have to buy a new player every year or two. :/

[Imbroglio]

Why even bother w/Blu-Ray set-tops @ that price? Just get a PS3, teH cELl can handle it all.

still waiting to see what is done with profile 2.0, as 2.0 is supposed to be a "final" spec, meaning that 2.0 classified will mean the same support across everything, which is why there is still heavy debate whether ps3 will be 2.0 or not. here (http://wiki.digital-digest.com/index.php/Blu-ray) is a helpful page about profiles (notice all of the "optional" audio formats). the ps3 is kind of a no-win situation, either the final 2.0 profile is gimped to have the ps3 meet the 2.0 spec, or sony screws itself and the ps3 is 1.1 only. either way there are cheaper alternatives than the ps3 that will be upgradeable to 2.0 when the spec is finalized.