Sony BDP-S185 Blu-Ray Disc Player

• Blu-ray Disc Full HD 1080p playback
• Dolby TrueHD & dts-HD internal decoding and bitstream output via HDMI5
• Internet Video Streaming (Online Connectivity via LAN)
• Region:Blu-ray: A,DVD: 1
• Energy Star compliant

Before I did anything with this I updated the firmware. Hooking up to my Netflix account was much easier than expected. Played nicely with no freezes and the picture was excellent. Freezes in streaming are usually due to a slow Internet connection or source.

Load times are very fast. Much faster than the Panasonic BD that it replaced. I also appreciate the fact that I don't have to use an external memory source for streaming capabilities such as a USB thumb drive or a card.

I also appreciate the smaller footprint that this unit offers. It's nearly half the size of the typical BD players out there today.

All in all, I would highly recommend this player.

(Note: Later replies from me on this unit should be disregarded as they are base on the BDP BX58 by Sony which replaced this unit.) Sony BDP-BX58 Blu-ray Disc Player 3D Built-in Wireless

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If you are looking for a Blu-ray player that provides access to Netflix, Pandora and a host of other streaming media, then Sony has the device for you. See Amazon at: Sony BDP-S185 Blu-Ray Disc Player This player commonly lists for $99.99, but with several Amazon connected vendors, you may wind up paying $10.00 to $15.00 less. I was searching for such a unit for my bedroom to supplement a higher priced Sony, and found this model online. For the price, the S185 does not have WiFi built in, but connects via ethernet to your WiFi router. There is a USB port on the front for connecting cameras and other peripherals; and an HDMI, plus RCA ports on the rear. This is Sony quality, so discs play effortlessly and quietly. The S185 also sports an unusual form factor, as it departs from the traditional boxy design, having a sloping, curved top case. A row of basic button controls on the top compliments an included compact remote control. It is also one of the smallest players I have seen, so will fit easily onto a crowded shelf. Batteries, warranty, manual included.

Read Best Reviews of Sony BDP-S185 Blu-Ray Disc Player Here

I have had this player for a few weeks now and had no problems with freezes as other people reported.

The player has a nice small size. I thought about placing it vertically but you can not do that because the disc would fall out. Also the design of the case makes it difficult to stand on its side.

The drive is quiet, the remote is compact. Updating the firmware is a breeze with the Ethernet cable connected. Booting does not take too long.

Many video streaming services are installed (hulu plus, vudu, netflix just to name a few there are many more). pandora is only one of the audio services.

Navigation looks similar to the playstation 3 if that tells you anything.

DVD's upconvert nicely, but of course look no better than on other blu-ray players.

Overall I am very happy with this player.

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I wrote to Sony customer service: "Please tell me how to turn off the Automatic Power Off function on the BDP-S185. I cannot get through a whole movie."

Sony customer service wrote back: "I'm sorry that the Blu-ray Disc Player turns OFF by itself during playback. Please note that if any button on the Player or Remote Control is not pressed for more than 30 minutes, the Player automatically returns to standby mode. This is normal operation and cannot be disabled."

I wrote back to Sony: "Why would Sony design a movie player that cannot play movies? You are telling me that I must pick up the remote and push an arbitrary button for no good reason 3 to 4 times during any movie just to keep the player on. For one movie. Didn't anyone at Sony realize this was completely retarded during the design of a _Blu-ray movie player_?? Can someone fix this retarded problem with a software update?"

It hasn't gotten better from there.

I also wrote to Sony: "Additionally, while I am writing, I will tell you that the BDP-S185 clearly has a lot of problems. The extremely high frequency of "Content Error" or "Network Error" and "Retry" messages whenever it tries to move from a show to an ad break or back, as well as having to click on Hulu Plus 7 or more times just trying to get onto internet content when the player has just been turned back on is enough to make the player too frustrating to bother with. This thing is not wireless, it has been plugged directly into a great internet modem that nothing else has trouble with. I had considered subscribing to Netflix, but after just two days with Hulu Plus on this player I am going to cancel it because it is foolish to pay money for a service on a device this badly made. Sony should be ashamed to have their name on this.

I would like some kind of return information sent to me, even if it is just a trade-in for a different model."

When this player does shut off on you-and I think it was doing it at less than the 30 minutes of non-remote-pushing that Customer Service said it would take to hit Standby mode-getting it back to where you were is such an extended headache of missing network connection and "Retry" and menus to go through that I end up saying, oh well, I didn't need to see that anyway. None of these shows or movies are worth going through all of that.

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First off this is a $70, Ethernet wired, blu ray player. It is not 3D and it is not a wireless network player. With that said, what it is, is a very good blu ray player with more online streaming content than any of its rivals in the below $100 price range. The cost of an added wireless dongle moves this player into a price range that it is not made to compete in.

As a blu ray player it has above average video quality and a simple remote. Advanced settings are done through an onscreen menu for both the blu ray player and the streaming media player. The remote also can be programed in one easy step to operate your TV's on/off, video input, and volume. The remote also allows a setting that turns off both the TV and the player at the same time. A button on the remote allows direct access to Netflix and Sony Entertainment Network.

There are 34 video channels and 7 music channels accessible for streaming. Some channels require going through the computer to activate service and Pay on Demand requires a credit card during registration. Many have a limited free trial to see which channels you prefer, however a credit card is required to activate the free trials so don't forget to cancel services you don't want before the trial ends. Crackle, a free classic movie channel, is available without registration. YouTube can be logged on directly from the TV, although not all content is available for streaming at this time. Note that a 5 digit password (numerical) is required to access paid programming, it serves to keep children and guests from running up your bill.

Here is the list of channels available: Sony Entertainment Network, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Vudu, NHL Vault, YouTube, blip.tv, Crackle, SnagFilms, Dr.Oz, Tara Stiles, Billabong, XOS College Sports, epi, Concierge, CinemaNow, Style.com, Sony Digital Concert Series, Inside Sony Pictures, Sony's Michael Jackson, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, SGNL by Sony, Dailymotion, uStudio, GolfLink.com, Livestrong.com, eHow.com, Flixster, Singing Fool, Podcasts, Terra TV; Sony's Music Unlimited, Slacker, Pandora, Berliner Philharmoniker, Lollapalooza Radio, NPR, Moshcam

For a wired internet, this Sony player offers a lot of variety for TV viewing not available on other units even at higher prices. This is not the fastest blu ray player or media player but it isn't the slowest either. Unlike some of the competition Sony backs this player with a one year warranty, NOT 90 days. For the price I don't believe any other player offers as much as this Sony.

As a footnote: Remember that internet speed effects this and all video streaming players. Regular DSL will struggle to stream video, You need at least 3MPS speed to get minimum video streaming, 10+ MPS is needed for HD. I am getting 15-20 MPS at the player which has allowed uninterrupted streaming of all content. Because this is a wired connection I am receiving the same MPS as my computer.

Update: 12/30/2011

Media players handle streaming video directly versus computers that handle packets of information and have storage. I would not recommend any brands lower tier media players to anyone using standard DSL. Unless you are right next to a main phone transfer station you will probably have problems streaming video. Check the manufacturers higher end units with on-board memory or upgrade your internet service. Keep in mind that even if you have 3-4MPS every thing connected to your router that is in use will lower your MPS speed at times causing your media player to drop below the minimum speed. This is also true of bottom tier cable because you are sharing the internet with other homes. My internet speed is about 24MPS but will drop as low as 8MPS during peak usage. Blame your internet provider not the media players, I have yet to see a company claim their media players will work below 3MPS. And the 3MPS is the lowest speed you receive, not the normal speed.