Sony Blu-ray Players and Home Theater Systems get WiFi and iPhone control

If you're looking for a 3D-capable Blu-ray player or Blu-ray equipped home theater system to go with your new Sony HDTV, it should come as little surprise that Sony have a few options on hand.  The company has announced three standalone players together with three home theater setups, and they offer such niceties as WiFi (integrated on some models, optional on others) and – using a free Sony app from the Apple App Store – remote control from your iPhone or iPod touch.

The three standalone decks kick off with the Sony BDP-S770, the 3D-ready player, with integrated WiFi and ethernet, IP Content Noise Reduction, HD upscaling, DLNA streaming, Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio support and speedier start-up/disc-loading; it will arrive in Summer 2010.  In Spring 2010 you'll be able to pick up the Sony BDP-S570, which also has integrated WiFi but lacks 3D support, and the Sony BDP-S370 which requires a separate WiFi adapter.

As for the Home Theater Systems, they kick off with the BDV-HZ970W with 1,000W of amplification and wireless communication with the rear stereo speakers, 1080p HD video, WiFi with DLNA streaming and internet video, and DVD upscaling.  You can also use the same iPhone/iPod touch remote app.  Then there's the BDV-E770W and BDV-E570, which like the latter standalone players lack 3D support; the E570 also drops WiFi/DLNA support.  No word on pricing or availability.

Press Release:

CURTAIN RISES ON NEW SONY BLU-RAY 3D CAPABLE MODELS

New Line Offers Stylish Monolithic Design Concept, Wi-Fi Connectivity, and BRAVIA Internet Video Platform Functionality

LAS VEGAS (CES Booth #14200), Jan. 6, 2010 – Sony today introduced its new Blu-ray Disc™ line featuring Blu-ray 3D™ playback, Wi-Fi® Internet connectivity, and instant streaming of online video content from the BRAVIA® Internet Video platform. The new Sony Blu-ray Disc devices are another example of how Sony is providing consumers with networked products that enhance the home entertainment experience.

The full HD 1080p line featuring Sony's new Monolithic Design Concept includes three stand alone models (BDP-S770, BDP-S570 and BDP-S370) and three integrated home theater systems (BDV-HZ970W, BDV-E770W, and BDV-E570), as well as a 5.1 channel matching home audio system (HT-SS370).

When connected to a broadband Internet network, the models instantly stream movies, videos, music and more from Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube™, Slacker® Internet Radio, Pandora®, NPR, Sony Pictures, Sony Music, and over 25 total providers through the Sony BRAVIA Internet Video platform.

"Only Sony can leverage expertise in hardware and content creation to deliver unique entertainment experiences such as 3D and Internet streaming," said Chris Fawcett, vice president of Sony Electronics' home audio and video business. "Our new Blu-ray Disc players, home theaters and audio products bring entertainment to life with a high-quality, innovative design that is stylish enough to enhance any décor."

Sony's new Blu-ray Disc players and home theater systems feature an Entertainment Database Browser, using Gracenote™ technologies, that allows users to browse details like actor and production information from a Blu-ray disc and access related content found on BRAVIA Internet Video content.

Unique to the new models, users with an iPhone® or iPod® touch devices can control the players using a free application that can be downloaded from the Apple App store. The application allows an iPhone/iPod touch to function as a remote control that includes the ability to access a Blu-ray Disc's details such as jacket artwork, actor, and production information as well as search for additional video clips online.

Blu-ray Disc Players

Available this summer, Sony's Blu-ray 3D capable BDP-S770 Blu-ray Disc player is also compatible with DVDs, CDs, and SA-CDs. The model features an Ethernet jack and has built-in Wi-Fi wireless (802.11) with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) for easy access to Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video platform and BD-LIVE™ functionality.

The model also includes Sony's IP Content Noise Reduction technology and Precision Cinema HD Upscaling to improve standard definition and web video quality.

Compatible with Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA®) devices, the model allows you to wirelessly share digital photos, music, and video media from your PC using your home network. It also includes a front USB input for photo, music, and video playback and decodes all advanced audio codecs including Dolby® TrueHD, dts-HD Master Audio™, and offers bit stream out.

The model also offers an improved start-up and disc loading performance. When the quick start feature is turned on, the start-up time is quicker and disc loading is faster than previous models.

Also available this spring Sony's BDP-S570 Blu-ray Disc player features built in Wi-Fi wireless (802.11) with WPS for easy access to Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video platform and BD-LIVE functionality.

Other features include:

· DVD, CD, and SA-CD playback

· IP Content Noise Reduction

· Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology

· BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch BD Remote Control application)

· Photo, music, and video playback via front USB and DLNA (firmware update required)

· DVD upscaling to near high definition with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling

· Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding

· Quick start and fast loading

Sony's BDP-S370 Blu-ray Disc player, shipping this spring, also offers full HD 1080p picture quality and access to the BRAVIA Internet Video platform and BD-LIVE functionality.

Other features found in this model include:

· DVD, CD, and SA-CD playback

· Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology

· BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch BD Remote Control application)

· Wi-Fi-ready (UWA-BR100 USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately)

· Photo, music, and video playback via front USB and DLNA (firmware update required)

· DVD Upscaling to near high definition with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling

· Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding

· Quick start and fast loading

Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Systems

Sony's new 3D capable BDV-HZ970W is a full HD 1080p 5.1 channel Blu-ray Disc home theater system that features wireless capabilities via the included USB wireless LAN adapter (802.11) allowing for easy access to a broad range of entertainment from the BRAVIA Internet Video platform and BD-LIVE extra features and content.

The 1000 watt system features Sony's S-AIR® technology allowing it to transmit audio to the included wireless rear channel surround speakers. Users can also add wireless multi-room speaker clients (sold separately) to enjoy music in other parts of the home.

Additionally, the model includes Sony's Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology to access disc cover art, actor, and production information, as well as IP Content Noise Reduction technology and Precision Cinema HD Upscaling to improve standard definition and web video quality.

Compatible with DLNA devices, the model also includes a front USB input for photo, music, and video playback. It decodes all advanced audio codecs including Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio.

The BDV-E770W is a 1000 watt, 5.1 channel Blu-ray Disc home theater system that connects to the Internet wirelessly with the included USB wireless LAN adapter (802.11), allowing easy access to entertainment from the BRAVIA Internet Video platform and BD-LIVE functionality.

Other features include:

· DVD, CD, and SA-CD playback

· Integrated S-AIR wireless rear speakers

· Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology

· BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch BD Remote Control application)

· DLNA functionality (firmware update required)

· Photo, music, and video playback via USB and DLNA

· iPod audio playback via USB

· DVD Upscaling to near high definition with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling

· Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding

Sony's BDV-E570 full HD 1080p Blu-ray Disc 5.1 channel home theater system also offers access to entertainment from the BRAVIA Internet Video platform and BD-LIVE functionality via an included USB wireless LAN adapter.

This 1000 watt system also offers:

· DVD, CD, and SA-CD playback

· Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology

· BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch BD Remote Control application)

· Photo, music, and video playback via USB and DLNA

· iPod audio playback via USB

· S-Air ready (with addition of optional transmitter, sold separately)

· DVD Upscaling to near high definition with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling

· Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding

Home Theater Audio System

Sony also announced the HT-SS370 5.1 channel home theater audio system with Blu-ray Disc player matching design. The 1000 watt model includes a HDMI repeater (3 inputs/1 output), allowing users to send HDMI signals through the device even when it is off.

The model, which is available this spring, is S-AIR ready and can send wireless audio signals to rear surround speakers or multi-room speakers (sold separately) when an optional transmitter (sold separately) is added.

The HT-SS370 also features linear PCM decoding and two digital audio inputs.

All new Blu-ray Disc players and home theater systems will be available at Sony Style stores, online at www.sonystyle.com, at military base exchanges, and at authorized retailers nationwide.