Want to access Netflix, Amazon, Hulu+ and Vudu

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Want to access Netflix, Amazon, Hulu+ and Vudu - try the Sony BDP-S390

lchiu7

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#116191 21-Apr-2013 16:38

My PS3 died and since it was the first generation unit it could play PS2 games (emulation in firmware) and SACD's. I have replaced it with the Super Slim but I have now lost SACD playback.

Looked around and decided the Sony BDP-S390 player would be a decent alternative for BD and SACD and saw the JB were specialling them out at $148 so I picked one up.

I did see on the US Sony site the unit would also do Netflix, Vudu, Amazon and Hulu+ but I didn't see that mentioned on the box so I presumed the ANZ/European version would not.

Well to my surprise it does and also Youtube and a bunch other online apps. Pandora is mentioned on the US site but I haven't found that yet. None of these apps are mentioned in the manual BTW.

So for $148 I have a unit that does BD, CD, DVD, SACD as well as DLNA and the aforementioned US streaming services. I also have a Roku 2 but I think this is a better unit. So far I have tested Netflix, Amazon and Vudu and it works fine. I haven't tried Hulu+ yet since I put my account on a 2 month hold but I see no reason why it would not work. All this by way via Unblock-US. I like the fact that it has both wifi and ethernet and I use ethernet which is more reliable.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

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#803150 21-Apr-2013 17:13

Is the streaming performance just as good? I only ask because I had a Samsung Smart TV and when I ran Netflix on it it was awful. Plays fine on ATV, Xbox, PS3 etc.

networkn

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#803169 21-Apr-2013 17:32

Does it offer HD Streaming for Youtube? I was somewhat unhappy when my AC Ryan Mini2 HD stopped getting HD because Youtube blocks most devices from HD by default now.

lchiu7

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#803237 21-Apr-2013 19:42

BuzzLightyear: Is the streaming performance just as good? I only ask because I had a Samsung Smart TV and when I ran Netflix on it it was awful. Plays fine on ATV, Xbox, PS3 etc.

Pretty good. I watched two episodes of House of Cards in 1080P and 5.1 with little or no buffering on Netflix. And when I ran the speed tests on Vudu I was able to achieve the 1080P rating. I then watched a ten minute preview of a movie in 1080P and DD+ 5.1 with no buffering.

The only problem I had was on Amazon Instant Video which buffered all the time. But I suspect that's Amazon's servers, not the device's performance.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

lchiu7

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#803238 21-Apr-2013 19:46

networkn: Does it offer HD Streaming for Youtube? I was somewhat unhappy when my AC Ryan Mini2 HD stopped getting HD because Youtube blocks most devices from HD by default now.

I think so. I only watched a couple of movie trailers in HD (Star Trek and Superman) and they came up in HD and there was no buffering. I have no idea why Google would block devices from HD - never heard of that before.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

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#803287 21-Apr-2013 21:14

Can the bluray player read off a NAS? samba/upnp?

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lchiu7

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#803490 22-Apr-2013 09:52

davidcole: Can the bluray player read off a NAS? samba/upnp?

Haven't tried because I use a Popcorn Hour for that. But reading some of the forums it seems it doesn't - you need a DLNA server for that. I will try tonight when I get the chance.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

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#803639 22-Apr-2013 12:16

lchiu7:
davidcole: Can the bluray player read off a NAS? samba/upnp?

Haven't tried because I use a Popcorn Hour for that. But reading some of the forums it seems it doesn't - you need a DLNA server for that. I will try tonight when I get the chance.

Looking for a solution for my brother in law that includes netflix + NAS access.

tchart

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#803664 22-Apr-2013 12:52

I have the same player, very happy.

A few things you may not know.

1) It has a web browser - will do Facebook etc (albeit a bit slow)
2) You can plug in a USB mouse/keyboard for text entry (eg YouTube search)
3) There is a reasonable tablet companion app (search for Sony Media Remote) that lets you "throw" stuff to the player (also allows you to type text etc). I think its on iTunes and Play (I have it on Android)
4) Not tried it but apparently the USB can use a hub (ie so you can plug more drives in)
5) DVD player is region free (European models don't seem to be)

I have 1TB hard drive attached to mine - only niggle is the USB is on the front. I got a right angle USB cable off Ebay which I feed round the side for a tidier look.

I trialed Quickflix. Streaming was okay, cancelled due to lack of content.

Edit:Added region free info + fixed typos

JayTaicho

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#803686 22-Apr-2013 13:20

Even a bit cheaper now: Sony BDPS390

Was planning to order a Roku 3 next play day. Mainly for Hulu and NBA League Pass. So you find this performs better than your Roku 2?

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#803702 22-Apr-2013 13:46

PS I got mine through Harvey Norman, asked them to price match another store and they did. Was around $150 from memory (and that was last year).

lchiu7

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#803703 22-Apr-2013 13:50

davidcole:
lchiu7:
davidcole: Can the bluray player read off a NAS? samba/upnp?

Haven't tried because I use a Popcorn Hour for that. But reading some of the forums it seems it doesn't - you need a DLNA server for that. I will try tonight when I get the chance.

Looking for a solution for my brother in law that includes netflix + NAS access.

I'll check tonight but I have a Google TV box (Logitech Revue). It can do Netflix and can also play content from SMB shares. But to play some content I had to download additional software from the Play store. Plus I am not sure it can esoteric stuff like Dolby True HD or DTS HD MA in a mkv container or .ts or .m2ts files.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

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lchiu7

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#805737 26-Apr-2013 09:05

davidcole: Can the bluray player read off a NAS? samba/upnp?

OK I finally managed to do this test but the results are unclear.

I have a Windows 7 box which acts as a server but primarily just a box to hang off drives. It doesn't run a DLNA server that I am aware of. I watch content off that box mainly via a Popcorn Hour against a bunch of shares on the drives.

I noticed when I went to the video tab on the Sony the Windows 7 box showed up with a Windows Media icon. I am wondering if I am unconsciously running WMP as a media server since I know I didn't deliberately do that.

Anyway navigating from that icon I can see all the videos on the box and play them all from the Sony. And they included videos that have been encoded a H,.264 with Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD Master audio. So the answer to your question is maybe but I suspect if you were trying to access a standalone NAS, it would not work.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

CutCutCut

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#813675 8-May-2013 13:46

THis is available at the Warehouse now. Sharp pricing http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/Sony-Blu-ray-DVD-Player-with-Built-in-Wi-Fi-BDPS390?SKU=1703631&ref=pricespy

By the way, is this "Lawrence" who mentioned this player to the HT Guys on their podcast?

chiefie

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#813705 8-May-2013 14:36

You can do the same with Bravia TV, as long as it has the right geo-location IP address, the Bravia Internet services will find the available services to use.

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lchiu7

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#814036 8-May-2013 22:04

CutCutCut: THis is available at the Warehouse now. Sharp pricing http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/Sony-Blu-ray-DVD-Player-with-Built-in-Wi-Fi-BDPS390?SKU=1703631&ref=pricespy

By the way, is this "Lawrence" who mentioned this player to the HT Guys on their podcast?

:-)

I have met the guys a couple of times, both times at CES in Vegas. First time we had a timing issue and on the day I was leaving (driving) they were driving in. So we caught up at at Starbucks on the California/Nevada border! Really nice guys.

Second time we both were staying at the same hotel (MGM Grand) so we caught up for breakfast.

I have an open invitation to visit Ara's home to see his HT and home automation system which I will do one day.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

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