The Sony BDP-S1 is one of the first generation Blu-ray Disc players and is the first such player released in North America (The first player was the Samsung BD-P1000). It was originally scheduled for release in the United States on August 18, 2006 with a MSRP of $999.95. Sony had postponed the release date of this player several times and it was finally released on December 4, 2006.

Sony BDP-S1

Sony BDP-S1 with it's remote
Developer	Sony
Manufacturer	Sony
Release date	Oct 25, 2006
Introductory price	US$999.95
Discontinued	Yes
Profile	1.0
Region	A, 1
Media	BD (BD-ROM, BD-RE, BD-R) DVD (DVD-Video, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW)
Operating System	Linux-based
CPU	Sigma SMP8634A (MIPS-based - 32-Bit 300Mhz)
Storage	256 MB Flash
Networking	No
Display	Composite video S-Video Y/Pb/Pr analog component HDMI 1.2
Sound	Dolby Digital Dolby Digital Plus Dolby TrueHD DTS PCM
Power	AC 120V, 60 Hz
Dimensions	430 (W) x 106 (H) x 355 (D)mm
Weight	7.5 kg (16 lbs)

While the player was praised for it's high picture and sound quality, it was criticized for the following issues:

• Glitches with BD-J menus, the discs played incorrectly or would not play at all. This issue as been fixed via firmware update.
• Long load times, around two to three minutes from the initial system power up to actual video playback. When the unit is fully powered up, playback is faster, taking approximately fifty to seventy seconds from disc insertion. This issue as been "fixed" via firmware update. However, it's still slow by today's standards.
  
• The player is not compatible with CDs
• The price! No, wonder adoption was slow back then.
  

Audio

The player is capable of decoding the three mandatory codecs, Dolby Digital, LPCM, and DTS. A firmware update added the ability to decode, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby TrueHD. The player is not capable of decoding DTS-HD High Resolution Audio or DTS-HD Master Audio.

External Links

• BDP-S1 Firmware Update (v5.20) - April 9, 2010 (Blu-ray.com)
  

Author(s) : Æ Firestone