Sony BDP-N460 and internet download

jlabsher · 10-10-2009, 06:33 PM

I'm looking at getting my first Blu Ray for X-mas this year and was checking out either the Sony BDP-N460 or BDP-S560.

What I was interested in was downloading videos from the internet. The N460 says it connects to NetFlix and many other sites, but you need a wireless adapter. The S560 has built in wireless. My question is, are these players limited in sites they can connect to? I know NetFlix has many hi-def movies for download, but in 5 years there may be something better. I don't want to get stuck with a player that has limited connectivity.

Any experience with the S560? I'm looking at that just because of the built-in WiFi, but it doesn't say that it can connect to NetFlix or others.

Basically I want something with wireless internet that will let me download from anywhere and good quality BD playback.

**PFC5** · 10-10-2009, 07:13 PM

It depends how they design the BD players as to what sites you will be able to download from, but also what deals are made between the mfg and said sites for a given model. this is why it might be best to get such a download device separately from a BD player IMO. If Netflix is the source you are really interested in you would likely be better getting a ROKU box for $99.00 and then it will be independent of the BD player if one function should fail you do not throw it all out because of it. It might be cheaper to buy them separately also in some cases.

Chris Gerhard · 10-11-2009, 04:06 AM

The simple answer is whatever download and streaming services your Blu-ray player is designed to use now, which will be working within a few months of purchase or sooner, are likely all it will ever use. I consider all internet services any Blu-ray player connects to now as streaming, not downloading, unless the content is downloadable, recordable and the Blu-ray player has bulit-in storage or can connect to a storage device. It is possible that additional services can be added in the future by firmware but there is usually no revenue stream to the manufacturer associated with adding such features and therefore unlikely it happens. Will Amazon, Jaman or other streaming and downloading services pay the Blu-ray player manufacturers to add these services and provide customer service? Not likely in my opinion. The margins associated with any of these services aren't great enough, outside of Netfilx or Blockbuster. If Netflix has paid Sony or LG or Samsung to include Netflix streaming with a specific model, do you think that contract allows for competitive services to be added? I sure don't.

I have the LG BD300 and within a month of purchase, it had received firmware updates for Netflix HD and YouTube streaming. Nothing more has been added after about 6 more months. Today it is most likely any player will be complete as far as downloading and streaming features sooner than that, likely out of the box. I also own a TiVo and it has more options for downloading and streaming and more could be added since there is a revenue stream associated with the TiVo service and such features. Subscribers pay a subscription fee, either periodically or a lifetime fee upfront. It is certainly possible a player designed to be continually updated to stream from various services will be marketed but the two players you mention from Sony are not and neither is any other current player I am aware of. The Sony PS3 has the best shot at continual sreaming and downloading updates since it has a built-in hard drive, close to 30 million users worldwide and is as much like a supercomputer as a Blu-ray player.

If an important use is downloading and streaming, you might want to look at a media center PC with Blu-ray playback for that purpose.

Chris

10-10-2009, 06:33 PM	#1
jlabsher What is HD? Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2	Sony BDP-N460 and internet download I'm looking at getting my first Blu Ray for X-mas this year and was checking out either the Sony BDP-N460 or BDP-S560. What I was interested in was downloading videos from the internet. The N460 says it connects to NetFlix and many other sites, but you need a wireless adapter. The S560 has built in wireless. My question is, are these players limited in sites they can connect to? I know NetFlix has many hi-def movies for download, but in 5 years there may be something better. I don't want to get stuck with a player that has limited connectivity. Any experience with the S560? I'm looking at that just because of the built-in WiFi, but it doesn't say that it can connect to NetFlix or others. Basically I want something with wireless internet that will let me download from anywhere and good quality BD playback.

10-10-2009, 07:13 PM	#2
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,420	It depends how they design the BD players as to what sites you will be able to download from, but also what deals are made between the mfg and said sites for a given model. this is why it might be best to get such a download device separately from a BD player IMO. If Netflix is the source you are really interested in you would likely be better getting a ROKU box for $99.00 and then it will be independent of the BD player if one function should fail you do not throw it all out because of it. It might be cheaper to buy them separately also in some cases. __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier

10-11-2009, 04:06 AM	#3
Chris Gerhard High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 8,211	The simple answer is whatever download and streaming services your Blu-ray player is designed to use now, which will be working within a few months of purchase or sooner, are likely all it will ever use. I consider all internet services any Blu-ray player connects to now as streaming, not downloading, unless the content is downloadable, recordable and the Blu-ray player has bulit-in storage or can connect to a storage device. It is possible that additional services can be added in the future by firmware but there is usually no revenue stream to the manufacturer associated with adding such features and therefore unlikely it happens. Will Amazon, Jaman or other streaming and downloading services pay the Blu-ray player manufacturers to add these services and provide customer service? Not likely in my opinion. The margins associated with any of these services aren't great enough, outside of Netfilx or Blockbuster. If Netflix has paid Sony or LG or Samsung to include Netflix streaming with a specific model, do you think that contract allows for competitive services to be added? I sure don't. I have the LG BD300 and within a month of purchase, it had received firmware updates for Netflix HD and YouTube streaming. Nothing more has been added after about 6 more months. Today it is most likely any player will be complete as far as downloading and streaming features sooner than that, likely out of the box. I also own a TiVo and it has more options for downloading and streaming and more could be added since there is a revenue stream associated with the TiVo service and such features. Subscribers pay a subscription fee, either periodically or a lifetime fee upfront. It is certainly possible a player designed to be continually updated to stream from various services will be marketed but the two players you mention from Sony are not and neither is any other current player I am aware of. The Sony PS3 has the best shot at continual sreaming and downloading updates since it has a built-in hard drive, close to 30 million users worldwide and is as much like a supercomputer as a Blu-ray player. If an important use is downloading and streaming, you might want to look at a media center PC with Blu-ray playback for that purpose. Chris Last edited by Chris Gerhard; 10-11-2009 at 04:13 AM.