Now here's something you don't see every day: a dedicated Blu-ray player from Sony that's actually worthy buying.

Of course, starting my review of the Sony BDP-S350 with such ï¬ghting talk probably looks like showboating. But honestly, while I might have been impressed with the raw video output of some previous Sony Blu-ray players, in other ways they really have been next to useless.

Even though Blu-ray as a format has ï¬nally reached a point where it can offer the same level of functionality HD DVD did from day one, Sony has not had a player able to do that functionality justice. Until now.

Firmware update

Well, actually 'now' isn't quite accurate. For the S350 is shipping without Profile 2.0 support already onboard! Yes, in a ï¬nal poignant reminder of just how difï¬cult Blu-ray has found it to cross the
ï¬nishing line, the S350 will only become Profile 2.0-capable following a firmware update currently slated for an October delivery. You can't see from there, but trust me: I'm rolling my eyes.

The good news is that this ï¬rmware update doesn't have to be delivered to the S350 via disc. Instead, you can use the Ethernet port for jacking into your network and entering the brave new world of internet-based extra features and downloadable ï¬rmware upgrades. Halle-blinking-lujah.

Before I go any further, all this talk of upgradability and internet connections brings to mind the PlayStation 3. Sony's games console is, of course, capable of playing Blu-ray discs, and has from the very beginning been able to download ï¬rmware updates. These have long enabled it to deliver Proï¬le 1.1 and 2.0 features – so you may think that my apparent 'Sony bashing' thus far seems unfair.

PlayStation rivalry

But actually the PS3 merely reinforces my negative stance towards previous Sony standalone Blu-ray decks. For, if the Japanese tech giant can make the PS3, then why in the name of all that's Holy has it taken it so long to get something approaching the game console's Blu-ray features into any bog-standard BD decks?

In fact, so dominant a part has the ahead-of-its-time PS3 played in the Blu-ray world that ironically it's arguably the S350's biggest rival today, along with Panasonic's DMP-BD55 and the Samsung BD-P1500.

Just as well, then, that Sony has ï¬nally managed to get its pricing house in order. For at £230, the S350 is actually cheaper than the PS3. In fact, it's also more than £100 cheaper than Panny's BD55, although the Samsung does it give a run.

Iffy spec

It has to be said that there's a build quality price to pay for the S350's aggressive pricing. Its chassis is
flimsy, with an unimaginative ï¬nish that wouldn't look out of place on a 30-quid DVD player. It's a far cry from the rigid splendour of Sony standalone Blu-ray players of the past.

The story continues to be bewilderingly mixed when it comes to the S350's connections, too. For while the Ethernet jack and an HDMI output capable of delivering 1080p24 and DeepColor are both very welcome, the deck's USB slot proves less desirable.

It's here that you must add memory to the S350 via an external USB storage device so that the player will be able to download certain BD-Live/ BonusView content. Shouldn't there be enough memory built-in to the player in the ï¬rst place?

And not only does having a memory stick in the back of your Blu-ray deck seem rather clumsy, but Sony's recommended USM1GH MicroVault will set you back an extra £15 or more.

One other less surprising connection compromise ï¬nds the S350 devoid of 7.1 analogue audio line outs. But the reality is that such outputs seldom, if ever, ï¬nd their way onto entry-level Blu-ray decks, being saved instead as a key way of tempting people to buy models higher up a brand's range. In Sony's case, this means the upcoming S550.

Fast and furious

While there appears to be a number of physical compromises slowing down the S350, ultimately it's what goes on under the bonnet in performance terms that matters the most. And in this respect things look pretty rosy.

The S350 features a Quick Start mode that allows it to ï¬ re up and be ready for action in under six seconds. This really is a monumental improvement on Sony Blu-ray players of the past.

It's also thrilling to ï¬nd a Blu-ray deck as wallet-friendly as the S350 that lets you ï¬ne-tune its performance via such options as MPEG block noise and mosquito noise reduction, and an audio delay circuit. That said, you may never actually use the various performance tweaks for the simple reason that the S350 is a seriously accomplished performer right out of the box.

Superior Blu-ray pictures

I ran it side by side with a PlayStation 3, and it quickly became obvious that the S350 is the better picture performer in three key ways.