Sony Announces Blu-ray Player with Netflix and YouTube Support

Apr 17, 2009
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San Diego, CA
Sony has announced its "networked" Blu-ray player, number BDP-N460. This BD-Live model streams video from the Bravia Internet Video platform instantly, including content from YouTube, Slacker, and Netflix (support for Netflix access will be added later this fall). It will be available in October for about $250.

According to Video Business, Sony, which had been the top seller of Blu-ray stand-alone players last year, lost the lead to Samsung in 2009. This is partly attributed to the Korean electronics manufacturer's decision to support Netflix streaming on most of its models.

Unlike the BDP-560, the BDP-N460 will not have built-in WiFi, although it includes software specially designed for use with the Linksys by Cisco Wireless-N Ethernet Bridge with Dual-Band (WET610N, sold separately). The bridge helps ease the connection between the Ethernet-enabled player and a wireless router in either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz radio band for "optimal streaming." The model also features a cross search function to make finding Internet content on the BRAVIA Internet Video platform easier.

On the video performance side, The BDP-N460 outputs 1080p60 and 1080p24 and upscales DVD. It supports Deep Color video output and x.v.Color (xvYCC) technology. Regarding audio, it decodes advanced audio codecs, including 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, and DTS-HD Master Audio.

The model is compatible with an array of video formats, including BD-R/RE (BDMV and BDAV modes), AVCHD, DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW, CD, CD-R/RW (CD-DA format), and JPEG on BD/DVD/CD recordable media.