Great A/V. Dual-core processor, fast navigation, Dolby Digital-capable streaming with tons of built-in apps, Dual HDMI, reverse scan and frame step on Blu-rays, turn off front panel
Cons
non-removable power cord, some initial disc spin noise but disappears during playback
Review
Just picked this up to replace my Panny BDT-300 and I'm loving it. The primary reason for the upgrade was the Sony's ability to stream Amazon Instant Video with Dolby Digital which the Panny was incapable of. It works great. Build quality is solid. BD picture and sound quality is top notch with plenty of features from your a full suite of A/V tweaks to an internet browser and a pretty impressive phone/tablet app. I've no use for the 4K feature, but dual HDMI was a must and the streaming options are VERY extensive with well-polished interfaces which probably benefit from the dual core processor. One thing I noticed is that of the 5-6 blu-ray players I've owned over the years this is the first one that allows scanning and frame step in reverse on Blu-rays. There's even a full browser (Opera based) that you can use in a pinch. If you use the mobile app you can use it for touchpad mouse navigation and keyboard entry for most functions. It supposedly will accept USB keyboards as well. Front and back USB ports are provided. Disc spin noise is a little whiny during startup and menu screen, but silences during playback. The remote is fairly pedestrian and very "clicky" but has a nice finish. Very happy with this purchase.
Small foot print, nice gun metal to black finish, most of the features found on more expensive players. internet capability.
Cons
remote is not backlit.
Review
I have had this player for several months now. Until yesterday I had not seen a blu-ray on it as I just bought a projector (JVC DLA-X35). So I think I have a unique perspective, as I was using it just to play CD's (MP3's are lame).
I was pleasantly surprised at how well this player did with CD audio. The music sounded so good to me that I dug out all 350 of my CD's from storage to have on my shelf again. The latest CD I picked up was Tori Amos Gold Dust. The reason is that she was accompanied by an orchestra. The Sony S790 so impressed me with the detail that was coming through my speakers, that I want to let people know that this is a great player.
Blu-ray wise, I have watched several from Star Wars to Sade in the day and a half since I got my projector up and running, and the picture quality is.... superb! The audio is nicely refined as well. The pod race scene in SWEP1 looks very vibrant and detailed, with the sound to match. This is really a great player for $250.
I feel this player is as good as an Oppo if you don't need a universal player. Notice I didn't say better than an Oppo, it is not. Oppo's are built like tanks and are arguably the best player on the market today. But the Sony S790 offers a lot of the same features found on the Oppo at half the price. Most features are plenty for 90% of users.
I bought this player for several reasons, which are listed in the Pros above. I wish they lit the remote. Fortunately my Nexus 7 tablet has a full remote for the S790 and is easy to see in the dark.
The picture is so crisp and clear it is like being there. The amount of detail seen is jaw dropping. Colors are vibrant, contrast is great. In my gallery under construction, I have some pictures of what I am trying to illustrate. I have used the 3D conversion only, as I don't have native 3D capability yet. (I know I can split the signal, but it would then be cumbersome to switch to the other components). I have no doubt that the 3D will be just as vivacious as the 2D picture.
The menu system I find easy to navigate, allows for more adjustment than I will ever use and the net access is nice.
One thing I really like is the ability for Android to give the user a full remote app. It is great since the remote that comes with the S790 does not light. The app even allows you to "throw" to the player. That is cool.
All in all I can enthusiastically recommend this player.
Yes
