Service industry

These services are supported by a long list of other channels collected under Sony’s Bravia Internet Video banner, including Sony Pictures Television, Aussie sports service Billabong and net TV aggregator Blip.

Functional remote

The catch with these offerings is that once you’ve viewed what appeals, you’re pretty much done; they get updated once in a blue moon. The Sony TV channel, for example, has been running the same episodes from season one of Diff'rent Strokes since it started – I’ve long since given up on it ever showing anything from season two – the best, as I’m sure other Diff Strokes aficionados will agree. The deck also offers access to Sony’s Qriocity pay-per-watch movie streaming and music subscription services.

As a budget Blu-ray disc spinner, the BDP-S380 can’t be faulted. HD image quality is predictably shiny, extracting copious detail and rich hues from whatever’s thrown at it. Disc loading speeds are also sprightly: I spied the 007 logo from the Java-heavy Goldfinger Blu-ray in just 52 seconds, while Lou Reed’s Berlin took 32 seconds to get from tray to menu.

This is actually a better performance than the step-up BDP-S480. On the debit side, the player’s somewhat noisy, grinding its teeth angrily when you chapter hop. DVD playback can be considered good for this class of player. Deinterlacing is largely clean, with smooth upscaling to 1080p.

A good all-rounder if you're not fussed about the lack of 3D support

Verdict

Overall, this unassuming deck has a lot going for it. Its BD playback quality is great, SACD is an appreciated bonus and having IPTV on tap ensures you’ll always have something (rubbish) to watch late at night. The deck is also a decent media player – if you’re happy to forego streaming for the sneakernet. ®

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