Sony BDP-S1700U Blu-ray Player Review: Solid but Dated
Opening with a surprising twist from the data: while Sony markets the BDP-S1700U Blu-ray DVD Player as a sleek, high-definition gateway to vivid Triluminos™ color and premium Dolby TrueHD/DTS sound, cross-platform feedback reveals a split personality. In aggregate, users rate it around 4.3/5, but its real-world score leans closer to 7.8/10—a solid performer for basic disc playback, yet hampered by dated software, no built-in Wi-Fi, and intermittent reliability issues.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy—excellent for physical media lovers seeking 1080p clarity, but less appealing for streaming-heavy households due to Ethernet-only connectivity.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Crisp, vivid picture quality with Triluminos™ color | No built-in Wi-Fi; Ethernet required |
| Compact, lightweight design fits anywhere | Outdated apps and slow interface |
| Easy setup and intuitive remote | Reports of freezing and black screen issues |
| Strong audio output via Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD | Limited app selection, cannot add new ones |
| Upscales DVDs to near-HD | Some units fail within months |
| Affordable price point | Misleading "region-free" claims for Blu-ray |
| Quiet operation | Remote is small and flimsy |
Claims vs Reality
Sony’s marketing promises “super quick start” under a second, “stream your favorite movies in full HD” and “premium sound quality” via lossless Dolby/DTS. Digging deeper into user reports, the quick start claim holds—multiple Best Buy owners like craiger noted “small footprint… quick setup” and gpack praised “fast open, close.” However, the streaming promise falters. While officially compatible with Netflix and YouTube, Reddit user mc 1977 found “it doesn’t have built in wifi… went back for a refund,” and Trustpilot feedback echoed frustration with outdated app selections.
The premium sound claim fares better. A verified Best Buy buyer, the roots, reported “sound and video quality are great… easy for my spouse and kids to operate.” Yet, some users on Sony UK’s site, like nu virando, wanted “a RCA stereo output” for broader compatibility, showing that while sound quality is high, connectivity options are narrow.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Picture quality stands out across platforms. Amazon buyers talk about “crisp clarity” and “astonishing detail” in upscaled DVDs, while Reddit user arty agp shared that both their 5-year-old Sony player and new BDP-S1700 “work beautifully… clear picture reception.” For collectors with extensive discs, it’s a reliable workhorse—Best Buy’s martinc called it “great small profile… needed for our extensive movie collection.” Quiet operation is another win, with Sony France reviewer james 37 noting it’s “très silencieux… excellent image et son.”
Its compact footprint benefits those with limited space: Reddit’s roland 1952 loved that it “fits under my TV perfect… not a lot of wires!” and eBay sellers market it as “fully encased optical drive for better playback quality,” reinforcing its suitability for small apartments or RV setups.
Common Complaints
The lack of Wi-Fi is the most frequent gripe. Across Reddit, Twitter, and Sony UK, users like cuqui 51 lamented “it doesn’t have wifi” and juan dillo found it “inconceivable… in this era” to require Ethernet. Streaming apps are outdated and limited—only around 10–25 pre-installed, with no option to add more. Sony France reviewer route 69 missed the Arte app they had on older devices, calling it a “grosse déception.”
Reliability issues surface in multiple reports. Best Buy customer mr ruiz 1983 described random freezes and black screens requiring unplugging; downey dave on Reddit had “three… failed on me… don’t buy this model.” Sony France’s crack gecko experienced two units breaking within months, with no repair possible. Even minor bugs—like pompier 5962’s “Netflix is very slow” or dj jw’s “Netflix app seems extra slow taking commands”—add to the perception of aging software.
Divisive Features
Region-free claims stir controversy. Some buyers, like Reddit’s 2 dogs 22, celebrated playing discs from multiple regions, but orange scooter 24 countered “it’s supposed to be region-free… unfortunately, no it doesn’t” for Blu-rays. The remote size divides opinion—kayse found it “easy to use,” but jp seeburg called it “too small, too flimsy.” Upscaling quality earns praise from n0an (“no pillar bars… excellent picture”) but muttleysmedals felt “would be better if it had upscaling a bit.”
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot and Reddit reveal pockets of dissatisfaction over build quality. Short-term failures—like gio bar 50’s unit dying after 15 days—shake confidence. Long-term stories are mixed: arty agp’s older Sony player still works after five years, suggesting good longevity for some batches, but others like downey dave faced repeated breakdowns. No widespread scam patterns emerge, but misleading Wi-Fi and region-free expectations have caused return requests.
Alternatives
The BDP-S3700 appears often in Sony support replies as the Wi-Fi-enabled sibling. For buyers prioritizing streaming, mc 1977 was advised to “check the BDP-S3700 which supports wi-fi.” In the higher-end space, users who bought 4K UHD players found them buggy and overpriced compared to the S1700’s stable disc playback (n0an).
Price & Value
At $94.99 retail and as low as $64.99 open-box on eBay, the BDP-S1700 is competitively priced. Bargain hunters like jkg 1 call it “the very best value for the money,” while joycer finds it “a bit pricey… even on sale.” Resale values hold moderately—refurbished region-free mods list around $119 with warranty. Buying tips from community: verify accessories (Best Buy and Reddit users report missing HDMI cables) and check firmware immediately via Ethernet to prevent freezes.
FAQ
Q: Does the BDP-S1700 have built-in Wi-Fi?
A: No, it requires a wired Ethernet connection for streaming or updates. Many users returned it after realizing this, so check the S3700 if Wi-Fi is essential.
Q: Is it truly region-free for Blu-ray discs?
A: Officially no. It plays region-free discs, but region-locked Blu-rays may fail. Several buyers reported disappointment when importing discs.
Q: Can you add new apps like Amazon Prime?
A: No. The app selection is fixed; users like dj jw asked how to add Prime but were told it’s impossible.
Q: How fast does it start up?
A: Under a second in quick start mode, according to both Sony’s claim and user reports from Best Buy and Reddit.
Q: Does it upscale DVDs to HD?
A: Yes, and many users praise the result—especially n0an, who said “no pillar bars… excellent picture quality” from standard DVDs.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a disc collector or want a compact, fuss-free player for 1080p Blu-ray/DVD viewing. Avoid if you expect modern streaming capabilities or wireless connectivity. Pro tip from community: connect via Ethernet immediately after purchase to update firmware, and keep a spare HDMI cable handy in case yours is missing.
