Sony BDP-S570

Pros: Starts fast
3D works well
Sony based services work well.
Decent GUI
Case looks nice

Cons: Netflix function is useless.
No support from Sony.
Bluray function is a bit noisy and the disc spins as long as it's inserted (watching a movie or not).
Cheap remote.
Very small buffer.

Summary: Netflix streaming was one of my main reasons for purchasing this unit. It worked perfect for 7 months and then began having freezing and buffering issues. A quick Google search shows this appears to be a large problem with Sony products. Sony offers no support and simply blames the owner's router or internet connection. When asked to explain why other Netflix enabled devices work perfect off the same router and ISP or why the BDP-S570's 2+ dozen "Sony" services (including the bandwidth hungry 3D Experience) work perfect they refuse to answer. Proof of this can be seen in Sony's own esupport forums which are loaded with complaints.

More searching shows that Sony products don't connect directly to Netflix, instead they are routed through Sony's own servers first which is where the bottleneck happens. Why does Sony feel the need to intercept what we're watching? Is it something to gather advertising data on us?
Or maybe it's a security thing because it's odd this started to occur around the same time Sony had licensing issues with Netflix's Starz Play. Hmm?

It would still be ok if you could hit the pause button and just let the movie load into the buffer but the buffer is so small it only loads ahead a few minutes and then stops.
The USB ports will not utilize a hard drive or memory stick as a buffer so that's not an option either.

Another gripe is that if you leave a disc inside, it'll constantly spin even while in menus or using wireless services. The drive noise isn't horrible but it is noticeable.

I will admit 3D movies work well and the other Sony based services such as Crackle work flawless.

I still own Sony products that are 30 years old and work perfect. It's sad to see how far Sony has sunk. With the $3+ billion loss and recent PSN fiasco, maybe it's time they just give it up.

This bluray player is my last Sony product.