In an era dominated by endless streaming queues and ephemeral digital licenses, there’s a tangible comfort in physical media. I was reminded of this recently while clearing out a closet, where I stumbled upon a forgotten treasure trove: boxes filled with DVDs and Blu-rays from college, early career, and family vacations. There were classic films, concert recordings, and home movies I hadn’t seen in years. The problem? My new smart TV, a marvel of modern technology, had no disc drive. In our rush to embrace the convenience of streaming, we had inadvertently locked away a significant part of our personal history. This predicament is surprisingly common. Many of us have extensive disc libraries gathering dust, and the solution isn’t to discard them but to find a simple, reliable, and affordable bridge between our physical collections and our modern high-definition displays. The search for this bridge led us directly to the Sony BDP-S1700 Blu-ray Disc Player.
- SONY USA AUTHORIZED - Includes Full SONY USA COVERAGE
- Sony BDP-S1700 Streaming Blu-ray Disc Player
What to Consider Before Buying a Blu-ray Player
A Blu-ray player is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for unlocking the highest fidelity audio and video quality from your physical media collection. Unlike compressed streaming content, which can suffer from buffering or resolution drops depending on your internet speed, a Blu-ray disc provides a consistent, uncompromised 1080p or 4K experience. These devices serve as a vital hub for home entertainment, not only playing the latest Blu-ray releases but also breathing new life into vast libraries of standard-definition DVDs through a process called upscaling. The primary benefit is regaining access to and enjoying your movie, concert, and TV show collections at the best possible quality on modern televisions, without relying on an internet connection for playback.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who values their physical media collection and seeks a straightforward, high-quality playback solution. This includes film enthusiasts who want to see movies as the director intended, families with a large collection of children’s movies on DVD, or anyone living in an area with unreliable internet. However, a dedicated Blu-ray player might not be suitable for those who have completely abandoned physical media and are content with the quality and selection of streaming services. For these individuals, a dedicated streaming stick or the built-in apps on their smart TV might be sufficient. Similarly, hardcore gamers might already own a PlayStation or Xbox console, which includes a high-quality Blu-ray drive, making a separate player redundant.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Blu-ray players, while generally slim, still require a dedicated spot in your entertainment center. The Sony BDP-S1700 Blu-ray Disc Player is impressively compact at just 9.1 inches wide and 1.6 inches tall, allowing it to fit into tight spaces where larger components cannot. Always measure your available shelf space, ensuring there’s enough clearance for ventilation to prevent overheating.
- Connectivity & Performance: Performance hinges on more than just picture quality. Consider the connectivity options. Does the player have Wi-Fi, or does it require a wired Ethernet connection like the BDP-S1700? A wired connection is more stable but less convenient. Also, look at boot-up and disc loading times; features like “super quick start” are a significant quality-of-life improvement, minimizing the wait from power-on to movie-watching.
- Video & Audio Formats: At a minimum, a good player should support Full HD 1080p for Blu-rays and upscale DVDs effectively. For audiophiles, support for high-resolution audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and dts-Master Audio is non-negotiable, as these deliver lossless, multi-channel sound that far surpasses standard streaming audio. Ensure the player’s supported formats align with your home theater receiver’s capabilities.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A clean, intuitive user interface is crucial for a frustration-free experience. The remote control should be ergonomic and responsive. Long-term maintenance is minimal, typically just requiring occasional dusting of the vents and a gentle wipe-down of the exterior. The simplicity of the device is often a testament to its long-term reliability.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Sony BDP-S1700 Blu-ray Disc Player stands out in several areas, particularly for those who prioritize simplicity and performance over wireless bells and whistles. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Sony BDP-S1700 Blu-ray Disc Player is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Enjoy Blu-ray Disc movies in Full HD as well as DVD discs
- Compact Size: Space-saving design allows this Blu Ray DVD player for tv to fit neatly in narrow spaces and on thin racks. Dimensions: Approx. 9 5/8" W x 1...
- See the unrivalled visual clarity of 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
First Impressions: Compact, Capable, and No-Nonsense
Unboxing the Sony BDP-S1700 Blu-ray Disc Player is a refreshingly straightforward affair. The packaging is minimalist and secure, containing the player itself, a compact remote control with two AAA batteries, a power adapter, and, notably, a 6-foot Deco Gear HDMI cable. The inclusion of the HDMI cable is a welcome touch, saving a separate purchase and allowing for immediate setup right out of the box. The player itself is shockingly small and lightweight. Measuring just over 9 inches wide and weighing a mere 2 pounds, its diminutive footprint is a major asset for crowded media cabinets or bedroom setups. The chassis is constructed from a simple but durable black plastic, with a glossy front panel that houses the disc tray, a USB port, and physical buttons for power and eject. It’s a classic, understated Sony design that doesn’t draw attention to itself, instead blending seamlessly into any home theater environment. It feels solid enough for its purpose, prioritizing function over flashy design, which is precisely what we look for in a utility-focused device like this.
Key Benefits
- Excellent Full HD 1080p picture quality with vibrant colors
- Impressive DVD upscaling breathes new life into older collections
- Super quick start and fast disc loading times minimize waiting
- Access to over 300 streaming apps via a wired connection
Limitations
- No built-in Wi-Fi; requires a physical Ethernet cable for streaming
- The included remote control feels basic and can be finicky
A Deep Dive into the Sony BDP-S1700’s Performance
A Blu-ray player lives and dies by its core performance. In a world of feature-packed smart TVs, a standalone player must justify its existence by doing its primary job exceptionally well. After weeks of testing with a wide array of discs—from blockbuster action films on Blu-ray to aging, standard-definition DVDs—we can confidently say that the Sony BDP-S1700 Blu-ray Disc Player excels at its fundamental purpose: delivering outstanding picture and sound from physical media. Its performance is a testament to Sony’s long-standing expertise in the home video space.
Unboxing and a Surprisingly Simple Setup
From the moment we opened the box, it was clear that Sony designed the BDP-S1700 for absolute simplicity. The entire setup process, from unboxing to watching our first movie, took less than five minutes. The player, power cord, and included HDMI cable are all you need. We connected the HDMI cable to our test television, plugged in the power adapter, and the device immediately came to life. Upon its first boot, a simple setup wizard guides you through selecting your language and setting up a network connection. This is the one area where users need to be aware of the player’s primary limitation: it is a wired-only device. There is no Wi-Fi. We connected an Ethernet cable from our router, and the player instantly recognized the network without any need for password entry or complex configuration. The “super quick start” feature is no marketing gimmick; in its fastest mode, the player boots from a standby state in under a second, a stark contrast to older players that could take up to a minute. The user interface is clean and tile-based, immediately familiar to anyone who has used a PlayStation console or a modern Sony TV. Navigating to the disc player function or the streaming apps is intuitive and lag-free, a crucial aspect of a positive user experience.
A Return to Physical Media: Picture and Sound Performance
This is where the Sony BDP-S1700 Blu-ray Disc Player truly shines. We started our testing with a reference-quality Blu-ray, and the Full HD 1080p image was flawless. Colors were rich and accurate, black levels were deep and detailed, and there was no discernible noise or artifacting. During fast-paced action sequences, motion was handled smoothly without judder, thanks to the 24p True Cinema feature that plays films at their native frame rate. The real surprise, however, was its handling of our old DVD collection. The upscaling engine is remarkably effective, taking a 480p standard-definition image and converting it for a 1080p display. While it can’t magically create detail that isn’t there, it does an excellent job of smoothing jagged edges and reducing noise, making old favorites look sharper and cleaner than ever before. We found it gave our standard DVDs a new lease on life, making them genuinely enjoyable to watch on a large screen again.
Audio performance was equally impressive. When connected to our 5.1 surround sound system, the player passed Dolby TrueHD and dts-Master Audio signals without issue. These lossless audio formats delivered immersive, dynamic soundscapes that are simply unattainable from most streaming services. The dialogue was crystal clear from the center channel, while sound effects and musical scores filled the room, creating a truly cinematic experience. For anyone with a decent home audio setup, the difference between the compressed audio of streaming and the uncompressed audio from a Blu-ray disc played through this device is night and day. If you’re looking for a simple player that nails the fundamentals of video and audio playback, the BDP-S1700 is a fantastic and affordable option.
More Than a Disc Player: Exploring the Streaming Ecosystem
While its primary function is disc playback, Sony has equipped the BDP-S1700 with a robust suite of streaming applications. With access to over 300 services, all the major players are present, including Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and Pandora. Navigating the app library is easy, and once logged in, the apps themselves perform admirably, loading content quickly and streaming in high definition without buffering—a key benefit of its stable, wired Ethernet connection. This turns the player into a smart hub, which is especially useful for older “dumb” TVs or for TVs whose built-in smart platforms have become slow and outdated. The user interface for these apps is standardized and generally easy to use, though it may not be as slick as the latest versions found on dedicated streaming devices.
A unique feature is the inclusion of PlayStation Now, Sony’s cloud gaming service. By connecting a DUALSHOCK 4 controller (sold separately) to the front USB port, you can stream and play a vast library of PlayStation 3 games directly through the Blu-ray player, no console required. While this is a niche feature that requires a very stable, high-speed internet connection to work well, it’s an interesting value-add for casual gamers. The front USB port also serves a more common purpose: it allows for easy playback of personal media files, including photos, music (MP3, FLAC, WAV), and videos (MP4, AVI), directly from a USB flash drive.
The User Experience: Interface and Remote Control
The overall user experience is defined by simplicity. The main menu is uncluttered, presenting clear icons for disc playback, USB media, and your favorite streaming apps. It’s responsive and easy for anyone in the family to pick up and use without a steep learning curve. The remote control, however, is the one area that reflects the player’s budget price point. It’s small, lightweight, and functional, with all the necessary buttons for playback and navigation. Yet, it feels decidedly basic. During our testing, we found it required a fairly direct line of sight to the player’s IR sensor to register commands reliably. This aligns with feedback from some users who have reported issues with the remote. While our unit worked as intended, we can see how its limited range and narrow IR beam could lead to frustration. In contrast, other users have praised its simplicity, with one noting they could easily operate it from their bed. This suggests that while functional, the remote lacks the robust performance of more premium controllers. It’s a minor compromise in an otherwise stellar package, but one worth noting for those who demand a premium feel from all their components.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our findings are largely echoed by the broader user community, which paints a picture of a reliable player with a few specific caveats. The feedback is generally polarized around the user interface and peripherals. On the positive side, many users, like one who commented, “I like it cause I can seat on my bed and use my remote while I am on my bed,” praise the Sony BDP-S1700 Blu-ray Disc Player for its straightforward functionality and convenience. They value its core ability to simply play movies without hassle, and for this purpose, it receives high marks for its excellent picture quality and ease of use.
However, the most common point of criticism we encountered confirms our own observations about the remote. One succinct but telling piece of feedback was simply, “The remote does not work.” While this may represent a defective unit, it highlights a potential quality control issue or, at the very least, a design that is not as robust or forgiving as some users would like. These contrasting experiences suggest that the player itself is a solid performer, but the included remote can be a point of contention for some.
How the Sony BDP-S1700 Blu-ray Disc Player Compares to Alternatives
The Sony BDP-S1700 Blu-ray Disc Player occupies a competitive space. While it excels in its niche as a wired, high-performance 1080p player, several alternatives cater to different needs and priorities. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable competitors.
1. LG BP350 Blu-ray DVD Player with Wi-Fi
- The product is a bundle of 1 LG BP350 Blu-ray Disc & DVD Player and 1 Alphasonik HDMI Cable
- Plays Blu-ray & DVDs Make the most of your HDTV. Blu-ray disc playback delivers exceptional Full HD 1080p video performance along with stunning...
The LG BP350 is the most direct competitor to the Sony BDP-S1700, and its primary advantage is immediately clear: built-in Wi-Fi. For users who do not have an Ethernet port near their television, this feature is a game-changer, offering the convenience of wireless streaming without the need for extra cables. Its performance in disc playback and DVD upscaling is very comparable to the Sony. However, the trade-off for wireless convenience can sometimes be a less stable streaming connection compared to Sony’s hard-wired approach. The choice between the two often comes down to this single, crucial feature. If Wi-Fi is a must-have, the LG BP350 is the logical choice.
2. Sony UBP-X700M 4K UHD Blu-ray DVD Player
- See the unrivalled visual clarity of 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
- Play almost any disc and file format including DVDs
For those with a 4K television, the Sony UBP-X700M represents a significant step up. This player not only supports 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays but also includes advanced HDR formats like HDR10 and Dolby Vision, which deliver a dramatically expanded range of color and contrast. It also features built-in Wi-Fi and supports Hi-Res Audio formats. The UBP-X700M is built for the home theater enthusiast who wants to extract the absolute best picture and sound quality from their setup. It is a more expensive and more capable machine, making it the right choice for users who have invested in a 4K ecosystem and want a player that can take full advantage of it.
3. Sony Multi Zone Region Free Blu Ray Player
- It features PlayStation Now, which will allow you to stream and play PlayStation 3 games with your DUALSHOCK 4 controller (not included), but without a...
- provides access to over 300 streaming services which can allow you to play movies, TV shows, music, and more with a valid subscription and broadband...
This is a highly specialized alternative designed for a very specific user: the serious film collector and importer. Standard Blu-ray players sold in North America are locked to Region A. This region-free model is internally modified to play discs from any region in the world (A, B, or C). If you frequently purchase movies from the UK (Region B) or other parts of the world, this is the only type of player that will meet your needs. While its core playback quality is similar to other Sony models, its key feature is its global compatibility, making it an essential tool for cinephiles with international collections.
Our Final Verdict on the Sony BDP-S1700 Blu-ray Disc Player
After extensive testing, we can confidently recommend the Sony BDP-S1700 Blu-ray Disc Player as an exceptional value for a specific type of user. If you have a cherished collection of Blu-rays and DVDs and need a simple, reliable, and high-performing player to enjoy them on an HD TV, this device is nearly perfect. Its picture quality is fantastic, its DVD upscaling is surprisingly effective, and its super-quick startup time makes it a joy to use. The wired streaming apps are a valuable bonus, especially for bringing smart functionality to an older television.
Its primary limitations—the lack of Wi-Fi and a basic remote—are conscious design choices made to keep the cost down. For those who can provide a wired internet connection and aren’t bothered by a no-frills remote, these are acceptable trade-offs for the performance offered. It’s the ideal player for a bedroom, a kid’s room, or for anyone who prioritizes the stability of a wired connection. It’s a focused, no-nonsense workhorse that delivers where it counts most.
If you’ve decided the Sony BDP-S1700 Blu-ray Disc Player is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API