In our living rooms, a battle for simplicity is constantly being waged. Gaming consoles hum with the promise of all-in-one entertainment, smart TVs boast a universe of apps, and streaming sticks offer endless content at the click of a button. Yet, I often find myself yearning for the straightforward satisfaction of a dedicated device. I remember the frustration of wanting to watch a favorite movie on Blu-ray, only to be met with a 20-minute system update on my console, or navigating a sluggish, ad-filled TV interface just to get to the disc player app. This digital clutter creates a barrier between you and the simple act of watching a film. The search for a device that does one thing, and does it exceptionally well, has become more important than ever. This is the precise problem the Sony BDPS1700 Wired Blu-Ray Disc Player aims to solve: to be a reliable, high-quality portal to your physical media collection without the unnecessary complexity of modern entertainment hubs.
- Stream from various apps and entertainment services
- Full HD 1080p Blu-ray Disc playback & DVD upscaling
What to Consider Before Buying a Blu-ray Player in the Age of Streaming
A Blu-ray player is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for cinephiles and anyone who values the integrity of their film and TV collection. In an era dominated by compressed streams that can buffer or drop in quality, a physical disc offers an uncompromised, high-bitrate video and audio experience, exactly as the director intended. It’s about owning a tangible piece of media that can’t be removed from a service on a whim. The primary benefit is stability and quality—a promise that your movie night won’t be interrupted by a sudden drop in your internet speed. For those who have invested in a quality home theater system, a dedicated player is essential to unlock the full potential of lossless audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, something streaming services often compromise on.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the limitations of streaming—the physical media collector, the audio-visual purist, or the individual living in an area with inconsistent internet. It’s for the person who wants a simple, push-and-play experience. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who have completely abandoned physical media and are content with the convenience and selection of streaming platforms. If your primary need is a vast, constantly updated library of apps and you don’t own any discs, a dedicated streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Fire Stick would be a more logical investment. For those demanding the absolute pinnacle of visual fidelity, a 4K UHD Blu-ray player would be the next step up, designed for 4K televisions and HDR content.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: While the Sony BDPS1700 Wired Blu-Ray Disc Player is commendably compact, it still requires a dedicated spot in your media cabinet. You must ensure there’s adequate ventilation around the unit to prevent overheating during long movie marathons. Always measure your available shelf space before purchasing to guarantee a clean and functional fit.
- Capacity/Performance: For a disc player, performance isn’t about storage but about speed and compatibility. Key metrics to evaluate are the boot-up or “quick start” time, how fast it loads different types of discs (Blu-ray, DVD, CD), and its ability to handle minor scratches or imperfections. Crucially, check for its video upscaling capabilities for DVDs and its support for high-resolution audio formats, which are vital for a true home cinema experience.
- Materials & Durability: The majority of modern Blu-ray players, including this one, feature a lightweight plastic chassis. While this doesn’t feel as premium as the metal-bodied players of yesteryear, the real durability lies in the quality of the internal components, like the laser assembly and disc drive motor. Sony has a long-standing reputation, but it’s wise to be aware of user feedback regarding the long-term reliability of any electronic device.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A great player should be intuitive from the moment you plug it in. Look for a user-friendly interface and a remote control with a logical, uncluttered layout. Long-term maintenance is minimal, typically involving occasional firmware updates for bug fixes and keeping the lens free of dust, but the simplicity of the initial setup and daily operation is paramount.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Sony BDPS1700 Wired Blu-Ray Disc Player stands out in several areas, particularly for those prioritizing performance and ease of use over bells and whistles. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Sony BDPS1700 Wired 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
Unboxing the Sony BDPS1700: First Impressions and Core Features
Pulling the Sony BDPS1700 Wired Blu-Ray Disc Player from its box, the first thing we noticed was its incredibly compact and lightweight design. This is not a hefty, imposing piece of equipment; it’s a discreet black box designed to blend seamlessly into any media setup. Weighing just over two pounds and measuring less than a foot wide, it’s one of the smaller players we’ve tested. The build is entirely plastic, which is expected at this price point, but it feels solidly constructed without any creaks or flex. The front panel is minimalist, featuring a disc tray, a USB port, a power button, and an eject button. The remote is a classic, no-frills Sony design—it’s functional and responsive, with all the necessary buttons logically laid out. Setting it up was a breeze; we simply connected an HDMI cable to our TV, plugged in the Ethernet cable for the wired connection, and powered it on. The inclusion of two AAA batteries for the remote was a thoughtful touch, allowing us to get started within minutes, just as one user happily reported. It’s a product that clearly telegraphs its purpose: simplicity and function over flash.
Advantages
- Excellent Full HD 1080p picture quality
- Super quick start mode for fast boot-up and disc loading
- Simple, intuitive user interface is easy to navigate
- Stable and fast streaming with a reliable wired Ethernet connection
- Plays a wide variety of disc and file formats, including via USB
Drawbacks
- No built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, requiring a physical Ethernet cable
- Smart app selection is dated and very limited
- Some users report long-term reliability issues and firmware problems
A Deep Dive into the Sony BDPS1700’s Real-World Performance
A product’s spec sheet only tells half the story. To truly understand its value, we put the Sony BDPS1700 Wired Blu-Ray Disc Player through its paces over several weeks, using it as our primary device for disc-based media. We watched everything from action-packed blockbusters and visually stunning nature documentaries on Blu-ray to our collection of classic TV shows on DVD. Our in-depth testing focused on the four pillars of its performance: core playback quality, the user interface and speed, its much-touted “smart” capabilities, and its overall build and connectivity.
Crystal Clear Picture and Immersive Sound: The Core Playback Experience
This is where the Sony BDPS1700 Wired Blu-Ray Disc Player truly shines and justifies its existence. The Full HD 1080p playback is absolutely superb. When we spun up a Blu-ray of a visually rich film, the picture was crisp, detailed, and vibrant. Sony’s image processing delivers clean, sharp lines and impressive color fidelity, rendering cinematic visuals with the stability that only physical media can provide. There was no banding in color gradients and no compression artifacts in fast-moving action scenes—a common annoyance with streaming. For many users, this flawless 1080p performance is the main reason to buy, and we found it consistently delivered on this promise.
Equally impressive was its DVD upscaling. We tested it with several standard-definition DVDs on a 65-inch 4K television, a scenario where poor upscaling can look disastrously soft or pixelated. The BDPS1700 did a remarkable job, making old favorites look cleaner and sharper than we expected. While it can’t magically create detail that isn’t there, the processor smooths edges and reduces noise effectively, making the viewing experience highly enjoyable. Furthermore, its audio performance is top-notch for its class. By sending bitstream audio over HDMI to our AV receiver, we got the full, uncompressed Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks. The difference is palpable, with clearer dialogue, more impactful explosions, and a more enveloping surround sound field. This commitment to quality playback was echoed by users who noted it successfully played discs that their other, more finicky players would freeze or lock up on, proving its reliability as a disc-reading workhorse.
Speed and Interface: Navigating the User Experience
Sony touts a “Super Quick Start” feature, and in our testing, it lived up to the name. With this mode enabled in the settings, the player boots from standby to the home screen in just a few seconds. Disc loading times were also impressively fast, getting us into our movies without a lengthy wait. This speed is a significant quality-of-life improvement over older players and even some gaming consoles. However, we must confirm a specific user complaint that proved to be accurate: the player always starts up on its dashboard menu, not by playing the disc directly. This means after inserting a disc and closing the tray, you must wait for the dashboard to load and then manually select the “Play Disc” icon. It’s an extra step that, while minor, can be slightly annoying if you’re just looking for an immediate plug-and-play experience.
The user interface itself is a simple, grid-based system of tiles. It’s clean, uncluttered, and extremely easy to navigate. There’s no steep learning curve here; everything is clearly labeled, and settings are easy to find and adjust. While it lacks the slick animations and modern aesthetic of an Apple TV or Android TV interface, its simplicity is a strength. It feels responsive and lightweight, never bogging down or becoming sluggish. The included remote control is equally straightforward, providing all the essential functions without a confusing array of buttons. It’s a testament to a design philosophy that prioritizes function and speed over superfluous features.
The ‘Smart’ Features: Streaming in a Wired World
It’s important to set expectations correctly when it comes to the “smart” capabilities of the Sony BDPS1700 Wired Blu-Ray Disc Player. First and foremost, as its name clearly states, this is a **WIRED** player. There is no Wi-Fi. You must run an Ethernet cable from your router to the back of the unit to access any online features. For us, this was a benefit, as a wired connection provides a more stable and consistently fast connection than Wi-Fi, eliminating buffering during streaming. This was also highlighted as a positive by a user who specifically chose the wired version for its speed.
However, the app ecosystem is where the player’s 2016 vintage becomes most apparent. While it provides access to a handful of major services, the selection is sparse and cannot be expanded. You get what Sony provides, and nothing more. We also corroborate user reports that the system can be frustratingly slow and that firmware updates can cause major headaches. One user lamented that an update forced them to re-enter login information for every single app, a tedious process using a remote control. Worse, another user suspected a forced, non-optional update “bricked” their device, rendering it completely unresponsive. This is a significant risk. Our advice is to view the streaming features as a minor, secondary bonus. This machine is a disc player first. For a serious streaming experience, you should rely on a modern, dedicated device.
Build Quality, Connectivity, and Longevity Concerns
The physical unit is unapologetically utilitarian. Its small, plastic body is designed to disappear into your entertainment center, not to be a showpiece. Despite its light weight, it feels sturdy enough for its purpose. The connectivity options, while basic, cover all the essentials for a modern 1080p setup. You get one HDMI output to connect to your TV or receiver, a coaxial digital audio output for older sound systems that may not have HDMI, the crucial rear Ethernet port, and a very handy front-facing USB port. We tested the USB port with a flash drive and it worked perfectly, playing MP4 video files, MP3 music, and JPEG photos without any issue. It’s a great feature for quickly sharing home videos or a photo slideshow on the big screen.
However, we cannot ignore the significant user feedback regarding long-term durability. The most alarming is the report of a player becoming completely bricked and unresponsive after several years of use, potentially due to a faulty automatic firmware update. Other users have noted their players dying a “slow and painful death,” becoming progressively slower and less reliable over time. While our test unit performed flawlessly, these recurring reports from long-term owners suggest a potential lifespan issue that buyers should be aware of. While it offers great value upfront, its longevity may not match that of more premium-built players from the past. The one-year parts and labor warranty provides some initial peace of mind, but concerns about its lifespan beyond that period are valid.
What Other Users Are Saying
Sifting through feedback from long-term owners provides a remarkably clear and balanced picture of the Sony BDPS1700 Wired Blu-Ray Disc Player. On one hand, there is a chorus of praise for its core mission. One satisfied user perfectly summed up this sentiment, stating it’s “perfect if you’re looking for something simple and on the cheaper end of blu ray dvd players.” This is echoed by others who love its sleek look and no-nonsense functionality. Another key piece of positive feedback comes from a user who exclaimed it “plays dvds and Blu-rays that my other players locked up on permanently,” highlighting its robust and reliable disc-reading mechanism.
On the other hand, the negative feedback points to a consistent pattern of software and hardware issues over time. The most severe criticism comes from a user whose player became “bricked and totally unresponsive” after what they suspect was a faulty automatic firmware update—a catastrophic failure for any device. Others voice strong frustration with the software experience, with one user calling it “terribly slow” and “difficult to setup.” This same user was infuriated when a firmware update required them to painfully re-enter all their streaming service credentials, calling it the final straw. These reviews paint a picture of a product that excels at its primary task but is hampered by a dated smart platform and potential long-term reliability concerns.
How the Sony BDPS1700 Stacks Up: A Look at the Alternatives
The Sony BDPS1700 Wired Blu-Ray Disc Player operates in a competitive space, especially when considering different user needs and budgets. Here’s how it compares to three notable alternatives.
1. LG UBK90 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray Player
- 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc playback provides the ultimate in audio/video quality with a stunning 4K picture and state-of-the-art audio. Pop in a 4K Ultra HD...
- 4K streaming content - this internet-ready LG device is capable of delivering an uncompromising Ultra HD 4K streaming experience. (Additional subscriptions...
The LG UBK90 represents a significant step up in both capability and price. This is a 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray player designed for those who own a 4K TV and want to take full advantage of it. It supports not only 4K discs but also premium HDR formats like Dolby Vision, offering superior contrast and a wider color gamut. This player is for the home cinema enthusiast who demands the best possible picture quality from physical media. If you are invested in the 4K ecosystem and have a collection of UHD Blu-rays, the LG UBK90 is the superior choice, though it comes at a higher cost. For those sticking with a 1080p TV and a standard Blu-ray collection, the Sony remains the more economical and perfectly suitable option.
2. Sony BDP-S1700 Blu-ray Player
- SONY USA AUTHORIZED - Includes Full SONY USA COVERAGE
- Sony BDP-S1700 Streaming Blu-ray Disc Player
At first glance, this alternative appears identical to the model under review, and for good reason—it is the same player. However, this specific listing is often bundled with a 6ft high-speed HDMI cable. This package targets the user who values absolute convenience and wants to ensure they have everything needed for a correct setup right out of the box. Choosing this bundle eliminates any potential guesswork or the need for a separate purchase, guaranteeing you have a cable capable of transmitting the high-quality video and audio the player produces. If you don’t already have a spare high-speed HDMI cable, this all-in-one package is a practical and smart choice.
3. DIDAR Blu Ray DVD Player 1080P
- Full HD 1080P- Watch the latest Blu-ray Disc movies in Full High Definition quality, for depth and image clarity far exceeding that of DVD. so you can...
- Compact, Space-Saving Design: Slim size allows the Blu Ray DVD player to fit neatly in narrow spaces and on thin racks.
The DIDAR Blu Ray Player is a compelling alternative for those on a tight budget or with specific needs. Its ultra-mini footprint makes it ideal for bedrooms, dorm rooms, or media centers where space is at a premium. While it matches the Sony’s 1080p resolution, its main differentiators are its multi-region DVD playback and the inclusion of both HDMI and traditional AV outputs. This makes it a versatile choice for users who have an international DVD collection or need to connect to an older television that lacks HDMI ports. While it may not have the brand recognition or the polished interface of the Sony, it offers incredible flexibility and value for its low price point, particularly for those with legacy equipment.
Final Verdict: Is the Sony BDPS1700 Wired Blu-Ray Disc Player a Smart Buy Today?
After extensive testing, our verdict on the Sony BDPS1700 Wired Blu-Ray Disc Player is clear: it is an excellent product, as long as you buy it for the right reasons. This player is a throwback to a time when devices were built for a specific purpose. It absolutely excels at its primary function—playing Blu-rays and DVDs with outstanding 1080p picture quality and high-resolution audio. It’s fast, simple to use, and its wired connection offers unwavering stability. It is a workhorse for the physical media enthusiast.
However, its weaknesses are a direct result of its age. The smart features are best ignored, the lack of Wi-Fi is a dealbreaker for some, and the reports of long-term reliability issues are a valid concern. We recommend this player wholeheartedly to anyone looking for a secondary, dedicated disc spinner for a home theater, or for those who want a simple, no-fuss way to enjoy their disc collection without relying on a clunky console. It is not for the cord-cutter looking for an all-in-one streaming hub. If you value pristine playback over a sprawling app library, this player offers tremendous value.
If you’ve decided the Sony BDPS1700 Wired Blu-Ray Disc Player is the right fit for your media setup, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API