Sony BDP-N460 gets Netflix, YouTube, Slacker
Sony announces a new standalone Blu-ray player, the BDP-N460, which adds streaming media services like Netflix, YouTube, and Slacker to basic Blu-ray playback functionality.
Sony's new slogan for the PS3 Slim is "Does everything." Unfortunately, the company traditionally hasn't take the same approach to its standalone Blu-ray players, which have lacked the streaming media services available on LG and Samsung Blu-ray players.
That's about to change with the Sony BDP-N460, which the company announced on Wednesday at CEDIA 2009. In addition to Blu-ray playback, the BDP-460 has access to the Bravia Video Internet platform, which includes YouTube, Slacker, and eventually Netflix (via a firmware update coming this fall.) Sony also mentions that the player includes a cross-service search function, making it easier to find content.
Like its other players, it's also Profile 2.0-compatible, so you'll be able to use streaming-Internet-enabled BD-Live features, but you'll need to add storage via the USB port to do so. Unlike the step-up BDP-S560, there's no built-in Wi-Fi, although Sony says the BDP-N460 is designed to work with the Linksys WET610N Wi-Fi bridge (sold separately). Rounding out its functionality is onboard decoding for both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.
The BDP-N460 is coming in October with a $250 price tag, which makes it just a tad more expensive than the street price of similar models available from Panasonic, LG, and Samsung. However, with the PS3 Slim available for just $50 more, we expect price cuts from all entry-level Blu-ray players in order for them to stay competitive.