Sony BDV-E300

Free manual in PDF form downloadable here:

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/BDVE300.pdf

Looks nice but no English manual (I can't find one on the Sony site either) and the 'convenient' speaker connection plugs defy use of one's own speaker cable (I'm replacing an old non-blu-ray system and my cables are built into the fabric of my room).  So unless the vendor (Superfi) or Sony can supply me a manual and plugs it's going back.

I ordered this on the 12/1/10. It arrived on the 25/2/10.It was faulty on arrival. i.e no HDMI signal. Furthermore, it did not come with an instruction manual in english. I sent the unit back to RGB direct. Its the last time I will be buying anything from them!!

Looks good. Full Stop! Sound is not clean + crisp, very limited sound options, just 5 or 6 'presets'. No function to alter sound quality...treble/bass/mid range...just the bog standard speaker distance adjustment. Had a mate pop round to give me a second opinion...'muffled' was his verdict. There's just a lack of clarity on the crisp treble range. The bass is ok...not too punchy but this really is a budget package. Tried a variety of blue ray discs to compare but the general verdict is...2/5. Had to ramp up the TV colour settings and contrast to get the image up to scratch to eliminate a light grey tint/smoke/haze then when I switch back to normal TV it needs turning back down. Always been dubious about SONY sound systems....and now?? Thats it with me and SONY Im affraid.

I have a BDV-E870 and KDL-46NX703 plus new SKY HD receiver.

To receive Dolby Digital I have an optical connection. I have disabled the HDMI ARC feature and now get Dolby Digital displayed.

However, there appears to be no way for the BDV to switch between the Optical input and the TV HDMI audio input for TV only input.

Sony says this is not supported.