Sony has announced the immediate availability of a next-generation Blu-ray player, according to TVPredictions. The BDP-S350 features picture-in-picture, Ethernet updates, and upgradability to BD-Live. The new player is the launch of a new breed that hopes to battle Internet downloads.

The player is similar in design to the predecessor, BDP-S300, and TVPredictions pointed out that there has been no word if the older player would still be sold, but at a discounted price.

Sony BDP-S350

The new model features a "quick start" mode. That will improved the boot up time to just a few seconds, according to Sony. Slow starts and slow disc loading have been problematic for early Blu-ray (and HD DVD) players.

"We leveraged our expertise in film production and digital technology to build a machine that movie fans would truly love," said Chris Fawcett, vice president of marketing for Sony Electronics. "An advanced Blu-ray Disc player like the BDP-S350 is a must for every HDTV owner because it delivers the ultimate video and sound quality, while unlocking features you can't find on DVD, downloads or video on demand."

The last point is significant. The Blu-ray players eventually hope to stabilize their position in the market against Internet downloads by offering interactive features that just aren't available in streaming movie downloads. Some reporters, including Mr. Phillip Swann at TVPredictions, don't believe that customers want that kind of interrupted viewing experience despite the industry's fascination with it.

What's more likely to make or break the blu-ray player business is the price of players and titles. In that regard, the studios and manufacturers still seem caught between fueling demand and raking in profits.