Sony BDV E370 reviews: 5.1 Surround Sound Home Cinema System

Here’s a list of the questions other shoppers have asked owners of the Sony BDV E370

1. How / where to buy spare leads/plugs for this item
   Between my electrician and decorator they lost two leads whilst extending the back speakers. Idiots at Currys parts want £145 for a set of 5 leads!!!Sony and their agents SEME dont have any but if they did they are only £83.
   
   Erwin asked on 10 Feb 2011
   1. Hi I am not to sure of were to get them from but if I was to need them I would try eBay or amazon the seem to have everything hope this helps
      
      Kevin replied on 10 Feb 2011

       
   2. Wow!!
      In all honesty, I've not had to deal with this problem my self but my first instinct would be to have a look on e-bay - not necessarily the items to buy but have a look at the shops (often listed at the bottom of a search.
      Other than that - I got mine from Comets so you could also try them - maybe even PC world or like minded outlets in your area.
      
      Sorry I can't be any more help
      
      Russell replied on 10 Feb 2011

       
2. Is it worth buying this model now because it is quit old?
   
   steve asked on 12 Mar 2011
   1. The quality of the product is excellent with surround sound, quality picture and 3D ready if you need it. As with all technolody you can always find a newer model - I think they change models 3 or 4 times a year. I am perfectly satisfied with mine although I was a little disappointed to see that the price has dropped!! Such is life. Hope this helps.
      
      Alan replied on 16 Mar 2011

       
   2. I drive an 11 year old car and have a 10 year old washing machine, both are 'old' but there is little on the market still that can beat them for quality and performance.
      It's the same with the 370. I have a Bravia TV and I love the way it just works intuitively as a single unit. If I lost my '370' I would not think twice about going out and getting the same again.
      
      David replied on 17 Mar 2011

       
   3. Hi steve
      
      I would agree with David technology moves on
      fast, but if i could go back the only thing i would of done different is wait for it to come down in price. In my opinion it is still an amazing bit of kit no regrets here.
      
      Aaron replied on 19 Mar 2011

       
3. Pls i just want to know wether this sony comes with radio tuner.
   
   
   
   Tai asked on 19 Mar 2011
   1. yes, it is FM only not DAB though
      
      Raymond replied on 23 Mar 2011

       
   2. Yes that's correct, but connect an iPod touch or iPhone and you can listen to radio that way, usually at a higher bit rate than dab
      
      Mark replied on 23 Mar 2011

       
   3. Yes it does have a built in tuner, and comes with a plug-in FM antenae lead too.
      The Radio is accessable using the on-screen menu to tune in and search presets etc.
      Hope this helps!
      
      Phil replied on 23 Mar 2011

       
4. does it come with a lead to connect to my sky+ box
   
   steve asked on 07 Apr 2011
   1. Leads are provided for power and all the speakers, but not other cables are provided. Ideally you would use the 'Optical Out' connection on your Sky+ box to go to the 'Optical In' connection on the Blu-Ray player. That cable can be had for £9 now on Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001TH7GSW). This will provide the best audio quality, with the simplest setup (It's a single cable, just plug in both ends and it should work!)
      
      Connor replied on 07 Apr 2011

       
   2. Hi steve no it does not come with leads for above I had to purchase a Hdmi lead and the standard twin red/white jack plug to conect tv sound to it I hope this helps
      
      Dee replied on 08 Apr 2011

       
5. Hi can anyone tell me what the sound quality is for playing audi cd's....
   
   Simon asked on 14 Apr 2011
   1. Very good not as good as a specific hi fi unit but good hope this helps
      
      Kevin replied on 15 Apr 2011

       
   2. Not used it for playing CD individually only through my iPod. I found it fine but I guess it depends how high your standards are. I find it very hard to tell any real difference between high quality hifi and ordinary quality. All sound fine to me! I know BOSE sounds great but I do not notice the difference in general usage because I usually have music in background not for dedicated listening.
      
      Graham replied on 18 Apr 2011

       
6. how can i play the music on my laptop through my system,and is it possible to use my mp3? Stuck here, HELP PLEASE!
   
   allan asked on 16 Apr 2011
   1. Yes, should be simple.
      the 370 has a USB port where you can connect your hardware if they have one.
      
      
      George replied on 16 Apr 2011

       
   2. I have not played music through the network. I tried to play movies through network but you need to setup your pc as a server. I do not know the software you need to put on your pc to make it as a server but you can them on the net.
      It has usb ports and you can put memory stick or even external hard disks with usb connection to play music or video. The will not recognise anything larger than 2GB files and will not play.
      Thanks
      Kamal
      
      Kamal replied on 17 Apr 2011

       
   3. hi yes you can connect your mp3 player via the usb link then select from the input options (heart symbol on remote)the pc can be connected with a cable (pc world will have) and follow same as above. hope this helps you Alan regards Paul
      
      Paul replied on 17 Apr 2011

       
7. how do you download 3d softwear.
   
   steve asked on 02 May 2011
   1. In settings go to software update it yaks about ten mins to download
      
      Kevin replied on 05 May 2011

       
   2. As Kev says above but mine downloaded automatically as it's hardwired to the net.
      Just in case - make sure you've got a 3d capable TV/glasses (sorry if I'm stating the obvious!!)
      
      Russell replied on 05 May 2011

       
8. could you tell me are the speaker wireless
   
   stephen asked on 03 May 2011
   1. no there not but you can bye s air wireless kit for it there is also a 7.1 wireless kit i hope this helps
      
      michael replied on 03 May 2011

       
   2. my system is not wireless but you can purchase an air wireless kit at extra cost. regards Eamonnb
      
      Eamonn replied on 05 May 2011

       
   3. Only the rear speakers, using a Sony wireless kit.
      
      Will replied on 09 May 2011

       
9. how do i upgradethe software in my player,to play 3d movies
   
   ola asked on 24 Jun 2011
   1. Hi there , sorry I have not done this but think it can be done via the Internet when DVD player is online , sorry cant be more help.
      
      Stuart replied on 24 Jun 2011

       
   2. I haven't done this sorry
      
      Paul replied on 24 Jun 2011

       
10. Do I need to update software to match 3D movies????
    
    Heriss asked on 01 Jul 2011
    1. If you mean update firmware. Yes. This should be part of your product set-up procedure. Most systems need to be firmware/version updated, even straight from the box. If you mean how do I view. Select 3D options using 'Options button' on your 3d enabled TV. Select the option; Side by Side, or Over and under, or Simulated 3d as long as your compatible glasses are turned on and you have installed the 3D sender unit. you will then receive the 3D content. Remember the media to be played must be in 3D. IE, BLUE RAY MOVIE 3D. disc. That is top say buy a BLU-RAY 3D Disk. A lot of sky progs are 3D now, but I think you have to subscribe to them in some way. Depending on your system. You must buy the 3D glasses and sender unit separately. Wonderful Sony enterprise eh! Sorry I can't elaborate further. Hope this helps. So to summarise. 1.You need to update your firmware/software version, both on TV and player. 2. You need a 3D TV and 3D player, or maybe a 3D source I.E Sky HD box. 3. Movies will have to be specifically marked 3D.
       
       David replied on 03 Jul 2011

        
11. Hi - I need to extend the speaker cables on the E370. What cable should I buy, as the cables on offer vary from 79 wire downwards?
    
    
    Rusty asked on 31 Jul 2011
    1. Sorry, mine were all the right length so I dunno. I would take one into your local sound store (Richer Sounds or something) and get them to sort it out for you. Best luck.
       
       Anne-Marie replied on 01 Aug 2011

        
    2. I had to extend mine too. I just purchased pretty basic speaker cable from Maplin (what looked to be equivalent quality to that supplied with the E70) and spliced it together. Works just fine !
       
       Mike replied on 01 Aug 2011

        
    3. Pretty much the same answer as Ann-Marie, my cable length was fine for my needs. Richer Sounds would be a good bet for product knowledge/price/choice.
       
       Steve replied on 01 Aug 2011

        
12. Hi, I got the system but i have a problem with it, I couldn't connect my 500 gb external harddrive, can anyone help me about it please. Thanks.
    
    Hayati asked on 16 Aug 2011
    1. Had a similar problem with a recordable DVD player. Mine was resolved by placing the Recordable DVD player before the Sony system not after it. The other alternative that comes to mind is getting the scart sockets you can switch in or out. Think Maplins do them. Sorry can't any more help. Regards.
       
       David replied on 25 Aug 2011

        
13. When i put in any dvd's it says invalid on the front of the system then says cannot operate this disc. ? Any ideas please help thanks could it be wiring as i have hdmi wire in and also audio output red yellow white wires? but only the two red and white are connected is this causing problem. Or is the laser not working?
    
    andrew asked on 02 Sep 2011
    1. Hi, if your TV does not have ARC(audio return channel) you will need a digital optical cable to hear stereo sound.
       This should not affect play back of DVD's. Assuming the unit is UK spec, are the DVD's the correct region? And not copies. The correct region can be found on a label on rear of unit and on DVD box.
       If problem still persists contact Sony customer support direct.
       Regards.
       
       Geoff replied on 03 Sep 2011

        
14. Anyone else have issues with lack of bass for listening to audio? In movies it's great and bass is just right, but when listening to music it's non existant. Sony were very unhelpful and told me it's not meant for audio and is set up for high treble. Not quite sure what the BASS BOX is for then!!! Think i've been fobbed off because they didn't know the answer! Any assistance would be great.
    
    Mark asked on 27 Sep 2011
    1. I think they mean that if you select the music mode from the audio settings then the bias is towards treble rather than base. I suppose you could always try another mode but I find it is usually best left at Auto, though it depends on the type of music.
       
       Remember, it is essentially a cheap bluray home cinema system, not hifi so the speakers are good for movies but not the best for music. You would need to have spent much more on a separates system if you were after excellent performance all round, though there was a Panasonic with better speakers for music but less good as a system for the cinema side at the time the Sony was still available.
       
       Raymond replied on 29 Sep 2011

        
    2. I agree that the bass is much less impressive on music than films. I had put that down more to the way that movies are mixed with dts or dolby 5.1 soundtracks with a dedicated bass channel especially for booms and thuds than a specific shortcoming of the system for music. However, you say that it is non existent - is that an exaggeration, or does the sub not work at all on music? - it should work, and you should be able to hear a difference when you unplug the sub from the back of the unit. If there is no difference, it sounds like you have a firmware issue. If the problem is just light bass then I'd tend to agree with the Sony guys. What music are you listening to? I find the bass to be VERY slow on dance music, but OK on rock.
       
       Mark replied on 29 Sep 2011

        
    3. I dont really use my system to listen to music so am not aware of the problem
       
       lynval replied on 30 Sep 2011

        
15. Hi I have had the system for a while and have not yet used it for playing audio CD`S .Do I need to have the tv on and if I do have it on will a screen saver be required, and does that start automaticaly. Also when playing some Blu-ray disc the sound sync is out I have read about how to change that, but I am concerned that the sync of the TV will go out as that perfect at the moment and we use the syatem all the time instead of the TV `S audio, the tv is a sony compatible tv.
    I presume this service is free
    
    Brian asked on 22 Oct 2011
    1. Morning yes the screen saver does come on automatic
       I use my system the same instead of tv sound an changing
       Sync on blue ray dunt affect sync when watching tv .
       You don't need to have tv on to listen to CDs but if you've
       Got it set up with av sync you'll need to turn tv off not
       Put it in stand by as stand by will also turn DVD player off !!!
       Hope this is of some help Steve
       
       Steven replied on 23 Oct 2011

        
    2. no, you dont need the tv on to play audio cd's, but if you choose to, a screensaver is not required.
       As for the bluray sync, press system menu, then press the down arrow 3 times to bring up the AV Sync (On the front display of the Sony BDV E370), then press the right arrow to show what sync setting its on, you can then change this setting by pressing the up arrow, best to do this while playing a bluray disc. If the setting is on 25MS or higher, reduce it to zero MS, this is how i resolved my issue, except on itvhd which is always out of sync on my set
       
       Stephan replied on 23 Oct 2011

        
16. What is the easiest way to connect my Sky+ HD box to my Sony E370.
    
    ant asked on 13 Jan 2012
    1. I'm afraid I'm not with Sky but Virgin Media, but the following may still help. I don't actually connect the Virgin box directly to the theatre system, all my devices audio (Xbox 360 and Virgin box via HDMI, DVD recorder via scart) goes out of the TV and into the home theatre system via optical cable. Then I just change the function to TV on the theatre system. Hope this helps.
       
       Joseph replied on 13 Jan 2012

        
    2. i have my sky hdmi cable connected to hdmi port no2 on my telly then to get hd dolby digital sound to your E370
       there is a coax or optical digital audio out yellow plug on the back of the hd box then connect this to the digital in (sat/cable)coax or opitical on the E370. then on the E370 remote press the function button when sat cable comes on the display screen you can hear sky in hd i am currently using a single yellow coax cable to connect the sound but i am going to change this for the optical cable at some point and connect to the two optical ports next to the coax port thanks Richard
       
       Richard replied on 13 Jan 2012

        
17. every now and then and mainly when i switch channels. I loose all sound. To rectify this i power off the system then turn it back on, sometimes needing to power off twice. Also takes forever to power off.. any one else having same problem. Maybe mine is faulty.
    
    shaun asked on 11 May 2012
    1. Hi Shaun,
       Sorry, I have never had this experience with the BDV E370, although it has alway taken a few seconds to pick up the sound when changing channels.
       
       George replied on 14 May 2012

        
    2. Hi Shaun I have never experienced this problem but as George just stated it does take a few seconds to change sound modes. If you are connected with a HDMI cable when you switch the (Sony) TV off it will automaticaly power down the Blueray surround sound system. Hope this helps you in someway?
       
       Paul replied on 14 May 2012

        
18. every now and then and mainly when i switch channels. I loose all sound. To rectify this i power off the system then turn it back on, sometimes needing to power off twice. Also takes forever to power off.. any one else having same problem. Maybe mine is faulty.
    
    shaun asked on 11 May 2012
    1. This is not a problem I have experienced and mine powers down quite quickly. You say that when you swap channels you lose sound. Do I take it from this that you are feeding the audio from your TV through the Blu Ray system. Are you using the fibre connection for this?
       
       Trevor replied on 12 May 2012

        

Got a question? Get an answer from someone who actually owns the product.
We'll publish your question and the answer here to help other shoppers.