AVCHD: AVCHD (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264) is a high definition digital video camera format used to record in high definition or standard definition on DVD, using an efficient data compression coding technology. The  format is designed to compress video and audio (Dolby Digital or Linear PCM) data, enabling a high definition video signal shot on a digital video camera recorder to be recorded on DVD discs, in the same way as it would be for a standard definition signal.

JPEG Playback: This unit will play JPEG still picture files (15 to 8,192 pixels) recorded onto the following discs BD-RE, BD-R, DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD-R, CD-R, and CD-RW. The unit can support a total of 500 folders and files. Still images on your disc can be viewed in a Slide-Show as well as rotated 90-degrees left or right.

MP3 Playback: The BDP-S560 supports MP3 audio files recorded with a bit-rate of 64-320kbps on BD-R/RE, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, and CD-R/RW discs. The BDP-S560 will recognize up to 500 tracks.

Precision Cinema HD Upscale: Precision Cinema HD upscale uses high bandwidth digital-to-analog conversion and processing to detect image changes at the pixel level, rather than at the level of whole scan lines. Additionally, separate algorithms are used to process the moving and still parts of an image, resulting in sharp backgrounds with moving objects that are free from motion artifacts

1080p HDMI Output with DVD Upscaling: Through the HDMI output, the BDP-S560 has a 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixel) output option, at either the 60 Hz video or 24 Hz film frame rates. The BDP-S560 Blu-ray disc player is capable of upscaling your standard 480i DVD disc to 1080p via HDMI.

24p True Cinema: Movies are typically recorded on film with a frame rate of 24 frames per second. When a movie is transferred to Blu-ray Disc at 24 frames per second the BDP-S560 will output that signal to the TV (if the TV will accept the 1080p/24 format) with no need for conversion.

Deep Color: The Sony Blu-ray player supports a color depth of up to 12 bits. Connecting the player and a TV that supports Deep Color via HDMI allows more accurate color reproduction than when connecting it to a TV that does not support Deep Color.

x.v.Color: The BDP-S560 supports x.v.Color, meaning it's ready for x.v.Color discs when they become available in the future.

Video Settings: The Sony BDP-S560 features the following video settings.

• TV Type: You can select a 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratio for the unit's video output to match your connected Television's screen aspect ratio.
• Screen Format: You can select the display configuration for a 4:3 screen picture on a 16:9 wide screen television. You can select from the following.
  • Original: select this when connect to a TV with a wide mode function; displays a 4:3 screen picture in 16:9 aspect ratio even on a wide-screen TV
  • Fixed Aspect Ratio: changes the picture size to fit the screen size with the original picture aspect ratio
• DVD Aspect Ratio: You can select the display configuration for playback of 16:9 screen pictures on a 4:3 screen TV. You can select from Letter Box or Pan & Scan.

Picture Settings: The BDP-S560 offers the following picture adjustments.

• Picture Quality: You can choose from three picture quality settings.
  • Brighter Room: use when the room is brighter than normal
  • Theater Room: use when the room is dark
  • Standard: use in a typical room
• FNR: This feature can be activated to reduce random noise appearing in the picture.
• BNR: This function can be activated to reduce the mosaic-like block noise in the picture.
• MNR: This feature can be activated to reduce minor noise around the picture outlines (mosquito noise).

Bonus View: The Bonus View feature provides picture-in-picture capability with select Blu-ray Disc titles. You can view addition content (such as director/actor commentary) in a small display window while the movie is playing.

BD-Live: BD-Live technology allows you to download and stream bonus content such as additional scenes, shorts, trailers, movie-based games, and more from a broadband internet and home network connections (fees may apply). The Sony Blu-ray player features an Ethernet port to connect to the internet via your home network and features rear-panel USB port  for additional storage.

Note: You must have a minimum 1GB USB memory device inserted in the unit's USB port in order to download content from BD-Live.

Surround Sound Decoders: The BDP-S560 has built-in Dolby Digital and DTS surround processors. Multi-channel PCM Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD are output through the HDMI jack (when encoded on the Blu-ray Disc).

• Dolby Digital Plus: Dolby Digital Plus was developed as an extension to Dolby Digital. The audio coding technology supports 7.1 channel surround sound. Dolby Digital Plus also includes the standard Dolby Digital bit stream and is compatible with all current Dolby Digital processors using the optical or coaxial digital output.
• Dolby TrueHD: Dolby TrueHD is a lossless coding technology that supports up to 8 channels of multi-channel surround sound for the next generation optical discs. The reproduced sound is true to the original source bit-for-bit.
• DTS-HD High Resolution Audio: DTS-HD High Resolution Audio supports a maximum sampling frequency of 96 kHz, and 7.1 multi-channel surround. DTS-HD High Resolution Audio has a maximum transmission rate of 6 Mbps, with a lossy compression.
• DTS-HD Master Audio: DTS-HD Mater Audio has a maximum transmission rate of 24.5 Mbps and used lossless compression (Lossless), and DTS-HD Mater Audio corresponds to a maximum sampling frequency of 192 kHz, and maximum of 7.1ch.

Audio Settings: The BDP-S560 allows you to adjust the following audio settings.

• AV SYNC: This feature adjusts the gap between picture and sound by delaying the sound output in relation to the picture output from 0 to 120 milliseconds.
• Audio Filter: You can select between two audio filters for analog audio signals.
  • Sharp: provides a wide frequency range and spatial feeling
  • Slow: provides smooth and warm sound
• Audio DRC: The player offers four dynamic range compression levels - Auto, Standard, TV Mode, and Wide Range.

Parental Control: The Sony BDP-S560 offers three Parental Control settings protected by a custom user 4-digit password.

• BD Parental Control: Playback of some BD-ROMs can be limited according to the age of the users. Scenes may be blocked or replaced with different scenes.
• DVD Parental Control: Playback of some DVD Videos can be limited according to the age of the users. Scenes may be blocked or replaced with different scenes.
• Parental Control Region Code: Playback of some BD-ROMs or DVD Videos can be limited according to the geographic area. Scenes may be blocked or replaced with different scenes.

Note: You can also lock the disc tray to prevent it from being opened by mistake.

Quick Start: This feature shortens the startup time from standby mode. Quick Start Mode lets you begin operating your Sony Blu-ray Disc player approximately six seconds from the time it is powered on.

Dimmer: You can adjust the lighting of the unit's front panel display from Bright, Dark or Off.

Screen Saver: The screen saver image appears when you do not use the player for more than 15 minutes while an on-screen display, such as the home menu, is displayed on your TV screen. The screen saver image helps prevent your display devices from becoming damaged.

Auto Power Off: The player automatically turns off if you do not press any of the buttons on the player or remote for more than 30 minutes, unless you are playing BDs, DVDs, CD, photo files, or updating software.

Cooling Fan: A fan on the back of the BDP-S560 keeps the unit cool.

Remote Control

Multi-brand Remote: The supplied remote is pre-programmed to operate this unit and a number of functions on select Sony TVs. The remote controls the TV's power on/off, input select, volume up/down, and channel up/down.

HDMI Control ('Bravia' Theatre Sync): Sony components compatible with the HDMI Control function can be controlled via the HDMI connection. This includes convenient features like One-Touch Play and System Power-Off.