BDP S590 | Setup And Fixes That Still Work

tech Logic / By

BDP S590 is a Sony Blu-ray player with Wi-Fi and 3D, and a few setup settings can keep it running smoothly.

If you’ve got a Sony BDP-S590 on a shelf, in a guest room, or picked one up used, you can still get a lot out of it. It plays Blu-ray discs, DVDs, and CDs, upscales DVDs to 1080p, handles photos and music from USB, and connects to a home network over Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Some streaming apps from its original era may no longer load, yet the player can still be a solid disc machine and a simple media player for a set of older file types.

This guide walks through setup that prevents most headaches, the settings that change picture and sound the most, and fixes for the common “it used to work” problems. You’ll finish with a player that boots cleanly, stays connected, and plays the discs you bought it for.

What The BDP S590 Is And What It Does Best

The BDP-S590 is a compact Sony Blu-ray Disc player with HDMI, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and two USB ports. For a fast feature rundown, Crutchfield’s BDP-S590 page lists ports and playback basics.

Where This Player Still Shines

  • Play Discs Reliably — Blu-ray, DVD, and CD playback is the player’s strongest job, with steady HDMI output once it’s set up.
  • Upscale DVDs — DVDs can look cleaner on an HDTV after you set output to match your screen and let the player upscale to 1080p.
  • Use Simple USB Media — Photos and music are usually painless, and some video files work well when encoded in formats the player expects.
  • Pull Media From A Home Library — DLNA playback can be handy for music and photos, and sometimes for video if your server can transcode.

Where You May Hit Limits

Older streaming app catalogs change over time. Some services that shipped on early 2010s players have been retired, and others now expect security layers the device can’t provide. Treat built-in apps as a bonus, not the reason to keep the unit. If you want modern streaming, a current stick or box plugged into the same TV will be smoother.

If you use BD-Live discs, the player may ask for a USB drive so it has space to store downloaded extras. The Blu-ray Disc Association FAQs give a plain-language rundown of how the Blu-ray format works.

Sony BDP-S590 Setup And Daily Use

A clean first setup saves the most time. Do these steps in order, then tweak settings once you confirm discs play and audio reaches your receiver or TV.

Connect Power, HDMI, And Audio

  • Place The Player With Vent Space — Leave a little room on the sides and top so heat can drift away during long movie sessions.
  • Run HDMI To The TV Or Receiver — Use one HDMI cable from the player to your TV, or to an AV receiver if you route sources through it.
  • Pick An Audio Path — HDMI carries audio to a TV or receiver; optical or coaxial can feed older receivers that lack HDMI.
  • Set The TV Input First — Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input before you power on the player so you can see the first-time menus.

Choose Wired Or Wireless Network

If you want firmware updates, BD-Live, or any online features, connect the player to your router. Ethernet is the simplest. Wi-Fi works well when the signal is strong and router settings play nicely with older 2.4 GHz devices.

  • Use Ethernet When Possible — Plug a LAN cable into the rear port, then run network setup and let it grab an IP number.
  • Use Built-In Wi-Fi With A Strong Signal — Put the player within decent range of the router and connect to the 2.4 GHz network name if your router splits bands.
  • Confirm Network Status — Use the network status screen to confirm it shows an IP number and internet access before you move on.

Run A First Playback Check

  • Insert A Known-Good Blu-ray — Start with a clean disc you know works in another player to rule out disc damage.
  • Test A DVD Next — This checks both disc types and can reveal a laser pickup issue if one format fails all the time.
  • Try A Music CD — It’s a quick way to confirm audio output without dealing with movie menus.

Picture And Sound Settings That Change Results Fast

Once playback works, a few settings can change your results more than any cable swap. Keep changes simple, then test with a scene you know well.

Set Video Output For Your TV

  • Match Resolution To The Screen — Set HDMI output to 1080p for most HDTVs. If your TV is older, 720p may be steadier.
  • Turn On 24p When Your TV Supports It — If your TV handles 24p, enabling it can smooth film motion on Blu-ray.
  • Turn Off Deep Color If You See Flicker — If the picture blinks or drops out, disabling Deep Color can improve HDMI stability.

Pick The Right Audio Mode For Your Setup

  • Use Bitstream For A Receiver — If your AV receiver can decode Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD, bitstream lets it do the decoding.
  • Use PCM For TV Speakers — If you send audio straight to the TV, PCM is often more predictable.
  • Turn Off Secondary Audio For HD Tracks — Mixing menu sounds can force a lower audio format on some discs.

3D Playback Checks

3D needs the whole chain to handle it: player, HDMI path, TV, and glasses. If 3D discs show only 2D, start by confirming your TV is in 3D mode and that the HDMI path goes straight to the TV or through a 3D-capable receiver.

Firmware Updates And Safer Ways To Install Them

Firmware updates can fix disc compatibility quirks, network glitches, and stability issues. Sony still posts firmware files for this model in many regions. Use network update when the player stays connected. Use the disc method if Wi-Fi keeps dropping mid-update.

Update Over The Network

  • Connect To The Router First — Confirm the player shows a valid IP number before you start the update menu.
  • Start Network Update From The Menu — Follow the on-screen prompts and let it complete without power cuts.
  • Wait For A Full Reboot — The player may restart more than once; let it finish until you’re back at the home screen.

Update With A Disc When Network Fails

Some home networks block older devices or Wi-Fi drops mid-update. Sony offers disc-based update instructions for certain firmware packages. If you take this route, use a fresh disc, follow Sony’s file naming rules, and do not interrupt power during the process.

USB And DLNA Playback Without “Unsupported File” Errors

The BDP-S590 can play a set of common formats, yet it is picky about video containers, codecs, and audio tracks. Many “it sees the file but won’t play” cases come down to one of three things: the video codec is not supported, the audio track is not supported, or the file is inside a container the player rejects. The quickest way to stop guesswork is to test one short file, confirm it plays, then convert the rest of your library to match that working recipe.

USB Drive Prep

  • Use A Simple Folder Layout — Put a small batch of files in one folder while testing, not a deep library tree.
  • Try FAT32 First For Testing — FAT32 avoids some device quirks, though it caps single files at 4 GB.
  • Use NTFS For Large Files — NTFS is listed as supported for USB playback and it helps with video files that exceed 4 GB.
  • Use The Rear USB Port For A Permanent Drive — The rear port is less likely to get bumped if you leave a drive attached.

Encoding Choices That Tend To Behave Better

  • Prefer MP4 With H.264 Video — This combo is often more compatible than newer codecs on older players.
  • Use AAC Or MP3 Audio — Some high-end audio tracks in video files can trigger playback refusal.
  • Keep Bitrates Moderate — Extra-high bitrate encodes can stutter on older hardware even when the codec is supported.

DLNA Playback Notes

DLNA can feel hit-or-miss when your server sends a file format the player can’t decode. If your PC or NAS can transcode, set it to offer a compatible profile for Sony Blu-ray players. If you use a basic file server without transcoding, treat DLNA as best for music, photos, and modest video encodes.

Troubleshooting The Problems People Actually Get

Most issues fall into a few buckets: disc read errors, HDMI handshake glitches, network dropouts, and remote problems. Start with easy checks, then move toward deeper resets only when the simple stuff fails.

Quick Fix Table For Common Issues

Symptom Common Cause Fix To Try
Disc won’t play or stops Dirty disc or dirty lens path Clean the disc, try another disc, then unplug for one minute
No picture over HDMI HDMI handshake or wrong TV input Switch TV input, reseat HDMI, then try a different HDMI port
Wi-Fi connects then drops Weak 2.4 GHz signal or router mode clash Move closer, reboot router, then re-run wireless setup
Remote feels unresponsive Weak batteries or blocked IR path Replace batteries, clear the front sensor path, then test again
Apps fail to load Service retired or login no longer works Update firmware, then use a modern streaming stick

Disc Playback Problems

  • Clean The Disc First — Wipe from center to edge with a soft cloth; circular wiping can add scratches that track with the laser.
  • Try A Different Disc Type — If Blu-ray fails but DVD works, or the reverse, it can point to wear in the optical block.
  • Unplug For A Full Power Reset — Pull power for one minute, then plug back in to clear a stuck state that a soft reboot can miss.
  • Check Region Coding — Retail Blu-ray discs are region coded; a mismatch can look like a read error even when the disc is fine.

Tray Won’t Open Or Gets Stuck

  • Power Cycle Then Press Eject — Turn the unit off, wait a few seconds, power on, then tap eject right away.
  • Stop Forcing A Jammed Tray — If a label is peeling or a disc is warped, forcing the mechanism can bend parts.
  • Try A Different Outlet — A loose plug or weak outlet can cause the tray motor to stall mid-move.

HDMI Dropouts, Sparkles, Or No Audio

  • Swap The HDMI Cable — A cable that works for a set-top box can still fail with Blu-ray bandwidth spikes.
  • Try Another TV HDMI Port — Some TV ports handle older HDMI handshakes better than others.
  • Set Audio To PCM As A Test — If audio vanishes on a receiver, PCM can confirm the path works before you return to bitstream.
  • Turn Off Extra Video Modes — Features like Deep Color can trigger handshake issues; disable them when you see flicker.

Wi-Fi Setup That Stays Connected

Older Wi-Fi chipsets can be picky with modern router defaults. A few router-side tweaks can stabilize things without changing your whole network.

  • Use The 2.4 GHz Network Name — Many units from this era connect more reliably to 2.4 GHz than 5 GHz.
  • Set Security To WPA2-Personal — Mixed WPA3 modes can confuse older clients; WPA2-Personal is often smoother.
  • Split Bands If You Use One SSID — If your router merges bands into one name, splitting them can help the player stay on 2.4 GHz.
  • Give It A Stable DHCP Lease — A longer lease time can cut dropouts that show up during renewals.

Remote And Front-Panel Control Issues

  • Replace Batteries With Fresh Ones — Weak batteries can still flash a remote LED yet fail at range.
  • Clear The IR Line Of Sight — The player’s IR window needs a clear path; tinted glass doors can reduce range.
  • Unplug After A Power Blip — A brief unplug can clear odd button behavior after a storm or outlet flicker.

When A Factory Reset Helps

If the player freezes on startup, forgets network settings, or refuses to sign into services that still exist, a factory reset can clear corrupt settings. You’ll need to run first-time setup again, so take a photo of your current video and audio settings first if you’ve tuned them.

  • Start Reset From The Settings Menu — Use the reset option in the system settings, then let the player reboot fully.
  • Set Video Output Before Network Setup — After reset, set resolution first so you can read menus, then reconnect Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
  • Test A Disc Before Apps — Confirm disc playback works, then move to network features.

Maintenance Habits That Keep It Feeling Fresh

You don’t need a lot of upkeep. A few habits reduce freezes, loading delays, and noisy playback.

Keep Discs Clean And Flat

  • Store Discs In Cases — Dust and scratches are still the top reason for playback failures on older drives.
  • Wipe Discs Before Long Movies — A quick clean can stop mid-film skips that show up after an hour of heat.
  • Avoid Paper Sleeves — Sleeves can add fine scratches that you only notice on dark scenes.

Use Standby And Full Resets The Right Way

  • Use Standby For Normal Days — Standby is fine when the player behaves and it keeps your settings intact.
  • Unplug For Deep Glitches — If menus lag or the unit hangs, an unplug reset clears deeper states.
  • Avoid Timed Outlets During Updates — Don’t run updates through outlets that can cut power on a schedule.

Is The BDP S590 Still Worth Using In 2026

If you mainly want a disc player, the BDP-S590 can still earn its spot. It’s small, quiet, and handles the basics well. If your goal is streaming apps, you’ll get a better experience from a modern streamer while keeping the Sony for discs and local playback.

A simple way to decide is to match the player to one job. For discs in a bedroom, for a small projector setup, or for someone who just wants to press Play, it can be a great fit. Pair it with a streaming stick when you want modern apps, and you get the best of both without forcing this older box to act like a new streamer.