I've had this machine since end May and agree with most of the positive reviews. I'm pleased I was warned about the slow startup times otherwise I would have thought it was just my machine, it really does seem like an age from switching on, although I have noticed that my ordinary DVDs load up more quickly. I haven't updated the firmware, on the basis that 'if it aint broke, don't fix it', so will only do this if I find a Blu-ray disc that won't play.
One problem I did have was in registering with Sony for the free movies. The registration disc that came with the machine took me to their site, but kept rejecting my application, it took an age to be able to actually write a query to Sony support, and when they replied, they said the offer had expired - it took a lot of persevering, but they do say that I will receive them in 28 days. Like previous reviewers, I've been knocked out by the quality on my Sony Bravia, and I never used to watch movies anywhere except at 'the picture house'!