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AutoBahned
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BluRay - Samsung?
My very cheap ($30) DVD player is dying - some DVDs won't play; it freezes sometimes; often won't load a disc. Was bummed when I got 1/2 way thu Down by Law and could never get the thing to show the 2nd half of the film...
As a wise man said recently 'i am done with cheap. moving onto "used"' - that strategy worked well for my chop saw purchase last year, but in the fast-changing realm of DVD & BlueRay players, used may not be a good idea. So, I'm looking for a good not-too-spendy unit - $150 would be nice. I'm interested in a Samsung unit b/c my hope is that a single remote will integrate with my Samsung HDTV. HDMI hookup is a plus - dunno, maybe they all have that now. Bluray is attractive b/c [1] I will be ready for that format when it is more available (I just borrow from the local library; too cheap to buy many discs or use Netflix); [2] something that lasts several years will be less hassle (avoid recurrent repurchases) & less generation of e-waste, yada, yada... Your thoughts? |
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12-09-2009, 02:13 PM
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Moderator
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I have a Samsung BD player. Bought it in January - at that time, they had two models - one that could pull in streaming video from Netflix and one that couldn't. Since I don't do Netflix, I went with the cheaper one. It has HDMI as well as fiber optic for sound.
The only drawback to BD players is this: firmware. BD disks are more complex, and now, the end user has the ability to upgrade the firmware of their BD players in order to keep up. So if your BD player's firmware isn't up to speed, you may experience playability issues. Some bugs aren't always fixed quickly -- for example, if I play the Matrix, the "director's comments" automatically start. Most folks haven't figured out how to turn this off and are waiting for a firmware upgrade to fix it. However, I realized that if I go to the menu, turn comments ON (even though it is already on), and then turn it off, the comments box goes away. The good thing about this firmware is this -- you can connect your BD player to the 'net and simply pull the firmware down from the net. Most BD players will also upscale DVD movies, so you will get a bit better resolution from the conventional disks. IMHO, if you have a HDTV, then a BD player is a must. Otherwise, it's like owning a tiptronic Porsche - so closer, but not complete.  -Z-man.
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2010 Cayman S - 12-2020 - 2014 MINI Cooper S Coupe - 05-17 - 05-21 1989 944S2 - 06-01 - 01-14 Carpe Viam. <>< |
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12-09-2009, 02:35 PM
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Information Junky
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: an island, upper left coast, USA
Posts: 73,167
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Quote:
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Everyone you meet knows something you don't. - - - and a whole bunch of crap that is wrong. Disclaimer: the above was 2¢ worth. More information is available as my professional opinion, which is provided for an exorbitant fee. 
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12-09-2009, 02:44 PM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 57,132
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Last year I bought a Samsung ln46a750 tv and the higher end bluray (2500 vs 1500 model number). Yes, the tv remote will work on the player which is nice. Also, if you pop a disk in the player and you're using an hdmi cable, the tv will auto switch sources to the bluray.
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12-09-2009, 03:26 PM
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: cutler bay
Posts: 15,136
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act fast if you want the 99 price
at tiger direct Specifications APC HDMI15-1M Pro Interconnects HDMI Cable Bundle, 1 Yr. Ltd. Warranty MSRP $109.99 DEAL ENDS 12/9 $99.99 Samsung BDP1590 Blu-Ray Disc Player, (Refurbished) and APC HDMI15-1M Pro Interconnects HDMI Cable Bundle at TigerDirect.com |
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12-09-2009, 04:51 PM
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AutoBahned
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hmmm... that one has an Ethernet connection but WiFi is an add-on - not sure how important those 2 features are to me...
also, it's a refurb. and $50 less than a new unit of that model # hmmm.... |
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12-09-2009, 05:00 PM
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AutoBahned
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ya know what is amazing? these things low end at about the same price as a zoot alors LED under cabinet light from Kichler -- that's just one light unit mind you...
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12-09-2009, 05:05 PM
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Registered
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Don't know Samsung but...
Just bought a $220Sony BD. It has two features ahtat are awesome: - usb port in front for pictures on thumbdrives - if you take a lot of digital photos this port provides the resolution necessary to show the 6 or8 or 10 meg photos we are taking nowadays - ethernet wireless connectivity to services such as (for me) Netflix, where movies can be watched instantly Very cool setup for not much spendy!
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David 1972 911T/S MFI Survivor |
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12-09-2009, 06:40 PM
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Edministrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SF east bay
Posts: 25,470
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I'll never buy Samsung again. They didn't support a BD player I got and denied there were any issues. The player was a huge lemon and they knew it. Panasonic and Sony is the way to go, from what I've read.
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Good post? Leave a tip! O - $1 O - $2 O - $3 |
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12-09-2009, 07:33 PM
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Registered
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Got the Sansung Black Friday on sale. Connected with HDMI. Streaming Netflix is great. Youtube is a joke. When doing a search, the words have to be keyed in with the remote which is a PIA. Searches only bring around twenty five results. Pandora ROCKS! We dont use the Blockbuster streaming. The player has hesitated a few times durring play and it seems kind of loud. The picture and sound quality are fantastic. All in all a great buy.
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1974 911s "It smelled like German heaven" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ySt9SeZl9s |
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12-10-2009, 02:40 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Anywhere but there
Posts: 668
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Does the Samsung stream Netflix in HD and do you require a hardwire connection?
Mike |
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12-10-2009, 04:11 AM
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Moderator
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Quote:
Not sure if mine has wireless capability, since my router is nearby, I simply connect hardwire with Cat-5. -Z-man.
__________________
2010 Cayman S - 12-2020 - 2014 MINI Cooper S Coupe - 05-17 - 05-21 1989 944S2 - 06-01 - 01-14 Carpe Viam. <>< |
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12-10-2009, 06:57 AM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 57,132
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Quote:
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa  SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
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12-10-2009, 07:11 AM
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Registered
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Samsung requires a $70 wireless adapter. Mine is wired to a wireless router.
Samsung BD-P1600: Blu-ray, Netflix, Pandora
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1974 911s "It smelled like German heaven" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ySt9SeZl9s |
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12-10-2009, 08:07 AM
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Registered
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The Sony requires an Ethernet "bridge". Not sure exactly what that is yet and it looks like another 80-100 bucks. Not sure if it just transmits to my existing wireless router, or if it has a separate receiver.
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David 1972 911T/S MFI Survivor |
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12-10-2009, 08:35 AM
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AutoBahned
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thx all - the Samsung 360 one has no Ethernet connector, but includes WiFi
sounds like it might be a real headache, like my current WiFry setup... IIRC, you can also burn new formats, etc. with a USB key tho. |
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12-10-2009, 12:51 PM
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1989 Porsche 944S2 3.0l 16v 4cyl
BB
1974 Porsche 911s
