SAMSUNG BD-P4600 BLU-RAY PLAYER (November 2009 Home Theater review link)

[HDTV1080P]

The Samsung BD-P4600 1080p/24 video quality matches the OPPO according to the Home Theater review. But the video processor on the Samsung BD-P4600 overall is not as good as the OPPO. The Samsung BD-P4600 quality at playing 1080i concert BLU-RAY discs is poorer quality when compared to the OPPO or LG BD390 player do to the fact the Samsung failed the 2:2 cadence HD test (This problem should only effect 1080i BLU-RAY discs). Also the Samsung DVD scaling from 480i to 1080P is not as good as the OPPO.

The Samsung BD-P4600 speed at loading discs is almost as fast as the OPPO. Interesting thing is the PS3 was slightly faster then the OPPO at power on and loading discs. When java based BLU-RAY titles are being used sometimes the OPPO can be a few seconds faster then the PS3 depending on the title used in the test. It's kind of like comparing AMD and INTEL processors on desktop computers. Some types of software applications run faster on Intel and other times AMD will be faster depending on the different software designs. BLU-RAY players all use a little different processor just like a computer and some are faster than others.

Most BLU-RAY players have component video outputs that output up to 1080I for older HD displays.This Samsung player lacks component video output, legacy 480I S-Video, and no 7.1 analog outputs. At least a 480i composite connection is offered for older TV's (Component video and S-Video is better quality then composite) .The only way to get 480P, 720P, 1080I, or 1080P quality on this player is to use the HDMI connection.

The reviewer had problems getting the wireless connection to work on the Samsung.

Here are some select quotes from the November 2009 Home Theater review

Click here to read the complete review at the Home Theater magazine website

"If you need a component output or multichannel analog outputs, this isn’t the player for you."

"Solid performance on both DVD and Blu-ray Discs"

"Netflix and Pandora streaming capability"

"If you don’t have an Ethernet connection in your viewing room, Samsung includes a USB Wi-Fi dongle to connect to your home network without having to snake cables through your walls."

"The BD-P4600 is BD-Live compliant with 1 gigabyte of internal memory, which is expandable via one of the two USB ports."

"It offers internal decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio and sends it via HDMI as PCM to a receiver or surround processor. If you have a newer AVR that offers onboard decoding, the Samsung can output lossless bitstreams as well, but you’ll lose the secondary audio with PiP and the clicks and beeps in the menus."

"For some unknown reason, the Samsung found four of my neighbors’ networks but not mine. This is the first wireless device I’ve ever used in my home that couldn’t find my network."

"I gave up and used a longer Ethernet cable that connected to my network without any issues."

"Once connected, the player informed me that a new update was available (1.14) and asked me if I wanted to update the firmware. It took more than 17 minutes, which seemed like an eternity compared with my OPPO, which takes less than five minutes."

"Last year, some of Samsung’s Blu-ray players incorporated HQV Reon-VX processing, which delivered outstanding performance. This year’s crop of players employs a proprietary system that delivers solid performance, but it stumbles on the 2:2 cadence HD test from the Spears & Munsil High Definition Benchmark Blu-ray Edition, which should only affect the playback on certain discs, including some concert videos."

"Scaling from 480i to 1080p was very good, but it fell just short of the Pioneer BDP-320 and OPPO BDP-83."

"The BD-P4600 is a strong performer in the speed department. It took a mere 18 seconds to power on versus 12 for the OPPO BDP-83. Load times for Java-intensive Blu-ray Discs were just as impressive. Disney’s release of Race to Witch Mountain loaded in 46 seconds to the trailers, and 48 additional seconds to access the menus—within a couple of seconds of the OPPO. The PS3 is slightly faster in both of these tests, but I find its fan too loud for serious movie watching."

"I watched a wide variety of Blu-ray Discs on the Samsung and found its performance to be exceptional. Its 1080p/24 output matches that of the OPPO"

"Navigation through the various menus on Blu-ray Discs was very fast, but chapter skipping was slower than I’m used to with the OPPO."

"A wall-mountable player isn’t something I need or desire, but if you’re looking for a unique form factor, the Samsung is a solid performer. Its Blu-ray playback is excellent, although its DVD performance isn’t quite as good as the category leaders. The streaming capabilities work very well, and it offers Wi-Fi Internet access (if you can get it to recognize your network) and speedy loading of Blu-ray Discs. The price is a little steep at $450. Its unique mounting option comes with a stiff price premium."

Click here to read the complete review at the Home Theater magazine website

[Blue Bull]

I have this unit and I'm lovin it! The only problem I encountered was when a firmware update cause Pandora to stop playing. I downloaded the next firmware upgrade and it's pandora works like a champ. The blu Ray aq/pq is sweeeeeeeet!