Can ordinary DVDs harm Blu-ray players? NO

[who007]

Hey,
I bought a bluray dvd player (Samsung BD-P1500 1080p Blu-ray Player)
and watched two ordinary DVDs on it (I haven't bought a bluray dvd as yet) and the quality was really good with no issues. The next day I tried to watch another and when I placed the DVD in the machine I got the message LOADING on the display - which didn't change so eventually I thouhgt it might have been the dvd. I tried the original dvd I had watched and it too didn't get past the LOADING message.
So I got the player replaced today but when I was opening it there was a sticker I hadn't previously noticed saying not to play ordinary DVDs (or some such words - am not at home right now).
Is there some difference in the laser layout or something that may have caused damage when I played ordinary dvds in it? I got it as part of a package and wouldn't have bought a blu ray machine otherwise, so don't have any plans to go buying bluray discs as yet.
Long and short of the question: Was this a coincidence or can I or can I not play ordinary DVDs on a Bluray player?

[DetroitSportsFan]

No, Blu-Ray players are meant to play DVDs as well as BDs.

[Marquoz]

No, but they can hurt your eyes, you will be wondering what is wrong with the movie and why it looks so bad, then remember it was a DVD, and run out and buy the Blu-ray version, which will hurt your wallet.

I've played tons of DVDs on my PS3 and haven't had one single problem with it yet. I think it was just a coincidence that it stopped working with DVDs.

[Disco]

No, dvd do not harm a blu ray player. In fact the blu ray player upconverts the dvd and makes the picture quality better.

[jw]

Yes, the put evil thoughts in your blu-ray players memory DOnt do it!!! j/k

[Kryptron]

Every blu-ray player plays dvds. I have no idea why they would put a sticker in the box saying not to play dvds in it? Perhaps it needs a firmware update to address some issues? I've never herd someone complain about the bd1500 having that problem.

[JimShaw]

Originally Posted by Disco

No, dvd do not harm a blu ray player. In fact the blu ray player upconverts the dvd and makes the picture quality better.

I agree.

[quexos]

You probably should ask about that sticker to the customer service of your player's brand.

As for this topic, there is an interesting point which I remember now that you mentioned the issue of playing DVD's in Bluray players. I remember reading a technical paper on how Bluray players though having no problems playing DVD's are not technically speaking meant to play those. They have their system "stretched" to accommodate the reading of DVD's. Now don't worry as they are supposed to do so seamlessly. But still it is interesting to know that Bluray players are not primarily intended to read DVD's

[radagast]

Originally Posted by Disco

No, dvd do not harm a blu ray player. In fact the blu ray player upconverts the dvd and makes the picture quality better.

Are you sure ALL BD players upconvert DVDs?