Samsung 4K UHD Blu-ray Player UBD-K8500

[red_5ive]

As weird as it may sound, I think the freezing issues I had were related to Samsung AnyNet+ (aka HDMI-CEC) combined with a Samsung TV (KS8000). That feature wold randomly turn itself back on, probably because I had a Samsung TV and there was some auto-detection going on that would re-enable that feature. Even the TV itself was notorious for changing its own settings randomly.

When I began to suspect that was the issue, AnyNet+ would be enabled every time I had a disc freeze. Ever since I go the LG C1 a couple of weeks ago, that feature hasn't turned itself back on and I haven't had a single disc freeze. But Even with the player seemingly working now, it's still going to get replaced, and I have a LG UBK90 sitting in a box, just have to swap them out. I'll keep the problematic 8500 as a backup.

It's a pretty bad sign when a manufacturer can't seem to make features work with their own products. I've had a waning interest in Samsung products since getting these players and TVs. For now, I'm happy to get rid of Samsung from my life.

[danny24]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

As weird as it may sound, I think the freezing issues I had were related to Samsung AnyNet+ (aka HDMI-CEC) combined with a Samsung TV (KS8000). That feature wold randomly turn itself back on, probably because I had a Samsung TV and there was some auto-detection going on that would re-enable that feature. Even the TV itself was notorious for changing its own settings randomly.

When I began to suspect that was the issue, AnyNet+ would be enabled every time I had a disc freeze. Ever since I go the LG C1 a couple of weeks ago, that feature hasn't turned itself back on and I haven't had a single disc freeze. But Even with the player seemingly working now, it's still going to get replaced, and I have a LG UBK90 sitting in a box, just have to swap them out. I'll keep the problematic 8500 as a backup.

It's a pretty bad sign when a manufacturer can't seem to make features work with their own products. I've had a waning interest in Samsung products since getting these players and TVs. For now, I'm happy to get rid of Samsung from my life.

If you own a Samsung disc player always leave the internet off to. God forbid if that thing connects to the internet, lol.

Samsung TV's are actually decent if you don't use them to stream and leave the internet off and use a seperate streamer like AppleTV,Roku to stream stuff. Why they think it's a good idea to put the TV speakers behind the TV is beyond me. Likely to make you buy a soundbar from them.

Sony,LG though really do make better TV sets but some Samsung TV's are really good.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by danny24

If you own a Samsung disc player always leave the internet off to. God forbid if that thing connects to the internet, lol.

Samsung TV's are actually decent if you don't use them to stream and leave the internet off and use a seperate streamer like AppleTV,Roku to stream stuff. Why they think it's a good idea to put the TV speakers behind the TV is beyond me. Likely to make you buy a soundbar from them.

Sony,LG though really do make better TV sets but some Samsung TV's are really good.

It's a catch-22 with Samsung. The problem with not letting your player connect and get updates is all the crap they put on discs, which sometimes require an update to correct. But, you then run the risk of Samsung breaking something caused by the update. The only time I've ever let my player get updates is when I know there is a fix for a disc that I own. But of course, I'm way past Samsung's support window which seems to be about 3 years so it doesn't get updates anyway. Not that it matters since they left the player market. Good riddance.

Samsung has great TV hardware, but it's their software that's terrible. I have an 8000 series TV from 2016 (KS8000), which was one step down from the flagship at the time. It was an excellent set, but Samsung busted some of the features with firmware updates. Every Samsung product I've owned that connects to the internet has at some point turned to crap from firmware updates. TVs, players, phone (I'm a Note series user), smart watch. The only Samsung devices I have that have been flawless are 2 dumb TVs from 2013 that don't have any smart/network features. They can be updated via USB, but I never bothered as they've never had any functionality issues, and still run perfectly after almost a decade's use. Last week I picked up a 32" Samsung UHD TV to use as a PC monitor and for gaming. It's pretty awesome. But I haven't setup the network features, and I don't plan to.

I'm convinced that Samsung breaks their products with updates after 3 years or so, so that you go out and replace them.

[Sage00]

I’ve got the Samsung UBD K8500 and I’ve been having some problems with playback issues. Random blu rays won’t play on it, I get some sort of “Cannot play disc” message. Most of my Vinegar Syndrome blu rays won’t play (but the 4Ks play fine). I heard that Samsung won’t pass some necessary update, anyone have a fix, other than disconnect it from the internet Thanks.

[danny24]

Originally Posted by Sage00

I’ve got the Samsung UBD K8500 and I’ve been having some problems with playback issues. Random blu rays won’t play on it, I get some sort of “Cannot play disc” message. Most of my Vinegar Syndrome blu rays won’t play (but the 4Ks play fine). I heard that Samsung won’t pass some necessary update, anyone have a fix, other than disconnect it from the internet Thanks.

Iit's likely the firmware is outdated as Samsung exited the disc player market. I would hunt for a new UHD player.

Here is a question to Samsung from a user that also can't play Blu-ray's, it's likely outdated firmware:
https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/...1486962/page/2

So the only fix is to buy a new player as Samsung likely won't issue any new firmware updates for their players.

It's to bad they stopped support for their UHD players as they are still very capable machines and shouldn't be having issues like this.

[Sage00]

Originally Posted by danny24

Iit's likely the firmware is outdated as Samsung exited the disc player market. I would hunt for a new UHD player.

Here is a question to Samsung from a user that also can't play Blu-ray's, it's likely outdated firmware:
https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/...1486962/page/2

So the only fix is to buy a new player as Samsung likely won't issue any new firmware updates for their players.

It's to bad they stopped support for their UHD players as they are still very capable machines and shouldn't be having issues like this.

That’s kinda of what I figured. I’m just p***** because I did a ton of research on this beforehand. I only bought it about 4 years ago, and it’s my only 4K player.

[danny24]

Originally Posted by Sage00

That’s kinda of what I figured. I’m just p***** because I did a ton of research on this beforehand. I only bought it about 4 years ago, and it’s my only 4K player.

I hear ya you can blame Samsung for stopping firmware updates on UHD players that should still work perfectly fine. Their TV's don't support DV so if they updated their firmware people that own their TV's and UHD players would be happy since no DV update would be required. They exited the player market I really do like their UHD players it's to bad they just don't care about them anymore. If you get a new UHD player hold onto it as a backup player.

[fredreed]

Samsung 4K blu ray players were always bad mostly because there was no way to turn off the screensaver because it was built into their 4K blu ray players. Their 4K blu ray players were always junk. Which is probably why they decided to stop manufacturing them.

[danny24]

Originally Posted by fredreed

Samsung 4K blu ray players were always bad mostly because there was no way to turn off the screensaver because it was built into their 4K blu ray players. Their 4K blu ray players were always junk. Which is probably why they decided to stop manufacturing them.

They are not junk to me. They are junk in a way though now because they stopped with firmware updates. That screensaver issue could have also been resolved with a firmware update.

They didn't stop making 4K players and Blu-ray players because they thought their products were junk, lol. It's because they didn't see $$$ signs with continuing making them and Sony, Panasonic pretty much made better players and likely sold better.

[panasonicst60]

One of my long distance friend has this player and the tray is stuck. Anyone know how to resolve?

[HonestJohn]

Originally Posted by panasonicst60

One of my long distance friend has this player and the tray is stuck. Anyone know how to resolve?

Saw this on another site posted by support technician. It was in response to someone having the same issue with the UBD-K8500 ....

Unfortunately this is most often a hardware failure (bad motor, worn gear, loose belt, etc in the ejection mechanism, faulty switch or sensor, or just an obstruction by a disc that is out of place)

There are a few things you can try:

First unplug power for at least an hour, then press and hold the power/on button while plugging back in, and keep holding for another 60 seconds. If it still doesn't open, repeat the process but with the eject button instead of power.

If it still does not open, pick the unit up and shake/tilt the player side to side gently, hopefully dislodging the stuck disc inside that could be preventing it from opening, then try to open again.

If none of these help, then there is an internal hardware defect, which will need to be repaired.

[Shane Rollins]

I keep getting notifications that my cooling fan doesn't work.

Sometimes, the fan turns on despite the notice. Sometimes it doesn't.

Sometimes the player shuts off. Sometimes it stays on and functions fine except for the fan.

Any help?

[danny24]

Originally Posted by Shane Rollins

I keep getting notifications that my cooling fan doesn't work.

Sometimes, the fan turns on despite the notice. Sometimes it doesn't.

Sometimes the player shuts off. Sometimes it stays on and functions fine except for the fan.

Any help?

You are gonna have to replace the cooling fan. Here is an ifixit guide on how to do it.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Samsung...acement/168045

it's $26 on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/13421188527...Bk9SR6rYsYCvZQ

Not sure if it's worth the investment for you since used ones sell for like $50 and up. The player is likely shutting off because the cooling fan is not working correctly. It's an easy fix though.