The Samsung BD-P1400 Review Thread

[MacDaddyOJack]

Save it troll, you have one post and you had to throw in a quip about your A20 DUD player. The BD-P1400 is a great player and I have yet to come across any problems other than 1 audio drop out on Mr. Brooks.

[BLU2U2]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

Save it troll, you have one post and you had to throw in a quip about your A20 DUD player. The BD-P1400 is a great player and I have yet to come across any problems other than 1 audio drop out on Mr. Brooks.

MDOJ,
Looks like "Tim the Troll" needs to go back to his own sandbox and stay there. The HD DVD folks just can't seem to leave us alone - just jealous I guess. I installed the Version 1.2 Firmware update just now - went smooth as silk. I decided to forego Spiderman III after all the lousy reviews it was getting. That's a shame because I really enjoyed Spidey II and especially I.
My 1400 is still performing fine. It seems like some of these guys have unlimited financial resources to go out and buy every new Blu-Ray player that hits the market - must be nice!

[cregster]

This will not be a thorough review as I want to get to the problem which sort prevents a thorough review.

After connecting the player and putting in a disc--Casino Royale--the player operated nicely though the gen up time was a bit long.

Picture was great as you would expect. I am, for the moment, running it at 1080i, but the picture is definitely better than Direct TV hi-def. Aside from that, it only appeared a bit less quality from the 1080p pictures I have seen in stores displaying blu ray and 1080p.

But, for me, the sound was the real treat. Casino Royale is only 16 bit 48k uncompressed sound, but the difference between it and Dolby Digital was very noticeable and very big from the very first second of sound. The clarity and impact--transient response--were absolutely superb and far better than DD. Then I put in the new Disney rat movie which is 24 bit 48k, another leap ahead in quality. Even more clear and, best, more real in imaging and tangible feel of environment. Just tremendous. Another disc with Dolby True HD was also fantastic, but only slightly better than the 24/48 of Disney.

The problem is that I have having trouble updating the player. (some discs I have to load and re-load several times to get to play). The manual says connect the player to the internet modem. Well, if I do that, I am a ways away from any screen to display and work through the menus. Can you just connect to a laptop computer and then have to go from there? I tried downloading the software and burning a disc. I burned the disc, the file shows up in Windows explorer, but when I put the disc in the player, it just goes to the main menu. I thought, maybe it was to go to a system upgrade part of the menu. I looked for that and found the system upgrade piece, but when I selected it, it just said "keep in do disc mode to upgrade by network" I clicked on OK, but then nothing seemed to happen. Am I doing something wrong? It certainly does not work like the manual and down load site said it would--verify and then bring up a screen to begin the process. No, it just went to main menu and that was it. If you left it be, after a minute or so, it would shut off.

[dperrone]

Originally Posted by cregster

This will not be a thorough review as I want to get to the problem which sort prevents a thorough review.

After connecting the player and putting in a disc--Casino Royale--the player operated nicely though the gen up time was a bit long.

Picture was great as you would expect. I am, for the moment, running it at 1080i, but the picture is definitely better than Direct TV hi-def. Aside from that, it only appeared a bit less quality from the 1080p pictures I have seen in stores displaying blu ray and 1080p.

But, for me, the sound was the real treat. Casino Royale is only 16 bit 48k uncompressed sound, but the difference between it and Dolby Digital was very noticeable and very big from the very first second of sound. The clarity and impact--transient response--were absolutely superb and far better than DD. Then I put in the new Disney rat movie which is 24 bit 48k, another leap ahead in quality. Even more clear and, best, more real in imaging and tangible feel of environment. Just tremendous. Another disc with Dolby True HD was also fantastic, but only slightly better than the 24/48 of Disney.

The problem is that I have having trouble updating the player. (some discs I have to load and re-load several times to get to play). The manual says connect the player to the internet modem. Well, if I do that, I am a ways away from any screen to display and work through the menus. Can you just connect to a laptop computer and then have to go from there? I tried downloading the software and burning a disc. I burned the disc, the file shows up in Windows explorer, but when I put the disc in the player, it just goes to the main menu. I thought, maybe it was to go to a system upgrade part of the menu. I looked for that and found the system upgrade piece, but when I selected it, it just said "keep in do disc mode to upgrade by network" I clicked on OK, but then nothing seemed to happen. Am I doing something wrong? It certainly does not work like the manual and down load site said it would--verify and then bring up a screen to begin the process. No, it just went to main menu and that was it. If you left it be, after a minute or so, it would shut off.

I sold two of my Bd-P1000's and bought two 1400's, as soon as I hooked them up I did the Firmware updates on both with no problem. The process went exactly word for word off of Samsungs site? Something must not be right.......I am guessing. Make sure you are burning the ISO as an IMAGE file. It has to be as an IMAGE file to work. Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

[BLU2U2]

Originally Posted by cregster

This will not be a thorough review as I want to get to the problem which sort prevents a thorough review.

After connecting the player and putting in a disc--Casino Royale--the player operated nicely though the gen up time was a bit long.

Picture was great as you would expect. I am, for the moment, running it at 1080i, but the picture is definitely better than Direct TV hi-def. Aside from that, it only appeared a bit less quality from the 1080p pictures I have seen in stores displaying blu ray and 1080p.

But, for me, the sound was the real treat. Casino Royale is only 16 bit 48k uncompressed sound, but the difference between it and Dolby Digital was very noticeable and very big from the very first second of sound. The clarity and impact--transient response--were absolutely superb and far better than DD. Then I put in the new Disney rat movie which is 24 bit 48k, another leap ahead in quality. Even more clear and, best, more real in imaging and tangible feel of environment. Just tremendous. Another disc with Dolby True HD was also fantastic, but only slightly better than the 24/48 of Disney.

The problem is that I have having trouble updating the player. (some discs I have to load and re-load several times to get to play). The manual says connect the player to the internet modem. Well, if I do that, I am a ways away from any screen to display and work through the menus. Can you just connect to a laptop computer and then have to go from there? I tried downloading the software and burning a disc. I burned the disc, the file shows up in Windows explorer, but when I put the disc in the player, it just goes to the main menu. I thought, maybe it was to go to a system upgrade part of the menu. I looked for that and found the system upgrade piece, but when I selected it, it just said "keep in do disc mode to upgrade by network" I clicked on OK, but then nothing seemed to happen. Am I doing something wrong? It certainly does not work like the manual and down load site said it would--verify and then bring up a screen to begin the process. No, it just went to main menu and that was it. If you left it be, after a minute or so, it would shut off.

Cregster,
Welcome to the 1400 Club! I agree with you - the sound out of this player is fantastic! As far as firmware upgrading. I have used the "burn a disc" method with very good success. The instructions on the Samsung website were followed and the updates were accomplished as described in their instructions. If your disc was burned properly you should get the "Verifying Firmware Version" screen fairly soon after closing the door. This screen will remain up for about 7 to 8 minutes, then the door should open and the firmware versions should be displayed. Remove your disc and answer "Yes"
to update to the latest dated version, then wait another 7 to 8 minutes. The player will turn itself off after it is complete, then turn it back on and
press "1" for English when asked. It sounds like your disc may not be properly burned. Hope this helps!

[cregster]

I unzipped the file that was downloaded. The file name ended in .iso as the instructions said.

Then, I put in a blank disc and it brought up a menu with 'open writable disc file" which I did. Then, dragged the file over to the writable disc file. Then, clicked on write this file to CD.

I know that another program I have, alcohol 120% had a button of image file, but I wasn't sure if that was for photos, so some other thing. Maybe I can try that.

[squire23]

Originally Posted by cregster

I unzipped the file that was downloaded. The file name ended in .iso as the instructions said.

Then, I put in a blank disc and it brought up a menu with 'open writable disc file" which I did. Then, dragged the file over to the writable disc file. Then, clicked on write this file to CD.

I know that another program I have, alcohol 120% had a button of image file, but I wasn't sure if that was for photos, so some other thing. Maybe I can try that.

I had the exact same issue. My software did not have the option to "burn image". I think that is the problem we are both having. Samsung's site recommended using Nero. I'm going to download a trial version and see if that works.

[jeffthe13th]

I went to the Samsung site and downloaded the update to my desktop. The first time I burned a CD from the file on the desktop, it did exactly what happened to you Cregster (just went to the menu screen).
The second time I did it, I clicked OPEN on the file before burning it to disc. When it opened, it went directly to my CD Burner and burned the file correctly. Then when I did the firmware upgrade it worked.
Not sure how good of an update it is though, my "Live Free Or Die Hard" disc still wont play.

[cregster]

Am using the alcohol image writer now, so will try that and report success or failure.

[cregster]

Voila!! The verifying firmware screen came on, so I think all will be OK. Thanks for the note to make sure it is image file burned.

I did have another problem which I am not sure is due to not being updated, or the disc. I got the Close encounters disc, and when it started to play the sound and picture were linked just fine. Then, about 5 minutes into it, there was a small pop or click and then the audio trailed the picture by about 5 or 6 seconds. It did that same thing in all three versions of the movie and if I advanced the chapter, it started synced and then a few minutes, out of sync.

[cregster]

OK, worked great with the image burning change.

Update went well, the player seems more stable and the discs come up a bit faster. So far, so good. Well worth getting. For the sound alone. Finally, actual, real theater sound.

I can imagine those people with a good 1080p projector going onto a 100 inch screen with good 7.1 sound and good seats will now have a set up that actually does rival the theaters. A good popcorn machine and away you go!!

[MacDaddyOJack]

You can always plug your ethernet cable in the back to update it, thats what I do. It is pretty easy too. I can't burn an image file so this is the alternative.

[squire23]

I had success after using Nero. Hard for me to access the back of the player in the rack but I would love to do it the way.

[Puddlejmpr]

FYI, I'd had trouble playing any BR disc until I updated to the latest firmware (11-2). Now with the exception of an occasional burp, the playback is fine.

This may be particular to my machine and my setup, but I think I have fewers "burps" (pauses in audio and/or video during playback) when I isolate my BD-1400 from the stack of my other components (Onkyo 605 and cable box). Again, this may be totally anecdotal, but I definitely notice better performance after isolating my player from other heat sources. Anyone else have this experience?

Another generic gripe... Why, after paying more than $20 for a Blue-Ray disc do I have to be subjected to 6-8 preview chapters or incessant button pushing before I get to watch my movie? Am I missing something or is there a way I can go directly to my movie? Any advice appreciated.

[wolverine]

i have a bd-p1200 and this SUCKS... everytime i put a new movie in and it does not work!!!

i have been waiting for the past two weeks for an update for the pixar shorts movie and now i need to wait for the die hard one too...

everytime i go to watch a movie i have to hold my breathe to see if it will work or not...

are there any stand alone players (i.e., panasonic, sony) that do not have these constant issues of not playing movies and needing firmware updates?

[BLU2U2]

Originally Posted by Puddlejmpr

FYI, I'd had trouble playing any BR disc until I updated to the latest firmware (11-2). Now with the exception of an occasional burp, the playback is fine.

This may be particular to my machine and my setup, but I think I have fewers "burps" (pauses in audio and/or video during playback) when I isolate my BD-1400 from the stack of my other components (Onkyo 605 and cable box). Again, this may be totally anecdotal, but I definitely notice better performance after isolating my player from other heat sources. Anyone else have this experience?

Another generic gripe... Why, after paying more than $20 for a Blue-Ray disc do I have to be subjected to 6-8 preview chapters or incessant button pushing before I get to watch my movie? Am I missing something or is there a way I can go directly to my movie? Any advice appreciated.

PJMPR,
Welcome to the 1400 Club! FYI the latest Version of firmware for the 1400 is 1.2 dated 11-19-07. I agree greatly with you on the movie thing - I want to just pop in a movie and have it go directly to the "Play Movie" selection screen. Hope you enjoy your 1400 as much as I am - very satisfied owner here.

[tim3320070]

Originally Posted by BLU2U2

MDOJ,
Looks like "Tim the Troll" needs to go back to his own sandbox and stay there. The HD DVD folks just can't seem to leave us alone - just jealous I guess. I installed the Version 1.2 Firmware update just now - went smooth as silk. I decided to forego Spiderman III after all the lousy reviews it was getting. That's a shame because I really enjoyed Spidey II and especially I.
My 1400 is still performing fine. It seems like some of these guys have unlimited financial resources to go out and buy every new Blu-Ray player that hits the market - must be nice!

Well, aren't you boys friendly!
If you read more closely, I said that I have been enjoying the 1400 with no problems since the upgrade via CD (vs. ethernet). I was trying to help by explaining the issue with ethernet upgrade I experienced and it seems others have as well.
Maybe I need a forum where name calling isn't the norm- sad and immature really.
Facts are facts, the Tosh players function faster and with less quirks, if you owned one, you would agree.

[tim3320070]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

Save it troll, you have one post and you had to throw in a quip about your A20 DUD player. The BD-P1400 is a great player and I have yet to come across any problems other than 1 audio drop out on Mr. Brooks.

You joined in September?????? A whopping 318 posts and you're the expert? Did someone call you a troll on your first posting 3 months ago???
I'm guessing you're about 19 years old.

[jeffthe13th]

Originally Posted by wolverine

i have a bd-p1200 and this SUCKS... everytime i put a new movie in and it does not work!!!

are there any stand alone players (i.e., panasonic, sony) that do not have these constant issues of not playing movies and needing firmware updates?

I was wondering this same question myself- ANY TAKERS? Are there any stand alone players that do not have playback issues when new movies come out?? Or will they all need firmware updates to play certain ones?? They needed to iron out a standard so that all movies would play before releasing these machines.

[red_5ive]

Can the 1400 decode DTS-MA and pass it over analog 5.1? I'm thinking of picking one up for a 2nd room, but the receiver isn't hdmi capable.