The Samsung BD-P1500 Review Thread

[ryoohki]

DTS HD HR is not DTS HD MA....

[Woody]

Originally Posted by CassilineKnight

The Samsung...sorry for the confusion...

This is what Josh posted on April 23 on the news page:

"Samsung has announced that they will release their upcoming Blu-ray player, the Samsung BD-P1500, this June. The player, which will be a BonusView (Profile v1.1) player with a future upgrade to BD-Live (Profile v2.0), is the fourth generation Blu-ray player from the longtime Blu-ray supporter. It will be able to output 1080p24 video and decode Dolby TrueHD audio (with DTS-HD HR support to be added at a later date).

The inclusion of an Ethernet and USB port will allow the player to easily be upgraded to a BD-Live player. Price has yet to be announced for the player, but previous material has suggested an MSRP of $399."

Is the bold part correct? Does this player also decode? The specs in the player section seem to show bitstream only.

It will not internally decode DTS HDMA, and will likely be gimped at 2.0 THD decoding upon release.

[CassilineKnight]

Originally Posted by Woody

It will not internally decode DTS HDMA, and will likely be gimped at 2.0 THD decoding upon release.

Thanks for clarifying that up Woody and ryoohki.

Yeah this is no longer an option for me then I guess.

[badboi]

That's what I don't understand (or really, don't trust, with Samsung). The "at a later date" thing. Why not wait and release it fully functional.

Edit: Never mind. I think I'll take a pass on this one. As much as my BD-P1000 has been a pretty solid player (although it has a few quirks), I think I'll look elsewhere for the next one.

[mulliganman]

I believe the Panasonic BD-50 price is supposed to be around $599. As far as Samsung releasing this player now as opposed to later, I believe they did so because of the low pricing on this Bonus View player that can decode some audio formats and will be upgradeable to a 2.0 player. What other Bonus View player can we say that about at this point? Samsung thinks they can probably sell quite a few units at this price before the Sony or Panasonic BD50 hit later this year and then closer to the release date of those players they will upgrade to 2.0 because they think they can sell several units at the $399 price point compared to the other two players as well and advertise is as a 2.0 player. I know there are some who had bad experiences with Samsung in the past, but I am willing to take the risk here because if this player has problems I should have a hassle free experience of returning it to Walmart. I wanted the Panasonic BD50 but I have grown impatient waiting for the player to be released and all the conflicting information from Panasonic about when this will be released. I am curious to see what kind of expert reviews the player gets from places like cnet.

[ack_bak]

Originally Posted by mulliganman

I believe the Panasonic BD-50 price is supposed to be around $599.

Panasonic announced today (officially) that the price is $699 (MSRP). I am sure you can find it for cheaper.

[ack_bak]

Originally Posted by badboi

That's what I don't understand (or really, don't trust, with Samsung). The "at a later date" thing. Why not wait and release it fully functional.

Edit: Never mind. I think I'll take a pass on this one. As much as my BD-P1000 has been a pretty solid player (although it has a few quirks), I think I'll look elsewhere for the next one.

I sold my somewhat quirky BD-P1000 for a PS3 and could not be happier.

[badboi]

Originally Posted by mulliganman

I believe the Panasonic BD-50 price is supposed to be around $599. As far as Samsung releasing this player now as opposed to later, I believe they did so because of the low pricing on this Bonus View player that can decode some audio formats and will be upgradeable to a 2.0 player. What other Bonus View player can we say that about at this point? Samsung thinks they can probably sell quite a few units at this price before the Sony or Panasonic BD50 hit later this year and then closer to the release date of those players they will upgrade to 2.0 because they think they can sell several units at the $399 price point compared to the other two players as well and advertise is as a 2.0 player. I know there are some who had bad experiences with Samsung in the past, but I am willing to take the risk here because if this player has problems I should have a hassle free experience of returning it to Walmart. I wanted the Panasonic BD50 but I have grown impatient waiting for the player to be released and all the conflicting information from Panasonic about when this will be released. I am curious to see what kind of expert reviews the player gets from places like cnet.

If you go over to AVS, there's a big thread on the Panasonic. The last few pages are comical, since the price was announced. A few of the sour grapes group have their tits in a twist because of the pricing and are screaming bloody murder.

I thought about the new Samsung, but my gut feeling is telling me not to do it and go with the Panasonic. I'm fairly happy with my BDP1000, but Samsung support and their willy-nilly updates are making me skittish.

[mulliganman]

but I still noticed that they didn't list a release date other than spring.

[timer00]

Went back to Wal-mart today and saw the 1500 again its actually selling for $348. I need a new blu-ray player to replace my crapped out PS3 so I am getting the Samsung tomorrow. Don't have much need for high def audio just yet so DTS is good for me and my wife for now. And at $348 compared to even the Panasonic BD30 at 499 its a pretty good deal.

[yspkrk]

Originally Posted by paul21

the most ugly bd player for sure.looks like a cheap build too.

To me, it's the best looking BDP so far. I guess I'm too artistic. Actually, I'm a graphic artist.

[mulliganman]

and you should still be able to send it to your receiver to decode as well. I have the Onkyo 605 and thought I should be able to send any/most high def audio to the player to handle.

[timer00]

Yea I think it has analog out .. I do have to upgrade my receiver bad but I need a new Blu player first then I can go all out.

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by timer00

Yea I think it has analog out .. I do have to upgrade my receiver bad but I need a new Blu player first then I can go all out.

According to owners at AVS... this model only has two-channel analog out (ie, for connection to a TV) -- so, completely worthless for PCM or decoded TrueHD audio to a receiver. That said, it reportedly bitstreams TrueHD (multi-channel) and DTS-HD MA correctly over HDMI for those with compatible receivers.

[timer00]

Originally Posted by JadedRaverLA

According to owners at AVS... this model only has two-channel analog out (ie, for connection to a TV) -- so, completely worthless for PCM or decoded TrueHD audio to a receiver. That said, it reportedly bitstreams TrueHD (multi-channel) and DTS-HD MA correctly over HDMI for those with compatible receivers.

so yea I am going to upgrade to a HDMI DTS-MA TrueHD receiver hehe. Hopefully can do that in about a month.

[Scoob]

Originally Posted by JadedRaverLA

According to owners at AVS... this model only has two-channel analog out (ie, for connection to a TV) -- so, completely worthless for PCM or decoded TrueHD audio to a receiver. That said, it reportedly bitstreams TrueHD (multi-channel) and DTS-HD MA correctly over HDMI for those with compatible receivers.

I am curious how the Sammy 1500 compares to the Philips 7200 I just bought. So far they both bitsream hi res audio, but the Philips has 5.1 analog outputs to at least output PCM and DD+. Look forward to hearing more about this player. Mulligan.....are you out there????????

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by Scoob

I am curious how the Sammy 1500 compares to the Philips 7200 I just bought. So far they both bitsream hi res audio, but the Philips has 5.1 analog outputs to at least output PCM and DD+. Look forward to hearing more about this player. Mulligan.....are you out there????????

Yeah, its a bit of a tough call. The Philips has 5.1 outs. The Samsung can potentially be upgraded to BD-Live (Profile 2.0). Samsung, though, has had a "flaky" (I'm trying to be nice here) track record with their previous players, and getting out updates has been an issue. Philips first-gen was a Samsung clone, so this is their first real player.

Personally, the choice between a manufacturer with a "flaky" reputation and one on their first real model would likely cause me to wait and see what kind of player issues appear on either model.

[mulliganman]

I am not sure how they compare. This weekend will be the soonest I am probably able to set up my Samsung 1500. I decided to take a risk on it because I was tired of waiting on the Panasonic BD50, this can be upgraded to Profile 2.0, and the price point. I thought about the Panasonic BD30 but I am afraid of what I might miss out on with a Profile 1.1 player. To me, I know Samsung players have had some issues but it is a risk worth taking I feel like. If this player proves to have problems or I am not satisfied with it, I will return it just like I would have with the Philips 7200. I am anxiously waiting to hear cnet has to say about the player.

[timer00]

Originally Posted by mulliganman

I am not sure how they compare. This weekend will be the soonest I am probably able to set up my Samsung 1500. I decided to take a risk on it because I was tired of waiting on the Panasonic BD50, this can be upgraded to Profile 2.0, and the price point. I thought about the Panasonic BD30 but I am afraid of what I might miss out on with a Profile 1.1 player. To me, I know Samsung players have had some issues but it is a risk worth taking I feel like. If this player proves to have problems or I am not satisfied with it, I will return it just like I would have with the Philips 7200. I am anxiously waiting to hear cnet has to say about the player.

mulligan,

I'll be testing this around the same time as you also (Friday) at the latest I'll let everyone know my thoughts also.

[Mr. Cinema]

This was also posted by CNET last month:

"But while Samsung giveth future BD-Live support, it taketh away DTS-HD Master Audio decoding. We originally reported that the BD-P1500 would have onboard DTS-HD Master Audio decoding--based on what we were told by Samsung--but now we're been told that the BD-P1500 won't have DTS-HD Master Audio decoding and that DTS-HD High Resolution decoding will only be supported by a future firmware update, no word as to when that update is coming. The BD-P1500 will have onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD out of the gate, but we really expect all but the cheapest Blu-ray players to have full support for DTS-HD Master Audio at this point, especially after its been added to the PlayStation 3."

If this player actually plays all discs problem free like my Panasonic, I may pick it up. Especially if I can get it for $350. Someone mentioned before that they thought the TrueHD decoding would start out as 2.0. Why would a 4TH GENERATION player start out with 2.0? I think it'll be 5.1.