The war may be over, but the garbage continues...

[ADWyatt]

BD's victory will mean eventual mass acceptance of the hi-def DVD format, but it may be a long time before it means the production of high-quality players, at least so far as Samsung is concerned.

My BD-P1200 died before Thanksgiving in a rather unique way. After Samsung sent me an update disc for my 1200 (which it seems to require every time a new movie is released), I followed the usual procedures, but this time the machine ate the disc. The on-screen update message was displayed for two hours before I finally decided to eject the disc. (Yes, I would be stupid enough to wait that long.) It wouldn't eject. Tried to turn the unit off and on. It wouldn't turn off. I finally unplugged it, and when I plugged it back in, it still refused to eject the disc.

I contacted Samsung's tech center, of course, and sent the unit in the day after Thanksgiving. I'm still waiting for them to get around to repairing it.

I called them more than two weeks ago, asking them if they had forgotten about me. No, they hadn't, but they told me they didn't have any repair parts in their main repair center, and would have to have them sent from Japan. The parts should arrive any day now.

Called them last week. The parts are in. We'll have that repaired for you tomorrow, I was assured, and you'll get it in a few days.

Called them yesterday. They haven't started repairing it yet. But they decided now to give me the highest possible priority. We're calling you back immediately on this--stay by the phone--and your repair order is getting done immediately, almost as we speak.

It's Friday night now, as I type this. Of course, they didn't call me. Nor has anyone at Samsung even begun to start repairing my unit. Needless to say, I will never, but never, but NEVER buy another Samsung product again. The players are cheap, worthless garbage, and the tech service borders on non-existence.

And HD-DVD? My Toshiba HD-A1 did indeed malfunction shortly after I bought it, to the point where I had to send it to the Toshiba repair center. And the time it took to get it back from the moment I mailed it in? Three days.

[DealsR4theDevil]

Originally Posted by ADWyatt

And the time it took to get it back from the moment I mailed it in? Three days.

1) It may have been a minor problem with the Toshiba compared to the Samsung.

2) Who the hell buys HD DVD neway? I bet your player was fixed so quick because the entire HD DVD dept had nothing better to do.

[johnnyd1]

Originally Posted by DealsR4theDevil

1) It may have been a minor problem with the Toshiba compared to the Samsung.

.

Very True

[ADWyatt]

..., I love blu-ray. I'm perfectly happy that it will soon win the format war. I bought into HD the first time it came out, long before anyone knew who was going to win the war, because it was the new kid on the block. Not wise, but I don't think I became the only loser in the hi-def neighborhood.

But this thread isn't about HD vs. BD. I suspect that so many people here are so completely fixated on the war--which is understandable since winners love to rub it in--that they are no longer capable of logical reasoning. The post I wrote pertained to the quality of a player from a particular company.

Now let's look at reality here. There is no way--NO WAY--that it should take almost two months to repair any component. Several times I was told by Samsung techies that they would soon start working on my unit, and they still haven't gotten around to it. They won't give me a voucher for a new player, and they won't repair the one I sent in. What is a person supposed to do?

Of course, if we just HAVE to compare BD and HD, maybe it takes Samsung so long to repair players because their tech center gets flooded with them. Conversely, maybe Toshiba has a quicker turnaround because their units have comparitively fewer problems.

But all of this is just moot backbiting. All I want to do is buy a BD unit that will give solid, reliable service. And I don't want a noisy game machine as my main BD unit. Does anybody actually make a reliable machine, or is the Samsung nightmare going to last for a long time?

[mkelley]

Noisy game machine? I'm assuming you must be referencing the PS3, as it's the only game machine that does blu right now, but I can't understand the noisy reference.

I can't even tell mine is on unless I walk right up to it (indeed, I've left it on by mistake because of that). So you certainly can't call it noisy (unless for some reason units other than the 40gb one I have are noisier).

I love it as a player (my only use for it).

[johnnyd1]

Originally Posted by mkelley

Noisy game machine? I'm assuming you must be referencing the PS3, as it's the only game machine that does blu right now, but I can't understand the noisy reference.

I can't even tell mine is on unless I walk right up to it (indeed, I've left it on by mistake because of that). So you certainly can't call it noisy (unless for some reason units other than the 40gb one I have are noisier).

I love it as a player (my only use for it).

Mine is quiet also !

[pokerface]

My PS3 is very quiet as well, its a 60gig. As far as the poor guy with the Sammy, that sounds like a Samsung issue not a Blu issue.

[J6P]

Fellas, he doesn't care whether your PS3s are quiet or not, stop posting that. Many people simply do not want a game machine integrated into their home theater. It's anathma. Can not, will not happen.

Like so much in the CE world, I think it's a situation where you get what you pay for. BD has a wide range of hardware manufacturers working a wide range of prices, and the heavier-duty equipment does command a premium.

Sorry about your Samsung issues, but that seems to have a lot more to do with their sorry customer service record than the hardware. I've heard bad things about them, and this is coming from somebody with a Samsung DLP.

I hope they sort you out!

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by mkelley

Noisy game machine? I'm assuming you must be referencing the PS3, as it's the only game machine that does blu right now, but I can't understand the noisy reference.

I can't even tell mine is on unless I walk right up to it (indeed, I've left it on by mistake because of that). So you certainly can't call it noisy (unless for some reason units other than the 40gb one I have are noisier).

I love it as a player (my only use for it).

My PS3 is so quiet, more than once I've actually forgotten to turn it off. If the OP is talking "noisy game machines", maybe he's confused it with the Xbox 360?

[Edh63]

Dump your 1200 and get a 1400. Haven't had any problems with it. The 1400 is a solid player. I had a 1200 and took it back. Traded it for a 1400. Have the latest FW and it plays flawlessly.

I have a Samsung 50" Plasma HDTV and it works wonderfully. No regrets and never have looked back. So far I have no issues with Samsung except for their generation 1 and 2 BDPs, and those aren't really my issues.

[blindcat87]

Well you must be a red troll since you said something bad about a BD player right? Of course I am totally joking here. I think some folks troll radar is just set a little too high these days.

I've always liked Samsung's displays but have never been fond of their players ever since a Samsung VCR died on me exactly on the day the warranty expired.

Did you buy the player with a CC or other debit card processed by one of the major CC companies? If so, I would check and see if your card has purchase protection. A lot of them will extend warranties on stuff you buy for a year past the manufacturer's warranty and they also will often help with lemon protection. It might not apply to your situation, but if you did buy it with a card, it might be worth seeing if they can help you or if you can use that as a stick to get the Samsung folks off of their lazy butts. Maybe they are just swamped with repairs, but if that is the case it doesn't speak any better towards Samsung as the best brand to go for.

I hope you can get the problem resolved, frankly I think they should give you a new player and a voucher for a couple of free movies for the inconvenience, but if they continue to drag their feet, bringing your CC company into it might get you results or a refund so you can get a different player.

Chris

[mystiksuicide]

Originally Posted by ADWyatt

BD's victory will mean eventual mass acceptance of the hi-def DVD format, but it may be a long time before it means the production of high-quality players, at least so far as Samsung is concerned.

My BD-P1200 died before Thanksgiving in a rather unique way. After Samsung sent me an update disc for my 1200 (which it seems to require every time a new movie is released), I followed the usual procedures, but this time the machine ate the disc. The on-screen update message was displayed for two hours before I finally decided to eject the disc. (Yes, I would be stupid enough to wait that long.) It wouldn't eject. Tried to turn the unit off and on. It wouldn't turn off. I finally unplugged it, and when I plugged it back in, it still refused to eject the disc.

I contacted Samsung's tech center, of course, and sent the unit in the day after Thanksgiving. I'm still waiting for them to get around to repairing it.

I called them more than two weeks ago, asking them if they had forgotten about me. No, they hadn't, but they told me they didn't have any repair parts in their main repair center, and would have to have them sent from Japan. The parts should arrive any day now.

Called them last week. The parts are in. We'll have that repaired for you tomorrow, I was assured, and you'll get it in a few days.

Called them yesterday. They haven't started repairing it yet. But they decided now to give me the highest possible priority. We're calling you back immediately on this--stay by the phone--and your repair order is getting done immediately, almost as we speak.

It's Friday night now, as I type this. Of course, they didn't call me. Nor has anyone at Samsung even begun to start repairing my unit. Needless to say, I will never, but never, but NEVER buy another Samsung product again. The players are cheap, worthless garbage, and the tech service borders on non-existence.

And HD-DVD? My Toshiba HD-A1 did indeed malfunction shortly after I bought it, to the point where I had to send it to the Toshiba repair center. And the time it took to get it back from the moment I mailed it in? Three days.

Well, sadly enough Samsung just doesn't seem to care about Blu-Ray at this point in time because your story is not unique, Samsung is the most returned blu-player in the market. They make great TV's but when it comes to blu-players they're an embarrassment. To future Blu-Ray owners don't buy a Samsung player until they decide to produce a quality product

[kolasi]

Originally Posted by mkelley

Noisy game machine? I'm assuming you must be referencing the PS3, as it's the only game machine that does blu right now, but I can't understand the noisy reference.

I can't even tell mine is on unless I walk right up to it (indeed, I've left it on by mistake because of that). So you certainly can't call it noisy (unless for some reason units other than the 40gb one I have are noisier).

I love it as a player (my only use for it).

i have a 60 gb and its beyond quiet too.

[Banjo]

Originally Posted by kolasi

i have a 60 gb and its beyond quiet too.

Same here. If it's noisy, something may be wrong with it.

[johnnyd1]

Originally Posted by J6P

Fellas, he doesn't care whether your PS3s are quiet or not, stop posting that. I!

Read it again. He said "Noisy Game Machines" !!

[eva-01]

Its really bad the way Samsung have treated your problems, but i'm afraid its indicative of Samsungs support of Blu ray and they really should put far more effort into getting their players working properly. Its a shame, because Samsung are a very good company and generally make very good stuff, but their players are the ones with the most problems and many users are still waiting on firmware updates so that they can play the newer disks.

Samsung - step your game up

I think from other recomendations, the Panasonic BD30 is one of the best standalones out now and at a good price too and i haven't heard of many problems with it at all

I hope you get your problem resolved asap

[Dynamo of Eternia]

I had a similar problem with my BD-P1200 system last summer where a firmware update disc was just hanging there, and my machine got "bricked". Though in my case it took about 3 or 4 weeks to get it back, but still longer than I feel it should have taken.

I have both formats, and it was actually the frustrations with firmware upgrades with this player that caused me to even try HD-DVD in the first place.

Since then, I've gotten a PS3 for my Blu-Ray needs and am a lot happier with it.

Originally Posted by DealsR4theDevil

2) Who the hell buys HD DVD neway? I bet your player was fixed so quick because the entire HD DVD dept had nothing better to do.

That's a nice juvenile response that adds absolutely nothing to the conversation. Thanks for that pointless contribution.

You know, HD-DVD is just a format, it's not some kind of disease, despite what some people around here would make it out to be. And since Toshiba is the main backer of HD-DVD, it makes sense that they would work hard to get players fixed when/if there is a problem. Samsung does not have the same vested interest in Blu-Ray.

Blu-Ray does have many advantages over HD-DVD... I don't deny that. But, Blu-Ray is far from perfect.

And I will say that HD-DVD having more of a finalized spec from day 1 at least helped prevent problems on this kind of a level from happening.

Now, before people blast me for this, am I sayting HD-DVD is flawless? hell no. It had it's issues, too, and from time to time a firmware update might have been needed to get movies to play, though more often than not the firmware was more optional than anything.

Having said that, there is definately a huge problem with Samsung and their customer service. That seems to be a big part of the heart of this problem. However, the lack of a more finalized spec for Blu-Ray (as well as Fox pushing for their BD+ protection and all of that stuff) is also a part of the problem. If the spec was more finalized, then it would leave less room for error on the parts of companies like Samsung.

Blu-Ray is great in many ways and has many advantages, but IMO this is not one of them. Over time I'm sure these issues will become less and less, but for now they are an annoyance. Just because I am criticizing one aspect of Blu-Ray does not mean that I am some HD-DVD fanboy, I am just speaking from experience of having tried out both formats. I can fairly weigh in on the pros and cons of each as a result, and not just base my responses and thoughts of the other format based on what others have said and a bunch of exagerated assumptions.

Originally Posted by ADWyatt

..., I love blu-ray. I'm perfectly happy that it will soon win the format war.

As am I, despite these issues.

I suspect that so many people here are so completely fixated on the war--which is understandable since winners love to rub it in--that they are no longer capable of logical reasoning.

Exactly!. And the thing is this, there were pros and cons to jumping on board with either format. Had the cards been dealt differently, it isn't completely inconceivable that HD-DVD could have won. So, my point is that while anyone who has Blu-Ray and only Blu-Ray can and should be happy that they have the winning format, keep in mind that ANYONE who adopted EITHER format early was taking a risk at being on the losing side, and you are LUCKY (despite what ever reasoning and research went into your buying decision) that you are on the winning side. So try not to act so high and mighty and superior because of it. I've seen some comments refering to how anyone who bought into HD-DVD is stupid (and others akin to that), and it's just uncalled for and out of line.

But all of this is just moot backbiting. All I want to do is buy a BD unit that will give solid, reliable service. And I don't want a noisy game machine as my main BD unit. Does anybody actually make a reliable machine, or is the Samsung nightmare going to last for a long time?

Well, speaking as someone who recently got an 80gb PS3 to replace this crappy Samsung unit, I can say that the machine really isn't noisey at all. I might hear the fan going if there is absolutely NO other sound in the room and I am trying to listen to it. As long as you aren't keeping the machine right next to your head while watching a movie, you aren't going to hear the fan running, or any other noise from the system for that matter as long as it is working correctly (and from most things I've heard, the PS3 is a pretty solid system with few problems).

But whatever you do, DO NOT replace this unit with another Samsung model. While the other models haven't had quite as many problems as this one, there have feen a few hiccups with them... more so than most other BD players, and given Samsung's crappy service, you're better off not subjecting yourself to that again.

[ADWyatt]

...and believe me, I really feel badly that a number of other people in this forum have experienced the same problems with Samsung that I have. I just hope they weren't among the first to buy the BD-P1200 as I was, getting bit for $800.

Apparently, I was wrong to say that the PS3 was a noisy machine; evidently, it's not. I said that based on the info that I was given from both video magazines and sales staff from places like Best Buy. Why they would give me that info, I don't know, but there's usually some kind of politics involved.

As for my situation, for the present I will limp along with the BD-P1200 when (if) I get it back, and then look seriously into a third-gen unit when those models begin appearing around Christmas. I'm assuming those will be 2.0 machines. If I had paid just a few hundred dollars for the 1200, I would probably e-bay it immediately, but $800 is too much to throw away so quickly.

Again, thanks everyone, for your help and advice.

[SavagePotato]

Samsungs blu ray efforts are a joke. If your going to go with a standalone player the panasonic offerings seem to be the best choice. 1.1 support and none of the firmware madness of the samsung ones.

I considered the 1200 at one point to go along with my samsung 5084, Im more and more glad every day that I went with a ps3 instead. Unless you plan to get some $2000 pioneer player I don't see why anyone wouldn't get the ps3.

[PLASMA-1080P-FULLHD]

SAMSUNG is actually purple not tru-blu and so is LG. U should have go with PS 3 or Panasnic. They are more proven CE company in term of overall reliablity of their products. Samsung might be a reliable TV maker but that dosent mean their blu-ray player has proven its reliability.