Samsung BD1500, anyone have review?

Chris Gerhard · 10-20-2008, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyBill

The price on the 1500 was so good out of Amazon, I purchased without reading a review (mistake). The picture was good and sound very good. Problem: The player suffered intermittent video loss when playing Chicken Little, Sleeping Beauty, and other Disney standard DVDs. Called Samsung and did all things as instructed, including resetting. Then went to on-line help and did the firmware update. Same problem (not to mention needing to reset again as I lost all audio after the update). So I contacted Amazon for a refund and when boxing, I noticed the unit was surprisingly hot. I guess if I just wanted to play blu-ray disks and some others, this unit would be okay (I did not find one non-Disney DVD that did not work) but I want a unit that plays all my DVDs...oh, well, I guess the Blu-Ray implementation is back on haitus.

Those issues could be related to overheating.

Chris

Chris Gerhard · 10-20-2008, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sns_guy

It seems if you don't play at leat a minute or two before hand it may or may not do it. it happens between 1:12 and 1:14 but if you start at Chapter 17 and play it up to 1:15 is when it should happen. It also seems to happen in Chapter 17 or 18 can't remember which at 1:22 - 1:23 right when Lewis starts walking away from the time machine. Those are the ones that happen almost every time. Other areas may or may not do it in spurts. As for heat related issues it gets pretty hot. Not burning my hand hot but rather warm after playing certain discs. As for issues caused by it if there are any what are they? Thanks for checking this out for me.

SNSGUY

I played through that segment beginning at the start of chapter 17 without issue with Lossless Uncompressed PCM audio. My best guess is that since it is intermittent, meaning you can't repeat it everytime, it is player related and heat related. Those particular segments include data more prone to decoding errors and the player doesn't perform as well when hot. Someone more technical than I am might be able to better explain or have a better guess. I don't think that disc would give any of my players problems.

Chris

ack_bak · 10-20-2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyBill

The price on the 1500 was so good out of Amazon, I purchased without reading a review (mistake). The picture was good and sound very good. Problem: The player suffered intermittent video loss when playing Chicken Little, Sleeping Beauty, and other Disney standard DVDs. Called Samsung and did all things as instructed, including resetting. Then went to on-line help and did the firmware update. Same problem (not to mention needing to reset again as I lost all audio after the update). So I contacted Amazon for a refund and when boxing, I noticed the unit was surprisingly hot. I guess if I just wanted to play blu-ray disks and some others, this unit would be okay (I did not find one non-Disney DVD that did not work) but I want a unit that plays all my DVDs...oh, well, I guess the Blu-Ray implementation is back on haitus.

Can't blame you for returning it. My 1500 should be here tomorrow. FYI, from what I have read the Samsung 1500 tends to run hot as there is no internal fan. One question though. I noticed with my Samsung 1000 that it was very picky about playing dirty or scratched discs. Were your discs scratched or dirty? Did you try cleaning your discs before playing them? Since this is mostly for my kids, if the 1500 has issues playing Disney DVD's then it is going back. I got a great deal on the player, but if it cannot play movies it is not worth it. Will report back when I have it up and running. It seems like Samsung players are hit and miss. Some people either love them or hate them.

ack_bak · 10-22-2008, 09:10 AM

Here is my review:
I received and hooked up my Samsung 1500. My receiver is an Onkyo 605 which I will bitstream to, and my video source is a Mitsubishi 4900 1080p projector throwing to a 100" screen. I am sitting 11.5ft away from the center of the screen. I do have ambient light control, and to compare I am the previous owner of a Samsung 1000 which I sold for a PS3. Here is what I have found so far:

Setup: Setup was a snap. First I installed the latest firmware (2.0) via USB. No surprises here. After the firmware update and reboot I configured the date, time, and language. I then disabled screen messaging, selected Bitstream Audiophile for the audio choice, disabled dynamic compression under audio (I hate that this is set to "on" be default), and disabled PCM downsampling. I did not set this up on the network as I will not be using this player for BD Live. I thought the menus were easy to navigate and straightforward. Not nearly as many options and features as the PS3, but I think many people that are not techies will prefer Samsung's simpler menu and straightforward approach.

Load times: Huge improvement over the Samsung 1000. Slightly slower than the PS3 (Sleeping Beauty was much slower, but Iron Man and Indy 4 load times were pretty close to the PS3). DVD load times were snappy. No complaints here. I would say it is faster than my Toshiba HD-A2 player and slightly slower than the PS3. If someone is coming from a Samsung 1000/1200/1400, Sony S300, or other gen 1 BD SAL players the 1500 will seem lightning fast.

BD movies tested:
Iron Man (approx 30 mins)
Sleeping Beauty (approx 15 mins)
Indy 4 (approx 30 mins)
For Your Eyes Only (could not get disc menu to load)
Ratatouille (approx 15 mins)

DVD's tested:
Star Wars Episode 3 (approx 10 mins)
Chicken Run (approx 10 mins)
Lion King (approx 10 mins)
LOTR Return Of The King (approx 10 mins)

Performance: I felt the PQ was very close to my PS3 with regards to BD playback. I might give a slight edge to the PS3, but it is most likely too close to call. PQ for DVD playback was slightly below the PS3 and A2, but ever so slightly. I felt it was better than the Samsung 1000, but I am trying to go off of memory. I would say it is an average upscaler. AQ was on par with the PS3. I did not really notice any advantage to bitstraming vs decoding in the PS3 and sending out PCM. Both players sound terrific.

Playback Issues: Every disc loaded and played perfect with the exception to "For Your Eyes Only". That movie would load the Interpol warning screen and then would refuse to do load the menu and the screen would stay black. A quick search revealed several other players (Panasonic BD10A, LG200) were having the exact same issue, so it could be an authoring issue on the disc (although the PS3 loaded and played the movie without a hitch). So at this point in time I cannot blame Samsung too much here, but it is discouraging as the PS3 could play it. Everything else played perfect without any audio or video glitches.

So far I am quite pleased with the performance of the player for the price I paid. It is a sharp looking player although the screen is a little too dim for me on the front of the player even on the bright setting. It is definitely a little louder than the PS3 with regards to the drive reading the BD discs. But once the discs load, the player is silent. I have the other Bond movies and Hulk coming tomorrow and I will do some more tests throughout the week. Apparently people were only having an issue with For Your Eyes Only and not the other Bond movies, so I may call MGM and ask for an exchange if a new disc is authored that addresses the issue (unless Samsung fixes it).

ack_bak · 11-05-2008, 12:54 AM

Quick update on the Samsung 1500. I have now played approximately 30 movies on the 1500 and continue to be impressed by this player. I have not had any issues outside of the one Bond movie (FYEO that appears to have a java authoring issue).

More good news as well. Samsung is planning on releasing a firmware update to allow internal decoding of DTS-HD-MA

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10080379-1.html

Quote:

On the upside, Samsung is now promising that all three units will get full DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, rather than the step-down DTS-HD High Resolution decoding (one of those three units being the 1500).

**PFC5** · 11-11-2008, 03:38 PM

Great news for owners. Lets hope they get it out on time and without issues.

Thanks for the update. I may consider the 2550 model or this model at some point with this news. I would love to utilize the Netflix streaming on the 2550 and the SO chip.

E55 KEV · 12-02-2008, 08:54 PM

New 2.1 Firmware Update by CD, USB or Ethernet:

build date : 2008-12-02 Firmware Update

<BD-P1500 Firmware Ver 2.1>
Date: Dec.2, 2008

This Firmware update provides the following benefits: 1. Improves playback compatibility of some movie titles.

http://www.samsung.com/us/support/do...sp_nm=BD-P1500

Chazz 3 · 12-03-2008, 09:23 AM

This update is avalible today? I updated my player on Friday this is a new update?

E55 KEV · 01-02-2009, 01:24 PM

sorry, no update yet

E55 KEV · 01-07-2009, 08:14 AM

Finally here:

<BD-P1500 Firmware Ver 2.3>
Date: Jan.07, 2009
This Firmware update provides the following benefits:
1. Improves playback compatibility of some movie titles

http://www.samsung.com/us/support/do...sp_nm=BD-P1500

herkyjerk · 01-09-2009, 02:52 PM

If I were to buy one of these this month would it require an update right out of the box?

Cuda1169 · 01-09-2009, 04:17 PM

Yes. I recieved one for Christmas and updated before playing my first BD. You can update via CD or thumb drive. Just go the Samsung's website. The system will display the date of the current firmware and the new firmware and give you an option to update or not. Only update if the new firmware date is more recent than the current system firmware.

Halo360Fan · 01-10-2009, 12:20 AM

I have this player as well. I'm very impressed with it. Not a single problem.

E55 KEV · 04-14-2009, 04:12 PM

New firmware update available. Samsung website states:

<BD-P1500 Firmware Ver 2.4>
Date: Apr.16, 2009
This Firmware update provides the following benefits:
1. Improves playback compatibility of some movie titles.

coldfusion11 · 04-15-2009, 02:32 PM

I bought one of these units refurb on ebay for 150 shipped. I have played a handful of blu ray's on it and a handful of DVD's on it to my 42" panny S1 plasma.

Upconversion is great and it has played every disc (very good quality discs that is with no scratches) PERFECTLY.

Im guessing some issues with earlier models was fixed in the refurb I got. Noticed no problems with this model and I just upgraded to firmware 2.3 via CDR with NO problems what so ever.

Maybe im lucky.

I give it a 5/5 stars. Except I have nothing to compare it with though.

Hope this helps.

11-11-2008, 03:38 PM	#111
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,331	Great news for owners. Lets hope they get it out on time and without issues. Thanks for the update. I may consider the 2550 model or this model at some point with this news. I would love to utilize the Netflix streaming on the 2550 and the SO chip. __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier

12-02-2008, 08:54 PM	#112
E55 KEV High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Washington D.C. Posts: 1,032	New 2.1 Firmware Update by CD, USB or Ethernet: build date : 2008-12-02 Firmware Update <BD-P1500 Firmware Ver 2.1> Date: Dec.2, 2008 This Firmware update provides the following benefits: 1. Improves playback compatibility of some movie titles. http://www.samsung.com/us/support/do...sp_nm=BD-P1500 __________________ My Website www.E55AMG.com Last edited by E55 KEV; 12-02-2008 at 08:58 PM.

12-03-2008, 09:23 AM	#113
Chazz 3 HD Junky Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 28	This update is avalible today? I updated my player on Friday this is a new update? __________________ LG 42" LCD 1080P 60 HERTZ SAMSUNG BD-P1500 XBOX 360 HD IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO!!!!!!!! ******Chazz******

01-02-2009, 01:24 PM	#114
E55 KEV High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Washington D.C. Posts: 1,032	sorry, no update yet __________________ My Website www.E55AMG.com Last edited by E55 KEV; 01-02-2009 at 01:43 PM.

01-07-2009, 08:14 AM	#115
E55 KEV High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Washington D.C. Posts: 1,032	Finally here: <BD-P1500 Firmware Ver 2.3> Date: Jan.07, 2009 This Firmware update provides the following benefits: 1. Improves playback compatibility of some movie titles http://www.samsung.com/us/support/do...sp_nm=BD-P1500 __________________ My Website www.E55AMG.com

10-22-2008, 09:10 AM	#109
ack_bak Hidef Junkie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,416	Here is my review: I received and hooked up my Samsung 1500. My receiver is an Onkyo 605 which I will bitstream to, and my video source is a Mitsubishi 4900 1080p projector throwing to a 100" screen. I am sitting 11.5ft away from the center of the screen. I do have ambient light control, and to compare I am the previous owner of a Samsung 1000 which I sold for a PS3. Here is what I have found so far: Setup: Setup was a snap. First I installed the latest firmware (2.0) via USB. No surprises here. After the firmware update and reboot I configured the date, time, and language. I then disabled screen messaging, selected Bitstream Audiophile for the audio choice, disabled dynamic compression under audio (I hate that this is set to "on" be default), and disabled PCM downsampling. I did not set this up on the network as I will not be using this player for BD Live. I thought the menus were easy to navigate and straightforward. Not nearly as many options and features as the PS3, but I think many people that are not techies will prefer Samsung's simpler menu and straightforward approach. Load times: Huge improvement over the Samsung 1000. Slightly slower than the PS3 (Sleeping Beauty was much slower, but Iron Man and Indy 4 load times were pretty close to the PS3). DVD load times were snappy. No complaints here. I would say it is faster than my Toshiba HD-A2 player and slightly slower than the PS3. If someone is coming from a Samsung 1000/1200/1400, Sony S300, or other gen 1 BD SAL players the 1500 will seem lightning fast. BD movies tested: Iron Man (approx 30 mins) Sleeping Beauty (approx 15 mins) Indy 4 (approx 30 mins) For Your Eyes Only (could not get disc menu to load) Ratatouille (approx 15 mins) DVD's tested: Star Wars Episode 3 (approx 10 mins) Chicken Run (approx 10 mins) Lion King (approx 10 mins) LOTR Return Of The King (approx 10 mins) Performance: I felt the PQ was very close to my PS3 with regards to BD playback. I might give a slight edge to the PS3, but it is most likely too close to call. PQ for DVD playback was slightly below the PS3 and A2, but ever so slightly. I felt it was better than the Samsung 1000, but I am trying to go off of memory. I would say it is an average upscaler. AQ was on par with the PS3. I did not really notice any advantage to bitstraming vs decoding in the PS3 and sending out PCM. Both players sound terrific. Playback Issues: Every disc loaded and played perfect with the exception to "For Your Eyes Only". That movie would load the Interpol warning screen and then would refuse to do load the menu and the screen would stay black. A quick search revealed several other players (Panasonic BD10A, LG200) were having the exact same issue, so it could be an authoring issue on the disc (although the PS3 loaded and played the movie without a hitch). So at this point in time I cannot blame Samsung too much here, but it is discouraging as the PS3 could play it. Everything else played perfect without any audio or video glitches. So far I am quite pleased with the performance of the player for the price I paid. It is a sharp looking player although the screen is a little too dim for me on the front of the player even on the bright setting. It is definitely a little louder than the PS3 with regards to the drive reading the BD discs. But once the discs load, the player is silent. I have the other Bond movies and Hulk coming tomorrow and I will do some more tests throughout the week. Apparently people were only having an issue with For Your Eyes Only and not the other Bond movies, so I may call MGM and ask for an exchange if a new disc is authored that addresses the issue (unless Samsung fixes it).

01-09-2009, 02:52 PM	#116
herkyjerk Sports in SD is death Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 187	If I were to buy one of these this month would it require an update right out of the box? __________________ Samsung 52A860 LCD 1080p Onkyo 876 7.1 THX Definitive Tech SSA-50 Surround Bar Definitive Tech Pro Sub 800 Panasonic Blu Ray BD-60 Control 4 Universal Samsung 40A750 LCD 1080p Mitsubishi 46-149 Soundbar LCD 1080p Definitive Tech CLR 2300 LFE Only PS3

01-09-2009, 04:17 PM	#117
Cuda1169 My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The District Posts: 5	Yes. I recieved one for Christmas and updated before playing my first BD. You can update via CD or thumb drive. Just go the Samsung's website. The system will display the date of the current firmware and the new firmware and give you an option to update or not. Only update if the new firmware date is more recent than the current system firmware.

01-10-2009, 12:20 AM	#118
Halo360Fan Xbox 360+HDTV= Amazing Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 192	I have this player as well. I'm very impressed with it. Not a single problem.

04-14-2009, 04:12 PM	#119
E55 KEV High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Washington D.C. Posts: 1,032	New firmware update available. Samsung website states: <BD-P1500 Firmware Ver 2.4> Date: Apr.16, 2009 This Firmware update provides the following benefits: 1. Improves playback compatibility of some movie titles. __________________ My Website www.E55AMG.com

04-15-2009, 02:32 PM	#120
coldfusion11 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 56	I bought one of these units refurb on ebay for 150 shipped. I have played a handful of blu ray's on it and a handful of DVD's on it to my 42" panny S1 plasma. Upconversion is great and it has played every disc (very good quality discs that is with no scratches) PERFECTLY. Im guessing some issues with earlier models was fixed in the refurb I got. Noticed no problems with this model and I just upgraded to firmware 2.3 via CDR with NO problems what so ever. Maybe im lucky. I give it a 5/5 stars. Except I have nothing to compare it with though. Hope this helps.

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