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Samsung BD-P1500: Review

Posted to Video Components 2009-09-11

A budget Blu-Ray player that is good for the first time Blu-Ray buyer is the Samsung BD-P1500. Although this model is tricky to consider from mixed consumer experiences, it is easy to use and reasonable in price. The Samsung BD-P1500 is far from perfect, however, and should be thoroughly compared and researched before you decide to purchase it. Known issues involve audio cutouts and video sync errors, most of which have been corrected by firmware updates. If you are on a strict budget, then this is the player for you; otherwise, save up more money and buy a better model.

At 16.9 inch x 10.8 inch x 3.3 inch and 8.6 lbs, the Samsung BD-P1500 is fairly standard in size and weight when compared to similar models. It is not as compact and lightweight as several more expensive players, but the keyword for this model is budget. Some consumers have had great experiences with this Blu-Ray player, while others have had severe issues with technical errors that can only be corrected with firmware updates. And even still, some issues remain. Aside from the troubles, we find the features and capabilities impressive for the price, despite the negative attributes attached with it.

Rating:

3.6 out of 5

Value

For the price, this Blu-Ray player is a bargain- especially when retailers offer even more discounts. One of the reasons for the budget price is that competition among manufacturers is getting tighter. Samsung stepped up the heat by throwing some newer features (such as BD-Live) into a simple model that would appeal to the consumer's pocketbook. Unfortunately, there have been some performance issues with the Samsung BD-P1500, so if you have a larger budget we would recommend you spend more for a higher-tier model.

Features

If you use an older receiver, you may want to look at a different model because this one lacks multichannel analog outputs. The onboard audio decoding may also disappoint some users. Aside from missing the features we all love, the Samsung BD-P1500 seems to be satisfactory as far as features go. This model comes with one HDMI port, one component video output, one composite audio/video output, one digital audio (optical) output, one Ethernet port, and one USB port. Although we hoped to see more plug-ins, this is sufficient for the casual user. After the latest firmware updates, this player supports Blu Ray Profile 2.0 (including BD-Live).

Summary

In summary, this Blu-Ray player is recommended for budget-tight users who may not frequently watch Blu-Ray movies. Although it has become more stable with each firmware update, the unreliable performance may have some consumers looking elsewhere. But when it comes to power and features for the price, the Samsung BP-P1500 is a great deal. Consider buying this model if you are a first-time Blu-Ray customer, or if you don't want to spend more than this price. The majority of reviewers and consumers give this model three out of five stars overall.

Pros

Integrated 1080p output and available DVD up-conversion
Features HDMI 1.3, USB, composite, and component ports
Ethernet port for supported BD-Live and firmware upgrades
Great for first-time buyer, otherwise spend more elsewhere

Cons

Originally unreliable, but improved with each update