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Samsung BD-P1590: Review

Posted to Video Components 2009-10-19

Have you grown tired of the standard movie experience and you want a high definition player can that do more than just play Blu-Ray disks, then you may want to check out the Samsung BD-P1590. Unlike most stand alone Blu-Ray players, the BD-P1590 offers the option to stream Netflix directly to your TV, allowing you to never be without some form of movie experience.

Measuring 17 x 2.13 x 7.83 inches and weighing only 6.4 lbs, the BD-P1590 provides users with high definition video combined with a variety of other features that may be hard to come by on lesser priced models. Like most, the BD-P1590 supports the ability to play standard and Blu-ray DVD's as well as CD's, allowing you to hold onto your existing movie collection for just a little longer. It also comes equipped with a HDMI port, composite video out, component video out, s-video out, optical digital audio out, coaxial digital audio out as well as analog audio outputs. There is also an Ethernet port so you can connect it to your home network for streaming video. Users also have the option to upgrade the systems firmware, but your device needs to be connected to the network in order to accomplish this.

Rating:

3.0 out of 5

Features

In a market full of Blu-Ray players, the BD-P1590 offers users access to some added options that may not normally be found on its competitors models. It provides users with the ability to stream Netflix and Pandora media directly to their TV, provided the device is connected to the internet. Netflix streaming allows you to watch anything that is listed in the Netflix's Watch Now section, which includes HD content. In order to use this feature you will need to sign-up for a trial account, and with the use of your computer logon to Netflix and enter the code provided onscreen. At that point your player is activated and ready to use for streaming video.

The Pandora streaming option is an added bonus on this player. It gives you the ability to stream free music to your TV. If you want to use this feature, you will need to have an existing Pandora account. Once your account has been created, setup is really easy. Just enter your information via the system menus and soon you will have access to all your accounts stations with the ability to add new ones as you see fit.

The BD-P1590 is also wireless ready which means it has the ability to connect to your wireless home network with the assistance of an optional wireless LAN adapter. This option allows you to connect to the internet wirelessly, allowing you to install the player in any room that you choose, just as long as it can receive good signal strength you're your wireless devices. This device is also BD-Live 2.0 ready which gives the user access to a wide range of multimedia functionality. With downloadable video, ringtones, and games, just to name a few, the BD-P1590 has the ability to be your all in one entertainment source.

This player also comes equipped with an all in one remote that utilizes the anynet+ technology. If you happen to have multiple Samsung devices in your home, the remote from the BD-P1590 gives you the ability to control them all with a touch of a button making it a true plug and play device.

Performance

The BD-P1590 performs quite well for a Blu-ray player but it is not without its drawbacks. While it does provide the ability to up-convert standard DVD's to 1080p, performance is varied with Blu-Ray disks with some users experiencing either failure after a few movies with some disks not even playing on their machine. Another common issue occurred following a firmware upgrade. Some users experienced a complete failure of the BD-P1590. The player ceased to function, rendering it completely useless. Pandora also seems to experience a certain amount of freezing after firmware patches are applied which can be quite frustrating if you enjoy listening to streaming music.

One other minor drawback is that the box for the BD-P1590 claims it is Wireless LAN ready. In reality you need to purchase a separate accessory in order to connect the device to your wireless network. If you would like this functionality, make sure to purchase the accessory before you take it home, otherwise you will have to run an Ethernet cable to your router in order to obtain internet access.

Summary

In conclusion, the Samsung BD-P1590 provides you with access to a variety of features not commonly found on Blu-ray players. While it does provide decent video quality, the BD-P1590 does suffer some problems when it come to firmware upgrades, or disk compatibility. If you don't mind the risk of obtaining a faulty player, than the Samsung BD-P1590 may be the way to go.

Pros

1080p up-convert ability
Firmware upgradeable
Netflix streaming
Pandora Streaming

Cons

Player failure after firmware upgrade