Samsung BD-P2500 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player
Samsung’s BD-P2500 is BD-Live 2.0 Ready with an ethernet port so you can enjoy special interactive features, download extra content from the internet, and more. It has 1Gb of onboard memory and a USB port for memory expansion. You’ll enjoy bold color and crisp details with full 1080p resolution. The BD-P2500 also offers breakthrough enhancements such as Hollywood Quality Video (HQV) processing and 7.1-Channel analog audio outputs creating a powerful HD audio-visual experience. Plays Blu-ray discs, upscales standard DVDs, and is compatible with BD-ROM, DVD-ROM, DVD-R (V mode only), DVD-RW (V/VR mode), Audio CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and AVCHD discs. Movie night just got even more exciting – with the highest-quality audio and an incredible picture.Key Features Total BD Profile Compatibility right out of the box, lets you instantly enjoy the latest interactive features available, including BD Live (Profile 2.0) and Bonus View (Profile 1.1) Lots of Memory and Easy Upgradeability:
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1.0 out of 5 stars
Nothing But Trouble from Day 1 – Samsung BD-P2500 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player
Perhaps we just got a bad one, but I would not recommend this unit to anyone. (Samsung BD-P2500 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player) We purchased this unit November 28, 2008 from Amazon…
Very happy with this purchase! I’m glad to see Amazon has them back in stock. I have never had a problem with another seller – but I do prefer Amazon. I got my unit from a local retailer who I had a discount code for. With tax etc. I ended up paying what I would have paid on amazon. Unfortunately amazon now charges tax for us New York residents (not amazon’s choice…)
I digress.
I was initially going to buy the BD-P1500 just for it’s price point, but was drawn to this model when I found out about the Netflix feature.
The unit was well packed (nice to see manufacturers getting more conscious about being “green” with packing).
The unit is smaller than I expected and seems sturdy.
Box contained:
Player with permanently attached cord
Remote with batteries (aaa)
One AV cable (RCA red/yellow/white)
User guide
The anynet+ feature is nice if you have other Samsung components. I have a Samsung TV and because I used an HDMI cable to connect, the TV and Blu-ray player “talk” to each other. The player turns the TV on automatically and switches it to the correct input which is a nice convenience.
NETFLIX! This feature is so cool! The picture quality was amazing. I have the player connected to my linksys router with a cable using the net port on the back. I suppose you could do this wirelessly with some extra components. You have to log into netflix and cue movies on your PC, and then you can watch them on your TV through the player. It works really well. Note that this feature requires a firmware upgrade (see below for my complaint about this…)
Picture and sound quality seems wonderful!
Two small quirks/complaints:
1) Load time: It takes a good minute or so for a blu-ray disk to load initially. Once loaded response time is great, but that initial load time is long
2) Firmware upgrade: I connected the unit to my router and went to setup to have it check for an upgrade and was told that I already had the latest firmware, which I know I did not. If you turn the player on and don’t see the Netflix logo on the home screen, you probably don’t have the latest firmware. I went to the Samsung website, downloaded an update file which I then had to burn to a CD. Putting the CD in the player then sucessfully updated the firmware. I am not sure why the net upgrade option didn’t work, but I have seen other users complain about this online. A mild annoyance. The CD upgrade took about 5 minutes. It is also upgradable by USB using a flash drive.
All in all, I am very happy with this!
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love it!
I utilize the heck out of the Netflix & Pandora options! That’s the reason I bought it in the first place. I already have a PS3, so didn’t really need a new BD player.
I went to the big-box stores ready to buy a new Blu-Ray(BD)player and figured I would make my final decision of either the Panasonic BD-50 or the Sony BDP-S550 once I got there, as these are the two most popular BD players that offer what I want. Analog outputs were a must for me, since my Onkyo receiver only has HDMI passthrough. But surprisngly the one that caught my eye was the Samsung BDP-2500 for $75 less than either of the other models. It seemingly offered every feature that I needed/wanted including 7.1 analog outputs, USB and ethernet ports and now had a firmware update available with the Netflix streaming “Watch-now” Service to boot, which was a feature that greatly interested me on the pricier LG BD-300, the only other player to offer this feature so far. So with a 15% coupon that the big-box store mailed me to thank me for my purchase of my Samsung LN52A650, I picked it up for under $300, not bad since retail was $500 on this machine under 2 months ago. My only other BD player that I have owned to date is my PS3, so I don’t have a ton of experience evaluating BD player quality. But here are my early impressions; The Samsung BD picture is equal to if not slightly better than the PS3. Not only my own impression but 3 adult family members who have watched numerous movies on each player, on my TV, so that says something. But while BD quality is fairly close wit h a slight edge to the BDP-2500, where the BDP-2500 shines is Standard-Def(SD) movies. The upscaling is simply amazing. It is not even close, it simply blows away the PS3 in this category. For the technical types out there, this is due to the Samsung’s use of the Reon HQV video-processing chip. The chip is critically-acclaimed in tech circles and is used in Denon and some Toshiba BD players. So if you feel you will continue watching your collection of standard-def DVD’s, this machine scores big points here.
To address one of the other reviews that the buyer had issues with firmware updates. I have had no problem whatsoever with either the process of upgrading the firmware nor any issues with the player’s performance after upgrading. I personally recommend using the USB upgrade method over the network and CD methods. After the upgrade, Netflix Streaming video worked very good, although it should be noted that the Netflix streaming system does not stream in HD quality at this point. It is similiar in quality to a standard DVD.At some point, I’m sure it will go to HD, but don’t know when. It’s just nice to have fairly future-proof player for when it does. I know that Samsung has had some issues with previous BD players such as the BDP-1200 and even the current BDP-1500, but from what I’ve read and experienced, this machine is a marked improvement and hopefully approaches the awesome quality of their LCD TV line.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Be aware
This model and the 2550 are NOT wireless. The Samsung wireless dongle will not work. You need to hardwire this to the internet.
I decided not to skimp and not buy one of the “cheapo” entry level bluray players after hearing how slow most were and also how most were stripped of inputs and other functions.After doing alot of research, talking with a friend who bought this bluray player, and after trying out several units in the stores themselves, i decided that the Samsung BD-P2500 was the best Bluray player features/quality vs. cost and i’ve been extremely happy with the player since the day i picked it up.Not only is the color,picture, dvd upscaling better than most other bluray players, it blows away the new Sony BD350 AND BD550.
One piece of advice.The BD-P2500 IS NOT for the novice or someone that doesn’t want to spend the extra money(over a bargain/starter bluray player)for a Home Theater quality,profile 2.0 Bluray player.It has ALOT of features that require some learning to get to know how to use(
like the ability to upgrade the firmware with a usb 2.0 memory stick and pc.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Network connection only complaint
Picture quality is excellent and netlix is a great feature. The only problem I had was with updating the firmware. I attempted to do so via ethernet with no success.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exactly What I Was Looking For
When I was researching Blu-Ray players, I was looking for a player that produces very good picture and sound quality, Netflix streaming capability, and is easily upgradable, and…
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cool Netflix capability, very slow load times, occasional lock-ups
The first standard SD DVD I tried to play on this didn’t work until I updated the firmware using the USB method.
1.0 out of 5 stars
2 defective Samsung Blu – Ray units – terrible customer support
I purchased this product for my husband’s birthday in February. Loved it at first. Great picture and sound – easy set up.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good at upscaling to HD
This is a high quality product that does a great job with Blu-Ray as well as regular DVD video. The up-scaling from normal DVD to HD is done with a dedicated chip and is quite…
1.0 out of 5 stars
Sorry To Have Purchased This Player
Reference:Samsung BD-P2500 1080p Blu-Ray Disk Player
I regret having purchased this device. It continually flashes on the screen or causes the screen to white out and then…
1.0 out of 5 stars
Fun while it lasted (for 2 days)
We had been looking for a blu-ray player for some time and finally bought this since it streamed netflix. It lasted all of 2 days.
Initial signs were not good.