Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray Disc Player Review
Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray Disc Player
Summary
- Product Name: BD-P1000 High Definition Blu-ray Player
- Manufacturer: Samsung
- Performance Rating:
- Value Rating:
- Review Date: August 27, 2006 20:00
- MSRP: $ 999
- Specifications
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Key Specs:
- Blu-ray playback at content native HD resolution of 1080p/1080i/720p
- DVD up-conversion to output resolution of 1080p/1080i/720p
- BD-RE,BD-R,BD-ROM,DVD ROM,DVD RAM, DVD-R-RW, DVD+R+RW (undocumented), CD ROM, CD-R-RW playback compatible
- MPEG2, VC-1, H.264, HD JPEG decoding
- Dolby Digital, Dolby® Digital Plus, DTS®, MP3 audio decoding
- HDMI, component video, s-video and composite video inputs
- 10-in-2 memory card reader (CF, MD, Memory stick, Memory stick Pro, Memory stick duo, Memory stick Pro Duo, SD, mini SD, MMC, RS MMC)
- 12-bit/192MhZ video D/A converter
- 24-bit/192KHz audio D/A converter
- 1 Year parts/90 days labor warranty
Output:
- Analog Audio: Stereo, 5.1ch
- Digital Audio: Coaxial, Optical, HDMI
- Analog Video: Composite, S-video (no Blu-ray Disc output)
- Component Video: Y/Pb/Pr, NTSC 480i/480p/720p/1080i/1080p**
- Digital Video: HDMI with HDCP (NTSC 480p/720p/1080i/1080p)
** Component output for CSS-encrypted DVD discs is limited to 480i/480p only. BD software can lock out resolution above 480p via ICT and DOT tokens.
Firmware Updates: Upgradeable via CD-ROM
General Specification:
- Dimensions: 16.94"(W) x 3.11"(H) x 12.8"(D)
- Weight: 9.26 lbs
Pros
- Picture CAN look good on well-authored material
- 1080p upconversion of standard DVDs
- Excellent build quality
- Bargain price if compared to reference and esoteric upscaling DVD players costing much more
Cons
- Expensive debut (not atypical)
- Awkward remote
- MPEG-2 software underwhelming for most part
- Slow startup and menu navigation speed
- Most advanced features not fully implemented (or at all)
- Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD nowhere in sight
- Strict EDID implementation means it may not work at 1080p resolution with 1080p-capable displays
- Underwhelming software performance and availability
Introduction
Not a day goes by that I don’t get inundated with emails or news reports of something going on in the new high resolution DVD “format war”. I am determined to avoid the tendency to break into loquacious bouts of opinion regarding the formats and simply stick to reviewing this rather fine looking piece of machinery. Believe me, it’s easier and it makes my job a whole lot more pleasant if we keep the comparisons to their own articles where they belong. With that being said, Samsung is the first product to market for Blu-ray Disc and, as such, carries the burden of taking heat for anything not yet performing up to snuff with respect to the player’s capabilities. As we go through the various functions and utilities of the BD player, you’ll get to experience what I did and perhaps get a glimpse inside what makes this $1000 high resolution player tick.
