Samsung Entry Level Blu-ray Player

With a touch control panel, slim profile, Samsung Apps, and ability to play all current formats of DVDs and CDs, this Samsung player is a great entry level 3D player for consumers who want the latest technology without going high-end. Although it does not have built-in wireless (see the Samsung BD-C6800 3D Blu-ray Player for the least expensive Samsung 3D player that does), it can be connected directly to your system via ethernet/LAN or using the Samsung LinkStick adapter. (More on this later.) The DVDs load fairly quickly, and the output is clean, with little noise from the machine, unlike the early Samsung Blu-ray players. The sensitive touch controls are wonderful, although they can take getting used to since I was used to pushing buttons — and that only moved this lightweight player out of position.

What this has: connection for LAN; USB port for the Samsung wireless adapter or a flash drive; one HDMI port; two-channel output; Samsung apps/Internet TV (needs to be connected to your home broadband network); and, of course, 3D playback.

About the Samsung Remote Control

What this does not have: 5.1 or 7.1 audio output (I channel mine through a 7.1 receiver, so this doesn’t matter to me); an extra HDMI port; internal memory; built-in wireless. For these features, you’ll have to go up the Samsung 3D player line. The remote control is inexcusably clunky, but the good news is that the sleek remote for Samsung 3D TVs can operate the BD player, so you can stash it away, never to need it again.

If you want to have Samsung apps and Internet TV on your home theater system (Netflix, Pandora, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Facebook, etc.), you must connect to your home network. Because Samsung has not made its “low end” 3D TVs with built-in Wi-Fi and because this player doesn’t come with built-in Wi-Fi, either, you have several choices. If you buy a Samsung LinkStick Wireless Adapter , you can use it on your TV most of the time, then switch it to your 3D Blu-ray player for wireless updates or BD Live since Samsung’s 3D TVs come with all the Internet TV apps that the player does. You can also connect this Blu-ray player via LAN cable to a gaming adapter or other wireless network extender. You can connect your player directly using LAN/ethernet cable to your router, if the two are close. Or you can skip this player and instead go up to the next model. which may cost less than the price of a LinkStick.

Samsung BD-C5900 Summary

You will need a 3D player to play 3D Blu-ray disc on your 3D TV, and this player is a great option. It’s sometimes offered as part of a promotion, so many people who might have paid the extra for built-in Wi-Fi end up with this instead. Not to worry. It is a great player, and the issues — such as the Wi-Fi issues and two-channel playback — can be overcome with minimal effort. Is this the best player Samsung offers? No. Is it worth the price? Absolutely. This works as well as the other players in the 3D line but without the extra features. Even if you don’t yet have a Samsung 3D television, this player offers enough to make it worth considering.

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First Impressions of UN46D8000 LED HDTV

We just purchased the UN46D8000, Samsung’s latest 240hz, 3D, LED HDTV. I’ve waited years to buy just the right LED display. Almost pulled the trigger last year when the C series came out, but I’m glad I waited. This display is by far the best LED TV out there. Thin, bright, amazing color, incredible contrast, spectacular blacks (true, deep blacks)! And I’m very picky and waited years to buy the best. I believe that Samsung continues to be the leader in LED HDTVs. Interface and set up was very easy. It’s also not too heavy. Fantastic build quality. Sleek and modern looking. SMALLEST outside edge bezel of any display out there. Simply the perfect LED HDTV.

Incredible Service for UN46D8000 LED HDTV

In addition, I had a question for Samsung over the weekend. I went online, got the 800 number and called. No wait! The support person answered my question right away. Incredible service.

You will likely get the best price from ABT Electronics. A rep at Samsung’s display store on Columbus circle in NYC recommended them to me and they were fantastic. Best price (they will negotiate over the phone), free shipping and no sales tax. Unit came with the free 3D starter kit. LED display is well packed and I had no problems connecting it to my new Denon surround sound system and Samsung BD-D6700 Blue-Ray 3D DVD player (also got a great deal on these from ABT).

I recommend getting a Samsung Blue-Ray with this LED HDTV. Best to match the brands = fewer compatibility problems.

Don’t hesitate one second if you are considering another LED HDTV. I spent the last year watching and researching these displays and the D8000 is by far the best.

BTW, normal channels through your cable provider don’t render well on this or any other LED HDTV. You MUST switch out your cable box to an HD model. Time Warner’s HD channels start on 700. All the HD channels are amazing on this TV. Just don’t get worried when you switch to a regular channel and it doesn’t look good. It’s not the LED display.

Blu-ray Recommendations for this LED HDTV

For an amazing high end system, I recommend this LED display along with the BD-D6700 blue-ray and the Denon AVR-4311CI surround sound receiver with built in amplifiers. It’s all you need in addition to a great set of speakers (remember the speakers are most important so don’t go cheap on the speakers). I got rid of my B&K separate preamp and amplifiers (which were much more expensive) and this system sounds much better and is easier to use! The LED HDTV automatically connects to the Blu-Ray and switches ports when you turn it on. Cool.

The Samsung apps work pretty well but they are clearly still young and need development. I spent nearly two years researching TVs and am very happy I got this Smart-TV model. Dynamic LED backlighting was a key feature for me, there is absolutely no flashlighting or ghosting, blacks are deep and solid. This is surely one of the best LED HDTVs out there right now and I would whole-heartedly recommend it.

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Samsung LED HDTV

We are in the process of remodeling our house, packing and moving things around. I was looking for a 65″ LED HDTV and wanted to wait till next year after the house was finished, but having the grand daughters over changed my mind since our 26″ was a little too small for them.

I decided to purchase the 55″ UN55D8000 after seeing it at Paul’s LED HDTV down the street and researching it for a week. We received the free Shrek and Megamind package first. The shipping company called several days after the order was placed to schedule a time and date for delivery. So far so good. The LED HDTV came in about a week. They bring it in for you and plug it in to see if it works, but don’t hook up any video source. I came home just when they were leaving as it only took several minutes for them to remove it from the packing and plug it in. I had it up on the wall within 15 minutes, only having to install the bracket on the back. The screws that came with the bracket were a little too long or too short, but I had some 8mm x 25mm screws that were perfect.

Comparisons with LED HDTV

After watching it and playing around with the Smart TV Web functions for several days, we noticed that most of the LED HDTV shows looked like it was (live) or that you were behind the camera watching. It was that clear, or as if you were in the same room when they were filming, and this was from cable TV, just regular shows we watch everyday. OK, so getting to the 3D part. I removed the glasses from the package, trying to be very careful (my nature) and removing the protective film from each lens, I noticed one lens was shattered! My heart just dropped. What the heck!

I didn’t notice it was broken when I removed it from the package, so did it happen during or after, I really don’t know. I got on the computer and found the return policy from Amazon, as I have never returned anything in my life, well maybe one or two things but found it was very easy as they send UPS to the house with a label and picked up the package, after I repacked it and put the required info inside. I left it on the porch with a note (take me!) Amazon sent out another Shrek/Megamind BD/3D glass kit and I received it in a couple of days! That was fast.

We watched a 3D movie last night, Resident Evil, Afterlife. The movie didn’t (pop) out for us. I tried to adjust it during the movie but my wife wanted to watch the movie, so I waited till it was over. After fiddling with the remote (get to that later) I found the 3D settings and adjusted the depth and POW, there it was, right in front of me, 3D as it should be. Now it looks like someone bored a hole in the wall behind the TV and added a table in front to hold stuff that was just hanging out in the breeze!

Lets get back to the remote. I did notice that the keys do have some bounce, that is, you type in a i and you get 2 or 3 of them. Same with most of the buttons, at least I’m going to say most as it is probably inherent to the electronics in the remote, so my solution for this problem is to push the keys fast.

3D Glasses with LED HDTV

Getting back to the Shrek Blu Ray kit, the tape they use to hold the glasses in is very sticky, to the point that it makes it difficult to remove the glasses. I was very careful (more so than at first) to remove this plastic film from the temples that held them in. Also removing the film from the lens itself, as the lens is very thin. I think the frames should have gone all the way around the lens for protection. I think they made them the way they are so you get the feeling of open space and not seeing a frame as you would in most glasses. I do agree with others that Samsung should have included a copy of the instructions, but I can see why they didn’t. Maybe put it on a CD so you can print it out yourself. I will be calling the hot line to get a copy as someone mentioned here as I like reading about all of the different settings.

I did purchase the 3D Blu Ray player/7.1 sound system kit. It came several days before the LED HDTV did, so I was able to set it up prior. All I have to say is its ok, as I am an audiophile, its as good as can be expected from a kit, but it sets up fast and is probably good enough for most people.

I am planning on using this system in the bedroom after the house is remodeled and getting a 65″ model, hopefully a Samsung again, as the glasses will be compatible and probably use another sound system, possibly with my own stereo speakers. 55″ is OK for me, but I think a 65 incher will be a blast in the living room. Just to confirm the remote setup with what everyone mentioned, mine didn’t setup from 10 feet away, I tried several times until I remembered the instructions saying to be several feet away, and just like magic it worked, so read the instructions people.. But of course to do that you have to get the remote working before you can access the e-structions on the LED HDTV.

I have not seen any stray light or ghosting or anything out of the norm, but will be looking for anything strange. The sound from the built in speakers is fine for watching LED HDTV. Much better than the rear projection Sony I bought 20 years ago! Several reasons I bought a LED HDTV was that it doesn’t get as hot as a plasma, it weighs less and doesn’t get the burn-in. Maybe some of the older LCD screens were not as good but so far this LED HDTV is going to make me fat, cause I’m going to watch more LED HDTV and get less exercise! Now I’m on a mission to find 3D Blu Ray movies.

Summary of Samsung LED HDTV

After watching quite a few 3D movies, I have come to the conclusion that the 3D is not quite as deep as what you see on the big screen. A little disappointing to me but still a nice picture. We are all enjoying the large screen and 3D effects. BTW, I also own the 3d system sold 15 years ago. Using the supplied glasses and convertor box it isn’t bad except for the flicker on a CRT TV. I tried the old 3D DVD’s hoping that something would work but it didn’t. Maybe someday I can design a convertor that will make them work on the new LCD as well as LED HDTV..

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