Samsung Blu-ray BD-D5700 Review: Great Picture, Flawed Wi-Fi
The harshest criticism came from Twitter users, where the SAMSUNG Blu-ray DVD Disc Player with Wi-Fi (Renewed) model BD-D5700 received just 1.1/10 from eight reviews, with complaints about Wi-Fi being “non-existent” and devices failing soon after warranty expiration. Yet, scattered across Amazon, Best Buy, and Quora, others praised its sleek form factor, excellent picture quality, and smart streaming capabilities—provided you can tolerate the quirks.
Quick Verdict: Conditional
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Crisp, high-quality Blu-ray playback in 1080p | Wi-Fi connectivity often unreliable over time |
| Built-in smart apps for Netflix, Hulu, YouTube | Slow boot times reported by many users |
| Easy setup, especially with Samsung TVs | Freezing and skipping during Blu-ray playback |
| Affordable refurbished pricing | Short lifespan in some cases—failures within months |
| Compact design fits small spaces | No 5GHz Wi-Fi band, limited bandwidth for HD streaming |
| USB port for media playback | Some refurbished units missing remote control |
Claims vs Reality
Samsung markets this Blu-ray player as delivering "Full HD 1080p playback via HDMI" with "built-in Wi-Fi" and "DVD upscaling to near-HD quality." The official description also touts streaming apps, quick networking via AllShare, and compatibility with PCs, smartphones, and tablets.
Digging deeper into user reports, the Full HD playback claim holds strong. Quora reviewer on BD-H5900 noted: "Great picture and sound quality... all my Blu-rays look fantastic." Several Amazon buyers confirmed beautiful output from both discs and upscaled DVDs. However, the real-world streaming experience is more mixed.
While the built-in Wi-Fi is billed as reliable, numerous Reddit and Trustpilot feedback shows persistent dropouts, failed connections, and reconfiguration requirements after each shutdown. One frustrated Best Buy customer said: "The unit will not connect to the internet via Wi-Fi or wired connection... no solution forthcoming." This problem disproportionately impacts users who rely heavily on apps like Netflix and Hulu.
Quick start promises also falter. Official specs list startup in seconds, but Reddit user complaints contradict, citing “total boot time… about 1 min 15 secs.” For those who expect near-instant playback, that's a tangible gap between marketing and lived experience.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Amazon Renewed listings, Best Buy’s BD-H5900 reviews, and Quora insights, strong consensus emerged on video performance. Verified buyers consistently referred to "excellent picture quality" even on refurbished units. For home theater enthusiasts, that means their DVD library gets an unexpected boost in clarity through the player's upconversion. Netflix viewing also shone when connections held, with Reddit reviewers noting “perfect” streaming quality in stable environments.
Ease of setup is another standout—especially for Samsung TV owners. A Best Buy reviewRead shared: "It auto reads the player when powered on." For less tech-savvy households, connecting via HDMI and having the TV recognize the player without manual input proved a major convenience.
Compact size was echoed across eBay listings as a plus, fitting neatly into small living rooms or bedrooms. Amazon buyer @W*** commented: "It isn't our main player, but in the bedroom it does the job perfectly." The USB port receives glowing remarks, allowing simple playback of movies, photos, and music from flash drives, helping bridge old media habits with modern convenience.
Common Complaints
Wi-Fi instability dominates the complaints. Trustpilot and Twitter users alike experienced chronic drops, buffering on Netflix, and complete failure to connect. One Twitter reviewer summarized: "It buffers so often it's hard to watch a movie." This especially affects cord-cutters depending fully on streaming rather than physical discs.
Blu-ray playback glitches also appear frequently—grinding noises, freezes within minutes of starting, or skipping frames. A Best Buy reviewer vented: "Blu-rays skip and freeze up… returning today." Those issues disproportionately frustrate collectors with extensive disc libraries.
Another recurring problem: slow performance. From boot time to loading menus, some found the player tested their patience. Reddit user feedback likened it to "repeatedly cycling through setup every time I installed a Blu-ray disc," with initializations taking longer than average.
Missing essentials in refurbished packages created more frustration, particularly absent remote controls. Best Buy had to issue apologies and send replacements after customer complaints about undisclosed omissions.
Divisive Features
The sleek touch controls without tactile feedback split opinion. Style-conscious users liked the minimalist face, while traditionalists missed raised buttons. As one Quora reviewer put it: "Controls on the player… I prefer raised buttons… but it's the current trend."
Built-in apps drew both appreciation and criticism. Fans liked the breadth—Netflix, YouTube, Vudu, Pandora—but others wanted broader app stores or newer services. And while DVD upscaling was praised, those expecting miracles found the difference subtle compared to native Blu-ray.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot records show cautionary tales: refurbished units failing mere months after purchase, Wi-Fi dying shortly after setup, and Samsung customer service offering minimal resolution beyond factory resets. Twitter users reported post-warranty breakdowns, leaving them with unusable hardware.
On Reddit, “six months later” stories often involve declining connectivity or audio failures. One user lamented: "Visual on the screen, but no sound… fixed for two weeks, then problem returned." While some refurb owners enjoyed years of service, others saw devices die before their first holiday season.
Alternatives
Within the same category, competitors mentioned in user discussions include Panasonic’s DVD-S700, praised for HDMI ease-of-use and reliable upscaling, and Sony BDP-S1700, noted for quick start times. Panasonic’s affordable units appeal to non-Wi-Fi users who prefer bulletproof disc performance, while Sony targets those valuing interface and boot speed over breadth of apps.
Samsung’s own higher-end models, like BD-JM57 or 4K UBD-K8500, win on advanced features, but still carry occasional firmware update controversies that mirror lower-tier reliability complaints.
Price & Value
Amazon Renewed pricing hovers around $149.99, with eBay resale often dipping under $40 for tested units without remotes. Market trends show that while these players can be picked up cheaply, missing accessories and potential for repairs lower resale appeal. Community buying tips urge checking for included remote and HDMI cables, and factoring in possible Wi-Fi limitations before purchase.
FAQ
Q: Does the player support 5GHz Wi-Fi?
A: No, multiple Amazon reviews confirm it operates only on 2.4GHz, which is slower and more congestion-prone for HD streaming.
Q: Can I use it without a remote control?
A: Yes, via touch panel buttons, but most users find it impractical. Best Buy shipped replacement remotes when refurb packages arrived incomplete.
Q: How long does startup take?
A: Many users report around 1 minute 15 seconds from power-on to disc menu, longer than competing midrange models.
Q: Will it stream Netflix reliably?
A: Only if Wi-Fi stays stable. Numerous reports mention dropouts and buffering; Ethernet connection may reduce risk.
Q: Is the DVD upscaling noticeable?
A: Yes, especially for large collections. Users noted sharper detail and color, though it can’t match native Blu-ray quality.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a Samsung TV owner who prioritizes excellent disc playback and basic streaming in a compact form. Avoid if streaming reliability is essential or you expect lightning-fast menu response. Pro tip from the community: Use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi whenever possible—many Wi-Fi problems vanish with a cable.
