Samsung Blu-ray DVD Player Review: Budget-Friendly but Risky
What surprised many buyers wasn’t the sleek design or app selection—it was how polarizing the SAMSUNG Blu-ray DVD Disc Player with Wi-Fi (Renewed) turned out to be. Scoring anywhere from a glowing 9/10 among satisfied users to an abysmal 1.1/10 on Trustpilot for certain refurbished models, this player has created two camps: fans who love its crisp video playback, and critics who swear off Samsung Blu-ray units entirely.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — great for budget-conscious users who value HD playback and Wi-Fi streaming, risky for those who prioritize speed and long-term reliability.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sharp Full HD playback via HDMI | Slow boot times reported by multiple users |
| Built-in Wi-Fi for streaming apps | Frequent Wi-Fi dropouts and connection issues |
| DVD upscaling to near-HD quality | Blu-ray playback failures and disc freezing |
| Compact, lightweight design | No remote included in some refurbished units |
| Easy setup appreciated by casual users | Limited customer support effectiveness |
| Affordable refurbished pricing | Streaming apps can lag or freeze |
Claims vs Reality
Samsung markets this refurbished Blu-ray player as offering "Full HD 1080p playback via HDMI" and "built-in Wi-Fi to access smart features wirelessly". On paper, these claims promise an effortless home theater upgrade.
Digging deeper into user reports, the video clarity does live up to the hype when discs load properly. A Reddit user explained: “The video quality is excellent. On par with players costing much more.” However, Wi-Fi functionality proved inconsistent. While Samsung promises reliable streaming, multiple Trustpilot reviewers for similar models described endless buffering during Netflix and app outages after firmware updates.
The company also emphasizes “DVD upscaling to near-HD quality”, which indeed impressed casual users. One Amazon buyer noted: “Plays CDs and DVDs seamlessly with good performance,” underscoring that legacy media benefits from visual enhancement. Yet, that promise becomes irrelevant if Blu-ray loading stalls—several Best Buy reviewers documented frozen playback “within the first 10 minutes of watching.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
One standout area is picture quality. From Amazon to Reddit, users consistently describe sharp output. A verified buyer wrote: “The screen is unbelievably clear, easy to hook up, easy to program.” This clarity appeals to classic movie collectors who want older discs to look refreshed without investing in 4K hardware.
Casual home users also benefit from easy setup. Quora reviewers praised the “quick to connect and easy to setup” process, making it an attractive option for non-technical households. Dorm room owners and grandparents alike reported smooth installation—helpful for turning a standard TV into a streaming-ready display.
Another firm win is compact form factor. One Amazon review of the BD-J5900 variant highlighted: “It is very compact and fits underneath the TV in my bedroom.” For users in small apartments, this design means saving shelf space while retaining full disc compatibility.
Common Complaints
Boot times are a recurring sore point. The Reddit BD-C6500 thread revealed startup delays “about 1 min 15 secs” before reaching disc menus. While that’s tolerable for patient viewers, those accustomed to instant streaming find it jarring.
More serious are Wi-Fi stability issues. A Trustpilot reviewer warned: “Shortly after the warranty expired the internet capability… quit working. It buffered a lot before it broke down.” Others faced repetitive SSID re-entry every time the player powered up, frustrating for frequent streamers and households relying on Netflix or Hulu.
Blu-ray playback reliability divides opinion sharply. Reports range from flawless operation to complete failure. A Best Buy customer vented: “Player froze up at all different random places within the first 10 mins of watching.” For collectors with large Blu-ray libraries, that kind of fault negates its value.
Divisive Features
The smart app suite garners both praise and criticism. Enthusiasts enjoy YouTube, Pandora, and Opera TV integration, while detractors call them “a little slow” or outdated compared to modern streaming boxes. Facebook access via remote keypad drew ridicule for its cumbersome text entry—functional but not user-friendly.
Some users love the auto-shutdown inactivity feature as energy-saving, while others find it intrusive, especially with no indicator light to signal power status, leading to confusion mid-use.
Trust & Reliability
Patterns from Trustpilot and Reddit show confidence eroding over time. Many failures occur just after the 90-day refurbished warranty. Cases include Wi-Fi modules ceasing to work, firmware updates breaking app compatibility, and sudden refusal to load new-release Blu-rays.
Support experiences often worsen perception. A Twitter/X reviewer recounted Samsung tech claiming HDMI wasn’t designed for surround audio—highlighting questionable training. Others had units returned from repair “without touching it” while still unable to connect to networks.
Long-term loyalists of Samsung’s TVs report stark contrast in quality between displays and Blu-ray hardware, with one Reddit user lamenting: “I love Samsung, but I wish this unit would work faster and not freeze as much.”
Alternatives
Only competitors mentioned in the data include Panasonic and Sony units. A Reddit user switched to a Panasonic model with a detachable Wi-Fi adapter and called it “works great” after failed Samsung experiments. Sony’s BDP-S1700, noted in product ranking sites, offers quicker startup and is often compared favorably for stability.
For strictly physical media playback, Panasonic’s non-Wi-Fi Blu-ray players win points for reliability and straightforward controls—ideal if streaming isn’t a requirement.
Price & Value
Amazon lists this model renewed around $169.81 plus shipping, but eBay resale prices vary widely—from $29.99 for basic tested units without remotes, up to $99 for more feature-rich models with UHD upscaling. The affordable resale market tempts budget shoppers but signals rapid depreciation, especially for refurbished electronics with short warranties.
Community tips suggest buying from sources that guarantee remotes—many complaints involve unexpected extra costs to replace missing controls. The value proposition hinges on weighing pristine video performance against potential connectivity headaches.
FAQ
Q: Does this refurbished Samsung Blu-ray player support 4K UHD?
A: No, it supports up to Full HD 1080p playback. Some Samsung models upscale to near-4K on compatible TVs, but this unit focuses on 1080p discs and DVD upscaling.
Q: Will it play CDs and older DVDs?
A: Yes, multiple users confirmed smooth CD and DVD playback, with upscaling improving visual quality on newer HD displays.
Q: Is the Wi-Fi reliable enough for Netflix streaming?
A: Mixed. Some report flawless Netflix performance, others suffer from frequent disconnections or buffering that limit usability.
Q: Does it come with a remote?
A: Not always. Several refurbished units ship without remotes, so confirm with the seller before purchase to avoid additional costs.
Q: How long does it take to start up?
A: Reports vary from under a minute to over 75 seconds before reaching disc menus, slower than many modern streaming devices.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re a budget-conscious viewer who values sharp Blu-ray/DVD playback, watches mostly physical media, and can tolerate occasional app sluggishness or slower start times. Avoid if you’re a streaming-first user who demands rock-solid Wi-Fi and instant access. Pro tip from the community: purchase from vendors offering remote controls and test connectivity immediately within the warranty window.
