Samsung Blu-ray Player Renewed Review: Strong But Risky
One Best Buy reviewer sounded almost shocked: “It hasn’t ever played a full movie without stalling.” That sums up a recurring frustration with the SAMSUNG Blu-ray DVD Disc Player (Renewed) — a product that can deliver crisp picture quality when it works, but is plagued by reliability concerns in refurbished form. After combing through Amazon, Best Buy, Reddit, Trustpilot, and consumer platforms, this player lands at 5.9/10 overall: excellent visuals, easy setup, but a troubling failure rate beyond the first few months.
Quick Verdict: Conditional – strong video quality and smart features when operational, but refurb reliability is questionable.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sharp Full HD playback via HDMI | High rate of disc read failures over time |
| DVD upscaling to near-HD quality | Audio often out of sync with video |
| Built-in streaming apps (Netflix, Hulu, etc.) | Heat issues – no internal fan |
| Easy setup, intuitive menus | Short labor warranty (90 days) |
| Fast disc loading compared to older models | Common “Unable to Play Disk” errors |
| Attractive refurbished pricing | LAN-only on some models; Wi-Fi absent |
Claims vs Reality
One of Samsung’s main marketing hooks is Full HD 1080p playback with DVD upscaling, promising “greater detail and clarity” for standard discs. On paper, this is true — several users report noticeably better DVD output. A Best Buy customer noted: “Blu-ray movies do look sharp and DVDs look better and sharper.” However, the reality breaks down when units fail to read discs at all. Multiple owners described DVD functionality disappearing after months.
The brand also leans heavily on its built-in streaming apps pitch. While streaming does work, some buyers found it redundant if they already have a smart TV. As one Amazon reviewer put it, “It’s a bit redundant… if you already have a smart HDTV.” Worse, on certain refurb models, Netflix and Hulu setup was “a little difficult” and occasionally laggy, especially on LAN-connected units.
Another touted feature is fast disc loading times. Reddit user accounts verify this — one described the player as "very fast loading compared with my other BD player." Yet, rapid loading is of little comfort when discs fail mid-play. The “green screen” glitch reported by some persists until a manual unplug-reboot cycle is performed.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Visual performance is the one area without dispute. Blu-ray playback delivers excellent sharpness, accurate color, and solid upscaling for DVDs. Amazon buyers frequently praised picture clarity, with comments like “Great 4K picture… regular Blu-ray is heightened to a greater viewing sensation” for upscaling-capable models. For film enthusiasts with existing disc collections, the unit’s Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD support can provide immersive surround sound when paired with capable audio systems.
Setup simplicity is also mentioned across platforms. Verified buyers describe out-of-box readiness: plug in HDMI, optionally connect Ethernet or Wi-Fi, and you’re ready. Firmware updates, when available, are straightforward — “…after plugging it in and turning it on, I did a software update… took about 4 minutes” recalled one Best Buy reviewer.
Fast-loading behavior benefits impatient users wanting minimal downtime between pressing play and seeing their movie. In side-by-side tests from experienced owners, boot-to-disc times beat some rival brands.
Common Complaints
Durability is the Achilles' heel. Reports consistently show refurb units failing within 3 to 6 months. One Trustpilot reviewer warned: “It stopped working and you cannot return to Amazon… now you are out money and have to get rid of the junk.” The failures vary — some units stop reading DVDs, others reject Blu-ray discs with “Unable to Play Disk” errors.
Audio sync issues are another sore point, particularly for viewers sensitive to lips not matching dialogue. “The audio was not in sync with the video. This was very annoying…” lamented a Best Buy buyer, noting it distracted from the film entirely.
Heat management is poor, with multiple mentions of the player becoming “very hot because the player has no internal fan” after 30 minutes. For marathon movie nights, that’s a problem.
The refurb warranty structure exacerbates frustration: one year on parts but only 90 days on labor, meaning repairs quickly become expensive. Several owners faced $150 labor fees plus shipping.
Divisive Features
Streaming capabilities split opinion. Some loved having Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime directly on the player — “…makes binge-watching Netflix easy” — while others said they preferred faster, more stable streaming boxes like Roku.
LAN-only models without Wi-Fi upset some who expected wireless, but others welcomed wired stability for smoother streaming. Redundancy of smart apps in households with newer TVs also divides value perception.
Trust & Reliability
Patterns across Trustpilot and Reddit indicate recurring issues even in non-refurbished Samsung Blu-ray models: mid-movie stoppages, random reboots, and blue screen glitches. One long-term owner recounted buying Samsung again after four years with LG, only to see “it stopped in the middle and went back to the beginning… never again will I buy Samsung products.”
Support experiences range from unresponsive sellers to Samsung declining warranty coverage on refurbished purchases. Many felt trapped after the labor warranty expired, with repair costs exceeding replacement price. For some, these failures undermine brand trust entirely.
Alternatives
Community comparisons frequently cite the Sony BDP-S5500 or Panasonic compact Blu-ray models. Sony wins on usability, with better remote ergonomics and streamlined menus, though Samsung often loads discs faster. Panasonic appeals to minimalists with small form factors and no-frills reliability — a stark contrast to Samsung’s feature-heavy but failure-prone refurb units.
Streaming purists lean toward an external device like Roku or Amazon Fire TV Stick for more stable app performance, pairing it with any basic Blu-ray player for disc use.
Price & Value
Amazon Renewed pricing for the 1080p Samsung models hovers around $149–$189, with 4K UHD-capable versions priced higher when available. eBay resale shows used units selling from $27 to $70 depending on age and model, with new old stock commanding significantly more for rare high-end players.
The low refurb price often tempts buyers, but considering the high failure rate, some community voices advise factoring potential repair or replacement costs into your budget. One experienced buyer urged: “Spend the extra money” for a more reliable unit rather than risking repeated downtime.
FAQ
Q: Does it upscale DVDs to HD quality?
A: Yes, it can upconvert standard DVDs to near-HD resolution, enhancing sharpness and detail. However, repeated failures to read DVDs have been reported in refurbished units.
Q: Are streaming apps included?
A: Many models offer preloaded apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. Performance varies — wired LAN tends to be smoother than Wi-Fi.
Q: Can I connect it wirelessly?
A: Only specific models have built-in Wi-Fi. Others require Ethernet for internet access, which some buyers found limiting.
Q: How long does a refurb typically last?
A: Longevity is inconsistent. Some last years, while others fail within months. Heat issues and disc read errors are common failure modes.
Q: Is the remote included?
A: Most Renewed listings include a remote; however, some buyers reported purchasing units without one and successfully using remotes from other Samsung devices.
Final Verdict
Buy if you value sharp video quality, want built-in streaming for a non-smart TV, and can accept the risk of shorter refurb lifespan.
Avoid if audio sync is critical, you need long-term durability, or you’d rather not deal with potential repairs soon after purchase.
Pro tip from the community: If you do buy refurbished, test all disc types extensively in the first 90 days, and consider pairing the player with a separate streaming box for better app performance.
