SAMSUNG Blu-ray Player Review: Budget Wins but Wi-Fi Fails
Some refurbished electronics fade fast, but the SAMSUNG Blu-ray DVD Disc Player with Wi-Fi (Renewed) has sparked both praise and outrage depending on who you ask. Scoring a conditional 6.8/10, it’s celebrated for crisp picture quality and streaming convenience, yet plagued by recurring Wi-Fi dropouts and erratic Blu-ray playback.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — excellent for budget buyers who stream often, risky for heavy Blu-ray disc users
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent 1080p picture quality via HDMI | Wi-Fi connection often unreliable |
| Built‑in streaming apps like Netflix, Pandora, YouTube | Slow boot and long disc load times |
| Compact design, fits small spaces | Frequent freezing with Blu-ray discs |
| Easy setup for most users | No indicator light for power status |
| Affordable refurbished pricing | Remote ergonomics and app selection criticized |
| Good for secondary/kids' rooms | Poor long-term firmware support |
| Streams smoothly when hardwired | No HDMI cable included in some purchases |
Claims vs Reality
Samsung markets this player as delivering “Full HD 1080p playback via HDMI” with “built‑in Wi‑Fi” to access smart features without fuss. In practice, Reddit user feedback shows the picture claim largely holds up: “The video quality is excellent. On par with players costing much more.” Streaming services like Netflix display crisp visuals, especially when using an Ethernet connection.
The Wi-Fi promise, however, falters. A verified Best Buy reviewer noted: “The problem was that the Wi-Fi connection was unreliable and it would drop often. After about a week the connection would not work.” While officially billed as easy to connect, multiple owners describe repeated SSID re‑entry and network setup every time the unit powers on—contradicting the “stable” wireless experience sold in marketing.
Samsung also claims “DVD upscaling to near HD quality.” That enhancement does shine according to Amazon buyers: “Picture quality is great… DVD playback is enhanced.” But Quora reviewers caution that “loading seems slow when first put in compared to others,” revealing a lag that undermines quick-start aspirations.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
From Amazon to Best Buy, buyers almost unanimously appreciate the sharpness of both Blu-ray and upscaled DVDs. Trustpilot reviewers concede “picture quality is amazing… easy to hook up.” This clarity appeals to movie buffs with large DVD collections who want those older discs to look good on modern TVs.
Compact size draws consistent applause. Twitter feedback like “small and compact yet contains a nearly endless assortment of media playback features” resonates with apartment dwellers and those looking to tuck a second player into bedrooms or kids’ spaces.
Ease of setup is another cross‑platform win. On Quora, one owner shared: “Installed easily… worked immediately and connected easily to their Wi-Fi.” Many bypassed headaches by using Ethernet, reporting flawless streaming afterward.
Common Complaints
The single most repeated complaint: unreliable Wi-Fi. Best Buy and Trustpilot reviewers vent about constant buffering, network drops, or outright inability to connect. As one Trustpilot user put bluntly: “Shortly after the warranty expired the internet capability quit working. It buffered a lot before it broke-down.” For streaming fans without access to wired connections, this can be a deal-breaker.
Blu-ray playback errors also haunt users. Reports from Reddit include grinding noises, skipped scenes, or freezing mid‑film. “What good is a Blu-ray player if it can not play movies?” one frustrated buyer exclaimed after repeated resets failed.
Load times are another sore spot. Even positive reviewers admit to 75–90 second waits from power-on to menu. Those accustomed to near‑instant start will find this slows the movie night momentum.
Divisive Features
Ergonomic choices split opinion. The touch‑style manual buttons are modern to some, but others on Quora complained they “prefer raised buttons that provide tactile feedback.” Missing indicator lights on the front also annoy certain owners, while others shrug it off.
App selection divides streaming fans: some celebrate Netflix, Hulu and YouTube integration, while others lament missing services like Movies Anywhere. The limited app ecosystem leaves savvy streamers dissatisfied but fulfills basics for casual viewers.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot paints a grim picture for long‑term reliability. Owners warn of firmware updates disabling features—Netflix compatibility vanished for some after a July update. Others experienced total Wi-Fi failure just beyond warranty. “This was my third Samsung Blu-ray player in three years because they all kept dying,” one reviewer observed.
Reddit threads echo premature failure stories—units freezing permanently, refusing discs, or losing sound. Even Twitter users, while generally satisfied in the first year, note quirks like “no power light” as minor irritants.
For cautious buyers, the pattern suggests these units may serve well in light use scenarios but risk breakdown under heavy Blu-ray or constant streaming workloads.
Alternatives
Several competitors stand out in community mentions. The Sony BDP‑S1700 earns praise for “quick start… less than a second” and stable upscaling, appealing to impatient viewers. Panasonic’s DMP‑BD84 offers compact design and strong DVD upscaling, ideal for non‑Wi‑Fi needs, sidestepping Samsung’s connectivity flaws.
For global disc collectors, Megatek’s region‑free player supports multi‑format DVD with premium audio output. Though it won’t play Blu-ray, it excels in versatile, reliable playback—an area Samsung refurb owners often wish theirs would match.
Price & Value
At around $149.99 renewed on Amazon, the SAMSUNG unit undercuts many new Blu-ray players with similar specs. eBay resale pricing hovers between $30–$50 depending on condition and included accessories, showing steep depreciation—likely tied to reliability doubts.
Community buying tips stress inspecting for included cables and remotes; some refurb packages omit HDMI. As Twitter user noted: “It does not come with HDMI cables, so you need to purchase that.”
FAQ
Q: Does the built-in Wi-Fi work well?
A: It depends. Ethernet connections are stable, but many reviews mention frequent Wi-Fi dropouts, requiring repeated setup.
Q: Can it upscale regular DVDs?
A: Yes, to near‑HD 1080p quality. Users report noticeable improvement in older DVDs’ clarity.
Q: Is it compatible with all streaming apps?
A: No. Netflix, Hulu, YouTube work, but app selection is limited compared to modern streaming devices.
Q: How fast does it start up?
A: Boot time averages 75–90 seconds to disc menu, slower than some competitors.
Q: Does it come with accessories?
A: Refurbished units vary; some include remotes and cables, others don’t—check listing details.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a budget-conscious viewer with strong Ethernet access and value sharp DVD/Blu-ray visuals in a compact form. Avoid if Wi-Fi streaming is your primary use or you demand flawless Blu-ray playback. Pro tip from community: hardwire the internet connection to bypass most streaming headaches.
