Samsung Blu-ray Wi-Fi Player Review: Mixed Reliability Verdict
Digging into thousands of user experiences shows a split personality for the SAMSUNG Blu-ray DVD Disc Player with Built-in Wi-Fi (Renewed) — some owners rave about flawless playback and streaming, while others describe chronic Netflix failures and unresponsive buttons. On balance, the model earns a 6.8/10: capable hardware with clear picture and decent app support, but inconsistent reliability, especially among refurbished units.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — worth it for budget-conscious buyers prioritizing Blu-ray/DVD playback, risky if streaming apps like Netflix are mission-critical.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent HD/Full HD picture quality | Frequent Netflix/app connectivity issues |
| Smooth DVD upscaling to near-HD | No front display or power indicator |
| Built-in Wi-Fi for streaming | Touch-sensitive buttons prone to failure |
| Compact design, fast setup | Slow disc tray and boot time unless using Quick Start |
| Good value in refurbished market | Inconsistent refurb quality, DOA units reported |
| Plays burned DVDs reliably | Limited app selection without Opera TV store use |
Claims vs Reality
Marketing emphasizes Full HD 1080p playback via HDMI and a built-in Wi-Fi smart hub for apps like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube. While visually, users confirm “the image was amazing” (Best Buy review), the streaming promise falters. A verified buyer on Amazon noted: “Has a lot of trouble with Netflix,” and multiple Reddit reports confirm connection prompts, expired activation codes, and unusable apps.
Samsung also promotes DVD upscaling to near-HD quality, a claim largely validated in practice. One Amazon user reported jumping their old 720p displays to 1080p with this player: “Imagine the satisfaction of seeing all my DVD's jump to 1080, they look amazing.” Even budget buyers noticed “significant upscaling of DVD’s, both store-bought & ‘burnt’ copies” (Best Buy).
Finally, the company touts wireless content sharing with AllShare. In reality, some owners never test this, while others like a Best Buy reviewer found it “sure there will be no issues,” but warned the on-screen keyboard for typing text “is a huge pain.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Picture quality tops the praise list. Several buyers replacing decade-old DVD players were impressed with the crispness of both Blu-ray and DVD playback. A Best Buy customer said it “even makes my old DVDs look as crystal clear as possible.” Amazon users echoed that “the screen is unbelievably clear, easy to hook up, easy to program.”
Setup simplicity appeals to non-tech-savvy households. One diarist in Best Buy’s reviews wrote, “I set it up in minutes… I am so happy… would highly recommend this unit to anyone looking for a wireless Blu-ray.” In Amazon’s refurbished segment, buyers often boasted these units arrived looking “brand new” with protective coatings still intact.
Compact size and design styling also win favor. The touch-sensitive top layout and translucent materials drew praise for appearing “high tech” and fitting in small AV shelves. For families adding discreet secondary players in bedrooms or garages, the footprint is “perfectly acceptable…performed its intended functions without a problem.”
Common Complaints
Streaming reliability is the most consistent frustration. Buyers expecting reliable Netflix support frequently hit authentication loops or freezing mid-stream. Best Buy’s BD-EM57 reviews include “don’t buy if you want Netflix” and “Netflix is awful on this…constantly restarts in the middle of a show.” Amazon refurb customers sometimes found apps restricted to 11 pre-installed titles with no significant updates.
Hardware quirks hurt usability: no front LED or display makes it hard to tell if the unit is powered on. Several called this “a ridiculous design flaw.” Touch-sensitive buttons have been reported to fail entirely within days, leaving only the remote functional — and sometimes that failed too.
Refurbishment quality varies wildly. Multiple reviewers received DOA units or ones with broken disc doors; one Best Buy buyer described the first shipment as “a joke…shake it and it sounds like a maraca!” Repeat exchanges occasionally yield another faulty unit. This aligns with Twitter/X feedback warning that refurbished Samsungs can be hit-or-miss.
Divisive Features
Wi-Fi performance splits opinion. Some found it “picked up the signal without any problem…highly recommended” for streaming in rooms far from routers. Others struggled to connect or maintain signal, even with strong nearby access points. A Twitter/X review detailed calling Samsung tech support, only to be told HDMI wasn’t for surround sound — eroding confidence in support quality.
DVD upconversion gets consensus applause, but app ecosystem causes division. Opera TV gateway allows expanding beyond the curated Samsung list, pleasing tinkerers. Others dismiss the offered apps as “outdated movies I’ve never heard of…haven’t updated them in the 3 months I’ve owned it.”
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot-style and Reddit narratives reveal recurring skepticism over refurb vetting: “I wonder if Best Buy actually ensures that items are working and just labels them as refurbished.” Several advise purchasing extended warranties, anticipating early failures. Owners sometimes celebrate stable units lasting years, but equally common are early breakdowns — failed buttons, crashing Netflix, frozen firmware updates requiring hard reboots.
Long-term Amazon users report better luck if the unit is immediately updated, kept in Quick Start mode, and used primarily for physical media rather than streaming.
Alternatives
Where streaming stability matters, frustrated owners often pivot to Panasonic or Sony players. One Twitter/X user abandoned Samsung after five consecutive faulty units, noting Panasonic’s “faster start-up time” and better picture. The CNET review of Samsung’s BD-P4600 even suggested most shoppers “will be perfectly satisfied with the cheaper BD-P3600” rather than paying more for design flourishes.
Price & Value
Current refurb prices hover around $39–$69 on eBay for basic Full HD units, climbing to $149+ for UHD/3D models. Amazon Renewed listings start around $44 and sometimes include HDMI cables. Resale value is modest, but for buyers focused on disc playback, it remains “a bargain at twice the price,” as one Amazon reviewer put it.
Savvy community advice includes confirming included accessories to avoid unexpected trips for HDMI cables, and testing all buttons immediately upon arrival to catch defects while under replacement policy.
FAQ
Q: Does it stream Netflix reliably?
A: Many users experience recurring connection or app crashes with Netflix, even after updates. It’s more reliable for discs than streaming.
Q: Can it upscale DVDs?
A: Yes, owners consistently note DVDs look sharper, with near-HD clarity, making older collections more enjoyable.
Q: Is Wi-Fi setup easy?
A: For some, it’s plug-and-play; others face signal drops or app update failures. Performance depends heavily on network stability.
Q: What comes in the box for refurbished units?
A: Often includes the player, remote, HDMI cable, and basic instructions — batteries typically not included. Packaging may not be original retail.
Q: Does it play burned DVDs?
A: Yes, multiple owners confirm compatibility with burned discs alongside commercial media.
Final Verdict: Buy if you want an affordable Blu-ray/DVD player with solid picture quality and you’re comfortable gambling on refurb reliability. Avoid if streaming services like Netflix or flawless button operation are non-negotiable. Pro tip from Amazon buyers: “Put a thumb drive in the slot — it lights up when the unit’s on, a decent workaround for no power light.”
