Samsung Blu-ray Wi-Fi Player Review: Budget Buy or Risk?
Starting at under $160, the SAMSUNG Blu-ray DVD Disc Player with Wi-Fi (Renewed) promises smart streaming, HD upscaling, and seamless disc playback. But across hundreds of verified buyer and community reviews, its score stalls at a cautious 6.5/10—praised for picture quality and app support, but shadowed by chronic Wi-Fi drops and disc errors.
Quick Verdict: Conditional – great if you want cheap, crisp picture for Blu-ray and DVD, risky if you rely on Wi-Fi streaming.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent Blu-ray video quality | Frequent Wi-Fi dropouts |
| Fast, simple setup | Sluggish boot and disc load times |
| Affordable refurbished pricing | Blu-ray disc freezes reported |
| Smart app access (Netflix, YouTube, etc.) | Limited 3D support—requires 3D TV & glasses |
| Compact design fits anywhere | Remote ergonomics poor (no backlight) |
Claims vs Reality
Marketing leans heavily on built-in Wi-Fi enabling “all smart Blu-ray features and apps wirelessly.” While many users agree setup is straightforward, long-term stability is the real test. A verified buyer on Amazon noted: “The Wi-Fi was simple to set-up and I was connected to my home network in minutes… the connection has been stable, and streaming Netflix I do not get any delays.” In contrast, multiple Reddit users complain that “wifi did not work well… after a week the connection would not work”, forcing repeated SSID/password re-entry.
Samsung’s claim of HD upscaling for DVDs fares better. Across Amazon Renewed listings, owners routinely remark that older DVDs “look great” with better detail. Reddit user feedback also cites “quality is excellent via USB media too”—suggesting the upconversion works reliably for both discs and external drives.
The promise of 3D Blu-ray playback is technically true but comes with caveats. One Amazon reviewer warns: “You have to buy a 3D TV in order for it to work properly with 3D… live and learn.” This isn’t spelled out in some product descriptions, leaving buyers with 3D discs but no compatible display feeling misled.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Strong Blu-ray video output stands out as the most consistent compliment. Reddit enthusiast wrote: “The video quality is excellent. On par with players costing much more.” Users upgrading from older or cheaper players report a noticeable difference in sharpness and color depth. For casual movie watchers, this means budget-friendly access to cinema-level image quality.
Ease of installation earns broad approval. On Quora, a buyer praised: “Easy to hook up, easy to navigate through, great picture, great audio.” Parents using it in kids’ rooms value the one-cable HDMI simplicity. Amazon buyers echo that even refurbished units arrive “still had the protective coating on it… easy to hook up, easy to program.”
Smart app support—especially Netflix—remains a draw, particularly for cord-cutters. One Best Buy reviewer explained buying two units after the first made “getting rid of cable” painless. These features appeal to secondary room setups where extra streaming boxes aren’t justified.
Common Complaints
Wi-Fi instability dominates the negatives. Trustpilot entries label built-in Wi-Fi as “non-existent” or “very limited connectivity.” On Best Buy’s site, one frustrated owner wrote: “Every time I turned the unit off, I had to set up the network configuration from scratch.” In homes relying on wireless streaming, this renders the “smart” aspect useless.
Disc playback reliability is a close second in complaints. Several Reddit and Amazon reviewers say Blu-ray discs fail to load or freeze mid-movie: “Blu-rays skip and freeze up… yes I did the firmware update.” Others note grinding noises then refusal to play. For people with large Blu-ray libraries, this is the highest risk factor of buying refurbished.
Boot and load speed frustrates impatient viewers. Even satisfied owners admit to 60–90 seconds from power-on to disc menu—a small delay, but in sharp contrast to the “Quick Start Mode” claim on some models.
Divisive Features
Smart features via Samsung’s app ecosystem draw mixed reactions. While some love integrated Netflix, Pandora, YouTube, others run into outdated or missing apps. Twitter/X feedback shows disappointment over the absence of Hulu Plus on certain models, with one buyer saying “right now all you can do is view things in your instant queue… wish they’d add Hulu Plus.”
Physical remote design splits opinion. Ergonomic issues like lack of backlight and dim glow-in-the-dark buttons hinder nighttime use, yet others simply swap in a universal remote and forget. Touch controls on the unit itself also divide—sleek to some, unintuitive to others preferring tactile buttons.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot’s score of 1.1 out of 5 for similar Samsung refurbished Blu-ray players signals risk. The pattern is stark: units often work for weeks or months, then lose Wi-Fi connectivity or fail to play updated Blu-ray releases. One entry laments: “Since the last update…the player no longer will play Netflix… many owners experiencing the same problems.”
Reddit offers the long-view: after 6–12 months, network issues frequently escalate. Blu-ray disc drive failures also appear in “bought two of the same, both eventually broke” accounts. That said, a sub-group of users enjoy trouble-free operation for years—often those who use wired Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi and limit streaming app use.
Alternatives
From available data, Sony’s BDP-S1700 earns praise for quick start (<1 second) and stable performance, though it lacks built-in Wi-Fi—streaming requires Ethernet. Panasonic’s players impress in non-Wi-Fi environments, offering intuitive remotes and reliable disc playback.
For shoppers demanding wireless streaming without app downtime, community trends point toward Panasonic over Samsung in the refurbished space. Those prioritizing load speed and reliability are nudged toward non-smart players paired with dedicated streamers like Roku or Fire TV.
Price & Value
Current refurbished Samsung Blu-ray pricing on Amazon hovers around $159, with older full-HD models as low as $40–$70 on eBay. Resale value drops sharply: report patterns show $20–$40 for used units after 2 years, reflecting their mixed reputation.
Community buying tips stress checking seller return policies and warranty terms. Verified buyers advocate Amazon Renewed’s 90-day guarantee as sufficient safety net, but caution against auction buys without testing rights. Value seekers highlight the match of low price + good video quality for disc-heavy households who can tolerate occasional connectivity hiccups.
FAQ
Q: Does the Samsung Blu-ray DVD Disc Player support 4K UHD discs?
A: No. While it can upscale HD content to near-4K quality, it cannot natively play 4K UHD Blu-ray discs. Owners seeking true 4K playback will need a model like Samsung’s UBD-M9700.
Q: How reliable is the Wi-Fi connection?
A: Mixed. Some users enjoy stable streaming for months, others face dropouts after days. Community advice: use wired Ethernet whenever possible for consistent performance.
Q: Can it play DVDs and CDs as well?
A: Yes. It handles Blu-ray, DVD, and CD formats, with good upscaling for DVDs. It also supports playback from USB drives with common file formats.
Q: Is 3D playback supported on all TVs?
A: Only compatible with 3D TVs and active shutter glasses. 3D discs will not display properly on non-3D displays.
Q: How long does it take to start up?
A: Typically 60–90 seconds from power-on to disc menu, slower than some competing players. Quick Start modes are not consistent across refurbished units.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a Blu-ray/DVD collector wanting sharp picture at a budget price and can live without flawless streaming. Avoid if wireless Netflix or frequent 3D movie nights are core to your setup—network instability and format limits could spoil the experience. Pro tip from the community: hardwire Ethernet, keep firmware updated, and buy from sellers with strong return policies.
