Samsung Blu-ray Wi-Fi Player Review: Solid but Flawed
Refurbished doesn’t always mean compromised – and the SAMSUNG Blu-ray DVD Disc Player with Built-in Wi-Fi (Renewed) proves that for many buyers, the right unit can feel new out of the box. Scoring around 8/10 for those who get a trouble‑free sample, it delivers crisp 1080p playback, smooth DVD upscaling, and smart features – but dig into the feedback and a more complex picture emerges, with Wi‑Fi hiccups, occasional disc freezes, and missing accessories cropping up as repeat pain points.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy – excellent value if Wi-Fi stability isn’t critical or you use Ethernet.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent Blu-ray picture quality | Frequent Wi‑Fi dropouts for some users |
| Easy setup and compact design | No power indicator on unit |
| Solid DVD upscaling performance | Remote sometimes missing or basic in design |
| Streams popular apps (Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime) | Reports of freezing/skipping during playback |
| Affordable compared to new units | Limited app selection; clunky interface |
| Works well over Ethernet | Some units fail shortly after warranty ends |
Claims vs Reality
Samsung markets this player as having smooth built‑in Wi‑Fi streaming and “smart” entertainment without extra boxes. On paper, it sounds like a cable‑free dream for Netflix nights. In practice, Wi‑Fi performance divides opinion sharply.
Multiple Amazon buyers complained of erratic connectivity. One noted: “When I first connect it to the router, there’s usually no issue, but after powering off… it usually won’t reconnect… I’d have to reboot my router and re-enter the password.” Others resorted to Ethernet instead: “Used ethernet cable to connect it to my router… so far DVD/CD player is working fine,” said another buyer. The streaming apps themselves are basic, with “limited number of streaming apps with clunky interface,” according to one Amazon reviewer.
Samsung also highlights fast startup with “Quick Start Mode.” Consumer Reports clocked 1 second with the feature on, compared to 7-10 seconds normally. Yet Reddit users spoke of “total boot time… about 1 min 15 secs” to DVD menu on older refurbished Samsung models, suggesting real speed varies between generations and firmware.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Picture quality is consistently high across platforms. A Best Buy buyer enthused: “Picture and interface are much better than our kids’ Xbox on our den TV.” Amazon owners echoed it: “The setting that improves picture quality with compatible Samsung TVs will blow you away… superb quality for reasonable price.” Even those with gripes about Wi‑Fi or controls often added that Blu-ray and DVD images were “as good as players costing much more.”
Ease of setup is another common win. “It was extremely easy to connect to my network,” one Quora reviewer noted, while a Best Buy customer advised: “I plugged a HDMI and ethernet cable in and the unit automatically configured the network then downloaded updates… could not have been easier.”
DVD upscaling also impressed. An Amazon customer said the player “improves the picture quality of DVDs to near HD levels, making your older media library look better.” For users with large DVD collections, this feature extended the life of older discs without the blocky look on modern TVs.
Common Complaints
The loudest consistent complaint involves Wi‑Fi. Several buyers on Amazon, Best Buy, and Reddit found connections unreliable, requiring repeated re-entry of network keys or complete failure to connect after moves or restarts. “Every time I turned it off, I had to set up the network configuration from scratch,” lamented one Best Buy review.
Another recurring frustration is the absence of an on‑unit power indicator. “Only way to know if it is on is to switch to its input on the TV,” noted a Best Buy customer. Many found it a minor nuisance; others saw it as a baffling omission.
Disc freezing and skipping appear in enough reviews to be a red flag. A Trustpilot reviewer described: “After two months… buffers so often it’s hard to watch a movie,” while an Amazon reviewer recounted: “I had barely watched three DVDs… when it started to freeze up… only for it to happen again out of warranty.”
Physical design oversights and missing accessories add to the irritations. Some Amazon and Best Buy buyers received refurbished units without remotes, leading to extra costs. Others found the remote “unnecessarily busy” or not backlit, making nighttime use harder.
Divisive Features
Smart apps polarize owners. For some, streaming Netflix and YouTube without another device is a bonus — “Basically turns our plain TV to a smart TV,” as one Best Buy buyer put it. Others see the app selection and speed as outdated, with one noting “a hesitation of about 3 seconds more than sticks or TV apps.”
Compact, lightweight construction appeals to users with limited space, but a few felt it made the unit “so small… someone has to hold it from the front so the cables can be plugged” without moving it.
Trust & Reliability
Refurbished Samsung players occupy a risky middle ground: many arrive “looking new” and “work perfectly,” while others fail within months. Long-term Reddit owners report both durability (“still working fine” after a year) and repeated breakdowns. A Trustpilot customer warned: “This was my third Samsung Blu-ray player in three years because they all kept dying.”
Firmware updates are another wild card. One Best Buy reviewer wrote that after an update “it would not play the Blu-rays I spend the money on,” forcing them to rely only on DVDs. Trustpilot users also suspected updates sometimes broke features, particularly Netflix compatibility, with no subsequent fix from Samsung.
Customer support experiences vary. Several users reported “zero help” from Samsung reps for connection issues or disc playback faults unless the unit was under warranty, at which point repairs could cost nearly as much as a replacement.
Alternatives
Some disillusioned customers switched brands. One Reddit user replaced their Samsung with a Panasonic model that “works great” for Wi‑Fi connectivity. Others compared the app responsiveness unfavorably to streaming sticks like Roku or Chromecast, suggesting pairing a simpler, disc‑only player with a dedicated streamer can outperform Samsung’s all‑in‑one smart approach for heavy streamers.
Price & Value
At around $169.81 new (renewed) on Amazon, plus shipping, the unit undercuts many new Blu‑ray players with similar features. eBay listings show resale values for working refurbished Samsung players in the $30–$70 USD range, suggesting they depreciate quickly. For cost‑conscious buyers or secondary room setups, multiple Best Buy reviewers described it as “great for a kids or secondary room” and “worth every penny” when functioning well.
Community advice leans toward buying with a service plan for peace of mind, especially for refurbished units. “Bought the service plan with it and hopefully it will not be needed,” remarked one Best Buy customer, echoing others who used warranties for prompt replacements after faults appeared.
FAQ
Q: Does it support 4K UHD discs?
A: No. This model plays standard Blu‑ray and DVDs, upscaling to 1080p. Users seeking 4K should consider Samsung’s 4K‑capable models like the UBD‑K8500.
Q: Can I stream Netflix and other apps via Wi‑Fi?
A: Yes, but Wi‑Fi stability varies. Several owners recommend using Ethernet for consistent performance.
Q: Is there an indicator light to show power status?
A: No. Multiple buyers note the lack of a power or standby light, meaning you must check via your TV.
Q: Does it come with an HDMI cable?
A: Most renewed listings include a 6ft high‑speed HDMI cable. However, some buyers report missing accessories — confirm before purchase.
Q: Will the remote control work with non‑Samsung TVs?
A: It can control TV power and volume on Samsung TVs; compatibility with other brands’ functions is limited.
Final Verdict
Buy if you want a compact, affordable Blu‑ray/DVD player with strong 1080p playback and are willing to hardwire it for streaming. Avoid if you demand flawless Wi‑Fi, need modern app support, or have no patience for potential warranty hassles. Pro tip from the community: pair it with an external streaming stick for better smart features and use the player strictly for discs — it’s where this Samsung shines most reliably.
