Customer Reviews

Samsung BD-UP5000 1080p HD-DVD Blu-Ray Disc Combo Player

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I picked up a BD-UP5000 when limited quantities appeared in mid December 2007 and have been quite happy with the unit. It's my first venture into HD disc playback and having a single box to play all DVD formats was essential. This player delivers excellent picture and sound quality (including exceptional SD DVD upscaling). Less than 10% of HD DVD and Blu-Ray titles have only a TrueHD track which will output as 2-channel stereo. Most discs have other tracks that can be selected: Dolby Digital, multichannel PCM, DTS, etc. So lack of multichannel TrueHD isn't as big an issue as it may seem. Still even one title that limits you to 2.0 is frustrating. Lockups and strange behavior when loading and playing some discs is frustrating, but from what I've read most players go through growing pains and the content providers are at least part of the problem because they can influence the way the player behaves with custom menus and features.

The 5000 has a Silicon Optix Reon running HQV SD upconversion. SD DVD quality is amazing. You need HDMI/HDCP video as the analog components are limited to 480p based on licensing constraints. The HDMI output supports 1080p60 and 1080p24 as well as other more common rates. 1080p24 is noteworthy since it sends a film to the display at it's native frame rate of 24 frames per second without introducing a 3:2 pull-down sequence. However, the display must be capable of receiving 1080p24 AND have a refresh rate of 72 or 120 Hz to completely eliminate motion "judder".

The 5000 will decode Dolby Digital and DTS encoded sound tracks to multichannel PCM and ship them out via HDMI. Or the player can be placed in "audiophile" mode which sends the undecoded bitstream to the receiver for decoding there, again via HDMI. Some audio tracks can be sent to the receiver via S/PDIF optical or coax connections, but not the higher bandwidth tracks such as multichannel PCM. You must have HDMI for those or use the 7.1 analog outs. The "reencode" mode converts all audio formats to DTS, allowing you to get multichannel audio to your receiver via S/PDIF optical/coax if HDMI isn't an option.

The 5000 has had a rocky start and is still somewhat unstable and lacks key features. While it was announced the first part of 2007, it didn't ship until mid December 2007. Many of the disc compatibility problems have been fixed by a firmware update released in mid January 2007, but there are still some discs that have problems. The 5000 suffers from random lockups requiring a power cycle and lacks support for the advanced audio formats: Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD HR/MA. In addition, standard definition discs are always stretched to 16:9 even for 4:3 content. Most TVs and displays can't unstretch the image without reducing the size as well.

A Samsung engineer working on this product indicated they are aware of the problems and missing multichannel audio support. He said they are planning a major firmware update in the May 2008 time frame. Speculation at AVS Forum (the 5000's user thread is 3000+ plus posts!!!) is that Samsung relies on Broadcom to supply DSP firmware, so it may really Broadcom we're waiting for. This makes sense since the BH200 has the same audio format limitations and uses the same chip. Firmware updates can be done via an ethernet connection to the 5000, or you can download an ISO CD image from Samsung's web site and burn an undated disc from any PC or Mac. (Mac update procedures are not documented but work fine: use Disk Utility or Toast Disc Copy to burn the image file; do not use Finder's burn mechanism.)

Samsung announced the BD-UP5500 at CES January 2008 with availability in the May 2008 time frame. The 5500 is not a true replacement for the 5000 since it does not have the Reon upconverter, nor does it have multichannel analog outputs. Price should be lower than the 5000. This might be an option for some, but the lack of the Reon/HQV is a big deal for me since there are many more SD DVDs than Blu-Ray and HD DVD combined. Those that have a separate audio processor may also need the multichannel analog audio outputs. The 5000's true replacement will be the BD-UP6500 due out late in 2008.

Blu-Ray Java and HDi allow content providers to "enhance" the viewing experience with additional material on the disc and/or downloaded from the internet. Personally, I just want to watch the movie as the producer/director intended. The 5000 is currently Blu-Ray BDJ 1.0 with a promise for 1.1. The 5500 will have to be BDJ 1.1 based on Blu-Ray specs/timetable. The 5000 (and 5500) will never be BDJ 2.0. The 6500 should be BDJ 2.0. The 5000 is supposed to support HDi but haven't tried it.

If you want a single box solution that can play most of the HD DVD, Blu-Ray and SD DVD discs, and can live with the limitations at least until firmware updates are available, the BD-UP5000 is worth serious consideration.

Your only other choice is the LG BH200, but it doesn't have the Reon HQV upconversion or multichannel analog audio outputs. Other than that, the 5000 and BH200 have essentially identical features with similar prices: $750 for the BH200 on Amazon, currently.

However, if you need onboard decoding or bitstreams of Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD MA, Blu-Ray and HD DVD playback and can't wait for firmware updates, you'll need to look for separate Blu-Ray and HD DVD players.

Credit is due Samsung (and LG, for that matter) in trying to resolve the HDM format war with universal players. The 5000K, lacks full HD audio codecs implementation. Playback on a limited number of High Definition media was impressive, although compatability problems have been noted for discs of both types by other owners. If you currently have of library of both types, this model is worthy of consideration, although with Warner's recent declaration of going Blu-Ray only, HD DVDs will likely become increasingly rare. SD playback is troubling with respect to multiple audio drop-outs.
Details as follows:

Mine is a Dec 07 build. I'm using HDMI through-out. Based on a day and half's use, Set-up was straight forward (to an Integra DTC 9.8)and Sony SXRD XBR2 LCoS set. Performance is as follows:
-HD DVD (1 tested) Fast loading, full menu navigation, excellent sound and picture. No stoppages
-Blu-Ray (1 tested) Fast loading, full menu navigation, excellent sound and picture. No stoppages
The tested discs do not include those noted as having play-problems (e.g. 3:10 to Yuma, Star Trek OS, etc.)

Mitigation:
Samsung has issued one firmware release with another reportedly in the works in the immediate term to deal with various playback issues. A longer term upgrade to handle the advanced Audio Codecs activation may be issued in May 08. Samsung's responsiveness to the problems has been rather halting with various parties getting different answers from customer support. (See AVS Forum for details). The Samsung website currently has only limited information.

-SD DVDs (5 discs tested--personally owned and Netflix rentals): Excellent picture quality, but multiple short audio drop-outs on all tested media, which do not appear to be at the chapter stops as some have thought and are not always repeatable.
Although I have a dedicated player (Oppo 980) for SD playback, this is a noteworthy defect, especially if you are intending the 5000k as a one stop solution for DVD playback irrespective of media.

-CD playback (3 discs tested): Mid range distortion on one one of three. Not a deal breaker, but again somewhat disturbing that there is a defect in this application as well.
Overall, this is a workman-like product, which, if Samsung follows through with firmware updates can be improved considerably. With the format war appearing to tilt in favor of Blu-Ray, the 5000k may become a niche product, chiefly for those with extant libraries of both media types and carries a premium price.

Warning! This thing is not Dolby TrueHD multi-channel capable.

They are using the fine print specifications of Dolby TrueHD to deliver a product that is, in my opinion, of inferior quality when it comes to home theater.

The samsung bd-up5000 only plays 2 channels in Dolby TrueHD.

The user manual states in the fine print "When playing a dolby TrueHD disc, audio will only be heard over the front left and right speakers".

I also called Samsung support about this.

After being kept on hold and disconnected several times... they confirmed that this unit will only play 2 channel TrueHD.

The level 2 technician at samsung kept telling me that Dolby TrueHD only requires a minimum of 2 channels for the specs and kept telling me to read about it on the Dolby website.

The samsung technician also told me that they have no plans on issuing a "fix" to make the samsung bd-up5000 thing multi channel for TrueHD.

I just upgraded my amplifier so I could accept a multi-channel Dolby TrueHD signal and I ordered the samsung bd-up5000 because it is advertised as having dolby TrueHD.

The samsung hd duo bd-up5000 isn't multi-channel Dolby TrueHD compatible... at least not if you ask anyone who expects to hear their home theater in "surround sound".

Not much surround sound to hear from a unit that only outputs 2 channels of Dolby TrueHD.

I am truly disappointed with Samsung.

This is an excellent combo player that has performed flawlessly for me with both HDDVD and BluRay. An elegent, albeit expensive, solution to the current hi-definition disc format war, both formats look and sound great. If you own an HDTV of greater than 40 inches in size you owe to to yourself to check out these new formats - WOW!
More movies please - I'm done with regular DVD!

Not wanting to dispose of my HD-DVD collection after the demise of HD-DVD, I sold my Xbox HD DVD player and bought this one at $449. The price plunge from $799 was just too great to pass up. The fact that this unit now costs as much as a blu-ray only player, I just had to get it. After downloading the latest Samsung firmware, I was blown away by the clarity of the picture and sound. The upconversion of DVDs was even better than my OPPO DVD player. I can see better details and hear clearer sound. It adapts very well to my THX 7.1 surround sound. Also, although the box says it doesn't play DVR+W, it actually does play it with better video and sound clarity. This is the best player I have ever owned.

** This updated review is intended to be a 5 star rating; however, I can't seem to edit that part of my old review! **


I was one of those who eagerly awaited this player after its announcement, and quickly bought one as soon as it was available. In most respects, it was an excellent player, with quick load times, excellent video quality, and few compatibility issues (none that I experienced).

Unfortunately, it was a let-down in the audio department, with dropouts and no support for advanced codecs. Samsung promised a May update, which back in February seemed like a long wait.

In the final days of May, Samsung finally delivered the promised firmware 1.3 update. In addition to decoding multi-channel TrueHD, the BD-UP5000 can now bitstream every codec to an HDMI 1.3 capable receiver. Additionally, the player is now Blu-ray Profile 1.1.


This player is now just about perfect! The HQV Reon provides a wonderful experience from your older DVD collection, and the player supports Blu-ray and HD-DVD material at its native 1080p 24fps with advanced audio. It doesn't get any better than that!

It was worth the money when it debuted at $800 if you didn't want to limit your movie purchases to one side of the format war. When HD-DVD lost, this player's price dropped dramatically and it was competitively priced even against basic Blu-ray players. However, the price may be creeping back up now that the audio issues are fixed.

If you're just entering the HD movie market, this is a great choice. If you already have an HD-DVD collection, this unit is a must-have!

Unit failed after three months, was repaired, failed again.
Samsung service now says the unit is unrepairable,
they have no more units with which to replace it, and offer a $399 unit which will not play HD discs as replacement.
Other Thoughts: If considering this unit be prepared that if it fails it probably cannot be repaired and they have no replacement units.

Samsung support is atrocious.

Thanks to the latest firmware update, those earlier criticisms about the unit's audio limitations have been overtaken by events. Virtually overnight, the BD-UP5000 has gone from flawed product to one of the best-performing hi def players on the market. It's always had a beautiful picture, for both Blu Ray and HD DVD, but now handles the latest audio codecs as well.

I bought this player because I had started to build my HD-DVD library quickly and I refused to buy a Sony after their suspicious back room deals with the movie studios. A problem I experienced with my Toshiba HD-DVD players (yes, plural) was that standard audio CD's would not play well and would have small pauses during playback. This Samsung plays everything perfectly.

For those people who have never experienced HD-DVDs, consumers lost out in this format battle. There is a lot more to just getting 1080p from a disc. The menus, pause, play, etc. are so much better on HD-DVD than Blu-Ray.

So, for those of you who are like me and have a few HD-DVDs or are buying them on fire sale now and want to also be able to play Blu-Ray discs, I do highly recommend this player. I am not a major audiophile so I cannot speak directly of it's technical abilities, but I just know that all my movies, regardless of format, look and sound great using this player in my home theater with 8' screen.

For me this is the answer. I love this player! I didn't want to go with two separate players. I simply don't have the shelf space or enough HDMI ports on my receiver to run a Xbox360, HD Satellite receiver and two high def players. Hint, hint to the receiver manufactures we need more HDMI inputs and ditch the 20 or so composite inputs, who's still using composite anyway!?!?! Why does this player have composite outputs!?!?! Oh and thanks Samsung for the composite cable.. I bought a panny upconverting dvd player about 8 months ago and panny at least it included a cheep HDMI cable with their $75 unit
I did notice that light blue skys are a little grainy or noisy on one of the HD disk that I purchased along with this player. This is the only HD player I have ever owned so I don't know if it's the Samsung or if it's in the movie its self. It's noticeable if you been reading all the reviews on this player and are aware of the problem but my guest don't notice it until I point it out. I'm using a Mitsubishi 65" DLP you probably wont notice it on smaller screens.
Their has also be some reports of it doing something weird with the master audio or something like that.. not real sure.. I don't think my year old Onkyo receiver is capable of DTS MA anyway. With the Dolby Prologic II on and the THX set to cinema. The 7.1 audio is nothing less than amazing. Samsung is supposed to have a firmware update that is should fix the DTS master audio out soon!?!?!?
It loads SD DVD in about 15 seconds, HD DVD in about 30 seconds and Blu-Ray in about 45 seconds. The up converting of SD DVD is amazing! Much better than the Samsung BD-P1400 I replace.
Unlike the Sammy 1400 this played Live Free of Die Hard and POTC right out of the box.

Unlike the LG this can access all of the bonus features on both formats!

Let the Format wars continue!! I've already won with this player!

UPDATE: Due to the fact that Waner Bros has been supporting both Blu-ray and HD DVD and has recently decided to drop HD DVD I think this is going to be the end of the format wars(just my opinon). but if I were to do it all over again I save some money and just buy a blu-ray player.