Well, I got the Samsung up and running, but no Blu-ray discs!

Robert Crawford · 06-17-2006, 11:14 AM

I played around with it this morning. At first glance I like it better than my RCA HD player as far as the looks of each player. However, I actually prefer the RCA's remote as well as menu selection more. The load time is a little faster on the Samsung.

I played a DVD-R that had a movie I recorded from TCM and both presentations were very similar. I couldn't really tell any difference between the two players with that DVD-R being upconverted to 1080I through the component inputs.

I played one dvd on both players which was the latest release of October Sky and really didn't see any difference between them. Of course, both players won't allow you to upconvert to 1080I unless you use HDMI.

Anyhow, that's my first impressions of the Samsung, I will post some more thoughts as I go along. I'm going to make the rounds and see if I can pick up a Blu-ray disc from somebody. I'll probably won't have any luck doing so, but you never know I might get lucky.

Crawdaddy

Rob_Walton · 06-17-2006, 11:33 AM

Well, be sure to let us know about your experiences with the BD discs when you get hold of them, ok?!

BTW nice idea on the two forums. And please be more rigorous in enforcing your rules than they've been on AVS. That place is shocking at how far it's gone!

Larry Sutliff · 06-17-2006, 11:35 AM

My Samsung player should be arriving today via Fedex. I ordered some Blu-Ray discs from DVD Planet, so I'm looking forward to enjoying the format. I guess I'll have to eat lots of peanut butter sandwiches for the next week. This hobby sure gets expensive!

Steve Tannehill · 06-17-2006, 12:48 PM

Mine gets here on Monday, unless Fedex surprises me today (it has been known to happen). But with no media until next week, it won't much matter on the HD evaluation. As for upconverting, I have a highlights disc which should do the job. and I think I'll make a backup (cough) of a certain Superbit title and do an A/B against the maligned HD transfer that all of five people seem to have seen but no one seems to like.

In a week we'll all know more, and there will be some reliable reviews of the hardware and software... the waiting is the hardest part!!!

Let me echo Rob's compliment on the new areas... what would really be nice is if the software areas were reborn in the same mold, and then maybe a bitch/moan/debate sub-forum could be created where all the hostility/point-counterpoint/debate B.S. could reside. Just a thought...

- Steve

GlennH · 06-17-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

with that DVD-R being upconverted to 1080I through the component inputs.

Quote:

both players won't allow you to upconvert to 1080I unless you use HDMI.

So, are you saying that the players can upconvert via component video if the source DVD is not copy protected? But commercial DVDs (those with CSS?) will only upconvert with HDCP digital connection (like HDMI)? I'm trying to figure out the mechanism that the player uses to distinguish.

**HTF Ads**

Robert Crawford · 06-17-2006, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn Heberle

So, are you saying that the players can upconvert via component video if the source DVD is not copy protected? But commercial DVDs (those with CSS?) will only upconvert with HDCP digital connection (like HDMI)? I'm trying to figure out the mechanism that the player uses to distinguish.

That's correct Glenn.

Crawdaddy

Robert Crawford · 06-17-2006, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_Walton

Well, be sure to let us know about your experiences with the BD discs when you get hold of them, ok?!

Yeah, just visited both BB and CC in my city and they have no clue. A BB employee tried to tell me that the discs won't be in store until two weeks from now. I'm willing to bet that they have them in the back.

BTW nice idea on the two forums. And please be more rigorous in enforcing your rules than they've been on AVS. That place is shocking at how far it's gone!

That's the whole motivation behind these two new areas so either format owner can post their thoughts and experiences in a stressfree environment without feeling put upon by negativity and hostility. Also, it will allow those without an agenda to ask pertinent questions about either format to actual HD player owners.

Crawdaddy

Chris S · 06-17-2006, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Crawford

Of course, both players won't allow you to upconvert to 1080I unless you use HDMI.

I'm pretty sure I know the answer but....

Does it allow any upconversion (720p?) or are you stuck with a 480p image?

Steven Simon · 06-17-2006, 07:49 PM

I'm comming apart at the seams waiting for some Blue Ray DVD's... Terminator seems to be a good PQ demo so far....

Robert Crawford · 06-18-2006, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Simon

I'm comming apart at the seams waiting for some Blue Ray DVD's... Terminator seems to be a good PQ demo so far....

It was selling on Amazon for less than $12 and you get another 10% off, if beforehand, you bought three HD discs at one time. I found out that once you made that initial purchase of three HD discs, you will get that same additional 10% off, even if you buy just one disc at a time. A great deal, especially if you're a Prime member and you get free two day shipping by UPS.

Luckily, I'll be very busy on Monday and Tuesday with my real job, therefore, I won't have anytime to play around with my HT setup on those days, thus, I won't be thinking about not having any Blu-ray discs. Hopefully, by Wednesday I'll have some discs to try out.

Today, I'm getting ready to watch the SD DVD of "The Shepherd of the Hills" on the Samsung.

Crawdaddy