Samsung BD-P2550, 2500 Thread

[davidtwotrees]

Not sure if anyone's interested, but I pulled the trigger on a 2550 from Best Buy last week and it is now fully functional. I paid $340 out the door with $50 off $399 and another 10% off with an online coupon...........
I purchased this unit for it's feature set-analog outs, streaming netflix capable, as well as streaming of Pandora Radio, plus BluRay live. It does not internally decode dtsma is the one beef on the internet.......also, Samsung has had some quality issues with their BluRays.......still, I read and read about this unit and liked what I was hearing. It has a Reon chip which is getting good talk about it's upconverting skills..........
Out of the box the unit was heftier than an entry level dvd player like my Pio DV48. It has 7.1 analog outs that go to my non hdmi Lexicon pre pro. And a hefty BJC HDMI that goes straight to my 720P Panny Plasma. It also features a USB port as well as an ethernet connection. It hooked up easily, and the menus were all easy to navigate, and the manual wasn't bad either. A neighbor lent me Transformers. The load time was better than I expected. Deffo slower than my old 3910 but as fast as my PioDV48. The PQ was stunning and the best I have viewed on my telly since I got it last winter. I don't get HD cable so I haven't seen much hi def. The sound was very good on my 5.1.......although that is subjective and it may be a loudness thing. I also watched Sweeny Todd and found it to be stunning PQ as well. I watched a few scenes of 300 on DVD and the PQ upconverted was amazing as well. As good or better than I remember it on my 3910.
I went to the Sammy firmware update site and downloaded the Firmware update to allow for Netflix, Pandora, and BD live. I downloaded it to a USB flash drive with no probs. I plugged that into the units USB port in the back and it went without a hitch. The Sammy splash screen now had netflix and pandora icons. I assumed I was ready to go.......but not yet. Neither of them worked and said to go into setup and fix the network settings. There is nothing in the manual and nothing for help on the website or downloads. I guess I should know to configure this for my router.....but assumed it was plug and play.....went to online tech support and they were worthless....didn't even mention config setup...said I probably had a bad unit!!!....I got out the router disc and printed the screen that listed all the info.......after an hour of fiddling and entering numbers I got both netflix and pandora to give me an activation code which I went on line and did. Pandora is a great product and it was streaming on my rig in no time. The SQ was excellent-much better, imho, than my streaming internet radio stations that are on my Escient Fireball. The pandora is going to see use deffo. The netflix was a big part of my purchase. I wanted to stream movies.......well, I went to the internet, signed up for the free trial, queued up some flicks in my streaming queue and they were immediatley available on my tv screen. I choose a title and it began to load. There was a box with four blank stars in it that was labelled "quality" and I got one star. I suspected my dsl was crap, even though my dsl test said I was in the mid range. The PQ was crap....very blurry. Although in fairness I had just watched a blu ray............I am waiting for ATT Uverse here...........
I haven't played any cds yet, but all in all I am very happy with the unit.

 

[davidtwotrees]

In addendum I have since watched two more streaming movies......I was able to get two stars for quality streaming level, and the pq was much more acceptable. I also found I can get Comcast cable by itself and will then have no probs on streaming.
The streaming thing is really, really a great way to watch flicks. Load times are minimal, and you can stop and start just like a dvd..........it will remember where you left off and ask if you want to start there again.

 

[Adam]

There may be a way to force a particular bitrate for the Netflix stream. It's possible for the Roku box, as well as on PCs and Macs. I haven't found it online for your player, yet, but maybe you already know how to do that.

 

[Alex2507]

Not sure if anyone's interested, but I pulled the trigger on a 2550.

At Audioholics? C'mon.
This thing sounds awsome. This may very well be the object of my desire depending on how well it compares PQ wise in those 'shoot outs'. Oh, if only it would do DVD-A and SACD. I'm going to snoop around but I am prepared for disappointment.

If I do end up with one of these, you are going to be my new best friend.

Thanks for the nice write up.

 

[davidtwotrees]

21st Century.........Enter Here!!!

Hey, someone's interested! Pandora is f'ing amazing. It is almost giving my music server a run for it's money, and I NEVER thought I'd say that......
The Netflix streams just fine..........my pq issues are strictly a bandwith thing. I talked to my maintainence man in this complex and he said the Comcast cable is WAY over 10mbps and my dsl is like 3-5! So I might just go with the cable.
I cannot stress enough how cool the streaming stuff is. Really hot. The av forum people are all using wireless routers, but I tried one here a while ago and had issues with my music server so went wired and am all set there so I have had no problems with the streaming. And as I stated, the Pandora sq is really something.........the cheesy internet radio stations pre loaded on my Escient were always suspect.......
I watched Iron Man last night and the PQ was once again top notch......the disc did ask me if I wanted to download new BRLive! info but I didn't.......still, just more stuff for all you tech heads to mess around with............
And, this just in........netflix announced HD streaming content by the end of the year on this unit.............HD Netflix

 

[Adam]

The Netflix streams just fine..........my pq issues are strictly a bandwith thing.

That's what my comment was about - sorry if it was unclear. There may be a way to override the Netflix-determined bitrate (which is based on your bandwidth). It can be done on other systems. You have to wait a little longer for the movie to get queued up, but the increase in video quality might be worth it to you.

 

[davidtwotrees]

There may be a way to force a particular bitrate for the Netflix stream. It's possible for the Roku box, as well as on PCs and Macs. I haven't found it online for your player, yet, but maybe you already know how to do that.

Ummm, no. Some of the av forums talked about incresing the buffer by putting a drive in the usb port? I'm assuming a thumb drive like I used to do the original update?
You're the bomb, AdamFTW.

 

[Adam]

I'm assuming that any USB drive (either a thumb drive or any external enclosure that connects with USB) would work.

I read through the last part of the AVS forum thread on the 2550. Just yesterday someone asked about being able to buffer the Netflix stream - but no good answers, yet.

 

[wspann]

Anyone having issues with SBL/SBR input lights?

I have an issue with DTS HD MA 7.1 BluRay (Hell Boy II) illuminating all the speaker input lights on my Yamaha RX-V663 EXCEPT the SBL/SBR.

The 2550 is running fine. It is attached to my 663 via HDMI (only...no other connections). The audio set-up is set to Bitstream Audiophile, video set to HDMI/24 fps. DD True HD 5.1 and DD HD MA 5.1 works fine.

The Yammie is set-up correctly and the menu is adjusted properly. YPAO set-up mic/program shows no errors. I have been all over every option, and on the phone with tech support until my head hurts.

Here's the odd thing: when I play the DTS HD MA 7.1, I do, in fact, get 7.1 sound out of all 8 speakers, including SBL/SBR. The sound track on the SBL/SBR speakers is different from the SR/SL. The DTS HD MA icon illuminates.

Last night, all 8 icons light briefly while the disc was loading and then the SBL/SBR went out.

The issue is simply that either the disc or the player isn't sending the proper flag to the receiver to illuminate those SBL/SBR icons.

To t-shoot, I hooked the 2550 up via the 7.1 analog outputs to the Yammie and all eight icons lit, and sound came from all 8 speakers again, although it was only a DTS signal and not DTS HD MA.

Is this an issue with the DVD or the player in everyone's expert opinion??? I am waiting for Netflix to send me another 7.1 DTD HD MA disc so I can see if it is just the disc.

 

[allargon]

Is this an issue with the DVD or the player in everyone's expert opinion??? I am waiting for Netflix to send me another 7.1 DTD HD MA disc so I can see if it is just the disc.

Try another disc. A lot of the early 7.1 discs from New Line had issues. Universal may be running into the same (or different) issues.

 

[davidtwotrees]

I was just logging in on this. Wspann- the bdp2550 does not decode DTSHDMA. Until Now! Despite all the naysayers, Samsung came through with Firmware Ver. 2.4 I was sent a cd in the mail from BestBuy with a cd.......I was all "wtf" as I've been getting firmware updates just fine streamed........so this must be the mac daddy if they are sending out cds......this is now a full featured blu ray player. ALL codecs decoded internally, hdmi AND analog outs, streaming netflix, and Pandora. Chew on that Panny and Sony!

 

[goodman]

Is it possible to add SACD and DVD-A with firmware updates? I could use another BD player, especially one with multi-channel analog outs.

 

[allargon]

Is it possible to add SACD and DVD-A with firmware updates? I could use another BD player, especially one with multi-channel analog outs.

Anything is possible especially in the case of DVD-A. However, it won't happen as there are licensing fees involved. If you want a universal player, you need to buy a universal player. Look to the Oppo coming out.

 

[davidtwotrees]

I have had a love hate thing going with the hirez music for some time. Having just ditched my recently purchased Yammie 663 to go back to my Lexicon DC-1, my analog outs are being used by the Bluray, and I am taking the Pio Uni player out...........which leaves me back with my hirez stuff.....I only have maybe a dozen dvd-a's and twenty sacds..........I should just sell them and be done with it........

I really don't see Samsung doing anything with hirez stuff on this unit......

 

[GitRDone]

Samsung BluRay (BD-P2550): Streaming Video

Hello:
I am looking for hardware assistance, for connecting my Samsung P2550 to the internet.

Here is my problem: I have the Comcast triple-play deal, with my internet access via a Motorola(?) cable modem. The modem is normally next to my desktop PC, in my 2nd floor office (where it connects to a Cable wall-jack and I think to a Telephone wall-jack). My Samsung BD-P2550, normally located in my 1st floor family room, has the capability to stream video from Netflix, via an Ethernet input. I temporarily moved my modem to the family room and test-drove the Streaming Netflix...it was successful and really cool!!! But, this temporarily disconnected our phone svc and PC internet access.
So, how do i Permanently get my Samsung to talk to my PC or Cable Modem? Do I run a line (CAT 5?) from 2nd floor, to bsmt, up to family room? Obviously I do have a cable-jack in family room, but no phone-jacks nearby.
I don't know anything about wireless, but wouldn't mind having it for eventual laptop use.
A friend said I would be better to have the modem Wire-connected to the Samsung for movie streaming and consider having the PC talk to the modem Wireless, for basic PC use.

Thanks,
Andrew

TV: Toshiba 56" DLP DLP56MX195
Blu-ray DVD: Samsung BD-P2550
Cable HD/Dual DVR: Comcast / Motorola DCT3416 I
Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR602
Front: 2x Dayton Audio KS820W 8" 2-way, in-wall
Center: 1x Dayton Audio CCS-33S 3-Way
Rear: 2x Dayton Audio KS620W 6 1/2" 2-way, in-wall
Sub: 1x Dayton Audio SUB-120 12" 150 watt, powered
Remote: Logitech Harmony 670 universal

 

[tomd51]

You could run a CAT5 cable, which would likely be the lowest cost solution, assuming you have the ability and knowledge as to how to do this. My suggestion would be to consider a reliable wireless (or wired) router with at least four ethernet ports, then assuming it's wireless, you can use a wireless extender that has an ethernet port and connect that to the Samsung.

Yet another option you can use is a ethernet extender kit that has one unit that plugs in to the electrical receptacle/power outlet near your wireless/wired router, then plug the other portion of the kit into an outlet near your Samsung. Once you've done so, you can run an ethernet cable from the extender to the BR player. A good example is the Actiontec MegaPlug 85 Mbps Ethernet Adapter.

You'll need a router of some sort to support additional devices, so I'd suggest a decent Linksys, D-Link or Netgear Wireless G router at the very least. After configuring this with your cable modem, you can consider whether you can/want to run an ethernet drop to the location of the Samsung or if you want to go with something simplier but will cost a bit more, consider the wireless extender or the ethernet extender kit. The extender kit would be the more simple solution and provide the most robust connection, particularly for streaming video, but either solution should work for you... -TD

 

[Lordoftherings]

Quick tip

How to get rid of the"Bonus View" message on top left of your screen whithout disabling your on-screen display from the set-up menu. When "Bonus View" appears, first press "audio" on your remote control, then press "Exit" on your remote. Voila, simple, with just two button-press on your remote, it's gone! Of course it will reappear if you skip chapters or interrupt normal playback, just redo the above.
This tip apply for all Samsung blu-ray players with profile 1.1 or profile 2.0 which enable Bonus View feature. This is the most update and efficient way to enjoy further your Blu-Ray experience.
Be happy and enjoy life.

 

[RCL2884]

Since I stream netflix and love Pandora, I am interested in this BR player. Until I started looking into BR players, I did not even realize integrated streaming was an option.

Since I had been planning to simply stream onto my lap-top, and plug the VGA cable into my TV, and digital audio into my receiver, my question is this: Would this player offer significant improvement in either video or audio quality over the more conventional approach? Or is the benefit just the convenience of not having to plug in the lap-top?

Or is this just an excellent co-marketing arrangement between Samsung and Netflix? (and Pandora?)

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
...Rick

Samsung 1080i TV
Denon 789 receiver

 

[Lordoftherings]

Latest firmware

How to get rid of the"Bonus View" message on top left of your screen whithout disabling your on-screen display from the set-up menu. When "Bonus View" appears, first press "audio" on your remote control, then press "Exit" on your remote. Voila, simple, with just two button-press on your remote, it's gone! Of course it will reappear if you skip chapters or interrupt normal playback, just redo the above.
This tip apply for all Samsung blu-ray players with profile 1.1 or profile 2.0 which enable Bonus View feature. This is the most update and efficient way to enjoy further your Blu-Ray experience.
Be happy and enjoy life.

Did the latest firware versions on Samsung blu-ray players fixes the "Bonus View" problem?

Oups!, if it does.

 

[BluToo]

Netflix/Pandor Lan connected.. (wireless / firmware upgrade)

I'm not sure if you found your answer yet, but yes there is a way to connect you SAMSUNG to the internet wireless. Although it is unsupported by Samsung. There are several inexpensive bridges available, which you can connect. I have purchased one, but have not yet tried it myself. It will also work with the xxLNT850A. If you google for "wireless bridge samsung" you should find several options depending on how many connections you want in the theater area.

NOTE: One thing for all you Netflix/Pandora connected to the internet users to be aware. Firmare level 2.5 was recently put out.. I believe it was April 15, unfortunately my unit was already on. I switched movies. The second movie started, and apparently so did the firmware update. The Splash screen did come up it but, either play caused it to start, or enter. I thought I cancelled it...and the movie started playing. No indication anything was going on until the verification dialog box came up. In which I immediately stopped the movie. It proceeded to do the update, and power off. That was pretty much it. It turns on, but gets stuck in load mode. Also, interesting is the Pandora and Netflix logo were not on the initial screen which now disappears in about 5 secs when the machine hangs. (Did Samsung send the wrong firmware for my model?).

Anyway, long story short... You may easily get an upgrade you don't want to install, the install process seems to be unrealiable, or at least not safe-guarded, and the end-user has to pay for the repair.

I have upgraded the firmware several times previously. Usually, when I first power the unit on, I will see the message. And cautiously, go through their procedure. It was unfortunate this time it came at night when I was in the middle of movies with the unit already on. Theatre darkened, and no mood for tech updates.

Hello:
I am looking for hardware assistance, for connecting my Samsung P2550 to the internet.

Here is my problem: I have the Comcast triple-play deal, with my internet access via a Motorola(?) cable modem. The modem is normally next to my desktop PC, in my 2nd floor office (where it connects to a Cable wall-jack and I think to a Telephone wall-jack). My Samsung BD-P2550, normally located in my 1st floor family room, has the capability to stream video from Netflix, via an Ethernet input. I temporarily moved my modem to the family room and test-drove the Streaming Netflix...it was successful and really cool!!! But, this temporarily disconnected our phone svc and PC internet access.
So, how do i Permanently get my Samsung to talk to my PC or Cable Modem? Do I run a line (CAT 5?) from 2nd floor, to bsmt, up to family room? Obviously I do have a cable-jack in family room, but no phone-jacks nearby.
I don't know anything about wireless, but wouldn't mind having it for eventual laptop use.
A friend said I would be better to have the modem Wire-connected to the Samsung for movie streaming and consider having the PC talk to the modem Wireless, for basic PC use.

Thanks,
Andrew

TV: Toshiba 56" DLP DLP56MX195
Blu-ray DVD: Samsung BD-P2550
Cable HD/Dual DVR: Comcast / Motorola DCT3416 I
Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR602
Front: 2x Dayton Audio KS820W 8" 2-way, in-wall
Center: 1x Dayton Audio CCS-33S 3-Way
Rear: 2x Dayton Audio KS620W 6 1/2" 2-way, in-wall
Sub: 1x Dayton Audio SUB-120 12" 150 watt, powered
Remote: Logitech Harmony 670 universal