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Samsung BD-P2500 unboxing and hands-on
Samsung's BD-P2500 has been on store shelves for a bit now, but given that we just got one in for our HD Netflix roundup, we figured we'd unbox it all proper like and give you a look. The gallery's just below for your perusal.%Gallery-42675%
Netflix HD streaming shootout goes down at Engadget Classic
This is it, folks -- the shootout you've been waiting for. We've worked with our brethren over at Engadget Classic to assemble an end-all HD Netflix roundup, which pits the BD-P2500, BD300, TiVo HD, Xbox 360 and Roku Netflix Player against one another. We know you're salivating at the thought of it, so rather than just telling you who emerges victorious, we'll point you over and let you dig in yourself.
Engadget's Netflix HD streaming shootout
Netflix seems to be doing things right when it comes to the streaming game, partnering with several hardware companies in an attempt to make its service more or less ubiquitous -- a pretty sharp break from the proprietary hardware approach taken by most of its competitors. That means Netflix subscribers have quite a few choices when it comes to streaming, and we thought we'd put the ones available now head-to-head and try to crown a winner. The good news? There isn't a mediocre choice out there. The bad? Well, read on.Update: We shot another video to answer some lingering questions about the Roku player, check it below.
Samsung updates the BD-P2500/2550 with DTS-HD HRA/MA
It's nice to see that with all the new stuff flying around during CES that some manufactures continue to update the existing models. We're sure owners of both the BD-P2500 and BD-P2550 will be happy to know that all those discrete analog outputs on the back just got a whole lot more useful. Thanks to the latest version of the firmware (2.4), in addition to being able to decode Dolby TrueHD, those holding on to an older A/V receiver will also be able to enjoy both versions of DTS-HD.
Samsung issues v2.3 firmware update for BD-P2500 / BD-P2550 Blu-ray players
Merely weeks after Samsung rolled out its v2.1 firmware update to enable HD Netflix streaming on the BD-P2500 / BD-P2550 Blu-ray players, in flies an update just before the dawn of 2009. As of right now, users can surf on over (courtesy of the read links provided below) in order to download version 2.3, which officially acts to "improve playback compatibility of some movie titles." Fire up the download and give it a go, and feel free to report back with any other, unnamed changes that you discover.[Thanks, Vivek]Read - BD-P2500 downloadRead - BD-P2550 download
Firmware update brings HD Netflix streaming to Samsung BD-P2500 / BD-P2550 Blu-ray players
The day before Thanksgiving seems so far away now, doesn't it? For those that can think back pre-feast, Samsung promised that a firmware update was on the way in order to bring HD Netflix streaming to its BD-P2500 / BD-P2550 Blu-ray players. Exactly one week later, it's here. Officially, the firmware v2.1 adds support for "Netflix VC1-AP HD Streaming" and "improves playback compatibility of some movie titles." We needn't tell you how urgent it is you download this and give it a try -- but be on the lookout for less-than-stellar image quality. Best of luck, brave ones.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
HD Netflix streaming coming to Samsung's BD-P2500 / BD-P2550 Blu-ray players
Around this time last month, we learned that Netflix streaming would be making its way onto Samsung's BD-P2500 / BD-P2550 Blu-ray players. Today, Sammy has dropped another related bombshell: HD Netflix streaming is just around the bend. Beginning the first week of December (which isn't vague at all), owners of the aforementioned decks will be able to suck down a simple firmware update to enable high-def Netflix streaming. Enjoy the exclusivity, Xbox 360 -- it all comes to an end soon.
Internal DTS-HD decoding for Samsung Blu-ray players is delayed
While Samsung's latest crop of Blu-ray players has had the ability to output DTS-HD High Resolution & Master Audio via HDMI 1.3 in the form of a bitstream from day one, many still have an older A/V receivers that doesn't feature HDMI 1.3. So today Samsung dropped us a note to let us know that that those poor souls in need a new A/V receiver will have to endure the DTS core track in our favorite Blu-ray movies a little longer. This is because the firmware update that was scheduled to deliver the new codecs to existing players is delayed. But don't fret, the good news is that Samsung is still optimistic that it can deliver the new feature before the year is up.
Samsung partners with Netflix: P2500 and P2550 Blu-ray players updated for free
And so the Netflix partnerships roll on. Netflix just reached a deal to stream Internet movies and TV over a pair of Samsung Blu-ray players. The first Sammy players to go Netflix are the $400 BD-P2500 and BD-P2550 with "a range of home entertainment products" expected to follow suit. Good news for those of you who already own these players as the Netflix update is a free download through Samsung support (link below). Videos added to Netflix members' instant queues from a PC are automatically displayed on Samsung's players and available to watch instantly -- the players' remote control allows you to fast-forward and rewind video and browse and rate movies directly from the TV... exactly like LG's Netflix-enabled BD300. Come now, you didn't think Samsung would let hometown rival, LG, have all the fun did you? Read -- Samsung netflix updateRead -- Press Release
Samsung BD-P2500 Blu-ray player packs familiar specs, price
Samsung's upcoming BD-P2500 Blu-ray player promises BD-Live support out of the box when it ships in October, with its IFA announcement revealing identical specs and price ($499) to the Best Buy-exclusive BD-P2550 already on sale. Of course, with HQV video processing and a wealth of audio support including 7.1 analog output and PCM or bitstream audio for Dolby Digital, Digital Plus, TrueHD or dts soundtracks, and DTS-HD HR (after a firmware update) and DTS-HD MA bitstream support, that's not an entirely bad thing. Samsung, Panasonic, it's taken you this many generations to get a satisfactory spec sheet, now what about the price?
Samsung gets official with BD-Live-ready BD-P2500 Blu-ray player
Rumors of Samsung's BD-Live-ready BD-P2500 Blu-ray player first started cropping up a few months ago, and the strikingly similar BD-P2550 just slipped out at Best Buy a few days ago, but if you like your Blu-ray news all official like, you'll be glad to know that Samsung has now finally actually talking about the player, and it's set to show it off at the big IFA show later this week. In addition to BD-Live support (which will apparently come in a future update), Samsung also confirms that the player packs the always-desirable Silicon Optix HQV video processing chip, and support for both Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD in addition to the usual non-HD formats. No firm word on a price just yet, but you can look for the official launch to happen in September. If that Best Buy slip is any indication, however, it seems likely that they could start showing up even sooner than that.