July 2006
First look: Samsung BD-P1000
The first player with Blu-ray, a high-def DVD format
More infantry are entering the format war over high-definition DVD, the new technology that promises sharper, more detailed
images than those from standard DVD. Samsung's BD-P1000 is the first DVD player that uses Blu-ray, the high-def DVD format
developed by Sony and backed by Disney and other studios. Two high-def players from Toshiba we tested recently use the competing
(and incompatible) HD DVD format, supported by movie studios, including Universal and HBO. The fighting has also spread to
computers, with the introduction of two high-def laptops--a Blu-ray-capable Sony and a Toshiba that can accommodate HD DVD;
see our test report.
So which of the fighting formats looks better? We used the Samsung to view Blu-ray DVDs on a range of HDTVs, including those that use CRT, plasma, LCD, and rear-projection technologies and that support a variety of resolutions, including 720p, 1080i and 1080p. As expected, on all sets, the Blu-ray movies provided a noticeably (though not significantly) more detailed image than their standard-DVD versions did. For example, in a scene in "Lord of War," the Blu-ray version allowed us to make out tiny patterns carved into a wall in the background. Those patterns were much less distinct when we viewed the movie in its standard DVD version. Also, unlike the Toshibas, the Samsung HDMI port supports the highest-resolution HDTV format, 1080p (the Toshibas' outputs max out at the lower-resolution 1080i). Picture clarity for the Samsung's high-def images did vary between HDTVs, but sets with 1080p capability didn't necessarily look the best. In fact, on some sets, Blu-ray discs actually looked better displayed in 1080i than in 1080p.
Excellent standard-definition DVD performance. When playing standard DVDs, Samsung's performance was on par with the best conventional DVD players we've tested and even outperformed the HD DVD Toshibas when it came to playing TV shows, concerts, and other non-film DVDs.
But based on those initial tests, we give the edge to HD DVD. Blu-ray players are also more costly, at least for now. At $1,000, the Samsung costs twice as much as the Toshiba HD-A1, the least expensive HD DVD player. Other Blu-ray players expected in the next few months from Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, and others are expected to cost even more.
For most consumers, the format war, content scarcity, and sky-high player prices are enough to pause on any high-def DVD purchase. But if you're an HDTV-owning movie buff impressed by the Blu-ray lineup and are undeterred by the Samsung's hefty price (or the $20 to $30 you'll have to pay for each Blu-ray title), here's what you can expect.
PROS
A noticeable improvement over standard-definition. Sensible, responsive controls. The Samsung was very easy to use, much like a conventional DVD player. The remote's buttons were sensibly placed, and the player responded quickly and predictably to our commands. (On the Toshibas, the controls were relatively lethargic, and the players occasionally ignored remote signals.)
Multimedia friendly. In addition to Blu-ray and standard DVDs, the Samsung plays audio CDs, and reads JPEG photo image files and MP3 music files burned on CDs, DVDs, and memory cards. Complementing its disc drive are two memory-card slots in the front panel, which accept 10 card types. By slipping a camera disc into the player, you can view your photos. Some memory cards, such as Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick Pro Duo, require adapters.
CONS
Picture not as impressive as HD DVD's. After sampling a wide variety of movies in both formats, our overall impression is that Blu-ray movies played on the Samsung were noticeably softer than the HD DVD movies played on the Toshibas. The Blu-ray images also had a granular quality that looked like exaggerated film grain. While we couldn't tell whether this effect resided with the player, the discs, or both, the half-dozen Blu-ray movies played on the Samsung player all had this characteristic "look" to varying degrees.
Some movies may "black out" on older HD sets. Due to the fear that high-definition DVDs might be copied and sold in pirated versions, the Blu-ray and HD DVD protocols allow movie studios and other content providers to program discs to downgrade HD signals from the component jacks to less-than-HD quality. So far, no high-def DVDs have programmed such downconversion. But if it is included in any Blu-ray titles, the Samsung would display a blank screen, since it won't play Blu-ray discs in standard definition.
THE BOTTOM LINE
It's hard to make a case for buying any stand-alone high-definition DVD player now, given the format war and the scarcity of titles. (At the time of this writing, there were only about 30 titles in HD DVD and half that many in Blu-ray, including "50 First Dates," "The Fifth Element," "Hitch," and "Crash.") It's especially difficult to make the case for this Samsung, given that it's more expensive than its HD DVD competitors and performs no better overall. Also, a less expensive Blu-ray player is on its way, in the form of the $500 Sony PlayStation 3, a video-game console that will have a Blu-ray drive. The PS3 rolls out in late November, but to snare one you'll most likely have to compete with millions of hard-core gamers and determined holiday shoppers.
So which of the fighting formats looks better? We used the Samsung to view Blu-ray DVDs on a range of HDTVs, including those that use CRT, plasma, LCD, and rear-projection technologies and that support a variety of resolutions, including 720p, 1080i and 1080p. As expected, on all sets, the Blu-ray movies provided a noticeably (though not significantly) more detailed image than their standard-DVD versions did. For example, in a scene in "Lord of War," the Blu-ray version allowed us to make out tiny patterns carved into a wall in the background. Those patterns were much less distinct when we viewed the movie in its standard DVD version. Also, unlike the Toshibas, the Samsung HDMI port supports the highest-resolution HDTV format, 1080p (the Toshibas' outputs max out at the lower-resolution 1080i). Picture clarity for the Samsung's high-def images did vary between HDTVs, but sets with 1080p capability didn't necessarily look the best. In fact, on some sets, Blu-ray discs actually looked better displayed in 1080i than in 1080p.
Excellent standard-definition DVD performance. When playing standard DVDs, Samsung's performance was on par with the best conventional DVD players we've tested and even outperformed the HD DVD Toshibas when it came to playing TV shows, concerts, and other non-film DVDs.
But based on those initial tests, we give the edge to HD DVD. Blu-ray players are also more costly, at least for now. At $1,000, the Samsung costs twice as much as the Toshiba HD-A1, the least expensive HD DVD player. Other Blu-ray players expected in the next few months from Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, and others are expected to cost even more.
For most consumers, the format war, content scarcity, and sky-high player prices are enough to pause on any high-def DVD purchase. But if you're an HDTV-owning movie buff impressed by the Blu-ray lineup and are undeterred by the Samsung's hefty price (or the $20 to $30 you'll have to pay for each Blu-ray title), here's what you can expect.
PROS
A noticeable improvement over standard-definition. Sensible, responsive controls. The Samsung was very easy to use, much like a conventional DVD player. The remote's buttons were sensibly placed, and the player responded quickly and predictably to our commands. (On the Toshibas, the controls were relatively lethargic, and the players occasionally ignored remote signals.)
Multimedia friendly. In addition to Blu-ray and standard DVDs, the Samsung plays audio CDs, and reads JPEG photo image files and MP3 music files burned on CDs, DVDs, and memory cards. Complementing its disc drive are two memory-card slots in the front panel, which accept 10 card types. By slipping a camera disc into the player, you can view your photos. Some memory cards, such as Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick Pro Duo, require adapters.
CONS
Picture not as impressive as HD DVD's. After sampling a wide variety of movies in both formats, our overall impression is that Blu-ray movies played on the Samsung were noticeably softer than the HD DVD movies played on the Toshibas. The Blu-ray images also had a granular quality that looked like exaggerated film grain. While we couldn't tell whether this effect resided with the player, the discs, or both, the half-dozen Blu-ray movies played on the Samsung player all had this characteristic "look" to varying degrees.
Some movies may "black out" on older HD sets. Due to the fear that high-definition DVDs might be copied and sold in pirated versions, the Blu-ray and HD DVD protocols allow movie studios and other content providers to program discs to downgrade HD signals from the component jacks to less-than-HD quality. So far, no high-def DVDs have programmed such downconversion. But if it is included in any Blu-ray titles, the Samsung would display a blank screen, since it won't play Blu-ray discs in standard definition.
THE BOTTOM LINE
It's hard to make a case for buying any stand-alone high-definition DVD player now, given the format war and the scarcity of titles. (At the time of this writing, there were only about 30 titles in HD DVD and half that many in Blu-ray, including "50 First Dates," "The Fifth Element," "Hitch," and "Crash.") It's especially difficult to make the case for this Samsung, given that it's more expensive than its HD DVD competitors and performs no better overall. Also, a less expensive Blu-ray player is on its way, in the form of the $500 Sony PlayStation 3, a video-game console that will have a Blu-ray drive. The PS3 rolls out in late November, but to snare one you'll most likely have to compete with millions of hard-core gamers and determined holiday shoppers.
