Samsung Debuts Slimmed-Down Combo HD Player

Sun Jan 6, 2008 5:02PM EST

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Samsung has just announced its second-generation Blu-ray/HD DVD combo player, and it definitely has an edge on its predecessor in the style department. But here's a bigger question: How much will it cost?

The glossy, piano-black, and just 2.3 inch-high BD-UP5500 comes with most of the older UP-BD5000's features, including full support for Blu-ray and HD DVD interactive features, playback of Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD soundtracks, as well as the ability to upconvert standard DVDs to full-on 1080p. Also included is out-of-the-box support for Blu-ray profile 1.1 (which allows for picture-in-picture commentaries on newer Blu-ray discs), an Ethernet port for downloading new firmware and accessing online content, and HQV processing for enhancing HD and SD video.

Overall, not bad, but here's the spec we really want to know: how much? Unfortunately, Samsung isn't releasing pricing info just yet, but hopefully it'll be lower than the $799 sticker price for the BD-UP5000—especially given that the demand for combo HD decks may dwindle now that HD DVD appears to be on the ropes.

Look for the BD-UP5500 to arrive in stores in the second half of the year.

Update: Reports are coming in that the deck will retail for $599—still pricey, but a veritable bargain compared to the $799 BD-UP5000.

Comments on Samsung Debuts Slimmed-Down Combo HD Player

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  • 26 Posted by a_armentrout on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    PS3 plays Blu-Ray, 360 plays HD DVD. Sorry garrito911 and also the price is $599, not $799.

  • 27 Posted by beatleboy61 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    Oh boy !!! Another over priced gadget that will be obsolete within a year or so ! Thank God ! I was running out of things to spend my money on. In my opinion, plain old DVD was just fine - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. It's funny, as soon as everyone had a VCR and the price dropped to $30, surprise - DVD ! Now that everyone has a DVD player and you can buy one for $30, suprise - etc,etc. Notice a trend ? heck they probably already have the next thing waiting for when these HD/Blu-Ray things are in everyone's home and cost $30 - and the gullible consumers eat 'em right up. I stopped at plain old DVD. If they become unplayable, I'll watch my $200 cable TV.

  • 28 Posted by dubs_12 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    just buy a god darn PS3 it has bluray, HD DVD's are already a bust You can buy a PS3 for 400

  • 29 Posted by jaygrema on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    Just got the second generation Sony Blu-ray for 299. It is awesome.I like Samsung (have their 40 inch 1080p TV) but their Blu-ray player is inferior to the Sony and way overpriced. Bly-ray is incredible to watch.

  • 30 Posted by subwayseries_1999 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    Anyone that buys a Samsung product is asking for trouble. Yes, their tv's have been amazing over the past few years, why? Because Sony was involved in their production. Well, Sony no longer is and everything Samsung has made is garbage and you will see very soon that their tvs will be bad as well. Why? Because Samsung is going out on their own to make them...lol... I wouldn't touch a Samsung product with a ten foot pole and suggest you don't either...

  • 32 Posted by roylmanone on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    Interesting and insightful comments by all. I to feel that although the technology is coming, they still need to work out kinks...kind of like Vista and everything else Microsoft puts out...be positive folks...MAC will step up and get it all solved.

  • 33 Posted by aircops on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wait, in 2009 less than $200, dont buy it now.

  • 34 Posted by armystud12344321 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    I can not wait to purchase this product to replace my now only dvd player. I do not think it is a very expensive priced item and I would rather buy this then go out and waste my money on a PS3 when a Xbox 360 is way better but I wouldn't want either to watch a movie on my HDtv. This is going to be a great investment to my home theater entertainment system.

  • 35 Posted by windoze4u on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    Sony doesn't win these new tech wars very often, wait and see if it will be blu-ray or HDDVD

  • 36 Posted by vgandhi109 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    Garrito911, im sorry, but you infact are the retard. Please show us these imaginary specs of the ps3, the one that supposedly plays HD-DVD. A_armentrout - the cheap ps3 is $399.

  • 37 Posted by biggen420all on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    why is it that when a new gadget comes out on the market they jack the price up on it. now i know that it has alot to do with the marketing and all that. but just once i would like to buy something with out paying an arm and a leg. maybe just a leg. thank you for your time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 39 Posted by bigdaddygrc on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    garrito911, you're a genius (not really), BlueRay/DVD can only be played on the PS3, this player plays HD & BlueRay both high def. and standard DVD. You'll be buying a HD DVD player soon, Blueray is going down. Remember beta/VHS? Sony always looses out on shoving their technology down our throats. Ex. memory stick, Beta, dvd rental/purchase players.

  • 40 Posted by tlburge1001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    How about $200.00 to $300.00 range so people can afford it.

  • 41 Posted by roylmanone on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    Interesting comments with keen insight by all. The technology is good. However, just like Microsoft there is always a kink to work out. Look for Mac to come in and make it outstanding. The reason BluRay is winning the battle on the market is because they pumped more money into the right pockets....kind of like Beta vs VHS...follow the money trail and you will see how BluRay got the nod.

  • 42 Posted by khobzey_ku on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    never knew that PS3 plays HD-DVD:) combo is god for getting acquainted with new formats i suupose

  • 44 Posted by bell815ringer on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why waste your money investing in tmeless/useless junk. VHS/Betamax DVD BlueRay/HD continue to change the formats on watching movies. Follow my lead. I will wait until the movies come out on HBO or on the regular channels. I will never get caught up in this electronic war again. I will buy a television and watch whatever movie comes across the screen.

  • 45 Posted by erinahlgren on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    blue ray and hd players are so pointless....why would anyone want to waste their money buying all their movies over again for ridiculous prices and also buy the special player for it....such a waste of money....those two things are going to flop...no one is going to go out of their way and money to get one unless they are rich and have so much money they dont know what to do with it or it already comes with what they have....lame

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