My First Blu-ray Experience? It Sucked

[Jason Dunn]

<p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1232048374.usr1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>That's a blown-out DLP bulb from my Toshiba TV. What does that have to do with Blu-ray? Keep reading. Back in November, I finally got around to re-doing my home theatre rig. I was <a href="http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/f303/yeah-i-caved-i-bought-blu-ray-player-91240.html" target="_blank">replacing the DVD player</a>, the amp, and wiring everything through the amp via HDMI (a first for me). After I got it all connected, my wife and I sat down to enjoy our first Blu-ray movie: <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/digitalhomethoughts-20/detail/B001F7MSG6" target="_blank">Hellboy II</a> [Affiliate]. Being the comic/superhero geek that I am, I was really looking forward to Hellboy II but never managed to see it in the theatres. So I put in the disc, and start the movie. I was puzzled to see a text overlay in the upper left corner that says "BONUS VIEW" right from the first frame of the movie. I expected it to go away eventually, but it doesn't.</p><p>On the Samsung remote control I pressed the Bonus View button expecting to toggle this text off the screen. It didn't do anything. Puzzled, I started searching through the Hellboy II disc menu, thinking maybe there was some option for Bonus View that's somehow turned on by default. I couldn't find anything, so we stopped the movie and watched a regular DVD instead. Not a great first impression there Mr. Blu-ray! <MORE /></p><p>I thought that perhaps this was a bug related to the firmware on the Samsung Blu-ray player (I've heard so much about buggy Blu-ray firmware), so I went to the Samsung Web site and put the latest firmware onto a blank CD. I put it in the DVD player, and a few seconds after it loaded up the update started - and I heard a loud "pop" come from my TV! The display vanished. I've never had a DLP bulb blow up on me before, so I didn't recognize it at first. After unplugging the TV and counting the number of times the front light blinks, I realized it was a blown DLP bulb. This is a bit surprising, because I didn't think I'd watched the TV enough to warrant a blown bulb, but these things happen with DLP TVs. The timing of it blowing exactly as the Blu-ray firmware was updating is more than a little strange, but I can't think of any way in which the Blu-ray player would stress the display bulb on the TV.</p><p>$225 and two weeks later, I finally had my TV back up and running. The Blu-ray firmware update completed, and I eagerly put in Hellboy II...only to see the Bonus View text still there. The button on the remote still won't turn if off. Disgusted, I gave up. A few days later we watched <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/digitalhomethoughts-20/detail/B001CD6FKS" target="_blank">Speed Racer</a> on Blu-ray, with no such Bonus View problems - and it looked great. Three night ago, I put in the movie <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/digitalhomethoughts-20/detail/B001GKJ2FC" target="_blank">Wanted</a>, and my arch-nemesis Bonus View popped up again! Pressing the button would turn on the Bonus View, unlike Hellboy II, but exiting from the Bonus View content wouldn't get rid of the damn message. This time I decided to consult <a href="http://www.google.com" target="_blank">The Oracle</a>, and wouldn't you know it, there are others complaining about the same problem as me. I found <a href="http://www.fixya.com/support/t1253419-samsung_bdp1500_blu" target="_blank">the solution</a>, which entails going into the DVD system menu, then going <em>Setup &gt; Display Setup &gt; Screen Message &gt; Off</em>. I checked it with the disc for Wanted, and no more Bonus View text overlay.</p><p>Why would Samsung have the Bonus View text overlay appear by default and not go away when the button is pressed? I have no idea. I can't think of a single reason why someone would want to see the words Bonus View plaster across their screen when watching a movie - I chalk it up to the generally sloppy job everyone has done with Blu-ray players. Adding insult to injury, over the past two months I've had four regular DVDs that either wouldn't play at all in the Samsung BD-P1500 (<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/digitalhomethoughts-20/detail/B000V86OKG" target="_blank">Dexter Season 2</a>), or play partially then lock up partway through (<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/digitalhomethoughts-20/detail/B000068TPN" target="_blank">We Were Soldiers</a>, <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/digitalhomethoughts-20/detail/B00005JL8F" target="_blank">The Sum of All Fears</a>). The Samsung BD-1500 is more troublesome and frustrating than any previous DVD player I've owned. My first couple of months with a Blu-ray player hasn't been very impressive, and as far as Blu-ray players go, I certainly can't recommend the BD-P1500 in any way.</p><p><em>Jason Dunn owns and operates <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com" target="_blank">Thoughts Media Inc.</a>, a company dedicated to creating the best in online communities. He enjoys <a href="http://photos.jasondunn.com/" target="_blank">photography</a>, mobile devices, <a href="http://www.jasondunn.com" target="_blank">blogging</a>, digital media content creation/editing, and pretty much all technology. He lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with his lovely wife, and his sometimes obedient dog. He wishes HD-DVD had won the high-def wars.</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//ppct/auto/1240336793.usr1.gif" /></p><p><strong>Do you enjoy using new hardware, software and accessories, then sharing your experience with others? Then join us on the <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com/reviewteam.php" target="_blank">Thoughts Media Review Team</a>! We're looking for individuals who find it fun to test new gear and give their honest opinions about the experience. It's a volunteer role with some great perks. Interested? <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com/reviewteam.php" target="_blank">Then click here for more information.</a></strong></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//ppct/auto/1240336793.usr1.gif" /></p>

[Macguy59]

Sucks that you've had problems already. On the opposite end of the scale I've had no issues with my Sony BDP-S350 including text overlays that won't go away. Haven't come across any standard DVD's that choke either.

[Janak Parekh]

I've got pretty much the same response as Macguy, except with a PS3. My Blu-Ray experience has been completely flawless and stunning. No Bonus Text or anything, and I've never had a problem with BR or DVD disks. PS3 firmware updates are also very simple.

Shame on Samsung. :(

--janak

[tregnier]

I still don't see any connection re your bulb and the Blu-Ray. It's what we call "a spurious anomaly", better known as a WTF!

As to your Blu-Ray experience, my friend, chalk it up to "forerunner expense", that price we pay for being formidable diddlers.

[Chris Gohlke]

I've got the Sony BDP-S350 and my only real disappointment with the unit is the absurd load times for movies.

[Macguy59]

I've got the Sony BDP-S350 and my only real disappointment with the unit is the absurd load times for movies.

I've wondered about that myself. Could it be checking online at load up for any bonus material associated with the movie ? I have mine connected to the router.

[kettch]

I've had the same issues with the Samsung. It took us quite a while to figure out how to get one of the little overlay icons to go away.

Is anybody else annoyed with the layout on the remote? There are several menus and control panels that each have their own set of buttons randomly scattered on the remote. You'd think that whenever you were using one of them that if you hit the exit button it should drop you back to the movie...I guess that would be too obvious. The whole control scheme is rather convoluted and unintuitive. It's possible to get used to it, but I design UI as part of my job, and this is some of the worst I've ever seen.

The load times aren't that great either. The whole player just seems sluggish.

[Janak Parekh]

I've got the Sony BDP-S350 and my only real disappointment with the unit is the absurd load times for movies. What's absurd? I get a brief loading time (10-15 seconds?) at the beginning on the PS3, but it's never felt particularly absurd, at least on the PS3.

--janak

[Jason Dunn]

Is anybody else annoyed with the layout on the remote? There are several menus and control panels that each have their own set of buttons randomly scattered on the remote.

Yeah, it sort of sucks - but I don't have to deal with it very often since I've programmed my Harmony remote to control the DVD player. What I found curious is that some DVDs you use the "DVD Menu" to get to the menu, and some DVDs yo use another menu button. Pretty bizarre. :confused:

[Jason Dunn]

What's absurd? I get a brief loading time (10-15 seconds?) at the beginning on the PS3...

I've noticed that DVD players have gotten slower over time - my old Samsung DVD player from 3-4 years ago would load DVDs quite fast, and layer changes were so smooth you couldn't notice it happening. My fancy new Blu-ray player is at least twice as slow at playing exactly the same DVDs, and changing layers is painfully obvious.

I definitely feel like watching movies on DVD/Blu-ray has taken a bit of a step back over the past few years.

[Chris Gohlke]

Just did an informal test with the BluRay version of Kung Fu Panda.

From a cold start. Power on to complete load of OS and can press the tray open button - 30 seconds

Insert movie and press close tray button. 30 seconds until the OS screen goes away, another 40 seconds before the movie starts.

So a bit less then two minutes to get a movie going once you turn the unit on.

[Chris Gohlke]

Oh and I have the current firmware and am hooked up via ethernet

[Macguy59]

Just did an informal test with the BluRay version of Kung Fu Panda.

From a cold start. Power on to complete load of OS and can press the tray open button - 30 seconds

Insert movie and press close tray button. 30 seconds until the OS screen goes away, another 40 seconds before the movie starts.

So a bit less then two minutes to get a movie going once you turn the unit on.

Whoa. Mine doesn't take nearly that long. From power on to tray open is only 5 seconds on mine. Actually it's only 3 seconds if I just press open without hitting the power button first.

[Chris Gohlke]

Are you sure you are not in the standby mode? I didn't turn that feature on because I'm big on minimizing power usage.

[Macguy59]

Are you sure you are not in the standby mode? I didn't turn that feature on because I'm big on minimizing power usage.

Good question. Let me check . . ."Energy Saving" is off. Is that what you're referring to ? However, there is nothing lit up on mine after I turn it off so I wonder how much if any power is really being saved ? Edit: Ok I see now what you're talking about. Standby Mode is set to "Quickstart" on mine.

[Pony99CA]

I still don't see any connection re your bulb and the Blu-Ray. It's what we call "a spurious anomaly", better known as a WTF!
Yeah, I don't get it, either. I was expecting something more along the lines of "I tried to do the firmware update again and the bulb blew again." It sounds like coincidence (AKA spurious anomaly) to me, too.

Steve

[Janak Parekh]

Are you sure you are not in the standby mode? I didn't turn that feature on because I'm big on minimizing power usage. Ah, my PS3 does standby. I think PS3s always do that? Have you looked at the power usage on quickstart?

--janak

[jeffd]

That sucks jason, glad im not missing anything. I am quite content with the 720p I download. Perhaps in the next 2 years when bluray drives are as cheap as dvd, I'll finally break down and upgrade (Although its possible I may own a ps3 when ff13 comes out).

As for the blown light.. 200 bucks OUCH. I doubt an lcd lamp would cost anything like that, makes me think twice about considering dlp over lcd.

[Felix Torres]

As to your Blu-Ray experience, my friend, chalk it up to "forerunner expense", that price we pay for being formidable diddlers.

???
BD has been on the market over 3 years; if its not ready for prime time yet, when will it?
Sounds like Samsung screwed up plain and simple, especially if other brands/players don't have the issue...
The time for putting up with early-adopter issues is over: If the hardware guys can't deliver a good user experience they need to get out of the business and let others take a crack at it.

Like Oppo.
That's what I'm waiting for.
http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83/

http://www.avguide.com/blog/new-information-oppo-blu-ray-player

I'm really interested in the 7.1 analog audio out to say nothing of the Anchor Bay scaler.
Might be the first BD player worthy of my money. :)

[Chris Gohlke]

Have you looked at the power usage on quickstart?

--janak

I have not measured it, but it is irrelevant for me since my entire home entertainment system has the power cut to it when not in use. So I guess the slow boot up is one of the trade offs. It just seems that I could boot my 360 and load an HD DVD MUCH quicker.

[Jason Dunn]

Yeah, I don't get it, either. I was expecting something more along the lines of "I tried to do the firmware update again and the bulb blew again." It sounds like coincidence (AKA spurious anomaly) to me, too.

There's nothing to get. I wasn't claiming that there was a connection:

"The timing of it blowing exactly as the Blu-ray firmware was updating is more than a little strange, but I can't think of any way in which the Blu-ray player would stress the display bulb on the TV."

It was just a coincidence.

[Jason Dunn]

Perhaps in the next 2 years when bluray drives are as cheap as dvd, I'll finally break down and upgrade.

That's exactly how Blu-ray is going to "win" over DVD: a slow attrition/replacement cycle. Consumer will "upgrade" only when they really don't have much of a choice - when Blu-ray players are about all that's on the market, and when Blu-ray discs are the same price as regular DVDs.

As for the blown light.. 200 bucks OUCH. I doubt an lcd lamp would cost anything like that, makes me think twice about considering dlp over lcd.

Yeah, that's the biggest down-side of a DLP TV - that and their failure rates. There's a reason DLPs are hard to find in stores now. But it was the only way to go big back when I got it. Today, finally, I can get a 72 inch TV, but it would cost me $6000. I figure by the time my DLP TV breaks down those 72 inch plasmas and LCD TVs will be in the $3000 range. I hope. :D I bought a really good extended warranty, so if I'm really lucky my DLP TV will break down and they'll have to replace it with a 72" plasma. Haha. :D