Samsung BD-C6500

Pros: Great image quality
Convenient apps for Netflix, Pandora, etc. sweeten the deal

Cons: Audio popping and video snowing issues related (I think) to HDMI cable quality.
Sluggish Blue Ray performance
Confusing "menu" buttons

Summary: Got this for Christmas. I do not have a Blue Ray player to compare it to (lots of reviews compare to Sony), but it does what I expected: offer great image and audio through my Denon receiver and Epson front-projector.

First, my setup. Obviously the Samsung BD-C6500. Epson 8350 Front Projector to a 90" Elite Screen. Denon AVR-791.

From the beginning, I had a nagging issue with video and audio quality that I could not figure out. On black scenes, random and disperse "snow" would scatter throughout the scene in single-pixel white spots. Just enough to annoy, not really interfere with the content. After a little time switching between inputs on my receiver, they seemed to go away.

Then I had to deal with audio popping in and out. My receiver recognized the input as "multi in" instead of the expected "dolby 5.1" and would switch in and out several times a minute. Very annoying and definitely got in the way of enjoying the content through the player.

In the end, I gave up trying to find a setting on my receiver and BD player and just switched my HDMI cable. All of the problems, thankfully, went away.

Now that the player seems to behave normally, I can say that I like it and when a normal DVD is in, the player is snappy. When a Blue Ray disc is in, however, the normally one-or-two-second wait time between main menu of the player and disc playback turns to four or five seconds at least. Could be standard for BD players, but, like I said, I don't have anything to compare it to.

Also, when using the applications from the main menu (Netflix, Pandora, etc.), every few minutes, the screen will flash for a second or two to a multi-colored snowy screen (think of a normal TV tuned to a VHF frequency with no channel). Annoying, but at least it doesn't happen during Blue Ray playback, which would be cause for an immediate return. Since I consider the apps a "nice to have" I'll put up with it for a while and hope for a software update.

Speaking of network, wireless works fine on my box, contrary to a couple of the reviews. Easy to set up and Netflix comes in as HD quality every time, despite the wireless router being two floors up.

In the end, I like the box but have had enough issues to keep it to a normal "good" review, but not great. Good thing it isn't so expensive that it could not be replaced with another unit if snowy scene during the applications menu wears on me.