Samsung BD-D5700

Pros: Easy Set up, good navigation, links with Samsung TV

Cons: None so far

Summary: Okay, I'm going to keep this review as objective & fact based as possible. Let's face it, you don't know me, I don't know you. Why trust my "opinion"? I could be color blind with Glaucoma & tone deaf. Does that help you to decide a players quality based on my review? No.

I purchased the 5700 a week ago & I did NOT buy this player for the wireless, internet connectivity, apps, blah, blah, blah. I bought this Blu Ray player to do just that, PLAY BLU RAYS! If there's one thing I can't stand, it's the negative reviews based on any players "software" & ignore it's Blu Ray/DVD performance.

It's a Blu Ray PLAYER, maybe it's your router, your IPS, your wi-Fi or whatever. I reviewed the 5700's ability to play Discs.

So here it is.... Out of the box, no issues, nothing missing, nothing broken. It took maybe 5 minutes to set up & connect to my 60" Samsung LN60C630. Since they're Samsung's they use BD wise to "talk" to each other. This can be good or bad. Because when you turn on the Blu Ray the TV turns on, the two are "linked". But you can Turn OFF this feature. With BD Wise you get another picture mode, BD Wise, besides the 4 existing modes. I like the BD Wise mode as the picture seems richer? But I tend to like brighter, more saturated colors.

The remote is similar to the TV, but it isn't exact, and it's NOT backlight. Some keys do glow, but otherwise useless in dim light. If your hoping to consolidate all functions into one remote, this will not do it. Either the Blu Ray remote is confused about which unit I want the menu for or the TV is confused or I am confused, either way there is NO button to tell the remote to control the Blu Ray or the TV. I'm still figuring it out.

All the control buttons on the front are "soft" buttons. They light up & are touch sensitive, no delays. You have 3 choices, Dim, Bright & Auto. However, when you turn off the power the "soft" power button stays lit. The whole thing is black, so this makes it easy to find the power button in the dark?

I replaced my Sony Blu Ray S370, which was dead quiet. This was my 3rd purchase. The first 2 Blu Rays players were the Panasonic 210 & the Samsung 5300, both were noisy. You could hear the disc spinning during playback, very annoying. The 5700 is quiet, NOT as quiet as the Sony, but not distracting, although it is louder playing a DVD vs a Blu Ray. Okay here are the facts regarding load times.

I will use movies most people should have? So you can compare times against what you have. I used Star wars -A New Hope on Blu Ray & Raiders of the Lost Ark on DVD(for now).

Just a note, I do find Star Wars "laboring" just to get to the movie, no matter what player I use Sony, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, the player is "thinking".

Open Tray & pressing play to first image on screen:

Star Wars - :40 (This Blu Ray has been manufactured...)
Raiders - :29 (Main menu)

Open Tray to Main menu:
Star Wars - 2:23
Raiders - :29

Main menu Play to movie start:
Star Wars - :53
Raiders - :54

Resume movie after pressing Stop:
Star Wars - 1:40
Raiders - :04

There is nothing I hate or scratch my head & think "why does it do that" or "why doesn't it do this", so far. If I encounter any problems I will do a follow up post. But if yu can get the 5700 on sale, definitely buy it...what's the worst that can happen? Take it back if you don't like it.