Samsung HT-BD1250 user reviews

Pros The picture quality, sound, Pandora, and PC Streaming (YES it works) features are amazing.

Cons No audio output! I had to splice my speaker wires to run the audio to my Whole House Audio system. Also, the 12,000 plus movies available for streaming from Netflix are not recently released movies. User manual makes no mention of PC Streaming.

Summary Overall, the core features of the system are great (Blu-ray DVD player and sound). The complete lack of audio outputs really caught me off guard. The Pandora Radio and PC Streaming makes it all worthwhile though.
Samsung support told me to use the BD-P3600 to configure the PC Streaming
(http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200904/20090430181628843/01791F-BD-P3600-XAA-ENG-NEW-0427-BM.pdf)

Pros This is my first home theater system and I love it. Fantastic sound with a great range. Even at lower volumes the subwoofer really lets you feel the sound through the cable box. Easy set-up and I love that I can stream Netflix!!

Cons Hooked-up to my Samsung HDTV and I love how they interact with eachother with little no needed input from me but it seems a little hoaky when it comes to playing the Bu-Ray and DVDs, it blacks out in TV mode between chapter changes prior to the menu.

Summary I absolutely recommend this product, especially if you have a Samsung TV. You will be blown away by the sound quality!!

Pros Great sound.
Easy setup.
Simple Netflix & Pandora streaming.
IPod Dock.

Cons No DVI or S-Video output.

Summary I did not "ding" this unit ratings-wise for the lack of a DVI or S-Video output. It just would have been nice while I am transitioning from my aged Sony Wega 36" non-HD TV to its Samsung 55" LED replacement arriving next week.

Consider this an "interium" review as I have not yet been able to connect this system to a quality HD TV. It is currently connect to the TV via the single RCA type Composite connection. Cannot get the 3 plug Component connection to work for some reason... but I expect that is an issue with the old TV.

However, even with a simple Composite connection (limited to 480p), the playback picture of standard DVDs is a bit better than with our old Sony standard DVD player... which has a better S-Video connection to the TV. The up-scaling of standard DVDs may be the source of the improvement. Maybe not. No clue... But suffice to say, the non-HD picture quality from this unit is very good.

The sound is just excellent.... for movies or just for playing music. All around great audio with easy menus for customizing the sound & speakers.

Setup is a snap. I set up the whole thing with no "RTFM" (read manual) required.

Now for the biggie features, IMO. Netflix and Pandora. I just ran a Cat 6 cable (mighta been an old Cat 5. Don't know, don't care.) from my broadband router and PING!! (pardon the pun)... instantly connected to the home network, Internet, Netflix & Pandora.

Having Netflix Instant TV (requires Netflix account) right there on your TV is like having a mediocre video rental store in your living room. Pandora, a free Internet music service, is a bit like being the disc jockey at your own radio station. You can create your own "stations that play the type of music you like. Very cool!!

My IPod croaked last week... as IPods do... so I have not been able to test that yet. But the plug did fit... so that's always a good sign. ;-)

Add to that 2 USB ports where you can connect your digital camera, a card reader, an HDD or any USB memory stick with MP3s for music... or JPEGs for picture slideshows. Lesser features, to be sure. But still nice to have.


All these "extras" make this system an absolute marvel, in my opinion. Provided the basic functionality is there (sound & DVD playback).. which it appears to be, this would appear to be a home theater system second to none considering the price and broad range of extra goodies..

**** I only gave it 4 stars as I have yet been able to check the HD quality via the HDMI connection.

Pros This system has everything you could ever want in a home theater and more:
Loud sound, 1000 watts RMS
Clear highs
Powerful bass
Blu ray player
DVD up-converting
Dolby Digital surround sound
Universal remote
iPod/iPhone dock
**All for less than $500**

Cons A few software glitches, but can be corrected through software updates
Only comes with a component video. For $500, you'd think you'd at least get one HDMI cable
No built in wireless adapter for Netflix or Pandora, need to get a USB adapter

Summary Very good system for the price, with great sound despite the lack of the letters "BOSE" on the speakers. Nice sound, lots of input possibilities, and an overall great bang for your buck