BLU-RAY PLAYER Samsung BD-C5900 3D

With the recent introduction to 3DTVs, Samsung has been quick to launch a new range of 3D capable Blu-ray players to take advantage of the new format. The Samsung BD-C5900 is the entry level model in the lineup. It is network ready with wireless LAN capability, supports the latest high-res Dolby and DTS soundtracks and access streaming content from the web or your home computer.

Design

Depending on where you will place the Samsung BD-C5900, the player can look really dark because of its sleek black finish. After the device is turned on, the main buttons light up making it fairly easy to operate the player. The eject, stop, and play buttons are found on the right side of the player along with the power button which is found on the edge. Just below the power button lays a cover that reveals a USB port. The disc tray can be found on the opposite end. The 1.7-inch thick design resembles older Blu-ray players but what makes this device stand out is the new Blu-ray 3D logo that glows when the device is powered on.

Features

The BD Profile 2.0 used to be one of the most defining features of a good Blu-ray player. Now it is commonly found in high-end and budget models including the Samsung BD-C5900. It comes with the latest HDMI v1.4a specifications for full 3D support out of the box. For the best experience, it is recommended to pair the BD-C5900 with any of the Samsung 3D HDTVs so that you can take advantage of the Anynet+ feature that gives you control of all Samsung’s AV devices with one remote. All it takes is to connect the TV, fire up a 3D Blu-ray movie and put on the 3D glasses provided by the Samsung 3D starter kit (sold separately).

Wireless LAN adapter shown plugged into the player's USB port

Not all Blu-ray discs feature 3D content since it is still an emerging technology, but several titles are already featuring BD-Live 2.0 content which allows downloading of special content from the Internet. Unlike the more expensive siblings the BD-C5900 does not come with a built-in memory, so you will need to have an external flash memory of at least 1Gb to enjoy BD-Live content. An Internet connection is required and can be established by connecting an Ethernet cable to the player. The BD-C5900 is also wireless LAN ready. You will need a wireless LAN adapter (shown on right) which needs to be purchased separately.
Unlike other entry-level Blu-ray players with BD-Live 2.0 support, more can be done with the Internet connection thanks to the Internet@TV feature. This feature shows off many widgets on the display that provide access to a variety of entertainment sites such as BLOCKBUSTER so addition titles can be previewed without leaving the home. Some free services can be accessed as well including Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube. Some games are provided as well such as Monopoly and other card games. This is a great feature to have especially if the connected TV has no Internet features.
The Samsung BD-C5900 is also friendly when it comes to connectivity options as it provides support both JPEG and JPEG HD formats along with the standard MP3 audio formats and various video formats including DivX, DivX HD, AVCHD, and even MKV. The AllShare feature provides even greater benefits to people owning other Samsung devices so these file formats can be shared across various mobile devices including the TV itself.

Performance

Samsung made some improvements to the load times with the incorporation of the Ultra Fast Play technology. The disc tray pops out cleanly and the content loads in less than 15 seconds. The color reproduction is also good with natural images and colors that really stand out. It looks best if it’s paired with a 2010 Samsung 3D HDTV. It also provides better support for certain Blu-ray titles that display in 21:9 aspect ratio settings. It uses the Screen Fit feature to eliminate the black bands so the content fills the screen nicely.

Bottom Line

The Samsung BD-C5900 executes the 3D elements nicely and also did a fine job in tuning other areas of the Blu-ray player to make it more valuable. Combined with the $230 dollar price tag, this is actually a nice Internet device to get with a lower-end Samsung device although 3DTVs are recommended.



Full HD 1080p output
* Built-in 3D
* Internet@TV Streaming
* BD-Live 2.0 ready
* AllShare PC streaming function
* Anynet+ compatiblity
* SD DVD Up-conversion
* USB Host play
* Dolby Digital (Plus)/TrueHD, and DTS/DTS HD audio decoders
* Ultra Fast Play function
* Built-in ethernet port
* Wireless-LAN ready
* Dimensions (W x H x D): 17.1" x 1.7" x 8.1"