Review of the BD-D6500 3D Blu-ray Player from Samsung. It has many great features for an mid-level player, including built-in Wi-Fi, Web-Connected Apps, DLNA, USB playback and much more. Check out all the details on the BD-D6500.
In 2010 we saw the first wave of 3D HDTVs on the market. However,
there was only a select few Blu-ray DVD Players available. But as 3D viewing is fast becoming more prevalent in Home Entertainment, we are seeing this technology in every level of Blu-ray Players. Almost every player in Samsung's 2011 line-up will be 3D capable, including the BD-D6500 model. This is a big improvement from its predecessor, the BD-C6500. Other new features include faster loading times, the One Foot Connection and the Smart Hub. Plus you get the older features of DLNA capability, USB playback and stunning HD images and audio.
Besides creating a new graphic user interface; Samsung has implemented its 3S design philosophy (symmetric, slim and slot-in) into the BD-D6500 player. This provides a sleek and easily functional player that should appeal to many consumers. Most of the control buttons are located in the center of the player and its size has been trimmed down. The slot-in feature consists of non-moving parts for loading discs, making the player quieter and more efficient.
VIDEO QUALITY: The BD-D6500 player has excellent picture quality. Whether you are watching DVDs or Blu-rays, the image is stunning. Video connection for the BD-D6500 include HDMI (2D: 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p - 3D: 1080p, 720p), Composite Video Outputs (1 Channel: 1.0 Vp-p (75© load) - Blu-ray/DVDs: 480i) and Component Video (Blu-ray: 480i - DVD: 480p, 480i). The player is equipped with up-scaling technology to convert your DVS to near HD levels. It can handle the playback of 3D blu-ray discs, but it is also capable of converting your 2D content into 3D images. The quality of these converted 3D images will vary and are not at the level you will find on 3D blu-ray discs. But this is a fun feature you might want to play around with.
AUDIO QUALITY: The BD-D6500 has internal decoders for Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio. The audio connections are located on the back of the player and include the HDMI Output, Optical Digital Audio Output and 2-ch Analog Audio Outputs. Unfortunately, it is lacking 7.1-ch analog outputs, however if connected via the HDMi you can enjoy 7.1 multi-channel surround sound.
Samsung Smart TV provides you access to a vast array of entertainment options such as online streaming of movies and TV shows (Netflix or Blockbuster, TV shows from Hulu Plus), social networking (Twitter or Facebook), music (Pandora), games, online shopping, news, weather, business reports and much more. There is a Search All feature which you can use to find videos and files as well as a Your Video feature that recommend movies based on your viewing habits.
Connecting to the internet is made easy through an Ethernet Port or a built-in wireless LAN Adapter. Once connected you can access Smart TV or a connected device via the AllShare DLNA technology. For example you will be able to stream videos, music and photos from your PC to your HDTV. USB playback is also supported. The BD-D6500 can handle the playback of BD, BD-R, BD-RE, DVD-V, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, WMA, MP3 and JPEG.
Another great new feature of the BD-D6500 is the One Foot Connection. When the BD-D6500 player is placed within one foot of the router during setup, a connection is established. No passwords or router names are required and once connected you can move the player to any part of your home.
The BD-D6500 Blu-ray DVD Player, with its improvements and new innovative features, has all the features and quality you need for your Home Entertainment theater. This inexpensive player will surely be one of the best players on the market in 2011.
THE PROS: The new stylishly designed BD-D6500 Blu-ray Player from Samsung has all the features you want in a great player. Offering us stunning 2D and 3D playback in Full HD 1080p resolution. Decoding and bit-streaming of Dolby Digital TrueHD and DTS Master Audio. With its new enhanced GUI, Smart Hub (providing access to Netflix, Blockbuster, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Pandora, Facebook and Twitter) and One Foot Connection feature, you can easily connect to the internet and enjoy streaming content and social networking. Also, it has DLNA support, USB playback and improved loading times.
THE CONS: Seems to be lacking internal memory storage for BD-Live content. If you want to take advantage of these extra features found on certain blu-ray discs, you will require a USB storage device of at least 1 GB. Not all of its Smart Hub features have been tested; such as its viewing recommendations feature. Only time will tell if Samsung’s Smart Hub will deliver on all of its promised features.
THE FINAL WORD: The BD-D6500 is very easy to use. You will be setup and ready to enjoy movies or streaming content within minutes, if not seconds. Offering us all the latest blu-ray features as well as new and innovative features such as One Foot Connection and Samsung’s Smart Hub. The BD-D6500 should bring countless hours of home entertainment. If you are not bothered with having a 3D player, you may want to check out Samsung’s BD-D5700. It has all the same feature, minus the 3D capability and is about $30.00 cheaper. — Price you should look for when purchasing — Under $230.00
