The Samsung BD-C5900

The brand new Samsung player already offers the stereoscopic playback of 3D Blu-rays for 230 euros. But is the blue discrepancy also interesting for those who do not have a 3D-enabled TV?


Entry into 3D


Samsung was the first TV producer to send us this year a testable 3D TV and Blu-ray player. With 400 euros the BD-C6900 was still relatively expensive, compare it with the best 3D-player from Sony for 230 euros. Now Samsung is taking advantage of the BD-C5900, a 3D Blu-ray entry-level player.


Picture gallery


If you look at the range of functions, the term "entry" does not fit: The player gets itself as DLNAClient videos, music and pictures from the network (AllShare). It has an extensive internet offer, which includes videos (games, memory), communities (like Facebook) and photo-portals (like Picasa). If you do not want to install a network cable, you can upgrade to wireless Internet access via WLAN-n using a USB dongle.


Blu-ray in 2D or 3D?


Probably due to the early test pattern are small flaws, which should fix a software update: The fast forwarding is currently not possible in MP3 and WMA files. In the case of high-angle JPEG images that have been transversally displayed, "unsupported file format" appears when opened, although this type of pictures is generally placed on the screen.


Testimonial


Samsung BD-C5900


€ 230, www.samsung.de


+ 3D support + convincing picture quality + smooth operation of BD-J menus - small software flaws


Overall rating: very good 85%


Price / performance: superior


Otherwise, the player in the format compatibility is no nonsense. In addition to supporting TS VCR recordings, it would be desirable to play 3D videos and images from USB storage.


If you push a 3D Blu-ray into the player, the image shines with a sharpness and plasticity equal to that of the BDC6900. Although the big brother still provides some more signing, but for this price class the picture quality is exemplary. The player left a similarly positive impression with 2D discs.


Even with DVDs, the Samsung knows how to handle when it comes to interpolation on Full HD. Only during the full-image conversion did he occasionally get out of the way with moving objects, if otherwise mainly static image contents are contained.


There were no slips in the sound. The optical S / PDIF output, which is an electrical variant for the competitors, was positive.


3D Blu-rays are not useless if you only have a 2D Blu-ray player and a 2D TV. Besides, the 3D version also includes a 2D version of the movie that all Blu-ray players should be able to cope with.


If you want to enjoy the 2D version of a movie despite a 3D-capable Blu-ray player and TV, 3D Blu-ray discs such as "Wolkig mit Fleischbällchen" offer an appropriate selection. In this case, the setting in the Player menu has no effect on the Play mode.


For example, in the Samsung BD-C5900, you can determine how 3DBlu-rays should be output in 3D, 2D, or automatically, two-dimensional or three-dimensional depending on the 3D capability of the TV.