Samsung's BD-UP5000 leaking into stores?

While Samsung's BD-UP5000 still shows as unavailable until next month over at Amazon, it appears that the combo player is nevertheless leaking into select big box retail locations. Currently, the unit is out of stock online at both Circuit City and Best Buy, but a quick zip code check revealed that it was actually in stock and begging for an owner in select New York, Texas and New Mexico locations (just to name a few). Of course, it looks as though CC is charging a whopping two bills less than its scorned rival, so we'd probably head that way if at all possible. We're calling on you, dear readers -- let us know where the BD-UP5000 is (and isn't). After you snag your own, of course.

[Thanks, Bill M.]
Read - BD-UP5000 at Best Buy
Read - BD-UP5000 at Circuit City

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 2nd 2008 5:50PM]

I snagged mine at my local CC store last Saturday for $799. Went back Sunday and got back $50 after they dropped the price. If you have a AAA card you may be eligible for an additional 10% off at CC. See the AAA.com website for details.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 2nd 2008 7:38PM]

Oh. local CC store was Culver City, CA (Los Angeles)

[MeanSpyvie Posted Jan 2nd 2008 5:55PM]

I bought a Samsung DVD-HD870 upscaling player about a year ago, the PQ absolutly sucks, cheap upscaling players from Walmart look much better. I got it from Newegg with an "exchange only" clause so I couldn't return it.

It will be a long time before I'll buy another Samsung disk player.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 2nd 2008 6:41PM]

That's nice...be we are talking about hi-def players, not upconverters.

[MeanSpyvie Posted Jan 2nd 2008 6:46PM]

Yes Adam, I know. My point is I don't trust Samsung disk players any more.

I'm very happy with my Samsung LCD though...

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 2nd 2008 7:05PM]

You might have wanted to do some better research. The different players have different upscaling engines...

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 2nd 2008 6:14PM]

Unfortunately I've heard nothing but bad things about this player. It can't even play some of the latest Blu-ray titles, and Samsung has been horrible in releasing firmware updates for their players. This is a shame because this player could have been great.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 2nd 2008 6:17PM]

I got mine through the Best Buy For Business website a couple of weeks ago.

The player is currently crippled in terms of audio; it does not output any of the advanced audio formats (Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD, multichannel Dolby True HD, or DTS-HD Master Audio).

This is been discussed at length on AVS Forum, with conflicting rumors about whether Samsung will be issuing a firmware update to correct the audio problems.

Editors of Engadget HD, if you have any contacts at Samsung who could provide definitive information about firmware plans, it would be very helpful to those deciding whether to buy (or keep) this player.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 2nd 2008 6:19PM]

I saw one yesterday at the Arlington, TX BB. They actually had a display unit AND a new in box unit to sell.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 2nd 2008 6:24PM]

A quick check of in store availablity doesn't show any in the Houston area. What parts of Texas are they available in?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 2nd 2008 6:28PM]

There was an Open Box at the San Francisco Best Buy for 599.99, no remote of course.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 2nd 2008 6:42PM]

You actually use the remotes that come with the players? Bought a Logitech Harmony remote last year and have never looked back.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 2nd 2008 6:30PM]

eh, get it from ABT electronics.... better service and better price!

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 2nd 2008 6:47PM]

This player intrigues me. It's the same price as Toshiba's top HD-X2 HD-DVD player, shares the same Silicon Optix HQV chip, but plays Blu-Ray too. So in theory it *should* be the best of all worlds. Early reviews have not been good though.

Hopefully this is just the start of all kinds of hybrid combo players. I want this format war to go away, and it will once these kinds of players become affordable.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 2nd 2008 7:37PM]

There seem to be some Red and Blue purists who are knocking all dual-mode players as they view them as a threat to their sides eventual dominance.

It's always amazing that there are people who don't have this player and have never seen one, but know all the things "wrong" with it -- things that the people who have it don't see.

I'm pretty happy with my BD-UP5000, and yes, I knew that it needs updates before it is complete. That's because Samsung said so, and Engadget reported it. Why are folks so surprised when that turns out to be true?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 2nd 2008 9:48PM]

I have had this for a few weeks now. Best Buy for Business had these in stock and there was a 10% coupon at the time so it was $719. I can't believe Besy Buy now shows this as $999. There are a few issues that a firmware update will hopefully fix, but so far I am extremely happy with it (previously had a XA2).

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 2nd 2008 9:56PM]

I saw that sucker at the Best Buy in Walnut Creek, CA a couple of days ago. $999.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 6th 2008 6:42PM]

Bought mine at the CC in Chesterfield - they didn't realize they had one (and only one). When I opened the factory sealed box at home it also had a shelf "sign" that looked like it was for retail display. Not sure if that's normal.

I ordered a second unit through CC on-line Sunday December 30th and got confirmation today that it has shipped.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 3rd 2008 9:03AM]

That standing cardboard is on all the players, it is on many players sold today. I got a DVD player 5+ years ago. I got my 5000 with it as well. There isn't anything special about it, don't worry.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 3rd 2008 1:09AM]

I really had hopes for this player. However, coming to market at >$700 without HD audio is a non-starter for me. It does not exactly instill confidence. It would seem to make more sense for Samsung to get the player right before kicking it out the factory door somewhat crippled.

Has Samsung offered a timetable for this magical firmware?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 3rd 2008 10:32AM]

My Best Buy had it on the sales floor, but I cant tell if they had any in stock.

Ill get one of these if Warner goes HD-DVD exclusive AND it gets better reviews than the BH200.
If Warner goes bluray exclusive, Ill just get a good reviewed 1.1 or 2.0 standalone player.

However, they were totally out of Samsung BP1400 and Sony Bluray players, while for the longest time it seemed like they had plenty in stock

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 3rd 2008 1:56AM]

oh no... reading the avsforums got me depressed! i was planning on 5.1 analog outs to avoid having to buy an hdmi receiver... and alot of players (this one included) don't even have speaker distance/level controls... and they lock the crossover at 100hz (i always keep mine at 80, so that bites)...
also, with the player not handling the speaker processing, it outputs analog, has to be converted to digital for processing, then converted back to analog to play. the reports are it doesnt sound very good... not to mention only 2 channel truehd. *cries*

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 3rd 2008 4:37PM]

Purchased one a couple of weeks ago at Best Buy in Atlanta--
PQ is amazing with Blu ray and DVD(upconverted)-- have not tried HDDVD yet--
slight sound problem-- some minor incompatibility with my (older) system--
easily fixed by turning in on and off... otherwise this is a perfect machine

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 15th 2008 12:44PM]

I called Samsung back on 12/28/07 to ask about the delay in shipment to Amazon, where I had preordered one, Advised the unit was available at CC, Best Buy and Office Max among others. Called Best Buy, closest unit was over an hour away in Fairfield, CA. Picked it up that night, price matched CC at 799.99. Per Samsung, anticipated firmware update should resolve audio issues. Very pleased with it, both Blu ray, HD DVD d, upconverted dvd PQ's awesome.