Samsung's sleek BD-P3600 Blu-ray player gets hands-on love

Oh sure, we've already seen this thing spotted at Best Buy, but there's just something especially titillating about photos with clarity. CNET's UK branch managed to get their camera all up in the BD-P3600's area, and they definitely enjoyed what they saw. For starters, the 7.1-channel analog outs are a real boon to those still using that circa-1999 AV receiver, and the bundled WiFi dongle means BD-Live is now entirely more accessible. Granted, we aren't similarly impressed by the 40 second BD load time, but maybe we're just spoiled by the hasty OPPO BDP-83. Head on down for a few more looks.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 28th 2009 12:34PM]

I love the look! I feel like I could cook flapjacks on top of that baby!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 28th 2009 4:15PM]

I just got the Samsung BD-P3600 on Wednesday and I LOVE IT. I had a tiny problem hooking it up to the wireless network but finally got it hooked up. This player rocks.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 28th 2009 11:53PM]

I don no man, Samsung electronics all look cheese..... they should takes some design lessons from Sony.

[kcmurphy88 Posted Mar 29th 2009 5:43PM]

BD load time depends greatly on the disc and the amount of Java an DRM involved. BD load times will never be as fast as SD.

I do note that the SD load time on this unit -- open-tray-with-power-off to playing is identical to my old Panasonic RP56 DVD player. About 30 seconds. Dark Knight BD was about 40. Good enough.

[kcmurphy88 Posted Mar 29th 2009 5:50PM]

There appear to be issues with local networks with this device. Clearly their Windows network share firmware needs work.

Examples: If you have multiple Windows (or Samba) share devices open on the network, the 3600 stops after finding one of them.

If you set the share up manually, you must (very tediously) enter the IP, the share folder, the username and password for it top connect. And it won't remember the information after it turns off.

Netflix, however, works HD like a champ, limited only by internet bandwidth. At 3+ MB, the Tudors premiere episode was sharp HD, but had motion jumpiness due to severe compression. But that's not Samsung's fault.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 30th 2009 11:22AM]

Had this unit the first week in came out. Just stopped in at Best Buy looking around, and voila! there it was on the shelf. Took that puppy home and have been a happy camper ever since! Just played Punisher War Zone on it over the weekend in Blu Ray--man the movie rocked on this player!!! The sound and clarity and amazing, and mind you my system runs on two JVC book shelf speakers and and a polk subwoofer. My TV is also one of the latest Samsung models, so it synced perfectly. My bestfriend was so impressed he is desperate to go out and get his TV and Blu Ray system.

Other thoughts--despite looking at sites where it seemed a few enjoy griping for the sake of griping, the wifi work terrfic and once you have it connected it does everything its supposed to do. Pandora is Great!! so is netflix streaming! Once I realized this bad boy was up and running i finally got the icing on the cake, a harmony remote, and its all good!!

Cons--if any--top side button placement is odd- but ultimatley no big deal. You'll be operating from your remote anyway, so who really cares. Player intially worried me a little because it felt a little delicate, it still does, but again-not a big deal, not like i am moving it around, so its all good. Also, the price my detract some, at $399, with or with or without shipping and tax, a deep breath is required. But I believe future proofing is worth the cost.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2009 12:05PM]

CONS: If true, no Silicon Optix Reon chip.

That's a MAJOR deal breaker.

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