AfterDawn: News

Samsung Blu-ray player upgraded to stream HD from Netflix

Reported last week, Samsung has released the much anticipated firmware update that will allow access to Netflix's HD "Watch Instantly" streaming service.

The two current Netflix model, BD-P2500 and BD-P2550, offer access to Netflix's 12,000-strong "Watch Instantly" streaming service, but almost all of those titles are in SD. A firmware update coming this week will allow the players to handle HD playback however.



The content, in an effort to save buffering time, will be in 720p resolution and will also include only standard definition audio.

“Our state-of-the art Blu-ray players truly have become the ultimate HD digital entertainment delivery system with the latest support to allow HD streaming from Netflix,” said Reid Sullivan, VP of marketing, audio/video and imaging at Samsung Electronics America. “By understanding changing consumer interests, we are making it easier for consumers to experience a vast world of captivating content, instantaneously, all at the touch of a button.”

You can get the update here: Samsung Firmware Update

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 6 Dec 2008 23:16

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• 4 comments

• vudoo

  Now that is a smart move especially if Netflix ever goes monthly subscription. It could put a huge dent to cable TV and satellite TV.

  8.12.2008 14:43 #1

• zr2sphinx

  Only problem now is download caps
  
  Comcast may think my 250 gig download limit is enough for anyone but not for long.... I already have to limit what I download since the cap has been in effect.

  9.12.2008 12:07 #2

• comawhite

  Just signed up with Netflix three days ago, used it with my 360, loved it, just bought the Samsung BD-P2550 today for another room, this is gonna change everything! I'm hoping that the HD library for streaming expands, but I tested out my Samsung Netflix streaming today with an available HD movie and it looked really nice, and had no problems with my 12Meg connection. If your going to use the unit for streaming with Netflix, you then, of course, must have an connection on the ethernet port. When I bought the unit, out of the box, it didn't have the Netflix or Pandora capabilities, I just had to go to the menu, setup, update and it updated itself to the latest firmware, which of course includes Netflix and Pandora. I haven't messed with Pandora yet, I'm not a big internet radio fan though. So far, I would definitely recommend this unit.

  12.12.2008 20:43 #3

• Vahalik

  Originally posted by zr2sphinx: Only problem now is download caps
  
  Comcast may think my 250 gig download limit is enough for anyone but not for long.... I already have to limit what I download since the cap has been in effect. You can expect this to get worse as many thousands of users slow traffic to a crawl. There are already lawsuits pending to allow IPs to charge you extra for the size of downloads. When enough people hinder the net with these huge downloads you can expect the Feds to step in and stop it. There are a huge number of other uses that affect commerce and government that can't tolerate a slow internet. The U.S. has the 7th slowest internet in the world already.
  

  27.1.2011 18:22 #4