Introduction

One of the bigger buzzwords going around these days is HDTV. Everyone seems to want high-def this and high-def that. Just as we encountered with VHS and Betamax, we are once again amidst a format war of sorts. On one side of the arena is HD DVD, backed by companies like Microsoft. On the other side is Blu-ray, supported by guys like Samsung.

Samsung already has a big family of flat panel HDTVs, so they want to provide you with some HD content as well. The Samsung BD-P1200 is actually the company's second generation Blu-ray player and while it looks awfully pretty from the outside (much like Samsung's LCDs), there were several issues with the performance that need to be improved.

Official Feature Sheet

- True Full HD 1080p movie experience
- Industry leading HQV video processor
- Samsung BD-P1200 is the only Blu-ray player to feature Silicon Optix HQV video processing.
- HQV ensures maximum resolution from your Blu-ray content, and the highest image quality from your existing library of DVDs.
- HQV true flagship scaling, de-interlacing, noise reduction, cadence detection and detail enhancement.
- HDMI version 1.3 with Dolby Digital Plus support
- 24hz Video output
- Ethernet input for firmware upgrade
- Interactive BD-Java feature
- Anynet + (HDMI CEC)
- 5.1 Ch. Analog Audio output
- New high gloss front panel design

Unboxing a Beast in High Definition

Unlike other manufacturers that plunk their products into ugly brown cardboard boxes, Samsung treats their BD-P1200 Blu-ray player to the wonders of a glossy white box. Yes, I realize that this a relatively minimal observation, but it shows that Samsung cares about presentation. This care has obviously been extended to much of their product line as well, such as the YP-K5 MP3 player.

Cutting open the box, I found the following contents:

- Samsung BD-P1200 Blu-ray player
- Wireless remote controller
- Composite audio/video cables
- Quick start guide
- Instruction manual

Considering that this is supposed to be a device that fully supports the 1080p high definition standard, compete with 5.1 surround sound, it's a little disappointing that the only cables included in the box are just about the worst ones you can use. I realize that this has largely become the norm with DVD players and other multimedia home theater equipment, but why would Samsung insult me with composite cables? I actually would have preferred no cables at all!

For the purposes of this review, I made use of my own generic HDMI cable and optical audio cable. This is the same set of cables I use for my HD cable box and Sony Playstation 3.

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