Samsung slates BD Live player at $499

Model BD-P2500 can playback Web features without firmware upgrade

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 8/28/2008

AUG. 28 | Samsung this October will introduce one of the more affordable out-of-the-box BD Live-capable set-tops yet, the $499 BD-P2500.

Unlike current BD-Live ready set-tops, such as Samsung’s $399 BD-P1500 and Sony’s $399 BDP-S350, Samsung’s next generation BD-P2500 can immediately playback Web-enabled bonus features and does not require future firmware upgrades.

In recent days, Pioneer announced it will likewise be streeting an out-of-the-box BD Live player later in the year, but it is tagged for the high-end market at $2,200. Panasonic’s BD Live player, the DMP-BD50, does not require firmware for Web connectivity, but is also relatively high priced at $699.

Sony has promised it will street its own automatic BD Live set, the $500 BDP-S550, by the end of 2008.

Samsung’s BD-P2500 contains 1 GB of internal flash memory and a USB port for memory expansion. There are also 7.1 analog audio outputs to achieve movie theater quality sound.

“The BD-P2500 Blu-ray player represents the very best technology the industry has to offer,” said Reid Sullivan, VP marketing at audio/visual and imaging at Samsung. “Consumers will enjoy a truly immersive, full HD viewing experience that delivers the broad spectrum of high definition sights and sounds that can now be experienced with the combination of Blu-ray and the latest HDTVs.”