Home Theater Review

Samsung's 2011 Blu-ray line includes seven new models, of which the BD-D5300 is the least expensive at $149.99. We have not performed a hands-on review of the BD-D5300, but here is an overview of its features. This player omits the 3D playback and integrated WiFi that you can find in Samsung's higher-priced models, but it still offers the newly redesigned Smart Hub platform, which includes video-on-demand services, access to the Samsung Apps store, AllShare/DLNA media streaming, and a Search All function that makes it easier to find content across all connected devices. Netflix, Blockbuster, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Pandora, Facebook, and Twitter are among the many available or included apps. The BD-D5300 supports the addition of an optional USB WiFi adapter (WIS09ABGN, $79.99), and it offers Samsung's new One-Foot Connection: If you use the player in conjunction with Samsung's CY-SWR1100 dual-N band wireless router, you can add the player to the wireless network by simply placing the products within one foot of each other during setup.

Additional Resources
• Read more Blu-ray player reviews from HomeTheaterReview.com's staff.
• Find an LED HDTV or Plasma HDTV to connect with the BD-D5300.

The BD-D5300's connection panel includes HDMI, composite video, optical digital audio, and stereo analog audio. The BD-D5300 has onboard Dolby TrueHD decoding, but it lacks DTS-HD Master Audio decoding; it will pass both high-resolution audio formats in their native bitstream form over HDMI, for your A/V receiver to decode. Samsung has added a new feature called BD-Wise that allows the player to output a disc at its native resolution and frame rate when connected via HDMI to a compatible BD-Wise Samsung TV. This is desirable if you'd prefer to let the TV handle the upconversion and frame-rate conversion. The setup menu includes the ability to choose between three preset picture modes or go with a user mode in which you can adjust sharpness and noise reduction.

The BD-D5300 supports playback of BD, DVD, CD audio, AVCHD, Divx HD, MKV, MP4, WMA, MP3, and JPEG files. You can add the player to your home network either by using the back-panel Ethernet port or by adding the optional USB WiFI adapter to the back-panel USB port. The BD-D5300 lacks internal memory to store BD-Live content; a second, front-panel USB port is provided for this purpose. This USB port also supports music, photo, and movie playback. The player lacks advanced control ports, such as RS-232 or IR.

Read about the high points and low points of the Samsung BD-D5300 on Page 2.