I remember it vividly. It was a Friday night, the family was gathered, popcorn was hot, and we were ready to stream the latest blockbuster. We hit play, and for the first ten minutes, everything was perfect. Then it started: the dreaded buffering wheel. The crisp image dissolved into a pixelated mess before freezing entirely. A quick internet speed test revealed our provider was having a neighborhood-wide issue. The movie night was ruined, replaced by frustration and a sense of helplessness. It was a stark reminder that in our hyper-connected world, the “convenience” of streaming is entirely at the mercy of an invisible, often fickle, connection. This is precisely the problem that a dedicated Blu-ray player, like the venerable Samsung BD-F5900 Blu-ray Disc Player, so elegantly solves. It’s about taking back control of your entertainment experience, ensuring that when you want to watch a film in its full, uncompressed glory, the only thing you have to depend on is the spinning disc in the tray.
- Full HD 1080p Blu-ray Disc playback
- Access streaming content and the web with built-in Wi-Fi and Smart Hub
What to Consider Before Buying a Blu-ray Player
A Blu-ray player is more than just an item to play movies; it’s a key solution for anyone who values audio-visual fidelity and reliability. It’s a declaration that you prioritize the director’s intended vision, with crystal-clear 1080p (or 4K) resolution and lossless, high-resolution audio that streaming services often compress to save bandwidth. The main benefit is consistency. A Blu-ray disc will look and sound exactly the same every single time you play it, regardless of your internet traffic or provider throttling. It eliminates the variables, offering a premium, stable, and often superior viewing experience, especially for cinephiles with a high-quality home theater setup.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the frustrations of inconsistent streaming quality, a film collector who cherishes physical media, or an audiophile who wants to hear every nuance of a 7.1 surround sound mix. It’s for the family that wants a reliable movie night machine that just works. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who have completely abandoned physical media, live a minimalist lifestyle, and are perfectly content with the quality and selection of their streaming subscriptions. For them, a dedicated streaming stick or smart TV interface might be a more streamlined, albeit less robust, solution.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Blu-ray players have become remarkably compact, but it’s still vital to measure your media cabinet. The Samsung BD-F5900 Blu-ray Disc Player boasts a slim profile at just 1.6 inches high and 14.2 inches wide, allowing it to slide into tight spaces with ease. Ensure there’s enough room behind it for ventilation and cable management.
- Capacity/Performance: Performance is about more than just picture quality. Consider disc load times—how quickly the player goes from tray closed to movie playing. Look for features like 3D playback if you have a compatible TV, and evaluate its “smart” capabilities. While older models like this one have built-in apps, their speed and app support won’t match modern dedicated streaming devices.
- Materials & Durability: Most players, including this Samsung model, are housed in a plastic chassis. The BD-F5900 features a glossy black finish that looks sleek but is a notorious fingerprint magnet. While lightweight, the internal components are what matter, and Samsung has a long history of building reliable optical drives that stand the test of time.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A good player should be plug-and-play. Look for an intuitive user interface and a logically laid-out remote control. For maintenance, a simple periodic firmware update (usually handled automatically over Wi-Fi) is all that’s required to keep the player running smoothly and ensure compatibility with the latest Blu-ray disc encryptions.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Samsung BD-F5900 Blu-ray Disc Player stands out in several areas, particularly for its blend of performance and value. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the Samsung BD-F5900 Blu-ray Disc Player is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Enjoy Blu-ray Disc movies in Full HD as well as DVD discs
- Compact Size: Space-saving design allows this Blu Ray DVD player for tv to fit neatly in narrow spaces and on thin racks. Dimensions: Approx. 9 5/8" W x 1...
- See the unrivalled visual clarity of 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
First Impressions: Unboxing a Compact and Stylish Performer
Pulling the Samsung BD-F5900 Blu-ray Disc Player from its box, the first thing we noticed was its surprising lack of heft. At just 1.2 pounds, it’s incredibly lightweight, and its slim, compact form factor is a welcome departure from the bulky AV components of yesteryear. The design, while a product of 2013, has aged gracefully. It features a glossy black top with a distinctive, gentle curve on the right-hand side, breaking the monotony of the typical black box. The front is minimalist, with a concealed disc tray, a small LED display, and touch-sensitive buttons for basic functions. A convenient USB port is also tucked away on the front panel. The included remote is simple and functional, with rubbery buttons that are easy to press, though it lacks the premium feel or backlighting of more expensive units. Setup was a breeze: a single HDMI cable to the TV and a power cord were all it took to get a signal. Upon first boot-up, the on-screen guide for connecting to our Wi-Fi network was straightforward, getting us online and ready to go in under five minutes.
What We Like
- Stunning Full HD 1080p and 3D Blu-ray picture quality
- Impressively fast disc loading and boot-up times for its era
- Built-in Wi-Fi provides easy access to smart features and firmware updates
- Compact, lightweight, and stylish design fits in any media center
What We Didn’t Like
- Smart Hub interface can feel sluggish compared to modern devices
- Glossy plastic finish attracts fingerprints and dust easily
Putting the Samsung BD-F5900 Through Its Paces: A Deep Dive into Performance
A product’s spec sheet only tells half the story. To truly understand its capabilities, we have to live with it, test its limits, and see how it performs under real-world conditions. We spent weeks with the Samsung BD-F5900 Blu-ray Disc Player, using it as our primary device for watching our collection of Blu-rays, 3D movies, and DVDs. We explored its smart features, tested its file playback, and judged its speed and responsiveness. What emerged was a picture of a remarkably capable and reliable player that, despite its age, still delivers where it counts most: on the screen.
Picture and Sound Quality: The Core Experience
This is the main event, and we were not disappointed. The Samsung BD-F5900 Blu-ray Disc Player produces a reference-quality 1080p image that is sharp, vibrant, and packed with detail. We started our testing with a visual masterpiece, *Blade Runner 2049*. The player rendered the film’s complex color palette, from the neon-drenched cityscapes to the hazy orange glow of Las Vegas, with stunning accuracy. Fine details in costumes and facial textures were impeccably clear, showcasing the full potential of the Blu-ray format. There were no noticeable artifacts, color banding, or motion judder, even in fast-paced action sequences. The performance was simply flawless.
Next, we tested its 3D capabilities with *Avatar*. The player flawlessly delivered the 3D signal to our compatible television, creating an immersive and compelling sense of depth without excessive crosstalk or ghosting. The world of Pandora felt tangible, with flora and fauna appearing to pop right out of the screen. For those still holding onto a 3D TV and a collection of 3D Blu-rays, this player remains an absolutely fantastic and affordable option to enjoy them.
Audio performance was equally robust. We connected the player via HDMI to our 7.1 channel AV receiver, and it had no trouble bitstreaming high-resolution audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. The lossless soundtracks were expansive and dynamic, filling the room with immersive sound. From the subtle rustle of leaves to the thunderous roar of an explosion, the player relayed every detail to our sound system perfectly. Even the DVD upscaling was impressive; our old standard-definition discs looked cleaner and sharper than we expected, breathing new life into older parts of our collection.
Smart Hub and Streaming: A Window to 2013’s Web
The Samsung BD-F5900 Blu-ray Disc Player comes equipped with Samsung’s Smart Hub, a feature that was quite advanced for its time. Firing it up presents a clean, icon-based interface giving you access to popular streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and others. For 2013, having built-in Wi-Fi and these services without needing a separate box was a game-changer. In our testing, the apps worked as advertised. We were able to log in to our Netflix account and stream content in HD without any major issues, and YouTube videos played back smoothly.
However, this is where the player’s age is most apparent. By modern standards, the Smart Hub feels sluggish. Navigating between apps and typing with the on-screen keyboard using the remote is a slow process compared to a current-generation Roku or Apple TV. Furthermore, the app library is frozen in time; you won’t find newer services like Disney+ or HBO Max here. We view the smart features as a convenient backup or a bonus for a guest room TV, rather than a primary streaming solution. The real star of the show remains its physical media playback. If your main goal is a top-tier streaming experience, you should invest in a dedicated modern device. But if you want a great Blu-ray player that can also play a YouTube video in a pinch, this machine has you covered. The built-in web browser is also present, but it’s a novelty at best—slow and clunky to navigate, it’s not a practical tool for modern web surfing.
Speed, Connectivity, and Everyday Usability
One of the most pleasant surprises during our testing was the operational speed of the Samsung BD-F5900 Blu-ray Disc Player. From a cold start, the player boots up and is ready to accept a disc in about five to seven seconds. Disc loading itself is equally brisk. We tested it with several discs, and on average, it took about 10-12 seconds to go from closing the tray to the movie’s main menu appearing on screen. This is remarkably fast, even comparing favorably to some newer players, and it significantly reduces the frustrating wait time that plagued early Blu-ray machines.
Connectivity is simple yet sufficient for most setups. The back panel features a single HDMI output, which is all you need to send both high-definition video and audio to your TV or AV receiver. For those with older, non-HDMI audio equipment, a digital optical audio output is also included. The front-facing USB port proved incredibly useful for playing media files from a thumb drive. It successfully played our test files in MP4, MP3, and JPEG formats without a hitch, making it a simple way to show off photos or listen to a quick playlist. The built-in Wi-Fi connected to our network without any drops, though for maximum stability during firmware updates, a wired Ethernet port is also available. The overall usability is excellent; it’s a no-fuss machine that simply gets the job done efficiently and reliably. The quality of its core functions is a testament to its engineering, something you can confirm by checking out its full feature list.
What Other Users Are Saying
While we conduct our own exhaustive testing, we also find it valuable to look at the broader consensus from the user community. For the Samsung BD-F5900 Blu-ray Disc Player, the feedback largely mirrors our own findings. Many users consistently praise the player for its outstanding picture quality, with one owner noting it “produces an image so sharp and colorful it rivals players costing twice as much.” Another common point of acclaim is its fast operation, with comments like “it loads discs faster than any player I’ve owned before” appearing frequently. Its compact size and easy, hassle-free setup are also widely appreciated.
On the other hand, the most common critique, which we also observed, centers on the performance of the Smart Hub. One user aptly stated, “It’s a fantastic Blu-ray player, but a mediocre streaming device.” This sentiment is echoed by many who found the apps to be slow and the interface dated. It’s a fair criticism that helps set proper expectations: buy this player for its disc-spinning prowess, not as a replacement for a modern streaming stick.
How Does the Samsung BD-F5900 Stack Up? A Look at the Alternatives
No product exists in a vacuum. To give you the full picture, it’s important to see how the Samsung BD-F5900 Blu-ray Disc Player compares to other options on the market. We’ve selected three distinct alternatives that cater to different needs and priorities.
1. OREI BP350 Blu Ray Player OREI Travel Plug Adapter
- Blu Ray Disc Zone: A/B/C - DVD Region: 0123456789 PAL/NTSC Built-in 4k NTSC⇔PAL 4k HD Converter
- Progressive scan technology delivers flicker-free images with no image break-up for the perfect movie and TV experience
The OREI BP350’s standout feature is its region-free capability. While the Samsung BD-F5900 is locked to Region A (for North America), this OREI player can play Blu-ray discs and DVDs from any region in the world (A, B, C for Blu-ray; 0-8 for DVD). This makes it the undeniable choice for serious film collectors who import discs from other countries. It’s a specialized tool for a specific audience. If you have no intention of playing discs from outside your home region, the Samsung’s more refined interface and potentially better image processing make it the superior choice for domestic collections.
2. Samsung BD-J5700 Curved Blu-ray Player
- 2 Channel Dolby/DTS Decoding
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
As a direct successor from the same manufacturer (a 2015 model), the BD-J5700 offers a slightly more modern experience. Its user interface is more refined and a bit faster than the BD-F5900’s, and its app selection is marginally updated. The primary physical difference is its curved chassis, designed to aesthetically match the curved Samsung TVs that were popular at the time. In terms of core picture and sound quality, the two are virtually identical. If you can find the BD-J5700 for a similar price and prefer its updated look and interface, it’s a great alternative. Otherwise, the BD-F5900 offers the same exceptional playback performance.
3. Sony BDP-S590 Blu-ray Player with Wi-Fi
- 3D Blu-ray Disc Player with Full HD 1080p playback
- Built-in Wi-Fi, Digital Audio Output(s): 1 Optical (Rear), 1 Coaxial (Rear)
This Sony model was a direct contemporary and competitor to the Samsung BD-F5900. Sony has long been praised for its image processing technology, and the BDP-S590 is no exception, delivering a superb picture that is on par with the Samsung. The main difference lies in the smart platform—the Sony Entertainment Network versus Samsung’s Smart Hub—and personal preference for the user interface. Some users preferred Sony’s XrossMediaBar-style menu. The Sony also includes an extra feature: Super Audio CD (SACD) playback, making it a compelling option for audiophiles with an SACD collection. For most users, the choice between these two excellent players from 2012-2013 would come down to brand loyalty or minor feature differences.
Our Final Verdict: Is the Samsung BD-F5900 Blu-ray Disc Player Still a Smart Buy?
After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Samsung BD-F5900 Blu-ray Disc Player is an outstanding piece of hardware that has stood the test of time. While its smart features are undeniably dated, its core mission—to play Blu-ray discs with breathtaking quality—is accomplished with perfection. The image it produces is sharp, clean, and vibrant, and its ability to handle 3D content and bitstream high-resolution audio makes it a fantastic hub for a budget-conscious home theater.
We recommend the Samsung BD-F5900 Blu-ray Disc Player to anyone with a substantial collection of Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, or DVD discs who prioritizes playback quality and reliability above all else. It’s the perfect player for your main home theater, a secondary setup, or for someone who is tired of the compromises of streaming. However, if you need a primary device for modern streaming apps or require native 4K UHD playback, you should look at a newer model or a dedicated streaming box.
If you’ve decided the Samsung BD-F5900 Blu-ray Disc Player is the right fit for your movie nights, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API