When Samsung upgraded its top Blu-ray models, the BD-P2500 and the Best Buy-only twin BD-P2550, with the ability to play Netflix Watch Instantly video (and Pandora radio for the 2550), the only real knock against it was the reports that they were limited in their audio decoding capability.

The Samsung BD-P2500 Blu-ray Player

Like most manufacturers, Samsung offers a low-priced Blu-ray player that will suit most people at a good price, and then they also offer an upgraded model for more money, but that adds certain features, like analog audio outputs. These outputs are very handy for those of us who have yet to upgrade our receivers, as we can use those analog outputs to enjoy the lossless audio formats made possible on the Blu-ray format (in addition to high definition video, the audio has also been improved over what was possible on DVD).

The problem that the Samsung BD-P2500/2550 had was that, while it could decode Dolby TrueHD lossless audio to those analog outputs, the DTS equivalent DTS-HD Master Audio could not be decoded. This has become a greater problem as more and more movies are being released by studios with DTS-HD Master Audio tracks. Without onboard decoding or bitstreaming that audio to a receiver capable of decoding it, the audio would be downsampled to a still-good-but-as-good DTS 5.1 audio format.

According to Samsung's firmware update page (click the read link below), firmware version 2.4 has enabled DTS-HD HR and Master Audio decoding. That addition should place the 2500/2550 at the top of your shopping list if you're looking for analog audio output (as well as Netflix access) on your next Blu-ray player!

Related Links

• Samsung BD-P2500 Firmware Updates
• Samsung BD-P2550 Firmware Updates
• BD-P2500 Information -- Amazon.com
• BD-P2550 Information -- Best Buy

Thanks to this article from EngadgetHD for reporting on the firmware upgrade!