Has anyone bought one recently? And who has good return policies w/o re-shelfing fees...I may get one for my as a gift for someone, they can return it if they dont want it....

You'd be lucky to find one. It's discontinued. Most places are out of stock (forever) and price has gone up.

Newegg, $460.

Edit: Nevermind, price raised to 500

Not worth it at any price...

We get it, you don't like it or want it.

Not worth it at any price...

What's your reasoning?
I think the REON chip is just great, and the ability to playback both types of format is a plus.

What's your reasoning?
I think the REON chip is just great, and the ability to playback both types of format is a plus.
It's a crippled player...has been from the start.

We get it, you don't like it or want it.I had it and took it back...

If the firmware is out by end of this week and it does what it's said to do (bitstream DD+, DTS-HR, DTS-MA, decode TrueHD5.1, and profile 1.1), I think it'll be a great player. Personally, I wouldn't call it a "crippled" player, but definitely has its limitations as of right now. :D To me, this and the LG is definitely better than all other blu-ray standalones out there just because it can play HD DVDs. :P

If the firmware is out by end of this week and it does what it's said to do (bitstream DD+, DTS-HR, DTS-MA, decode TrueHD5.1, and profile 1.1), I think it'll be a great player. Personally, I wouldn't call it a "crippled" player, but definitely has its limitations as of right now. :D To me, this and the LG is definitely better than all other blu-ray standalones out there just because it can play HD DVDs. :P
I ended up with the Panasonic BD-30 and the Toshiba A35 to replace the BD-UP5000. My problem was two-fold...it had many problems with certain discs and the Panny and the Toshiba bitstreamed all of the audio codecs right our of the box.

Saw Circuit City had a web page showing $100 discount ($499 final price). Printed it and took it to Best Buy. They matched it (their price was $599), I bought it. I'm in So. Cal, and only one CC had it in stock, and two BB's. There are likely less than 6 units in all of So.Cal. BTW, this is my 2nd unit (got the 1st in December). I think it's an excellent player, and with the FW update it will be perfect, provided it decodes True HD - don't mind not having DTS MA since the DTS core satisfies me.

I had it and took it back...

I think vinnie knows this and was commenting on that fact....It may not be worth it to YOU, but to others this player fits their needs just fine...Honestly I have the minimum of problems with this player and have really enjoyed it from the beginning...

OP I would take everyones opinion with a grain of salt, sure there are problems with this player, as there are with other players as well....

as for the OPs question, your best bet would probably be at a local CC or BB...

lol, I had actually forgotten but considering the nature of the product (fusion of 2 like but different technologies), I've been a bit more lenient with Samsung. My patience is almost dried up, though. ;)

I bought a display unit that was just there sitting and wasn't the one used to play movies for demo purposes. I got it for $419 at CC but will be returning it atfer this weekend.

I was able to pick up a mint 5K from private party for $300 plus a collection of 31 sealed & perfect condition HD-DVDs & Blu-Ray discs for an additional $125. So, for the same price that I paid for just the player at CC, I got a mint 5K plus 31 HD-DVDs & Blu-Ray discs. The decision about which one to keep was a no-brainer.

Why not keep both? :D The convenience factor demands a backup solution and with no new such players on the horizon (coupled with falling HD DVD disc prices), you could do a lot worse.

I wish I could keep both. I personally think the 5K is great player to have because it can play both HD formats and has the awesome REON HQV chip/processor.

It's a crippled player...has been from the start.

Did you know BMW/Mercedes and Lexus have returns?After my firmware update,my 5000 has worked perfectly.And the SD/BD picture is to die for.

In Canada, BD-UP5000 is on sale at Future Shop for $399 until May 29, same price as LG BH200 $399.

They are also at 349 at futureshop until sunday for people in the region of Montreal.