Samsung: New 3D Blu-ray players, including a portable, and 3D HTIBs

Aug 12, 2010 10:47 AM

Samsung BD-C8000 portable 3D Blu-ray player

The Samsung BD-C8000 ($500) portable 3D
Blu-ray player has a 10.3-inch screen.
Photo: Samsung

Joining the new 3D LCD and plasma TVs Samsung announced yesterday are several new 3D Blu-ray players—including the industry's first portable 3D model—plus a stylish flagship 3D home-theater system designed to complement the looks of the company's C9000-series LCD TVs with LED backlights.

All of the Blu-ray players are now available. For those on the go, the new portable 3D Blu-ray player (BD-C8000, $500) works as a standard Blu-ray player when used with its internal 10.3-inch screen, but switches to 3D mode when connected to a 3D-capable TV. It includes built-in Wi-Fi.

The three new 3D players for the home are the $400 BD-C7900, the $280 BD-C6800, and the $230 BD-C5900. The two pricier models have 1GB of built-in memory, built-in Wi-Fi and access to Samsung Apps; the C7900 has two HDMI outputs, useful for those with older receivers that can't pass 3D signals on to a 3D TV. The least expensive player doesn't have the built-in memory, and is Wi-Fi ready for use with an optional adapter.

Coming in October, the new flagship HTIB is the $1,800 HT-C9950W, designed to cosmetically match the brushed-titanium finish of the company's ultra-slim C9000 LCD TVs. It's a 7.1-channel system with four floorstanding speakers, wireless rear speakers, an iPod/iPhone dock, and a Wi-Fi dongle. It joins two other 3D HTIBs, which arrived in June.

Priced at $600, the HT-C6600 is a more basic 5.1-channel system with a Wi-Fi dongle for wireless connectivity. The step-up $700 HT-C6900W has all the features of the HT-C6600, plus wireless rear speakers and built-in Wi-Fi.

All the 3D HTIB systems have 3D-capable Blu-ray players and access to Samsung Apps.

—James K. Willcox