Unbiased Review of LG BD550
May 26, 2010
Like Panasonic, LG has opted not to showcase a 3D Blu ray player at 2010 CES. Instead, LG has chosen to focus on the current Blu ray market with the latest offering that mirror the 2009 models. Like 2009 CES, LG offered up three mainstream Blu ray players. The BD550, BD 570 and BD590 were announced. While these three models don’t offer dramatic increase in terms of features over last year’s models, it does offer up small improvements. With the big success of previous Blu ray players, LG has opted to mainly stay with the same formula. This doesn’t mean it’s just rehash. Instead, you can expect some performance improvement and overall feature improvements from the 2009 models.
 |
Rosewill RNX-N1 Wireless-N 2.0 Dongle 02.11b/g/n USB2.0 List Price: Sale Price: $26.99 You save: $8.00 (23%)  |
Features
The BD550 is the entry level model announced at the 2010 CES. Like the previous version, LG BD550 is Profile 2.0 and Profile 1.1 compatible player. You can enjoy all the BD-LIVE contents on the Blu ray discs. On the audio side, BD550 can natively decode Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD audio formats. LG was one of the first to offer up internet streaming content on their Blu ray players. It’s no surprise that LG is once again offering a robust Internet streaming content on the BD550. With NetCast, you can access Roxio Cinema Now, Netflix, YouTube, Vudu, Pandora, Picasa, and AccuWEather.com reports with internet connection. Like other new players, LG is touting faster boot and load time over previous versions. Other than these features, it has almost identical set of features from previous generation player.
Design
While the dimensions didn’t change too much from previous LG offerings, it does weigh little more. Aesthetically, BD550 has a glossy finished front plate with LCD and playback buttons located on the right side. You will need to flip down the face plate to access the buttons. The back of player includes all the connectivity. The connectivity includes Composite and component video out, HDMI, analog audio out, digital audio out, Ethernet port and USB port. It would have been nice to see another USB port in the front for easier access. The included remote was adequate. The remote does seem bit smaller than other remotes. If you have big hand, you might want to invest in a decent universal remote control. With LG’s SimpLink, you can control all the devices connected via HDMI with one remote control. This seems to be the trend among leading manufacturers.
Video and Performance
Performance wise, the booting and loading speed has seen some improvement over the last generation players. Still, it is nowhere near as fast as loading DVD in a DVD player. While not as fast as DVD loading times, BD550 did manage decent booting and loading time for Blu ray movies. While the overall speed of Blu ray disc wasn’t anything special, the internet applications were lightening fast. Loading time for YouTube or Netflix was lot faster than most other players.
The video imaging quality was on par with last year’s models. This isn’t to say it is bad. Instead, the previous generation LG players offered top notch image qualities. Testing Iron Man, the BD550 showed no imaging defects like moiré, jaggieness, or motion blur. The image quality on BD550 and previous player showed no discernible difference. Overall, there is nothing wrong with the image quality of BD550.
Audio
The audio quality is also on par with previous generation player from LG. it handled all the audio format without a hitch. Different audio files played from USB drive were all as advertised. MP3 and AVCHD had no problem with the playback.
Overall
LG has produced another winner in BD550. Like the previous models from LG, it is fairly fast and loaded with features. The ability to play Divx as well as MKV files are a big plus. Most players, new and old, does not support Divx or MKV file formats. If I had one complaint, it is that remote control was not as good as it should have been. For under $150, this is very competent Blu ray player.
Pictures
Buy LG BD550Now!
 |
LG BD550 Network Blu-ray Disc Player List Price: Sale Price: $127.95 You save: $32.04 (20%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
Description
BD-P, Netflix HD, YouTube, CinemaNow Ready, BD Live, Advanced Audio, Quick Booting, Instant Tray Open, 1080p up-scaling for DVD, USB Media Host
Features
- Blu-ray Disc Player with Pure Audio and Video Performance
- BD-P NetFlix HD BD live
- Full HD 1080p output via HDMI with Cinema mode at 24 or 60 frames per second USB Media Host
- Superior audio performance with 7.1 channels with Dolby Digital Plus & TrueHD & dts-HD
- Express reaction startup for instant tray opening
Video
Click here to find out how you can save up to 50% off on name brand Blu-Ray Players!
loading...
Hot Deal Alerts - Click Now!
Top 10 Best Selling Blu-Ray Players
- Oppo BD 93
- Sony BDP S570
- LG BD570
- Samsung BD C6500
- LG BD550
- LG BX 580
- Panasonic DMP BD85K
- Samsung BD C7900
- Sony BDP S370
- Samsung BD C6900
Shop By Brands
- Denon
- Insignia
- LG
- Magnavox
- Marantz
- Memorex
- Oppo
- Panasonic
- Pioneer
- Playstation 3
- Samsung
- Sharp
- Sony
- Yamaha
Shop Now and Save Money at Amazon
 |
Panasonic DMP-BDT210 Integrated-Wi-Fi 3D Blu-ray DVD Player List Price: Sale Price: $138.44 You save: $61.56 (31%) |
 |
Sony BDP-S580 Blu-ray Disc Player (Black) Sale Price: Too low to display |
 |
Sony BDP-S185 Blu-Ray Disc Player List Price: Sale Price: Too low to display |
 |
LG BD670 3D Wireless Network Blu-ray Disc Player with Smart TV List Price: Sale Price: Too low to display |
Reviews by Brands
- 3D Blu-Ray Players
- Denon
- Hot Deal Alerts
- Inisignia
- LG
- Magnavox
- Marantz
- Memorex
- Memorex
- Onkyo
- Oppo
- Panasonic
- Philips
- Pioneer
- Samsung
- Sharp
- Sony
- Sylvania
- Toshiba
- Vizio
- Where to Buy Blu-Ray Players?
- Yamaha
Latest Reviews
- First Look at Samsung BD-D6500
- Unbiased Review of Samsung BD-D5500 Player
- Sharp come back: BD-HP25U
- Panasonic DMP-BDT310 First Impression
- Unbiased Review of Panasonic DMP-BDT210
- Panasonic DMP-BDT110 Review
- Review: Panasonic DMP-BD75
- Blu Ray Review: LG BD640
- Blu-Ray Player Review: LG BD630
- Review: LG BD690
Blu-Ray Discussions
Join our discussion at BluRayforums.net!
The LG BD and LHB have an issue with Netflix at the moment if you have the Resolution set to 1080p Netflix will not stream. You will get the “Sorry this title cannot be watched at this time, please try again later or play a different title” message, the second you change your resolution to 1080i or lower Netflix works again.
loading...
the netflix is an easy issue. Just go into the system menu or settings menu on the LG and go into disable netflix or unauthorize i think its called. Then click on yes. It will take the player off the netflix account.
Then go back into netflix on the netcast menu it will ask if you already have an account. Click yes and then it will say go to netfix.com activate or something and enter the code and then you will be on your way to watching netflix again. I had that issue and i saw this somewhere else and so i tried it and it worked just fine. It seems its something in netflix with the authorization or something.
Either way simple fix
loading...
How do I get it to play divx
it does not recognize the files ????
loading...
this player is phenomenal, just as fast as the PS3 and you can hook up external drives etc! Also upconverts great!
the only downside i have come across was that it does not play video ts through an external.
loading...
Pssssh!
should have just bought a ps3 on wavee for a lot cheaper. still plays blue rays though..
set up: 10/10
-easy self explainatory
quality: 10/10
-great quality
price: 5/10
-can find cheaper blue ray playing devices easily..
loading...
BD550 Does not play Netflix
I am having the same issue with Netflix “Sorry this title cannot be watched at this time, please try again later or play a different title”.
It is June 3, I updated with the latest firmware from LG on June 2. I was just on a 3 way call with Netflix and LG. Netflix believes the problem is with LG. I have gone thru all the steps they have asked for. Including initializing the machine to factory settings, and unplugging it etc. It is not an issue with wireless. It also does not play when a wired connection is made.
Vudu works fine and I am able to stream 1080P movies wirelessly.
One interesting note, is that Netflix says the machine shows up as a BD570 and I also see that in my Netflix account. The ball is now in LGs court as to what to do next.
They had thought the problem was fixed, but evidently not for everyone. The latest firmware did fix one other problem related or not, and that was with the device becoming deactivated out of Netflix in less than a day.
I have probably reactivated it 15-20 times since I purchased it on April 20th 2010.
I am ready to throw it out and buy something else.
Netflix customer service is excellent and they can speak English. LG service is well lets put it this way, quite foreign.
loading...
Wonderful Netflix Streaming
I bought this BD550 at Amazon.com using the SuperSaver Free Delivery on a Saturday. It arrived on my doorstep the following Tuesday. I don’t see the point of paying extra for a faster delivery.
The player is very easy to use, and I didn’t even read the written menu. All I did was plugging in the powerline and ethernet cable to my router, playing with the remote, scrolling the various menu up and down, and making some setup choices including network connection and the firmware update. The firmwares did take several minutes to load and update though.
What impresses me the most is the Netflix streaming. I didn’t encounter any of the problems mentioned by other reviewers (I guess probably because I updated the firmwares before I even downloaded the first movie). I chose the titles in the Netflix website using my laptop, and saw the same titles showed up quickly on my TV using the BD550 streaming. It took about 10-15 seconds for the movie to load, and then the HD quality pictures (HD availability depending on the titles. Netflix will tell you on the TV screen) showed up right away. A slight negative: in the middle of the showing, Netflix did white out the picture for about 10 seconds for ‘re-buffering’. I don’t know if it’s normal or it’s a LG or a Netflix problem. But this short interruption really didn’t spoil the movie for me at all considering how convenient it is to get an instant movie download. Later I also realized that I could choose the movies titles using the LG remote without having to use the computer. The $8.99 monthly Netflix subscription fee for the unlimited movie streamings (although not all movies are available for straeming) has got to be the best entertainment value I’ve ever had.
The upconvert quality of this machine is also amazing. I used it to watch the standard DVD, Mad Men Season 2, and was constantly in awe by how clear and sharp the pictures looked. I had to eject the disc to see if it was truly a regular DVD. I began to wonder if it’s really necessary to spend extra $ to get the BluRay discs, specially on the recent movies or TV titles.
Overall I owned this player for about 3 weeks now, and it worked flawlessly and gave me lots of joy.
loading...
Won’t Play Netflix
I bought two of the LG BD550 dvd players for two different rooms, and had them professionally installed. Neither LG BD550 will play Netflix. Instead, I get the following message: “Sorry, this title cannot be watched instantly at this time. Please try again later or play a different title”. This is definitely a problem with the LG BD550 because I have no problems watching Netflix through my television or through my Wii. There are three-pages of postings on the Netflix community website about the LG BD550 not playing Netflix. My advice: avoid the LG BD550
loading...
No longer working with Netflix
Go to Google and search for “LG BD5000 Netflix” or any variations of that.
You will find 10s of complaints regarding issues on reading Netflix instant movies. Netflix also has its own help category specific for LG BD550 and the resolution is “contact LG BD550 Blu-ray Player customer support”, which I did. LG beleives the issue is on Netflix side.
I will return the device and advice not to buy it if your goal is to read Netflix movies.
loading...