UPDATE - January 2011 - D E A D

Author's Rating:

Pros: Quick & fool-proof setup, versatile video formats, excellent video quality

Cons: VERY SHORT LIFESPAN

The Bottom Line: 
Dead in 2 years? Samsung, you have to be kidding. VERY unhappy customer here.

Author's Review
I got my Samsung BDP1500 Blu Ray player as part of a package deal with my Samsung LN40A530 40" LCD tv (see review).
I have found this unit to be fool proof to setup, simply plug it in and connect the cable and you're done. Literally a 30 second procedure.

This easy to operate player is capable of playing numerous video formats from Blu Ray, DVD, DVD-HD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, Mpeg, AVC, AVCHD and audio CD.
Video output formats 480p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p.
There is no need to discard all my old DVD's, this unit plays them well with excellent picture quality.
I have acquired a small collection of Blu Ray movies of which I am very impressed with the quality. You really have to see it to believe it. I have found myself pausing movies just to gaze at the amazing detail, very impressive.
No problems whatsover.
In my quest to find the best value for the money in a tv and Blu Ray player I found that a great of the information out there is outdated and no longer applicable, the maze of specs is confusing for the average consumer like me. 
My suggestion is to let your eyes help make the selection, higher specs can be expensive with little, if any, difference in quality.
While I'm not at all hung up on brand names, I would also suggest avoiding Chinese made video products. Many consumer type reports will rate the lifespan of modern tv's & video electronics at 15-20 years, Chinese products 4-7 years, so you're small initial savings will be soon lost.
Comes with full function remote, takes 2 AAA batteries - included.
The sleek profile of the BDP1500 means that I can have the player beside my LCD tv, fitting nicely under the corner of the screen, out of the way when swiveling.
UPDATE January 2011 - This BlueRay disc player is dead, after playing a maximum of 25-30 BD discs, will not play another. Reason unknown, but it's sure not over use or abuse. VERY unhappy with this product, has been replaced with a Panasonic BD player, all is well (review to follow).