Sharp Aquos BDHP20U 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player
Sharp Aquos BDHP20U 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player
User Ratings and Reviews
1 Stars Poor product … poor service
We purchased the BDHP20U as part of a package deal with the HDTV. Our first player would lock up within the first minute of loading any movie. I returned the unit to Best Buy thinking I was unlucky with the first unit.
The problems started when we attempted to play a newer HD movie (Horton hears a who). The movie required a firware upgrade. The process is pretty simple. I downloaded the files, extracted them to a good USB stick and started the process.
The unit basically said it could not read the firmware file. I decided to try a smaller USB drive (512 MB … initial one was 2 GB). Same problem. Since I downloaded the software using Vista I went to an XP box and redownloaded the firmware file. Still no luck.
I decided to call Sharp support. The person on the phone was nice, but basically walked me through the process I already tried. After aobut 15 minutes he recommeded a system reset. That did not work. He then recommedned a unplug the unit, wait 5 minuntes, try again. I hung up, tried the process … NO LUCK!
I called Sharp again. The lady told me the process always works and that I was doing something wrong. Not the best way to treat a customer. She told me the process … again … and that I’d have to pay Sharp to do the upgrade.
At this point I’m pretty ticked. The USB port was never tested in the original unit. So I am sure it is bad. I calmly discuss this with the service rep. She tells me that I am doing something wrong with the upgrade. I finally ask for someone that can give me a RMA number and waive all repair costs.
I get passed on to a new phone system. I wait for 45 mintues … I hang up. Furstrated! I add my Case # to an email and finally get a contact through email. The person says I can return the unit and it will be fixed.
I read that it will be fixed at no cost. I guess I am an idiot 
AS it turns out the unit costs $425 to repair. Let’s see a new unit is less than $400. I may be stupid, but not that stupid.
So, we have a broken BluRay. The problem is the USB Port. The USB has never been tested so Sharp can not prove that the port ever worked. I claim this MUST be fixed under warranty for NO cost. Sharp tells me they will not fix the unit and there is a $50 charge for the evaluation!
Amazing. This is absolutly the worst customer service I have seen. I work in the computer industry, so I’ve seen bad service.
Stay away from Sharp. No bailout here. Bad business practice should hurt.
1 Stars What A Mess
I’ve had this player for almost a year, and I must say its the worst performing electronics item I’ve ever purchased. Not only are the updates confusing, the instructions compound the problem even more. I wouldnt take another one of these if they were free. Sorry I’m unable to give ZERO stars.
1 Stars Slow.
Got this as part of a Sharp bundle promotion with their LCD TV. Love the TV, but the Blu-Ray player is pretty bad. Quality is great, when it works. But reliability is unacceptable. I have already had it replaced once, and it’s back in the shop, again.
By comparison, I got a great deal on the Samsung BD-P1500 and am ecstatic with it. Much quicker load and react time, never a blip, and internet-connected (though I haven’t had luck updating firmware that way. No big deal - the USB update was flawless.)
Just wish it were the 2500 so I could stream Netflix!
2 Stars Bad design
The Sharp BD-HP20U looked like a good player-the disc load took a while to used to (over 40 seconds) compared to DVDs, but I was told this is pretty good for BD player. The player worked well until I ran into a problem playing “Jumper” I tried to update the Firmware, but I found out you cannot do this using a Mac, even in Parallels. Other discs worked fine, it finally got to the point where more discs did not work than worked.
I got a friend with a PC to download the update - It updated quickly and said successful - Now the player is dead - This apparently is common with this player and there is no way to get it working again except to send it to sharp repair. I called them a week ago and I am still waiting for a return call, I emailed them 3 days ago - guess what, no email returned. I would suggest buying a better player - I’m shopping for one now.
1 Stars Frustration galore
What can I say? Thirteen months ago I bought two of these puppies to use with my Sharp AQUOS HDTVs. Initially I was delighted with the performance, but after several months it was a flip of the coin whether or not a blu-ray disc would play in the players. I was diligent in upgrading the firmware, but even with the latest patch I found that neither player would exhibit the same behavior with any single disc. I usually had to perform a factory reset to get a new title to play.
12 months and 6 days roll around and one of the players now refuses to play any blu-ray discs. It still plays standard DVDs, but identifies all blu-ray titles as incompatible discs.
Sharp makes some great LCD TVs, but I’ll never part with my hard earned cash for any Sharp hardware again.
Filed under: Blu Ray Player Reviews