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Samsung DVD-HD931 HDTV Converter Progressive-Scan DVD Player

Samsung DVD-HD931 HDTV Converter Progressive-Scan DVD Player

List Price: $349.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: plagued with playback issues and poor support
Review: The new HD931 is plagued with DVD playback problems using DVI. One is motion jitter. The picture will playback eratically whenever it wants to. A slight jump vertically almost like bad tracking w/o all the white lines. I've had mine sent in for warranty service but they failed to fix the problem. I got it back refurbished and not in its original box. This is highly undesirable when considering I bought it new. Now instead of them sending me a replacement for the defective unit they suggest I continue to send it in for service. This should not be the customers expectation when owning a high end - their top of the line DVD player. It is not suprising that many users aren't happy with this product and the lack of support on Samsung's part. On the positive side, I had an incompatibility issue w/ my 1080i setting emitting nothing but snow and they sent out an upgrade CD that makes my HDCP equipped t.v. work with that particular mode. Other quality issues regarding this player is the grain that's evident in this very mode. There's also a green and red grain tint and is easily seen on white or light colored backgrounds. Viewing in the 480p or 720p modes is the worse. Maybe this player is best suited for DLP and Plasma sets that use fixed pixels. Test this unit out for yourself and make sure you buy it from some place you can get your full money back if you are disatisfied. It becomes a distraction if you want a picture w/o these type of artifacts. Other users have had other issues but these are the ones I've experienced. I did not try the component video connection but have heard from users that they don't reccomend this player if you plan on using component cables. First off, you don't get the 1080i picture you would from DVI and secondly, the Faroudja DCDi de-interlacer/scaler chip only works with DVI. As far as sound goes, it does well for the soundtracks and effects but vocals seem to take a back seat. If you have a home theatre sound set-up then you may be void of this problem. The remote is another drawback to this first of its kind from Samsung. Small, cluttered buttons make for an uncomfortable feel. The onscreen menu screen is easy to navigate and is grouped accordingly. The blue Samsung Digitall screen you'll see also turns into a nice screen saver. Hey, atleast they did something right! But for the price and expectations that weren't met in quality, performance and customer service I would not reccomend the HD931.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Think this purchase through
Review: This is one of only two DVD players currently available with DVI inputs. Assuming you are interested in DVI, you probably have a HDTV -- which begs the question, how many DVI inputs do you have on your HDTV? Only one I assume -- so you are forced with making a choice of receiving HDTV through DVI, or your DVD player through DVI, but not both.

Another consideration involves the types of movies you watch. If you watch the typical new Hollywood films you should be pleased because at the highest settings, the picture is very good. But if you occasionally watch older films with Academy aspect ratios (closer to square) you must adjust down the settings. This will give you the proper aspect ratio, but the image quality degrades considerable.

I have not had issues with picture stability (unlike some complaints here), but the remote control is certainly the worst on the market.

The Pros are that at the highest settings, using DVI, the quality is very good. Also, I am pleased with the audio quality, as well.

The Cons are that by using DVI for your DVD player, you probably are forced to use component inputs for your HDTV. Secondly, you can not manipulate aspect ratios at the highest setting, degrading performance on many DVDs. And finally, the remote is horrible. All-in-all, a very mixed bag.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: great DVI DVD player
Review: This dvd player produces great pcture quality. If you have a dvi input on your tv then go for it, you will be satisfied. If you are only looking to use component cables to hook it up to your tv then save some money and go cheaper.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent
Review: I just purchased the HD931 to go along with my 50" DLP. The picture is excellent, especially in 720p format. I compared the same movie in both the HD931 (DVI connection) and my Panasonic Progressive Scan (S-Video connection) and there was a noticable difference. Not only is the resolution clearer, but the colors are more vibrant. As for the DVI cable, my set was shipped with one in the manufacturer's box. I'm not sure if this is standard, but now I have to return the additional cable I purchased. I am extremely impressed with the Samsung products I purchased.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The picture is stunning
Review: I have this DVD players married to a Samsung DLP Television connected via a DVI Cable. The picture is stunning. Re-watched the Matrix and Gladiator, saw detail that was not apparent on a normal (non-progressive) DVD player. This is the closest thing I have seen to film. When the source is purely digital such as "Finding Nemo", the picture quality is actually better then at the theatre! The only reason I don't give 5 stars is the cheap remote.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Matter of comparison
Review: After reading tons of reviews I decided to try this unit firsthand. The reviews seemed to have no middle range. People either love or hate the player.

I have a 60" HDTV and JVC progressive scan carousel DVD player. Here is my five cents worth:

Picture quality - far from "amazing". I created backup copies of several movies ranging from action to sci-fi to cartoons. I ran the movies in "parallel" on my existing JVC through the component input and on this Samsung through DVI. After about 2 hours of flipping inputs back and forth, playing with the resolution settings I concluded that my JVC's progressive scan picture is better than any settings on the Samsung. Although hard to differentiate unless you watch the same movie frames either by flipping inputs or PIP the Samsung's performance was poor. Of course it blows away my older Pioneer and Apex. So it all depends what people compare it to.

Sound - tried optical output, just awful. Low volume, lacks clarity. A total disappointment.

Navigating menus takes forever. Slow response. One time I thought it locked up. Remote is just plain garbage - 6 year old design.

NTSC/PAL decoder is also very poor compared to my JVC.

Summary - $300 price tag is not worth the DVI output. $100 progressive scan player does just fine.
People with 42"-60" HDTV screens should remember that DVD's are still 480 lines no matter how the player is trying to fill in more to get to 720. It's like a poor scan of a photo that one would try to tweak with Photoshop.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Pretty good DVD Player
Review: BE WARNED - that not all of these players come with the DVI cable. I purchased my through Amazon.com last week and mine did NOT come with a cable. I purchased the $100 Monster Cable.

The picture quality of the player is impressive, especially in 720p mode. Quite a bit more information is transferred to the television in that mode than in 420p and there is noticeably more film footage displayed. Overall, the player is probably worth the investment if you have a DVI capable television. Just remember, this player may cost you $229 plus $100 if you are one of the unlucky ones (like myself) that does not receive the cable in the box. Amazon and Samsung really need to rectify that inconsistency considering how expensive that cable is.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Sony Who?
Review: I have the Samsung HD-931 paired to a Samsung TXN3098WHF 30" Widescreen HDTV via a Monster Cable m500 DVI cable. The results are stunning. This Samsung replaced a Sony DVP-NS715P Progressive Scan DVD player. I loved the Sony but this Samsung made the breakup easy. Images are bright, crisp, and defined. Star Wars Episode II was simply amazing since it was shot in digital. This DVD player supports 480p, 720p, and 1080i. When this unit arrived I had to use it in 480p via Monster Cable Video3 Component Video cables and when my DVI cable arrived I was blown away by the improvement in picture quality. This Samsung does not disappoint.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Good Picture Quality,But who needs a picture that is froze!
Review: Do not buy this dvd player!It is not worth the money.
It does have a better picture when you use the DVI output.But that is the only good thing about this DVD player
When you are in the middle of a good movie,say a good action movie.I for one do not enjoy it whe the picture freezes!
I don't know how they can put junk like this on the market and get away with it.I have four other DVD players that outdo this one.I was going to have some friends over to show this to,but not now!I do not think anyone wants a DVD player that freezes up right in the middle of a movie.
Please take note of the other bad reviews on this crappy dvd player.I wish i had!And YES THE REMOTE IS JUST AS BAD!!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent
Review: I just purchased the HD931 to go along with my 50" DLP. The picture is excellent, especially in 720p format. I compared the same movie in both the HD931 (DVI connection) and my Panasonic Progressive Scan (S-Video connection) and there was a noticable difference. Not only is the resolution clearer, but the colors are more vibrant. As for the DVI cable, my set was shipped with one in the manufacturer's box. I'm not sure if this is standard, but now I have to return the additional cable I purchased. I am extremely impressed with the Samsung products I purchased.


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