Samsung DVD611 DVD Player

• Dolby Digital and DTS output
• Coaxial and optical digital-audio outputs
• 10-bit video and 24-bit audio digital-to-analog converters
• Video black-level adjustment
• Component-video outputs

Although there are plenty of low-cost DVD players that bear the DTS logo, our experience has revealed that many bargain-priced machines are not capable of satisfactorily passing the DTS signal on to audio-video receivers with built-in DTS decoders. In fact, we have grown so accustomed to this shortcoming that we invariably slip a 5.1-channel DTS disc into every budget- priced player we test before we break open the manual.

To that end, we're pleased to report that we played a couple of DTS 5.1-channel concert discs through the DVD-611 with good results. Of course, the DVD-611 also plays Dolby Digital-encoded DVDs with equal finesse.

On the video side, the DVD-611 passed The Matrix test. This popular movie has given many DVD players fits due to its spectacular action sequences, which stretch the limitations of MPEG-2 compression technology.

Briefly, MPEG-2 uses mathematical formulas to search for redundancies in each frame, basically tricking the eye into seeing information that is being repeated from scene to scene. This method works well for scenes with very little motion--a lawyer, for example, sitting in a high- backed chair with mahogany paneling behind him as he lectures a client. Unfortunately, on more grueling, fast-action sequences with constantly changing backgrounds--such as those found throughout The Matrix--the MPEG-2 format is challenged to squeeze an enormous amount of information into a limited amount of space. As a result, some DVD players' video decoders have a tendency to skip or lock up when playing certain scenes on "high-impact" films.

Hardware manufacturers are quick to point out that the problem is a result of using inefficient bit allocation when mastering the DVD-video transfer, but this is of little consolation to anyone who's purchased a player that can't handle The Matrix.Bargain hunters who crave action movies will be happy to know that Samsung's DVD-611 didn't so much as hiccup after being fed an afternoon's worth of Keanu Reeves kicking and screaming his way across the cyber screen.

In short, Samsung's DVD-611, with its 24-bit audio digital-to-analog converters, is more than acceptable as a movie machine. If you plan on using your DVD player to listen to music CDs, however, we recommend spending another $100 or more for a brand that incorporates higher-quality internal audio components. Although the DVD-611 sounds just fine on most movies, on music we noticed a decided brightness in the upper frequencies--especially on vocals.

Another rare and admirable trait for a budget DVD player is the presence of both coaxial and optical digital audio outputs. Although most budget players offer only optical, we're very pleased to report that the DVD-611 has both. One advantage to having optical and coaxial is the ability to use a separate digital-to-analog converter for music listening only.

The DVD-611 also has component-video outputs in addition to S-Video and composite. Although this feature is increasingly standard, even for lower-end players, it's reassuring to see that Samsung did not compromise on video outputs in exchange for offering two digital-audio connections.

The player's build quality is above average. It has a rather Spartan front panel, with no bells or whistles.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the remote control, which we found cumbersome to operate. The DVD- 611's remote and corresponding screen menus require too many steps to navigate. For example, if you're watching a movie and you need to change the settings, you have to stop the movie and hit the set up button, then hit the set up button again in order to activate the screen. Then you have to scroll down to the function you wish to change, and either hit the enter button or move the cursor left or right, depending on the function you're trying to access. To exit the menu, you have to use the return button on the remote.

The first time we tried this, we searched in vain for a way out of the menu before reading the manual and discovering that you have to hit the return button. We believe that today's remote controls should be instantly intuitive; in that regard, the DVD-611 fails to live up to our standards for ease of use.

If you're on a budget, however, and you're looking for a player that's DTS compatible and has dual digital-audio outputs, the Samsung DVD-611 is a reliable machine with good video processing. --Eric Gill

Pros

• Impressive video processing, even on fast-action DVDs
• Reliable audio playback in Dolby Digital and DTS
• Plenty of audio/video connection options

Cons

• Finicky user interface
• Clumsy remote control
• Average sound quality for music CDs and concert DVDs