Samsung DVD511 DVD Player

• Limit 1 per customer
• Dolby Digital and DTS output
• 24-bit/96 kHz audio digital-to-analog converter
• 10-bit video digital-to-analog converter
• Optical digital-audio output; high-speed search: 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, 32x in forward or reverse (DVD); 4x, 8x (CD, Video CD)

In our tests, it tracked even the trickiest action video disc (The Matrix) with aplomb and delighted the ears with accurate playback of acoustic jazz, classical, and folk CDs.

All the essentials of a versatile player are on board. You'll enjoy clean-looking, multispeed fast scan and slow-motion picture modes in both forward and reverse directions. Plus it has sharp still frames, which are user selectable by field or frame, or automatically chosen by the machine for whichever looks best with the image grabbed. There's even an auto-resume feature that picks up right where you stopped if you turn off the player and then come back to a movie later.

We were also happy to discover some useful features here that are usually lacking even on much more expensive machines. For example, during double speed (2x) fast scan, this Samsung samples and plays snatches of dialogue in normal speed and pitch. The sound is out of sync with the picture, and some of the conversation is lost. But the gist of the dramatic matter usually comes through and the voices don't sound like Mickey and Minnie. (In case you're not into hearing the audio while the video's in slow-mo or fast-forward mode, the sound-play mode is defeatable.)

Picture zoom on the Samsung DVD511 is also better than most DVD players. Mr. Home Director (that's you) can go in for your own private close-up either on the fly (with the program running) or more easily, after hitting the still button--with a frozen image already locked on screen. Move the cursor over the segment of the picture of special interest, tap the zoom button, and up it grows to fill the screen (but beware of the digital blur.)

The menu system is unusually versatile, as well. This DVD player displays operating modes, not only in the expected, user-switchable English, Spanish, and French languages, but also in Italian, German, and Dutch.

A screensaver goes on automatically (fading the opening screen in, then out) whenever the player is stopped for more than one minute. That's an especially important feature to have if this DVD player is going to be connected to a big-screen rear-projection set that's more susceptible to image burn-in. The player shuts itself down if abandoned for more than 30 minutes.

Samsung stands behind the DVD511 with a full one-year warranty on parts and labor for the original owner. Most brands usually deliver one-year free replacement on parts, but only 90 days coverage on labor.

You might notice a couple of small shortcomings on the rear jack-pack, though it's nothing too serious. There's just one set of analog audio-video outputs, and only one digital sound output (fiber optic) to funnel the PCM audio stream coming off Dolby Digital, DTS, and CD discs. However, although the DVD511 doesn't offer component video outputs, the single S-video output jack delivers quite the pristine picture.

Since most users will start off plugging this player into a conventional stereo rig, stereo TV, or Dolby Pro Logic Surround Sound receiver, we went the analog sound route in our tests. The DVD511 did an extremely good job of down-converting DVD's native 5.1-channel Dolby Digital soundtracks to 4-channel matrix Pro Logic. Channel separation was still very clear and dramatically tingly when fed some well-engineered content.

And some surround-style kicks are obtainable even when you're listening in a two-channel (stereo) setup. Just tap the 3-D button on the remote, which activates the Spatializer circuitry. This "psycho-acoustic" surround effect tricks the brain (with time delay cues) into thinking that sound is coming from the sides of the room as well as the front, where the speakers are situated. Just remember to sit dead center between the speakers for the ultimate, killer effect. However, you may also notice a tradeoff in body (signal) warmth when the 3-D is engaged.

All in all, as bargain machines go, the Samsung DVD511 is a honey.

Pros:

• Winning sight and sound performance
• Easy zoom operation
• Longer warranty than most players

Cons:

• Small remote, not backlit
• Minimalist jack pack
• Plain Jane styling