Amazon.com

Samsung's slim, stylish, metallic-silver DVD-V3800 DVD/VCR combo is perfect for all your favorite movies and music, featuring VHS recording and playback, high-end component-video DVD outputs, built-in MP3 decoding, and compatibility with JPEG image CDs and Kodak Picture CDs so you can enjoy a slideshow of digital pictures right on the television. This model also includes front-panel audio/video inputs to facilitate hookup with a camcorder or gaming console, as well as a flash-memory slot for playing audio or video files from Memory Stick, Multimedia Card, Secure Digital Card, or SmartMedia Card.

Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the DVD-V3800 stands ready to deliver the full potential of DVDs. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.

The VCR delivers hi-fi stereo sound and quasi-S-VHS (QSPB) playback, which lets you view S-VHS cassettes--normally only playable on high-end S-VHS machines--in standard VHS resolution. A handy feature called Jet Picture Search maintains a clear image while whizzing through tapes at seven times normal speed for SP tapes and 21 times normal speed with SLP recordings.

Top-of-the-line component-video outputs (for DVD only) help minimize digital and line-scan artifacts on compatible advanced televisions, while composite- and S-video outputs bring DVD compatibility with nearly any television. The VCR output is composite-video and RF only. A set of left/right analog-audio outputs for both DVD and VCR components channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound DVD signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio output for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver. Another handy feature is EZ View letterbox eliminator, which lets you enjoy full-screen pictures on 4:3 aspect-ratio TVs--even when you're watching widescreen DVDs.

What's in the Box
DVD/VCR combo unit, IR remote control, 2 AA batteries, user's manual, stereo analog audio interconnect/composite-video cable, and warranty information. ... Read more

Features

• Space-saving full-featured DVD player with built-in hi-fi VCR
• Component-video output terminals with progressive-scan output offers flicker-free images on HD or HD-ready TVs
• Plays DVD-Video, VCD, CD-R/CD-RW, MP3 CD, Kodak Picture CD, and JPEG image CDs
• Front-panel audio/video inputs accommodate a camcorder, digital camera, or gaming console
• EZ View letterbox eliminator lets you enjoy full-screen pictures on 4:3 aspect-ratio TVs

Features

• Composite, S-Video and Component Video terminals
• Dual Mode optical pickup compatible with CD-R/RW Media
• Integral MP3 decoder plays back music files from CD-R/W
• Convenient Jog/Shuttle dial located on front panel
• Full size stereo headphone output with rotary volume control

Reviews (13)

Inexpensive bargain
This player is inexpensive and well-rounded. It plays MP3s very well from the CD-Rs I burn and it does a good job of playing DVDs -- nice picture, especially when using the S-video outputs. One thing I like about this unit is the very easy to use remote control. Unlike many other DVD players, the remote for this player is very well laid out and logical. It is easy to use in a dark room.

This is not a videophile machine, but it does a good job at this price point. If you want a DVD player in your bedroom or den with the ability to play MP3 discs then this may be a perfect choice.

Great DVD Player
This DVD player is great! It loads quickly, plays smoothly and even plays MP3 and reads Kodak picture CDs. It alos reads CD-R and CD-RW discs. The setup was simple and the warranty is top of the line. I have no complaints whatsoever about the Samsung S321 DVD player.

piece of junk
I have one and it broke after the first year. After reading the posts, it looks like that's pretty much par for the course. Buyer beware!

You have to be lucky
It seems some persons are lucky and receive the noiseless version, this problem si not only with the S321 it happens with other Samsung models too. I opened the player and found that the problem is that the DVD wobles up/down hitting the lens and producing the horrible sound that varies the pitch depending on the part of the movie you are at, I have found no way of fixing it. If you, for some strange reason want to get this player, try it in the shop before leaving to make sure it doesnt make "the noise"

screeching noise
My Samsung DVD player makes a screeching noise while it plays all DVDs. ... Read more

Features

• Component Video output terminals with 3:2 pulldown progressive scan
• Dual Mode optical pickup compatible with CD-R/RW Media
• Integral MP3 decoder plays back music files from CD-R/W
• Convenient Jog/Shuttle dial located on front panel
• Full size stereo headphone output with rotary volume control

Reviews (20)

Better than my previous Samsung player
The Samsung P421 is only my 2nd DVD player, but so far (after 3 weeks of ownership) it has performed better than my first one, the Samsung DVD-711. Unlike the Samsung 711, the Samsung P421 does not have frequent pauses when watching movies, and I can fast-foward thru scenes smoothly, without skipping. The Samsung P421 was easy to set up, and the manual is fairly well written. As a bonus, I was able to use the remote controller from my first DVD machine with this new one. For all its faults, the Samsung DVD-711 has an excellent remote control.

MAY 2, 2003 UPDATE: Since my last review, some DVD movies I have watched on this machine froze up, some discs have to be loaded twice before they play correctly, and the fast-forwarding feature is sometimes not very accurate. I don't know if it's the discs causing the problems or the DVD player itself. I should mention I never use rented discs. Having said all that, the Samsung P421 still performs better than the Samsung 711, my first DVD player, but there have been some minor annoyances.

Good price for features, half-decent performance...
This DVD player has most of the features you would find in a $200+ player at a much lower cost. However, it doesn't take long to figure out why this player is so affordable. I, like other reviewers, experienced the "skipping" problems of this player. Audio CD's and MP3 CD's are handled well by this player. The problem exists with DVD movies, as this player sometimes randomly skips scenes while viewing the movie, and will also skip entire chapters when slowly searching through the movie. As I mentioned, this only occurs seldomly, but is still annoying when watching DVD movies. I wouldn't recommend this player to anyone unless there were no better options available at this price with this set of features.

Good for a while
Have had the Samsung P421 for about a year an a half. 10 months into ownership it began pausing occasionally and randomly in the middle of a DVD, then either skipping or stopping entirely with the "Disc will not play message." Initially I attributed this to to a disc that was dirty or damaged, but when cleaning a disc didn't help and it did it as well with clean DVDs that played satisfactorily on other players, I realized the player was at fault. As time has gone on it's gotten worse, and now it displays this problem on at least 70% of the DVDs played and refuses to play through about 15% of the DVDs. Much too unreliable or short-lived to recommend. Too bad, because a number of its features are excellent.

Perfectly fine.
I have had my dvd player coming up 2 years now and I can successfuly say I must have gotten one of the non factory rejects. Mine has never given me trouble. Not once. It has played photo dvd's and audio, plus my dvd's perfect. There is no weird red line or blue bar like some have reviewed to say. The remotes dont annoy me either. I find the remote quite cool to be honest. I meen I am only 17 years old for crying out loud. I dont need a big fancy thing to make me happy. Samsung has satisfied my family in the past and my dvd player is great. I got it for christmas. I can say that compared to some of my friends, this one is the best one. My one friend has a panasonic brand, and it sucks. I can say that I am lucky to have this one. It loads my dvd's in less then 10 seconds literally. Its a perfect model for myself. I think some people who are un happy with it must have gotten bad models. Mine is perfect.

Nearly perfect operation for nearly a year
infrequently stops with dirty rental dvd, flawless operation with personal dvd's, most rentals for nearly a year. My first dvd, so I have nothing to compare it with, but at discount price, I have no complaints. Every brand has lemons, low raters must of gotten one. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Samsung DVD-C601 five-disc carousel DVD player incorporates a 10-bit video digital-to-analog converter and a 96 kHz, 24-bit audio digital-to-analog converter to ensure precise playback and pristine audio quality from every disc. Two sets of audio output terminals let you use the unit with a Dolby Pro Logic receiver, so the typical six-channel Dolby Digital signal is mixed down to a compatible Pro Logic signal. The player is compatible with Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound.

Standard S-Video, composite-video, and optical digital outputs are included. The component-video outputs provide an optimal connection between the Samsung DVD-C601 and a TV set with component-video inputs. The included remote control comes with two AA batteries.

Samsung offers a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

... Read more

Features

• CD changer with five-disc capacity
• High-speed, high-linearity 96 kHz/24-bit audio converters
• Enhanced icon-based onscreen display system
• Component-video outputs
• DTS-compatible optical and coaxial digital audio outputs

Reviews (7)

a dog
Consumer Reports gave this DVD player a Best Buy in 2001. I learned to be wary. This machine is a piece of junk. Very slow operation, confusing control panel, plays DVD decently but don't try to play CDs- they will skip in spite of every attempt to clean the disk or laser. I wish I returned this when the problems first started on day one.

junk
did not work from day one. wouldn't program anything. could not
play cd's because of the skipping. these were brand new cd's.
they told me l could pack it up and ship it to new jersey---
what an inconvenience. you know that it wouldn't come back any
better.l called their corp. offices-- they could care less.
steer clear.

junk
don't waste your time and money buying this unit. the random feature is to be laughed at. it will work the first couple of times and then it will stick on one cd and not skip to the rest. it also won't play burnt cdrs.

A LEMON
DVD PLAYER WAS UNABLE TO READ ANY TYPE OF DISC I PLACED IN THE CAROUSEL. I GUESS THE OPTICAL READER IS DEFECTIVE. I LEARNED A LESSON. I WAS TOO CHEAP TO BUY A SONY. THEY ALWAYS WORK. NOW I HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL KINDS OF HASSLES TO RETURN THE SAMSUNG.

skip skip skip
On the plus side... this DVD player moves from disk to disk quickly and quietly, and the video is nice and clean when playing correctly. Sound is good. A rented movie played nicely.

Now for the negatives... I'm on my second C601, since the first was DOA. It's a bit inconvenient to have to use the remote for most playing functions (what if it gets lost?). The major problem I have, however, is that this player SKIPS on a newer DVD that shouldn't have a problem. I had an RCA DVD player that I was very happy with until the laser broke, and several times a week played my yoga DVD to workout at home with no problem WHATSOEVER. I've tried twice to play my yoga DVD on this Samsung, and have had a horrendous time with it. This morning I had to rewind and speed play through skips close to 30 times in a 45 minute regime. When it's not skipping there is often interference. Needless to say it wasn't a pleasant yoga session. I'm putting it back in the box and sending it back this afternoon. Since there are negligible marks on my yoga DVD, there is no reason why I should be having this problem. ... Read more

Features

• Reflective speaker
• Total watts 500
• DVD,CD,CD-MP3, CD-R/RW playback
• 480P progressive scan video output
• AM/FM receiver with 30 presets.

Amazon.com Product Description

Samsung's affordable, titanium-finished DVD-S221 features high-end component-video outputs, a feature called Advanced Disc Navigation to simplify setup and operation, and built-in MP3 decoding for your home-brewed CD compilations. Component-video outputs help minimize digital and line-scan artifacts on compatible advanced televisions, while composite- and S-video outputs bring compatibility with nearly any set.

A set of left/right analog-audio outputs channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio output for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver.

Other features include 10-second instant replay, motion zoom, chapter preview (which generates thumbnail images from disc chapters), music track programming, repeat and random play, and a compact "easy remote" for clear, simple operation of the player.

What's in the Box
DVD player, remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, a stereo analog-audio interconnect/composite-video cable, and warranty information. ... Read more

Features

• Component, S-video and composite-video output terminals work with most standard and advanced televisions
• Elegant titanium-finish front panel; DVD-Video, DVD-R, audio CD, and MP3 CD-R/CD-RW playback
• Phantom Surround processor delivers surround effects from any two speakers
• Advanced Navigation system simplifies viewing; motion zoom lets you magnify select portions of the screen during playback
• Measures 17 x 2.75 x 9.5 inches (W x H x D)

Reviews (19)

You pay for what you get
I have a high end... DVD player that I use for serious watching (read: best quality), so my review takes into account what a dvd player should do at the very best. But, when you spend [money] on something like a dvd player, you shouldn't expect the absolute best. For the money, it works fine for me and really is valuable if you don't mind some glitches. I have found that there are some skipping issues with MP3 playback, and the remote isn't going to be you're best friend (finding a programmable one that scans for dvd players would be better), and some brand new dvds skipped (but that has also happened on my [high end] model--albiet less frequently). The reason why I can't complain too much about this dvd player is its wide range of media support. My high end model only plays true vcds and dvds, but this baby here can play dvd, vcd & mp3 format that is burned onto cd-r, cd-rw dvd-r media. That feature alone is worth the price and is invaluable for someone like me who burns vcds, mp3s and the like all the time.

What a surprise!
I neither wanted nor needed another DVD player. I already have three. But this player was part of a rebate offer for the Samsung phone that I bought. What a surprise I got when I received this thing! I was expecting a cheap DVD player. This is not. This is a very decent quality player for, if you actually paid for it, a good price. The remote control is intuitively designed and the picture and sound quality is better than average. The only major gripe I have about it is that the video quality is just a bit jagged, like a Photoshop picture that's been sharpened too much. I'm still a diehard fan of Pioneer video products, but I'm going to keep my eye on Samsung. It's the company with the momentum. I originally planned to sell this player as soon as I got it. But it appears that I will be keeping it after all.

Good, inexpensive DVD player
I've had this player for about 8 months now and I'm happy with it. Reading some of the other reviews, I've heard comments about skipping DVD's, but I've never noticed a problem. I did end up having to buy speakers in order to get the audio to sound good, but that's the fault of my TV (only one audio input, while the DVD player has a left and right output). I've personally never had a problem with it, and I'd certainly recommend it to anyone.

VERY, VERY GOOD, BUT NOT EXCELLENT
For the price [...] this DVD player is well worth the money. It does not have progressive scan, but I did not purchase this player for that feature. This unit has many good features and the sound and picture quality are very good by using just the RCA audio and video connections. It had a very good review from consumer reports (a publication I highly recommed and utilize, sepecially for consumer electronic purchases). MP3 playback is very good, as is the VCD. DVD-R, CD-R/RW, all play well on this device.

Not an excellent player (for excellence purchase a Sony DVD-NC655P, my other player). But still a very, very good and economical player.

Great value priced dvd player
I bought this player mainly because of its ability to play VCDs and SVCDs in addition to DVDs of course. Unfortunately, it does skip sometimes with SVCDs which is most likely due to higher bitrate scenes the player can't handle. Other than that I have no complaints as the picture and audio quality is great. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Samsung's single-disc DVD-P230 DVD/CD player is perfect for favorite movies and music, featuring high-end component-video outputs, built-in MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) decoding, and compatibility with JPEG image CDs and Kodak Picture CDs so you can enjoy a slideshow of digital pictures right on a television.

Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the DVD-P230 stands ready to deliver the full potential of DVDs. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. In addition, top-of-the-line component-video outputs help minimize digital and line-scan artifacts on compatible advanced televisions, while composite- and S-video outputs bring compatibility with nearly any television.

A set of left/right analog-audio outputs channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio output for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver. Another handy feature is EZ-View letterbox eliminator, which makes it easy to enjoy full-screen pictures on 4:3 aspect-ratio TVs--even when you're watching widescreen DVDs. Supplied accessories include a composite-video/stereo analog-audio interconnect, instruction manual, and a remote control. ... Read more

Features

• Component-video output terminals with progressive-scan output offers flicker-free images on HD or HD-ready TVs
• Dual-mode optical pickup for CD-R/CD-RW playback, built-in MP3 and WMA decoders
• Compatibility with Kodak Picture CD and standard JPEG CDs
• EZ-View letterbox eliminator lets you enjoy full-screen pictures on 4:3 aspect-ratio TVs
• Digital-audio output channels Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound to compatible AV receivers and speaker systems

Reviews (28)

Samsung DVD-P230 is a winner!
I purchased this player about a week ago, to hook it up to my newly acquired 26 inch HD widescreen Samsung tv set. The component output and progressive scan made a big difference! Very noticeable improvement over the first-generation Pioneer player I'd been using. This player has played every disc flawlessly. It also has a great feature that allows you to adjust the size of your tv screen to keep fullscreen dvds in the proper perspective. On my widescreen tv, I used the "vertical fit" mode which put black bars on either side of the screen. Tonight I played a rental disc that had many surface scratches. The player handled it perfectly. There might be the odd player out there that has a slightly better picture, but for what this player cost, and the fact that it has "vertical fit" and can play even scratched dvds flawlessly, makes it a winner I can highly recommend!

Very Nice Player
I bought the Samsung DVD-P230 to play discs from the public library. Naturally these discs have fingerprints , scratches, etcs but the P230 had no problem with them. The unit has more features than I can use but it was still easy to set up. For example, the progressive scan is useless to me since I do not have a HDTV.
This player is an excellent value and there is no need to spend more for everyday playing.

works good then dies
This DVD worked great when it was new. The line resolution and progressive scan worked great. The color was clear and audio was sharp. CD wkd ok too. I paid extra for progressive scan at the time for the sharper picture. Now 13 months, one month after the warranty expired the DVD mechanism stops reading DVDs. According to Samsung, there are two lasers one for the CD and one for the DVD. I probably used this player 20 times in 13 months and the DVD laser died. Samsung suggested I clean it. I did. No luck. Now I'm having to go buy a new DVD player. Stay away from Samsung. I usually get at least several years of product use with electronics. I used to sell electronics. Spend the $ on a better product, or be happy with one year of good use.

Use component video setup
Previously, I wrote a review of this DVD player when I was using the simple 3 cable (audio Left, audio Right, video) and gave it 2 stars which I sincerely think it deserves; however, since then I have bought additional cables in order to separate the video into it's components and this works a lot better.

When you get the DVD player it comes with 3 cables for the 3 cable hookup, but in order to get the best picture go buy 2 additional cables so you can have 3 for the video and 2 for the audio and use the component hook up. Doing this raised my review from 2 to 4 stars. Good luck!

By the way, the instructions in the DVD's instruction book are not clear on this point and I had to look up the instructions in my TV's instruction book.

Cheap DVD player
well I wanted an inexpensive DVD player assuming the quality of picture and sound on all modern DVD players would be good, but I was wrong, neither the picture nor the sound on this DVD player is acceptable. Probably the best comparison is that the DVD looks and sounds like a not so good VHS tape. Honestly, at this point, I'm kind of unhappy with the unit. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Samsung's compact CXN2077DV 20-inch combination TV/DVD player is perfect for small spaces and big desires for high-quality, hassle-free entertainment. No tangled wires or complicated connections--just plug it in and sit back to watch TV, play movies, or listen to music. Whether you're furnishing a kitchen, bedroom, dorm, or apartment, this feature-packed set is a model of simplicity and elegance.

The CXN2077DV's anti-glare, geometrically accurate DynaFlat picture tube minimizes contrast-killing ambient light reflections and offers up to 600 lines of resolution, depending on the source. An onboard digital comb filter, meanwhile, enhances resolution by removing blurred edges between colors and reducing dot crawl (tiny, moving dots of color along a sharp color separation in a vertical line, as in a depiction of a character's striped T-shirt).

A shadow mask is a thin sheet of perforated metal behind the screen that restricts electron flow, each hole in the sheet corresponding to a single pixel. This set's Invar mask uses an alloy that's especially resistant to the high temperatures generated by the electron beam, allowing in a brighter, clearer picture.

Inconspicuous side-panel audio/video terminals simplify connection with a camcorder or a VCR, and rear-panel AV input and output jacks accommodate more permanent hookups with other AV gear (including an RF terminal for use with older VCRs and cable boxes). To get the most from your DVD soundtracks, use the set's optical digital-audio output to route Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround signals to a compatible AV receiver and multichannel speaker system.

Several picture and sound modes let you customize the set's performance for your program material, and side-mounted speakers offer full sound with three watts per channel.

What's in the Box
TV combo unit, a remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, and warranty information. ... Read more

Features

• 20-inch TV/DVD combo with anti-glare flat-screen monitor; 23.9 x 19.9 x 20.2 inches (W x H x D)
• 2-line digital comb filter; maximum 600 lines horizontal resolution
• 181-channel synthesized tuning; INVAR shadow mask
• 2 rear composite inputs, 1 rear RF input, Dolby Digital optical audio output
• 6 watts total audio sound with dual side speakers

Amazon.com Review

If you're seeking a good value in a budget DVD player, the Samsung DVD511 deserves serious consideration. Despite its Spartan appearance and modest price, this model does the DVD medium proud, and also proves a surprisingly sweet player with audio-disc recordings.

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

Features

• 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)

Reviews (41)

great intro to DVDs, but skips WAY too much
We received this DVD player through our travel agent when we booked our cruise. So our expectations where small, but it performed great on our first DVD we bought the day we picked up the player, Gladiator. Great picture, great sound, especially off of a stereo! That is until half way through the movie when the skipping made the movie almost unbearable.

We thought it was the "free DVD player" quality having problems changing tracks (a problem people at my work told me about), but it would skip at any given time in the movie, at different times on the same DVD, and would be worse or better with no reason why. Worse off, as we rented and bought more DVDs, the skipping didn't stop. On every DVD we watched, the skipping was terrible.

This week it was the worst. I borrowed X-Men, and I hit the player twice I was so mad! Hey, it worked for my old TV, why not the player? Nope, no such luck. :<

So after reading about the player here (thank you for the information), I'm now bringing it to a local Samsung repair shop to hopefully get back to watching great movies!

Other than the skipping, the player is fantastic! If it wasn't for the cruise, we would never own a DVD player. Now, when we won't do without one!

I Really Like My DVD Player
Before I bought this machine, I did a lot of research. I was on a budget and I didn't want a total piece of ..., so I made sure to find something with (relatively) good ratings.

A lot of folks said they had problems with this particular player, especially skipping and types of distortion. I've had my DVD511 for only three days now, but so far, it's been a real delight. I the DVD I ordered (from Amazon!) along with the player plays perfectly. I've also watched 2 others with no problem. So maybe Samsung fixed whatever was wrong with its player before.

The only reason I would suggest paying more is for the features not included that may be important to some. I tried playing a VCD with no luck. But those things are bootleg anyway, so who cares. Also, I couldn't play a CDR, but I don't recall ever reading it could.

Also it has limited video output (only RCA and SVideo) and it does NOT have Dolby 5.1 audio.

But for the bucks, what do you expect?

The options it does feature are really cool. The remote, though small, is so simple to use. I had no problems manipulating languages and subtitles, as if I needed to. Also, the search function can go very fast without Alvin and the Chipmunks-esque voices.

If you're poor like me, and you want a good machine, I highly suggest this one.

In hindsight, a great investment
I figured since longevity is a major issue in all electronics purchases as well as performance, I can now say having owned this dvd player for over three years now with practically every day usage, I am proud to say it is still going strong. Once every several months it did skip or freeze when fast forwarding (for some reason 4x as fast wasn't as amenable as 2 or 8 or 16), but all I had to do was pop out the dvd, give it a quick wipe and pop it back in again. As far as features go, I still find it amazing that the frame advance and zoom features aren't standard on other more expensive models. In all, I feel I've gotten my money's worth 20 times over for this price.

""" SOLUTION FOR FREEZING and SKIPPING PROBLEMS """
Only solution for skipping and freezing is to be change "board"! I don't know what it is and is it something like the mainboards in computers but the technical service of Samsung told me that they changed it and now it is "perfect"!

STAY AWAY!
JUST STAY AWAY OF IT! DVD511 IS GREAT ON THE FIRST HALF OF MOVIES BUT AFTER A 1 OR 1,5 HOURS LATER IT ALWAYS SKIPS AND FREEZES! I SENT IT 4-5 TIMES BACK AND SPEND [$$$] TO FIX BUT THEY COULDN'T!!! THIS WAS MY FIRST SAMSUNG PRODUCT AND NOW I HATE SAMSUNG! BELIEVE ME; FOREVER "SONY"! ... Read more

Features

• Horizontal resolution (more than 500 lines)
• Video S/N (more than 68 dB)
• Audio S/N (more than 120 dB)
• Dynamic range (more than 96 dB)
• 5.1 channel surround audio x 6

Reviews (5)

Very good DVD player
I have owned my Samsung DVD-709 for over 2 years, and it still works fine. When it first came out, it was truly one of the best top of the line players, retailing then for about 300 dollars or more. It plays DVD, VCD and CD, and is DTS compatible, with S-video and digital audio out. By today's standards, it would be outdated, just like an older Pentium I PC would be. However, most people use their DVD players mainly, if not only, to watch DVD movies. The Samsung DVD-709 does a great job at this and has been very reliabe. Once in a while, particularly with rentals that have some scratches, it would stop or skip, but most players tend to do the same at some point. It has been "old faithful" for me, and I plan to sell mine and upgrade to a progressive player that accepts CD-R/RW with MP3 and JPEG/photo playback (I will probably look at Samsung again). If I was writing this review 2 or 3 years ago, I would have given 5 stars (or more), but this is 2003 and DVD players have become more advanced and cheaper. However, if you want a good and reliable DVD player (or an extra cheap one) just to watch DVD movies, I would definitely recommend this one.

Great Product!
I bought this DVD Player 2 years ago, and it's still working perfectly. My only major complaint is that if there is a little piece of dust on the disc, the player skips repeatedly. This only really happens with rented discs. And it spit out rented discs of Scary Movie, and The Cell. Also, this player does not play CD-R, DVD-R, or MP3s since it is an earlier model. But the 3-D surround effect is astounding when used through a conventional stereo system. All in all, a great DVD Player for the first time DVD owner, or for a small room home theater.

A good product when it came out...
When it first hit the market, this was one of the best DVD players out there. It had all the options, a great remote, and incredible picture quality. Now, however, it is out of date - "high tech" DVDs like _Planet of the Apes_ will make this player go nuts, and sometimes just jam completely. So, while this may be an OK starter DVD, there are cheaper models that are more compatible with the current crop of DVDs. They may not have as many options, but they won't break down when watching "The next big release," either.

good features for good price
I have bought this dvd player because of the price. I was looking for a less-500US dvd since a long time and when I finally find this dvd I bought it. I have not find any problem but a littlle stopped in some scenes, but this is not problem for me, because pressing the play button again I solved the problem. In one word, I like this dvd plaver.

you get what you pay for
From day one this has been nothing but a problem player, sure, they released a firmware upgrade which fixed the problem of The Matrix not playing at all, a shame it still has difficulty playing such titles as The Mummy, Armageddon, Something about mary (the list goes on). Everything from loss of video/audio sync to the player just spitting out the disk with the message 'this disk cannot be played'. Mind you, this is *after* it being check out by a samsung service center and being cleaned etc... I gave it a fair chance and tried the movies in a diffrent player and lo and behold...they played fine. Samsung however has been no help. Spend the extra 50 to 100 bucks and get a decent pioneer or toshiba player. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Samsung's DVD-611 is an affordable, no-frills, single-disc machine thatoutputs both Dolby Digital and DTS (Digital Theater System) 5.1-channel surroundsound. In our tests, it also played The Matrix with satisfactoryresults.

Although there are plenty of low-cost DVD players that bear the DTSlogo, our experience has revealed that many bargain-priced machines are notcapable of satisfactorily passing the DTS signal on to audio-video receiverswith built-in DTS decoders. In fact, we have grown so accustomed to thisshortcoming 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'repleased to report that we played a couple of DTS 5.1-channel concert discsthrough the DVD-611 with good results. Of course, the DVD-611 also plays DolbyDigital-encoded DVDs with equal finesse.

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

Briefly, MPEG-2 uses mathematical formulas to searchfor redundancies in each frame, basically tricking the eye into seeinginformation that is being repeated from scene to scene. This method works wellfor 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 changingbackgrounds--such as those found throughout The Matrix--the MPEG-2 formatis challenged to squeeze an enormous amount of information into a limited amountof space. As a result, some DVD players' video decoders have a tendency to skipor lock up when playing certain scenes on "high-impact" films.

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

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

Another rare andadmirable trait for a budget DVD player is the presence of both coaxial andoptical 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 havingoptical and coaxial is the ability to use a separate digital-to-analog converterfor music listening only.

The DVD-611 also has component-video outputs inaddition to S-Video and composite. Although this feature is increasinglystandard, even for lower-end players, it's reassuring to see that Samsung didnot compromise on video outputs in exchange for offering two digital-audioconnections.

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

Unfortunately, the same cannotbe 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, youhave to stop the movie and hit the set up button, then hit the set up buttonagain in order to activate the screen. Then you have to scroll down to thefunction you wish to change, and either hit the enter button or move the cursorleft or right, depending on the function you're trying to access. To exit themenu, you have to use the return button on the remote.

The first time we triedthis, we searched in vain for a way out of the menu before reading the manualand discovering that you have to hit the return button. We believe that today'sremote controls should be instantly intuitive; in that regard, the DVD-611 failsto 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-audiooutputs, 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

Features

• 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

Reviews (45)

It Skips!
I purchased this dvd player as my first, I brought it home and was able to set it up easy enough. I popped in my brand new Marx's brothers dvd and started watching... after about an hour I realized that it kept skipping at least once a minute. I thought it might be the dvd, even though it was brand new, so I rented a couple more. One of the dvd's wouldn't even play, and the other one skipped at least five times.

I returned the samsung and purchased the Toshiba SD-1600 DVD-Video Player which is only $30 more, I set it up and played all three dvd's without any problems.

An ok DVD player if your on a budget
I received this DVD player for Christmas a few years back, and as of this typing I still own it and use it regularly. Samsung is known for making mostly quality merchandise at reasonable prices, and this DVD player fits that criteria very well. The picture quality is great (but that mostly depends on what DVD your playing), but I have found that the true picture quality can be seen when playing any of Columbia/Tri-Star's Superbit series of DVD's. Sound quality however when it comes to concert DVD's is only average at best. I don't know that much about specs of DVD players, but I have heard much better quality sound from my concert DVD's on more superior players. The remote control is terrible however, and honestly seems to work only when it wants to, not to mention all the menu control problems that other reviewers have written about. All in all, Samsung's DVD 611 DVD Player isn't a bad buy if your on a budget and looking to purchase your first DVD player, but if your looking for a more powerful player then look elsewhere.

Beyond poor
I've had similar problems as other reviewers, most commonly the picture skipping...often to the point that the movie is unwatchable. Now, for the third time in as many months, the player has stopped reading discs altogether. The one-year manufacturer's warranty has expired, but thankfully I bought an extended warranty from the store. My advice: skip this player.

Lousy Player and Nonexistent Customer Service
I bought this DVD player about 6 months ago. Even from the beginning it had problems, but I kept thinking that I just needed to clean the CDs better or clean the laser lens. The main problem was that the picture would freeze for a split second and then continue. It happened once or twice per movie for a while, but then it became progressively worse. Now when I try to watch a movie, whole sections are skipped and the freezing occurs every 5 minutes or so. The player came with a one year warranty that turns out to be pretty much useless. You have to prepay transportation charges to send it out to a service center. There are only two service centers in the entire country -- one in NJ and the other in TX. I live in California. Besides that, when I tried to call the 1-800-SAMSUNG number (twice), I dutifully went through all the menu options, only to get cut off before ever reaching a real voice. It was like a sick joke. Is there really a flesh-and-blood person on the other end? Anyway, I've decided to junk this DVD player and buy one that was recommended by Time Magazine and costs less than $... -- the APEX Digital AD-500. I'll probably write a review of the APEX player in another 6 months. Bottom line: The Samsung DVD611 DVD Player was a total waste of $..., and I'd probably think twice before buying any other Samsung product.

Low price, little problems, GREAT value
This is the first DVD I have ever bought, but my friends who had them all had their brands to suggest. I liked the Philips that my friend had, but it always seemed to act up. I decided on this one after comparing prices and reviews. I am not sorry I made that decision. VERY rarely, I will ahve slight skipping or freezing problems, but it is always very minor and does not detract from the movie at all. There are loads of features, the sights and sounds can't be beat, and this has been a dream player to own. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Samsung DVD-M201 DVD player is an affordably priced model thatfeatures state-of-the-art component-video outputs, a slim design, and adual-laser pickup. The dual-laser design, which employs separate laser diodes for DVDand CD playback, enhances video and audio quality and extends formatcompatibility to CD-Rs and CD-RWs.

The player's Spatializer N-2-2 sound circuit simulates surround sound throughyour TV or stereo speakers, while its 96-kHz/24-bit audio converters deliverpristine audio quality from DVDs and CDs. The back-panel Toslink optical and RCAcoaxial terminals each pass a 96-kHz/24-bit audio stream for use with the latesthigh-end audio recordings (though be aware that your receiver must be able todecode your 96 kHz recordings if you use a digital connection there).

The DVD-M201 includes left/right analog-audio outputs for compatibility withDolby Pro Logic receivers and, in case you don't have a receiver yet, TV inputs.This unit also supports both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel formats throughits digital outputs for direct connection to a full-featured audio/videoreceiver or an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC).

In the video realm, the M201's 10-bit video DAC ensures precision playback ofhigh-resolution DVD signals. Analog video components are also selected tooptimize performance. Component-video output terminals provide the optimumconnection between the DVD-M201 and an advanced direct-view or projection TVsystem. The unit also offers standard composite- and S-video outputs. ... Read more

Features

• Dolby Digital and DTS output
• Coaxial and optical digital-audio outputs
• Component and S-video outputs
• Onscreen display
• CD-R-compatible dual-laser diode pickup

Reviews (3)

samsung slip
you would think for the price it doesn't skip but it does!

Pleased!
I bought this player on a recommendation and am very pleased with my purchase. Although it depends on your criteria, I think this is a very good buy.

I don't have an amazing entertainment system. I cannot judge its capabilities in that area (although there is an obvious improvement over video). I wanted a DVD player because I am a movie buff and I love the extras. And that's what I got. It is easy and hasn't given me any problems.

The only thing (and this goes for all DVD players, I found out) is that you might require another piece of equipment before you can get it to work. Look at the back of your TV. If you only have one antenna spot, you need to buy an RF modulator too. Just a little tip that I didn't know about.

In summary, I would recommend this player. Be warned, though, because it causes a hysteria where you feel you must watch WAY too many movies!

A Simple Basic Player
This player, though the price is attractive, and support DD and DTS output.. have to work with a good reciever to bring out the sound that it support, since the player itself have no means of decoding the signals of the DVDs. Therefore buy it if u must as a basic player and nothing more. ... Read more

Features

• 4.7GB DVD-RAM disc is in a cartridge keeping it safe from scratches, dirt and fingerprints
• Recording Mode -FP (10Mbps, 1-hour recording); SP (5Mbps, 2-hour recording) LP (2.5Mbps, 4-hour recording)
• Time Fit Recording
• Time Base correction for perfect analog transfer
• Component Video Output

Features

• Progressive-scan output with true 3:2 pulldown
• Component-video output
• Dual-laser pickups for DVD-Video, CD, and CD-R playback
• Plays MP3-encoded CDs (may not play all discs)
• Compact size (only 2.6 inches high); includes remote control

Reviews (15)

Maximum Quality - Minimum Price
Having just purchased a Samsung Digital TV (Tantus Dynaflat, 27"), I wanted to take advantage of the progressive scan and 4:3 pulldown ability. The logical choice was to purchase a Samsung VCR with these attributes (to maintain remote compatibility, etc.).

DVD players on the market are strikingly similar... and most often, you do truly get what you pay for. This Samsung has been a startling exception. [the money] for a DVD player with 4:3 pulldown and progressive scan? Amazing! However, enough about the theory... how did it work in practice?

After hooking up the player to the Digital TV and then via a switch on the back of the player enabling 480p, the 480-line progressive scan mode, the picture clarity jumped from the run-of-the-mill DVD we're all used to, to something more resembling film quality (See the explanation on 4:3 pulldown in the manufacturer's comments).

Putting this DVD player through its paces meant pulling out a DVD from my collection which looked like, on the playing surface, someone used it to sharpen cutlery. This copy of "The Matrix" has more scratches on it than a prison wall- which makes it a good test for the dual-laser pickup. Most DVD players skip badly on this DVD; my second-generation Sony DVP-S530D even refuses to play certain chapters. The Samsung DVD-P401 did not hesitate, skip, or give any indication it was not dealing with less-than-pristine media. As a DVD player, it delivers more than expected, and much more adequately than many other DVD players which cost twice as much. ....

This is a great little player at any price- and at [the price], the bang-for-buck-ometer is off the charts.

OK for the money but... pretty slow loading time
I've used this player for about 2 weeks. I compare it with other DVD players that I have and give it a 3-star rating. The reason is that it has a pretty slow loading time. And if you place a CDR into this player, the loading time will be even slower than that of the original DVD.

Besides I have a problem with its progressive scan mode. When I switch to this mode my Toshiba HDTV projector produces a long horizontal green line across the screen just below the 16:9 picture frame. I'm not sure the Samsung DVD player is the culprit or this is just an incompatible problem by the Toshiba???

Other than that this player works fine in both audio and video.

Was great at first but after 3 years...
We bought this as our first DVD player. We thought Samsung was a reliable brand plus it had good reviews on a few sites.
At first it was great then slowly we started to have problems. Last year we started noticing pixelation on some scenes but we blew it off as just something on the disc (dust, dog hair, etc...). Then it started doing it on brand new DVDs & everything went down hill from there.
Now it skips scenes, freezes up and continues to pixel on scenes. Very frustrating! Sometimes it works perfect, other times you have to restart three or four times just to get the movie going.
Of course the warrenty is expired & there isn't anything we can do except take it to "an authorized dealer". (Yeah, right!)
We got 3 years worth of viewing out of it, but I was hoping for quite a few more.

Best so far..
I have owned a few DVD players since they became popular, others being Toshiba models and such. I have to say that especially for the price this is the best one I have owned so far. The progressive scan is of great quality, I love component output, and the menu seems self explanitory to me. It supports all the MP3s I've burnt so far, and VCDs for that matter. All you have to do is put them in, so I don't see what's so difficult, or what you'd need a manual for. I have owned my player for almost 2 years I believe (longer?) and have never had any problems. I noticed some people have had problems with it not reading disks, and I absolutely have to include the following: If your disks are NOT playing, make sure they are clean, and of the correct format. If this is not the problem, you must clean the lens on the DVD player itself. Yes, this is normal and should be done periodically, otherwise it will not function in time. This player does a great job of providing a smooth layer transition (that little glitchy part in the middle of some movies), and is quiet and doesn't tend to overheat like others I've had. I highly reccomend this player, as I've used others and know how good this one is compared to others of same/similar price. And just to let you know I'm not some bonehead on a computer either. I'm a CS major and have extensive knowledge of audio/video equipment. Of course if you don't believe me, you can just check it out yourself.

Quit 2 weeks after the warranty expired
I've had my Samsung P401 for just a little over a year and in general I was pleased with it. It played most DVDs with no problems. The only disk it wouldn't play was a badly scratched DVD from the library. I bought it because of the Progressive Scan and component out features, thinking that I would still have it in a few years when high definition TVs became reasonably priced. Looks like that won't happen since just 2 weeks after the 1 year warranty expired it quit working. No signal at all. ... Read more

Features

• 630W (106W x 5 + 100W)
• Aluminum tube tower design for flat-panel & DLP TV matching
• Progressive scan DVD player
• DVD, CD-MP3, CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW, CD-JPEG
• Component Out, Composite, S-Video, Digital Optical Input

Amazon.com Product Description

The DVD-P721M integrates digital audio and video like no DVD player before it, offering not merely high-tech features like progressive-scan video and 3:2 pulldown, but a dedicated Memory Stick port that makes this the ideal companion for Sony digital cameras and MP3 players.

Video Features
The progressive-scan output is king of this unit's video features, but keep in mind that you'll need a high-definition or HD-ready TV to appreciate its benefits. (The included S-video and composite-video outputs work just fine with older TVs, however.) Progressive scanning displays all 480 video lines in one pass to provide strong vertical resolution and flicker-free, high-density images. Likewise, 3:2 pulldown is a videophile treat. It accurately translates 24-frames-per-second movies into 30-frames-per-second television signals, correcting any distortion and removing redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture on any component-video-equipped direct-view or projection TV or monitor.

Audio Features
The DVD-P721M is compatible with standard CDs, audio CD-Rs and CD-RWs, and discs encoded with MP3 audio files. A 96 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converter ensures optimal decoding of all disc formats, while 2x audio playback lets you hear the movie or music while you search, where most other DVD players are mute. The player's Phantom Surround processor simulates surround-sound effects using only two speakers, and a 25-inch stereo headphone jack has a convenient rotary volume control.

Connections
Beyond the Memory Stick port, the DVD-P721M's traditional audio connections include two sets of left/right analog-audio outputs for compatibility with stereo Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions and two digital-audio outputs (one each of coaxial and optical) to route Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel signals to a surround-decoding audio/video receiver. The back panel offers one output each for S-video and top-of-the-line component-video, as well as two standard composite-video outputs.

Other Features
The player provides motion zoom, chapter digest, and a universal remote control (with jog/shuttle dial) that operates the DVD-P721M as well as most TVs and VCRs. You even get a special EZ remote for controlling basic DVD functions. Supplied accessories include a composite-video AV cable, instruction manual, two remote controls, and two AA batteries. ... Read more

Features

• Memory Stick port works with Sony digital cameras and MP3 players
• Component-video output terminals with progressive-scan output and 3:2 pulldown offer flicker-free images on HD or HD-ready TVs
• Dual-mode optical pickup for CD-R/CD-RW playback, built-in MP3 decoder (offers folder navigation and supports ID3 tags)
• Convenient jog/shuttle dial on front panel and remote control
• Full-size (.25-inch) stereo headphone output with rotary volume control

Reviews (26)

KenshinR12
I found that the samsung DVD-P721M is one of the best dvd player at this price range. It has a bunch of cool little features that you will enjoy. Like it supports ID3 tag for your MP3's(display the song name). It can also display your images off a memory stick or JPEG image cd(pretty cool). So far i am pretty happy with this one. If your thinking about buying a progressive-scan DVD player check this one out. I say you go out the BestBuy or CompUSA to check it out. See if it is to your liking.

Fabulous DVD Player
I bought this DVD player after reading the great reviews it got on Amazon and was not disappointed. The loading time is a bit slow, but that is a general DVD problem. The picture quality is amazing! There is a lot of nifty little features to boot:

- you can zoom in on the picture
- there is a replay button so if you missed what someone said, you hit this button and it goes back 10 seconds
- turning subtitles on and off is really easy - some players requre that you stop the movie and go back to the root menu
- for DVDs that allow it, you can view the scene from different angles

The Progressive Scan is really neat also. For the money, this DVD player can't be beat.

Ms. Shara L. Bouie
My personal review on the Samung Progressive Scan would be the mulit-cabliblites of the pro- scan DVD from Screen to DVD. The over all clarity of the progressive scan is next to the top ten next with the Sony DVD and Video Progressive-Scan, and the Philips. Although, the following questions of it's mulit-usage, maybe , How would this product work with my entertainment system quailty and or Is this product able to be used with my pc or audio system?" Yes, to both the Audio and Visual question being that during the actual connection process is so simple a child could program the Samsung Progressive Scan. In closing wether dealing with a simple digital camera to the a Kitchen Mixer , I rate from personal usage of this product at the highest a 10.

Thank You
Shara L. Bouie
Atlanta, Ga

Piece of *!#p!
Progressive scan never worked correctly from day one. Didn't want
to get into shipping back and forth to the repair center, so bought a
Panasonic replacement (that works perfectly) and threw
the Samsung unit in with my soup cans and bottles for recycling.
Never again Samsung, ... never again ...

Good for DVDs only
This DVD player played my DVDs just fine, but it had big problems with Audio CDs and Photo CDs.

For DVDs, it works well. The remote is very well laid out, so I can keep my eyes on the TV while I'm using the remote. (All remotes should be this well designed.) Unfortunately, the joystick (which takes the place of the directional buttons) is a bit unreliable. I often have to jiggle it to get it to go they way I'm pushing it. This is annoying, but it has a second "mini" remote with ordinary buttons that work fine. Still, switching between two remotes is annoying.

The most useful feature is the "Instant Replay" button, which I LOVE. If I miss a bit of dialog because of room noise, I just hit instant replay, and it jumps back ten seconds.

For Photo CDs, it's pretty bad. It takes forever to load the pictures, and the controls for zooming and panning are so amazingly awkward to use that they're not worth it.

For Audio CDs, it's completely unacceptable. It cuts off the last two seconds of each audio track. You may not notice this on a lot of tracks because the song fades out or has two or three seconds of silence anyway, but for songs that play to the end if the track it's infuriating. I had to take it back.

I never used the memory stick or progressive scan, so I can't comment on them. I couldn't get the 3D audio to do anything.

If you're not interested in playing audio or photo CDs, it's a perfectly acceptable DVD player with a good remote control. But for audio and JPEG, it stinks. ... Read more