Samsung DVD-HD931 HDTV Converter Progressive-Scan DVD Player

• Progressive-scan DVD player with DVI digital output and upconversion of DVD signals to 1080i/720p
• Compatible with DVD, picture CD, JPEG CD, MP3, and WMA CD-R/CD-RW media
• 480p progressive-scan video output
• Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel digital outputs (coaxial, optical); 3-D Sound simulated surround for stereo speakers
• Slim profile, titanium hot-stamp finish

Hopefully you're reading this review to try and find out whether the HD quality DVI output is really that good.

If you're in a hurry, I'll summarize by saying that it really is the best quality video output that you can get today from a DVD player. But it would not make sense to leave it at that, especially when the other DVD players cost at least a 100 bucks less. I for one decided to do a test. I compared this Samsung HD931 player against a Sony DVP-NS725P (in my opinion, one of the best less-expensive, non-DVI output players). I chose the Sony because it's one of the few progressive scan players that have a 12-bit 108MHz Video DAC (Digital to Analog converter) most others have a 10-bit 54MHz Video DAC. As I write this review, the Samsung cost around $229 while the Sony cost around $129.

So how did these 2 players compare? First off, I chose the best video output from each player. Obviously for the Samsung HD931, this is the DVI output (and I ran it at 720p as well as 1080i). As for the Sony NS725P, it was the component output running at 480p. Also, I tested with many DVD movies, not just one. And finally, my TV is a 50" Samsung DLP HDTV great TV, but with such large and high clarity TVs you tend to notice any artifact, noise, etc. So the input to this TV is important (that's what got me started on this quest for a good DVD player in the first place!). The bottom line is this: With most DVDs (such as 'Finding Nemo', 'Indiana Jones', etc.), I noticed a difference the Samsung HD931 produced a picture that was better than the Sony NS725P. But how much better exactly? Well, I wish I had a tool for measuring that, but I don't. So with my human perception I'd say that on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the best), the Samsung HD931 scored a 9 while the Sony NS725P scored a close 8. When the DVD movie was of low quality (such as a backup of a movie), the score was even at around 7 each. In other words, there seemed to be no difference in the case of low quality DVDs (surprising, I'd have thought the Samsung would have done better here).

I don't want to make this review too big, so I'll summarize the pros and cons of this Samsung HD931 player.

Pros:

1) Definitely high quality DVI output I used the DVI cable that came with the box. No noise problems, no setup problems, nothing. You do have to remember to select 480p or 720p or 1080i. I seemed to get the best picture with 720p, but 1080i seemed almost the same really.

2) DVI cable was included I'm mentioning this again because it is a big deal, given how expensive these cables can be. However, I noticed that some boxes at Best Buy said 'DVI cable included', while some did NOT. So, do all HD931 boxes include the cable? I don't know.

Cons:

1) The price it really has to come down.

2) The remote. Others have said it too it really has very small range. If you're more than 6 feet way, you'll have problems. Also, there's only one Fast Fordward (>>) button that doubles as chapter forward as well as fast forward. If you press it once, it goes to the next chapter. If you press and hold, it'll fast forward. Same thing for Rewind (search backwards). Not a good design.

3) The blue lights Yes, that's plural. There are 2 big, annoying ones. When the unit is in standby, the round knob all the way in the left lights up. This is the smaller of the 2 lights. When you power up, the big round knob all the way to the right (jog dial) lights up. This one is more annoying since it's big and very bright. You can only make the display dim, but not either of these 2 lights.

4) Audio output not that great I hooked up the optical digital out to my Denon Receiver. The bass was sub-par. The surround sound channels seemed weaker too. When I hooked up the Sony player (NS725P) with the exact same receiver settings, the sound was awesome. Of course, the Sony player is noted for it's high quality sound output. So maybe that's more of a statement for the Sony player than for this Samsung player.

5) Lack of special features E.g. The Sony player can remember the location of the last 5 DVD movies you've played. This Samsung player didn't seem to always remember even the most recent one I was playing. Also, you cannot make any picture adjustments (noise filtering, film mode, cinema mode, etc.) All these and more were available with the Sony NS725P that cost much less.

To summarize (again) this Samsung HD931 is capable of producing one of the best quality pictures using the DVI output. But for all the lack of features described above, I would not recommend buying it. Especially if the price stays so much higher than the other players which certainly do a good job with Video as well (not as good, but close enough). I ended up returning the Samsung HD931 and keeping the Sony DVP-NS725P. I plan to buy a good quality VCR with the $100 I saved.

Buy Samsung DVD-HD931 HDTV Converter Progressive-Scan DVD Player Now

As a home theater design professional, I must share with all of you that this DVD player has reached hieghts which we have only dreamed of. First of all, you MUST use the DVI-D connection to gain all the benefits of having this payer upconvert your 480 signal to either 720p or 1080i. Each HD television is very different and odds are, if you have a tube or big screen, you will be forced to use the 1080i scaling rate. At this rate, the player does a very nice job I must say. However, for those of you who own a plasma or DMD TV, the 720P scaler is Insanely good and makes this player shine. At even $300 list, just BUY IT!

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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.

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I've been using the HD931 for a little over a week, connected to a 50" Samsung DLP HDTV (HLN507W outstanding TV!!). Quality of the output is excellent, both video and audio. Menus and options are pretty complete; no complaints there.

The big problem is the remote. It's bad enough that you often have to press buttons *hard* to get a response. Worse, though, is the general design and layout. For example, the same button is used to move to the next chapter (press once) and to scan forward (press and hold; after 2 sec, the player starts to go 2x, then 4x, 8x, etc., and you *try* to release when you get to the scan speed you wanted). One slip and you end up skipping to the next chapter when you only wanted to scan ahead a bit. Of course, there are buttons to skip back or ahead by 10 secs, but these are nowhere near the normal forward and back buttons! Neither is the Step button. Speaking of which, unless I've missed something, you can only step forward, not back; a limitation I would not expect from a player in this price range. And I've saved the worst for last: the Eject button (the LAST thing you want to hit inadvertently) is just above (and easily mistaken for) the "Chapter/Scan forward" button (probably the most used button during casual viewing). Can't tell you how many times I've popped the dang disk out when I just wanted to skip a bit, and had to sit through all of the FBI warnings and intro material before navigating back to where I was. The designers of this remote need to be sent back to Ergonomics 101.

All that aside, the remote is something you can learn to live with; push Play, put down the remote, and enjoy. 4 stars out of 5.

I just purchased the DVD931 about 2 weeks ago, and I must say I've been very pleased with it.

Firstly, I've read some of the negative commments regarding this player, and some points have validity. The player doees have "slow" response at times and tends to not have that "pinpoint" remote control (i.e. fast forward, slow motion, etc) that one would expect from a top-line player. The remote is rather plain, but I've programmed my T.V. remote to perform most functions. This is not a real problem, more cosmetic. Also, the system works extremely well when combined with top-line compatible equipment (i.e. LCD TV, Monster DVI cable, etc), and slightly above average with standard displays, etc.

Now for the positives: I have my 931 attached to a 50" Panasonic LCD HDTV Monitor with Monster DVI cable (standard cable goodnot GREAT) and digital optical output to a 7.1 Harman Kardon AVR525. Holy smokeI've rented DVD after DVD to test both video and audio (from Nemo to T3 to Lords to Star Wars to Fast/Furious), and the system has not faltered once. Stunningly bright, clean video signal in 1080i output (can see individual spider hairs in Arachnophobia)No breakdown in resolution or "lag" in display during high action scenes. If original film is somewhat grainy (i.e. Scarface, Godfather...), you will see subtle grain depending on how it was digitally remastered.

OverallIf you have a quality HDCP TV with DVI input, spend a little on higher quality connections and attach to a home theater systemyou will smile at the results. If you don't, you may be disappointed and frustrated with the performance at this price. Hope this is helpfulGood Viewing to All....