- Space-saving, multiformat DVD/VCR combo
- Plays DVD movie, CD audio, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-R/RW, MP3, WMA, and JPEG
- Up-converts standard DVD signals, improving them to near-high-definition quality
- Outputs: 1 composite, 1 S-Video, 1 component
- 16.9 x 3.4 x 11.1 inches (WxHxD)
If you want upconversion from the DVDs 480i scanning to 720p or 1080i, then you must use the HDMI connector. Conversely, any DVD unit with an HDMI connector is an upconversion unit. Got it? The VCR will only play through the RFI or composite video connection. HDMI does not support VHS, nor was it ever meant to (ignore the other reviewer that had this "problem" and thought it was a bad unit).
The unit itself has functioned well. Once you wade through the thick owner's manual, understanding how the unit works does not seem to be a problem. Could the oncreen menus and programming functions be easier -yes. But it is not bad, and every manufacturer does it a little differently. One great thing about the remote is that it is a multi-brand remote and is usable with most brands of TV sets. I hate having to use multiple remotes to turn on or operate this and that. Most other DVD/VCR combos have a single brand remote. Beware of this. Another minor nit is that when you have programmed the VCR for recording, there is no indicator light on the front panel. It will record as programmed, but you do not know if the timer is set. Annoying.
The upconverted picture is nice -no more black bars on the top, bottom or sides. No more flattened images that look unreal. It is not true HD, but I'm not complaining. I refuse to jump on board Blu-ray or HDDVD because I hate these freakin' format wars.
I've got some nitpicks that may or may not be a big thing for you. The resume function only works if you keep the disk in and the power on. Its annoying to do a chapter search and find the place you left off at the next day. I've got a JVC DVD/VCR combo that will remember where you left off even if the disc has been removed and the power turned off. And it will do it for the last THIRTY discs. IMO, Sammy dropped the ball on this one. Also, in order to program or navigate the menu, you must go through the HDMI connection and select the appropriate TV input. Not a big problem, but why must I do this if I'm programming the VCR?
Reliability still remains to be seen. Nobody, I mean nobody has a warranty longer than 90 days for labor or parts for one year. Lets face it. DVD players and VCRs are now considered throwaway commodities. They are built cheaply. What manufacturer will build it like a tank and then sell it for $100-150? And I don't like the rip-off extended warranties. Maybe the best you can do is buy it with a credit card that has an extended warranty benefit, but those cards are getting scarce.
All in all, if you need a DVD/VCR combo with upconversion, this is the unit. Its not perfect, but it will do the job well.
Buy Samsung DVD-V9500 DVD/VCR Dual Deck Now
To save space, I was looking for a combo unit with the HDMI connection for superior video from DVD's. I have a 46" DLP and it performs beautifully. I bought it for $150.00 including shipping which is a very good price for this unit. It works flawlessly with great video clarity. The VCR section is similar to any other VCR out there but the overall quality is pretty good considering it's a VCR. A previous reviewer stated that with just the HDMI connection, the VCR would not work. This was NOT my experience. They both work fine with just the HDMI connection. My component cables are now in storage. I am very happy with this unit and highly recommend it.Read Best Reviews of Samsung DVD-V9500 DVD/VCR Dual Deck Here
I just purchased the DVD-V9500 about a week ago. I have a DLP TV which allows for connecting via HDMI, which when paired with this combo unit, should have performed well. I hooked up the combo to the TV via the HDMI cable and played a DVD at the 720p setting, and so far, so good. I then tried playing a VHS tape after switching modes over to the VCR, and nothing happened. I tuned my TV down to the 480p and then 480i settings, thinking that the VCR part needed to see an analog output stream, but that didn't work either.I then called customer service at Samsung, and they told me that if I wanted to use the HDMI interface for my DVD, that I had to ALSO use the composite connections (red,white,yellow) in order to use the VCR part. This is NOT what the product description from Samsung advertises and is as far as I can tell, false advertising. Even the manual for the player states that all youo need once you hook up the HDMI cable is that one cable and nothing else. Samsung claims that when the manuals were translated from Korean to English, that part got messed up. Okay, so why still advertise the product that way?
Overall perfromance from the DVD was good to excellent. Overall performance of the VCR was poor to fair because of the limitations of the connection output, which looks terrible on a widescreen HDTV. Not that I watch VHS much anymore, I got this so my kids could watch those evil Disney movies the have. "Piece of junk" would be a generous way to describe the remote; and forget about trying a universal remote to learn this unit's codes Samsung already says that it can't be done (hopefully that's just another one of their false statements).
If you're looking for a space saver, have a regular CRT TV, and don't watch a lot of VHS tapes, this may be okay for you, but I still wouldn't get it when you can get something similar for half the price. If you're an HD enthusiast, thinking this is the answer to all your problems, it may come close if you hardly ever watch VHS tapes and don't mind the poor quality of the video from them, but like good quality from your DVD's; I for one was disappointed in the product.
If you are buying this unit, or any other that promises that the HDMI connection is all you need, you're better off going after something else.Item shipped to me without a Remote. I have contacted Amazon Warehouse and am awaiting their response, but as of now: I'm not very happy
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