Samsung DVD-HD931 HDTV Converter Progressive-Scan DVD Player

Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
Samsung's DVD-HD931 aims to redefine DVD picture quality, using high technology to upconvert DVD-Video images to resolutions better suited for today's high-definition displays (720p/1080i). Even if you're planning to upgrade your television at a later date, this player will work with your current set and all commercial DVD-Video media, as well as your homemade MP3/WMA music CDs, Picture CDs, and CDs filled with JPEG image files.

The DVD-HD931 goes beyond the typical progressive-scan DVD player by adding a built-in video scaler that permits output to a HDTV.

Standard DVD players output 480i (interlaced) video. Progressive-scan players roughly double that resolution by outputting 480p (progressive scan) video. 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, providing higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. The DVD-HD931's 480p output can be sent via a dedicated DVI (digital visual interface) output or the more traditional component-video outputs.

The DVD-HD931 also performs 3:2 pulldown. DVD mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24-frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture. Faroudja's de-interlacing technology (DCDi) is built into the device, performing directional interpolation--detecting the angle of a pixel's outer tilt--on each pixel. Video signals are de-interlaced according to that angle, thereby correcting image vibration, stair-stepping, cut-off, and other common video-processing artifacts.

Two sets 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 outputs (one each of RCA coaxial and Toslink optical) for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver. If you don't have a surround receiver or six-channel speaker setup, you can still make every movie night the ultimate experience: the unit's 3-D Sound function simulates surround sound through two speakers (even the stereo speakers on a TV).

Other features include EZ View letter box eliminator (which adapts widescreen images for 4:3 aspect-ratio TV sets), motion zoom (which magnifies selected screen areas by 2x or 4x), instant replay/skip (which initiates a 10-second jump backward or forward), and bookmarking (which lets you mark sections of a disc for rapid access).

Three keys to high-quality pictures

Samsung DVD-HD931 HDTV Converter Progressive-Scan DVD Player

Average customer rating:

"Up-converting" is useless in a DVD player
Bad Product
Good but not great
Not bad, needs work.
DVD-R does not work well with this player

Samsung DVD-HD931 HDTV Converter Progressive-Scan DVD Player

Manufacturer: Samsung
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

By Size | TVs & HDTVs | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics

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Accessories:

Basic DVD Hook-up Kit for Dummies (DUMBDVD1)
Basic DVD Hook-up Kit for Dummies (DUMBDVD2)
The AVIA Guide to Home Theater
Case Logic DVA20 Koskin DVD Album (20-Disc Capacity)
Monster Cable MP HTS800 Home Theater PowerCenter HTS800

Product Features:

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

ASIN: B00009RTBX

Amazon.com Product Description

Samsung's DVD-HD931 aims to redefine DVD picture quality, using high technology to upconvert DVD-Video images to resolutions better suited for today's high-definition displays (720p/1080i). Even if you're planning to upgrade your television at a later date, this player will work with your current set and all commercial DVD-Video media, as well as your homemade MP3/WMA music CDs, Picture CDs, and CDs filled with JPEG image files.

The DVD-HD931 goes beyond the typical progressive-scan DVD player by adding a built-in video scaler that permits output to a HDTV.

Standard DVD players output 480i (interlaced) video. Progressive-scan players roughly double that resolution by outputting 480p (progressive scan) video. 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, providing higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. The DVD-HD931's 480p output can be sent via a dedicated DVI (digital visual interface) output or the more traditional component-video outputs.

Three keys to high-quality pictures

DCDi technology: By adopting the Genesis FLI2310 chip, where Faroudja technology was materialized, it perfectly corrects vibration, stairs, cut-off, and other standard operational errors that may occur in a picture.

DNIe chip: By adopting the DNIe (Digital Natural Image Engine) chip, the DVD-HD931 displays a clean picture. This is done by reproducing a digital source that passes through an FLI2310 chip as it is without any loss of picture quality.

DVI video output: No reduction of picture quality or distortion can occur when adopting DVI that supports Digital Image Perfection.

Two keys to superior sound

HDCD and DVD-audio playback capability: Unlike a normal DVD player playing only an ordinary CD, Samsung's DVD-HD931 enables you to hear HDCD and DVD-audio formats, which are of significantly improved quality.

Dolby/DTS digital output: It streams out Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel streams and enables you to hear the same degree of the original sound that would be heard at a movie theater.

Video format conversion
A normal DVD player transmits a video signal to 480i output when playing a DVD title (480i/480p). Even with a progressive-scanning DVD player, it simply outputs a video signal of 480i to 480p. However, Samsung's DVD-HD931 enables you to enjoy an HDTV-compliant picture with an ordinary DVD title, thanks to its scale-up to 720p/1080i.

Motion adaptive de-interlacing

Motion adaptive technologies produce the finest progressive output available. They detect the amount of motion and use an appropriate mix of spatial and temporal processing with the highest resolution for still areas that have no motion artifacts in moving areas.

DCDi
The Samsung DVD-HD931 performs directional interpolation on each pixel with DCDi technology, which detects the angle of an outer tilt by pixel, and then de-interlaces a video signal according to the angle. This state-of-the-art video processing technology is incorporated for even higher picture quality assurance. DCDi eliminates the jagged edges that appear when standard interlaced video is viewed on progressive-scan displays, which means that progressive-scan DVD players that feature DCDi technology produce images that look more smooth and natural.

What's in the Box
DVD player, remote control, 2 AAA batteries for remote, user's manual, video/audio interconnect (stereo analog audio/composite-video cables).

Note: This player's DVI output is a high-bandwidth digital interconnect compatible only with high-resolution HDCP (high-bandwidth digital content protect) digital displays.

Product Description

Samsung's latest generation DVD players bring a new level of performance and prestige to this fast growing format. Samsung DVD players are specifically designed to deliver the ultimate in picture quality and convenient features. The DVD format has grown incredibly over the past few years and Samsung has delivered players with all the features you are looking for.PRODUCT FEATURES: 1080i / 720P Video via DVI (Digital Visual Interface); Progressive Scan DVD Player; Jog/Shuttle Multi Remote; Titanium Hot Stamp Finish.

Customer Reviews:

"Up-converting" is useless in a DVD player.......2006-03-21

OK, maybe I'm on a little bit of a "jihad" here against these up-converting DVD players, but bear with me because I do have a valid point.

Don't buy any DVD player because it can "up-convert to HD". Evaluate all DVD players on whether they do everything else well, or have the connections you need (DVI, HDMI, etc.) or the price is in your budget. This may be a fine DVD player, but don't buy it just because it can up-convert, and don't use the up-convert capabilities of this player even if you do buy it.

If your TV can accept 720p or higher input via DVI or HDMI, then it is already scaling the image to fit the native resolution of the display device. And if it isn't doing a better job of it than any DVD player, then you bought the wrong TV.

They spend a lot of time going into the technology of image scaling and line interpolating in this product description, and it's all very accurate, but what I don't get is why anyone would think a $200 DVD player would do a better job of this than their multi-thousand dollar TV which has the scaling technology already built into it designed for the specific display device inside the box.

My final point: If this up-coverting technology is such a good idea, why is Samsung the only one doing it? Why not Pioneer, Panasonic, Sony, JVC, and Denon? (Because they know it's usless technology).

Bad Product.......2005-01-10

Steer clear of this product unless you like your DVD movies to freeze up and skip at the most inopportune moments. Last night I had to move to the bedroom and use my old $75 DVD player to finish watching a movie. Don't waste your money.

Good but not great.......2004-10-12

I have had this for over a year now. So far, I am satified with it.

Pro:
DVI-I output is far superior than the run of the mill regular 480p. Pick your choice, 720p or 1080i. Plays all my burned DVD-R's just fine. Sound is good. The unit's build quality is good. Remote can control TV.

Con:
Very very picky. Does not like VCD's. MP3 and JPEG CD's need to be burned with specific format (ISO 9660, etc..) to work. JPEG display is poor and butt slow. Huge jug-dial that glows blue LED can be annoying (personal preference).

Overall, if you primarily use it for DVD or MP3 via DVI connection, it is fine. Anything else, better look elsewhere.

Not bad, needs work........2004-08-14

I've had this one connected to my Panasonic ED Plasma for several months now. Connections: DVI to Plasma, Optical to Denon 2802. Excellent picture quality. Scaling is a little lopsided and needs some work. I HAVE NOT experienced any undesired picture or sound effects. Not a bad DVD player.

DVD-R does not work well with this player.......2004-07-04

Even though Samsung claims it can play all burnable DVD media, it does not work very well. I have tried all brands of media and it takes several minutes to half an hour to load a disc. I have also used media burned from different hardware with the same result. The picture on my 60 inch lcd projection using the DVI input looks great, but the remote is terrible and it is unable to play media that works in cheap freebie players. Wait for a DVI enabled player from a good company.

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