Samsung DVD-HD841 Up-Converting DVD Player
I GAVE THIS PIECE OF TRASH 1 STAR--NO CHOICE FOR ZERO
Samsung's R&D dept needs to be fired--if using HDMI connection, you have to hook up the standard cables first, run set up on the 841 to set the video output default to HDMI, and then (on the Sony HD XBR960)switch to a different video channel to choose \\"yes\\" on the 841's set up, because now, you've switched video outputs, then it doesn't even have a cable to hook to the HDMI input on the TV; you have to buy a DVI to HDMI conversion cable (which doesn't come with it) and the cheapest one on the market is about $120! The Samsung has an extremely unresponsive, ugly remote--sometimes even the buttons on teh unit itself don't respond--grainy picture laden with artifacts, very poor upconversion quality (compared w/ it's equal the Toshiba S5970), and extremely poor audio processors--both the Dolby Digital and DTS decoders are TERRIBLE sounding (poor treble and muddled mid-tones), even when run through my Harman Kardon 630 receiver. If you don't need the upconversion and want beautiful sound and color/picture, whether or not you want the ability to play SACD's or HDCD's, get the Harman Kardon DVD31--just released last month--or if you want the upconversion, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Toshiba S 5970--it even comes with the $100 HDMI cable and is cheaper than the Samsung 841 at most stores (i.e. Circuit City and BestBuy). And contrary to popular belief, with the Toshiba you can notice a world of difference between the 480p, 720p, and 1080i on a non-LCD or non-plasma tele, as long as it's HD compatible. DO NOT BUY THIS PLAYER--BUY THE TOSH 5970!!!