Samsung DVD-HD841 Up-Converting DVD Player
Samsung DVD-HD841 = So Bad
I very rarely write a negative review, but this player is so bad, I felt compelled to write this.  I just don't want anyone else to waste their money on this unit like I did. <br /> <br />I have 4 DVD players (accumulated over several years) in addition to the Samsung DVD-HD841: a Sony DVP-NS700 (old, but great progressive scan), Pioneer DVD-563A (universal SACD/DVD-A, prog. scan), and the Toshiba SD-5970 (HDMI, 720P/1080i upconversion), an XBox with the DVD dongle (480i only).  <br /> <br />I'm not joking when I say the Samsung is by far the worst player (in every way) that I have ever owned.  Here's why: <br /> <br />1. DVI output (any resolution) is terrible.  No shadow detail regardless of the brightness setting on my high-def front projector (projecting onto 92\\" screen).  Horribly soft picture which results in very little detail, like looking at the image through a steamed up lens.  The DVI output is actually the worst video connection on this unit, and yet most people will buy this unit (as I did) to experience the 720p/1080i upconversion.  The Toshiba unit's HDMI video output is wonderful and shows how upconversion should be handled!   <br /> <br />2. The Samsung keeps skipping audio when playing DTS soundtracks.  I thought it was a dirty disc at first, but this happens with every single disc, regardless of how I clean them, and none of my other players have this issue. <br /> <br />3. Really bad response to the remote control, and limited angle of control.  It's tough operating this player as it is slow to respond to its remote control and you really have to point it at the unit. <br /> <br />4. Forgettable sound quality with SACDs and DVD-As - the Pioneer is much better (and it's cheaper too!). <br /> <br />5. As documented by several Amazon.com reviewers (and elsewhere on the internet), the Samsung forgets its settings each time it's turned off, so you have to re-configure its DVI, Dolby and DTS settings all over again.  Such a pain. <br /> <br />My adviceto you is please do not buy this unit, and save yourself the money!  If you're looking for DVI or HDMI 720p/1080i video upconversion, go with one of the other players with this feature that have great reviews (e.g. the Toshiba, Panasonic, Sony, Denon).  If you're looking for a DVD player which plays SACDs and DVD-As, there are now many low-cost alternatives too. <br /> <br />I can't believe Samsung could release such a poor product.