Home > Consumer Reviews > Samsung DVD-HD931 HDTV Converter Progressive-Scan DVD Player

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.

If you want to view your dvd's in HD mode, You will have to connect the player using the DVI output.
There is no 720p or 1080i output from the component output jacks.
If you have a DVI input on you monitor, tv or projector, then this is the unit for you.

THE DVI CABLE IS INCLUDED IN THE BOX! Samsung really dropped the ball in not noting this in their packaging and advertising materials, and the idea that you need to buy an extra, and usually way over priced cable, has probably put off a number of potential buyers.

The Samsung HD931 DVI compatible DVD player with 1080i up scaling and image refinement technology seems to have generated a wide range of reviews. On one hand, there seems to be an element in the A/V crowd that plugs something in, finds it to be not 100% integrated out the box or that it requires some adjustment and understanding on the part of the user, who immediately rush to web sites to write "This POS sucks!" type reviews. That is, as Rummy might say, "not helpful".

There are also many people who have high end system who understand the subtle interaction of program material, displays, room types and so forth, who are probably getting the best out of the player, who write reviews saying it's "STUNNING!"

A few observations:

I found the HD931 I purchased, made on 10/03, to be one of the best displaying DVD players I have owned, and that includes quite a few units over the years. The picture is outstanding and crisp, even with component output. Some have complained about the innovative menuing system, but it's a well thought out and very useful approach to controlling the unit. The integrated "disc menu" that condenses chapters and other disc options into a single pop over window is great, and saves the user from having to go through the elaborate, frequently slow and labor intensive menus used in many DVDs. They look great, but if you just want to change options, jump to a chapter, change audio and so forth the disc menu is great.

Some have complained about the remote. It's average, not great not awful, but easy to get used to once you work with it a day or two. It seemed to control the unit just fine from a distance of about ten feet with the unit in line of sight from the remote.

The DVI output is fantastic, but it can't improve on a mediocre transfer of the original DVD. However, if the DVD is well transferred and has detail, texture or subtleties in the transfer that might not have come out before with component output then you are going to see this additional detail via the up scaling enhancements, advanced deinterlacing, and DVI output and really be knocked out by the near HDTV quality of many DVD movies.

If the original DVD transfer was not very good, or was over compressed, or re-used an older transfer made for VHS or laserdisc, then using component video output might be better, as it will gloss over the faults a bit. Like anything that is "higher quality" the HD931 DVI output makes lower quality stand out more. Luckily, you can hook up both outputs from the HD931 to your display and select which signal type to use based on the quality of the DVD.

The only irritating flaw in the HD931 is the over bright neon blue light on the jog dial. SAMSUNG has issued a couple of firmware fixes for various glitches including a problem outputting the correct aspect ratio of 4:3 DVDs via DVI to certain SONY displays. SAMSUNG was very helpful when I contacted them, and sent me a disc right away to upgrade my firmware. A player with this technology would have cost $1,000.00 just a year ago, not it's under three hundred.

In short, this is a great player.

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!

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.