KitR

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $57.00 from ebay

Summary:
My Sony NS500V SACD player burned out under a voltage overload and I've been wanting a universal disc player in any case. The HD841 seemed to give problems from reviews, and I thought an upgrade might be best. It is! I use it for CD/SACD playback with an eye on DVD-A as well. Cannot comment on DVD or playback yet, since I don't use it as such: although my CREAM @ the Albert Hall DVD sounded superb through the Stereo system.
While not as good as analog this player truly increases the musicality of digitally reproduced music beyond the Sony: although there is some tendency to brightness on CD. SACD reproduction is incredible though; analog without the "Rice Krispies" aka snap, crackle and pop! Plus a surprising warmth and slightly "live" quality.Even more important, I didn't switch off after an hour of digital listening which I usually do and enjoyed my CD and SACD's to the extent of hearing things I hadn't before on other players. Good grasp of inner detail. Sounds better on Acoustic music than electronic and is particularly articulate in the lower registers, while not being metallic in massed strings passages.
This is a neat and easy to use player. The remote is better suited to DVD play but the Jog-shuttle takes care of business nicely. It has all neccessary connections for both Home theatre/5.1 etc and for good 'ol Stereo. Good sign when you only need to use the manual(very clear and easy to read/understand) for the fancy stuff. Nice finish: although unit weighs next to nothing. I am impressed - except by Samsung's website! Clunky! Otherwise recommended!None so far

Strengths:
Excellent quality Audio playback for DVD/CD/SACD! A doddle to use. Does everything I wanted better than expected.

Weaknesses:
None so far, but early days. But should get lots of work while my VP129 phon preamp is being restored; who knows, could make me LIKE Digital...shock...horror...

Similar Products Used:
Rotel RRCD-855; Phillips 741, Sony NS500V

Rob1956

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.80 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $279.00 from J & R Music World

Summary:
I'm sorry to see that Zeke is less than pleased with this DVD player. I couldn't be more pleased. I received my machine shortly before his review appeared and since have watched about 15 movies using it. I've looked quite critically at the picture, and I just cannot see the same flaws and artifacts he's seeing. I even Netflixed the Star Trek movie everyone uses to look for jaggies and my unit passed just fine. The waving flag in Video Essentials..no problem. Yes the remote is a bit busy but manageable. Audio-wise the 941 does just fine. I've used it's DVD-Audio capabilities and am happy with the results. Since I don't own any SACD's yet I can't comment on that. I do notice with standard CD's, it does clip the first second of a track if you go directly to it, as opposed when playing an album straight thru. My unit does not do that in DVD-Audio mode, but I use a dedicated Denon CD player for standard CD's anyway. Overall, much better access times in initializing a disc and returning to the disc menu than the HD-931 was capable of. Very happy with my purchase

Strengths:
Supurb picture with 1080 output, my tv's native resolution. Lots of audio controls (bass management) for multi-channel music playback.

Weaknesses:
Clips off 1 second of CD audio when specific track chosen. Front panel just too bright, but can be turned off. I cut a blue filter the exact size of the readout and placed it over the readout, works fine, dimmed the light and gives the numbers more contrast. Samsung should have put a 2 or 3 stage dimmer in the readout circuitry. Does not pass blacker than black, but Avia test disc patterns compensate for that.

Similar Products Used:
Samsung HD-931

zeke767

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $299.00 from Dell

Summary:
I have been waiting for this player for a long time so I can combine it with my new Samsung 26" TX-P2670 Widescreen HD. I purchased it from the only retailer who had one available at the time, DELL for $299.99. I also own a Panasonic RP 91K Progressive Scan DVD Player and a Panasonic CT30WX54 30" Widescreen HD and a Samsung TXP2670 26" Widescreen HD. I connected the Panasonic RP91K into the Samsung 26" using component connections and the Samsung HD941 using the HDMI/DVI cable. The Samsung 26" has DVI not HDMI. I also calibrated both HD Monitors using Video Essentials and Sound & Vision Home Theatre Tune-up by Ovation Software. I inserted the newly released "Reservoir Dogs" (I have two copies) into both players using the Samsung 26". I chose this movie because of the remastered quality and the flesh tones are impressive. Hard to believe but the Panasonic was so much better. It had more detail and better color reproduction that the new Samsung HD941. For some reason the Panasonic RP91K was producing a "reddish/pink" color for skin and the Samsung HD941 was producing a "greenish/yellow" skin tone. Confusing....Interesting. I then connected the Panasonic RP91K using its component inputs and the Samsung HD941 using the direct HDMI connection/cable (Panasonic 30" has HDMI) both into the Panasonic 30" for comparison. Same thing happened! The old, manufactured in Aug. 2002 Panasonic RP91K Progressive Scan DVD Player connected through the Component Inputs produced an amazing, beautiful, detail picture. The new, manufactured in January 2005 Samsung HD941 Up conversion, DCDI by Faroudja chip connected through HDMI Inputs produced a non-detail, yellowish-green skin tone picture. I also did the up conversion switch and guess what...No change whatsoever! What a jip! I mean the resolution, the color nor the detail changed. I also notice "blotches" & "spots" of purple after an all white scene and very dark scenes. The movies used to test the equipment were: - The Chronicles Of Riddick (excellent quality/detail), Enter the Dragon, Frailty, Insomnia, Reservoir Dogs and Total Recall. The "Lost in Space" DVD movie would not play in the Samsung HD941. Don't know why, my guess is the DVD Movie contained folders and the Samsung HD941 would only identify the contained folders Instead of just playing the movie like the others have. Very, very frustrating. Yes I am very disappointed in the performance of the newly released Samsung HD941 and feel deceived by Samsung for advertising such "quality, DCDI technology". I am also having problems with the Samsung 26". It seems the velocity scan modulation is not working properly and/or it is just defective. I regret going with another brand other than the brand I have always trusted and happy with, which is Panasonic. Hope this review helps. I am not selling or advertising or recommending any brand or models, just adding my two cents.

Strengths:
Thin, lightweight, HDMI Connection, DCDI/Faroudja Chip.

Weaknesses:
Basic DVD picture quality, does not play certain DVD movies with sub-folders, Greenish/Yellowish Skin tone, misleading by manufacturer.

Similar Products Used:
Panasonic RP91K Pioneer HTZ55DV