FatDog

Found this on another site:

HD931 Early Review

LeeS

Here is a link to Samsung's site: Samsung HD931

Not a lot of information. My A/V store got these in and I got a chance to play with one for a bit before work. They had it hooked to a Samsung plasma and it looked pretty good in 720p. They'll let me borrow the display model and try it out on my Toshiba. Pick it up in the evening when they close and bring it back in the am.

This is the only DVD with DVI that they have at this time.

Trying to think of a few DVD's with great video to test on it. The player uses the Faroudja chip and I'm really curious to see what it looks like coverted to 1080i.

Star Wars EP2, any thoughts?

Thanks,
Lee

FatDog

If the Faroudja chip is the same one in the HLN series of televisions, it should be great. People with these sets are reporting that DVDs look better in non-progressive scan mode. The chip cleans up a lot of stuff.

My first choice for a test DVD would be the new Ultimate Edition of Terminator 2. They used a 1080 High Def master for the disk so it should be about the highest quality transfer you can get.

The SuperBit editions of movies like the Fifth Element would be another good choice. A well-known problem scene is the long, outside shot of the Egypt temple at the begining. The stairs leading up to the temple tend to disolve into rainbow/moire patterns.

The Secrets of Home Theater did a progressive-scan DVD player comparison. They also picked out some known 'difficult' scenes to eyeball. I think there is a list of them on the site.

irish1

I just hooked up my HD 931 to my Samsung DLP and am so floored I just had to tell someone about it! I've read elsewhere such statements as "Jaw-dropping", "absolutely phenomenal", etc., but my picture with a standard DVD player was so good I was very skeptical. After talking the guys at Fry's down a bit on price, I sprung for one with the intention of bringing it back if it was not substantially better. No way I'm taking it back! If you have a Samsung DLP, you have GOT to spring the extra for one of these puppies! And if you are shopping for a set-up, you have got to check this out. IMHO, nothing comes close!

57U

Glad to hear you're happy. There have been similar reviews of the Bravo D1 and it's a lot cheaper.

Also heard of some "problems" (compatibility??) with the Samsung on other forums. (Typical of newer technology) The Bravo is probably too new to discuss reliability yet.

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SA8300HD, 250GB HDD & KDL40W3000 (Upstairs)

Please don't PM me with questions that can (and should) be asked in the forum, thanks. Personal Question? Fire away.

irish1

I believe the Bravo has been around longer. Some claim problems of "lock up", whatever that means, with the Bravo. Others claim its better. Who knows? I just got the Sammy because my TV is Sammy and I wanted it compatible. If you have a DVI connection on your TV, just get one of them! BTW---I was able to talk the retailer down to $264---ask and ye shall recieve!

57U

Irish1, thanks for the feedback. I know it's been stated elsewhere, but it's probably worth repeating here. Neither the Bravo nor the Sammy provide a good picture via component video connections, so if you've got DVI, get one, if not, don't.

Irish1, did you bother to compare component vs DVI?

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57U - Toronto, Rogers Cable, SA8300HD, 500GB HDD & Hitachi 61UWX10B HDTV, Yamaha RX-V1 A/V Receiver, Martin Logan Speakers. Photos --> 57U's HT

SA8300HD, 250GB HDD & KDL40W3000 (Upstairs)

Please don't PM me with questions that can (and should) be asked in the forum, thanks. Personal Question? Fire away.

mikehbkwm

ive read the same thing.... i dont understand why it wouldnt look good via the component cables because from what ive read the Sammy has the Faroudja chipset in it... so youd think itd look good either way.... oh well via DVI i guess its badass.........

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57U

The manufacturers are limited to 480P out of the component video connection (not allowed to go higher), while they can "upconvert" to higher quality via DVI (Content protection issues).

They also probably didn't put as much "work" into the component video section, knowing that people would be using the DVI.

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57U - Toronto, Rogers Cable, SA8300HD, 500GB HDD & Hitachi 61UWX10B HDTV, Yamaha RX-V1 A/V Receiver, Martin Logan Speakers. Photos --> 57U's HT

SA8300HD, 250GB HDD & KDL40W3000 (Upstairs)

Please don't PM me with questions that can (and should) be asked in the forum, thanks. Personal Question? Fire away.

mikehbkwm

Let me ask you this 57 do you think when HD-DVD players come out that unless you have a DVI connection on the back your screwed or do you think theyll have component also..... what is your opinion............. let me edit this do you think theyll make us guys with component only to downconvert everything back to 480p and the people with DVI connections will be looking at beautiful 720p or 1080i

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"I'd pay REAL money if he'd shut up"

irish1

57U,

I've not tried component, I'm not a real "techie" and don't want to mess up the phenomenal quality I've got now. I would not recommend buying this unit if you're not going to use a DVI. Why bother? You can get a DVD player for component at about 1/2 the price (my grandad told me you don't go bird hunting with an elephant rifle). But this unit, with the DVI---a whole nother world . . . ! Find someone who has the setup I described---a Sammy DLP with the HD 931 and you will be blown away!

mikehbkwm

if you were to check with the component connection its not going to mess up your set, 57 was just stating you could see what it looks like via the component cables and then look at it via DVI

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"I'd pay REAL money if he'd shut up"

57U

I don't think anyone knows the answer to this yet. Most discussions on the subject of HD-DVD and HD recording have been speculation, although so-far HD recorders will have component outs.

I see no reason why they won't let "us" (component only people) see full HD. "Content flags" will protect the content and simply prevent making a copy of a copy (rights to use issues).

__________________
57U - Toronto, Rogers Cable, SA8300HD, 500GB HDD & Hitachi 61UWX10B HDTV, Yamaha RX-V1 A/V Receiver, Martin Logan Speakers. Photos --> 57U's HT

SA8300HD, 250GB HDD & KDL40W3000 (Upstairs)

Please don't PM me with questions that can (and should) be asked in the forum, thanks. Personal Question? Fire away.

mikehbkwm

thanks 57 i kinda was hoping us guys without DVI wouldnt be left out............. lets hope they dont change their minds.......

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leadvocal

Mike, don't you mean wouldn't be left out? Or do you really mean would be left out so you can convince your bride to let you get one of the new models with DVI :p

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ShackShock

have they started making HD-DVD discs? and if so, will this unit be able to read those, or is it just something for doing some sort of conversion of regular DVD discs?

If there are HD-DVD discs out there, how many titles are out now, and how soon should we expect more?

57U

There are no HD-DVD disks available in North America that I know of. They are selling a $4k HD-DVD recorder in Japan, but I don't know if there is any HD material for it.

HD-DVD will not be compatible with today's DVD players, but rather the other way around - HD-DVD players will likely play standard DVDs.

There are several competing HD-DVD technologies - Blu-Ray, Red Laser, etc.

__________________
57U - Toronto, Rogers Cable, SA8300HD, 500GB HDD & Hitachi 61UWX10B HDTV, Yamaha RX-V1 A/V Receiver, Martin Logan Speakers. Photos --> 57U's HT

SA8300HD, 250GB HDD & KDL40W3000 (Upstairs)

Please don't PM me with questions that can (and should) be asked in the forum, thanks. Personal Question? Fire away.

HDTV2k3

bought the HD931 and hooked it up to my HDTV through a DVI cable. 1080i worked fine with my Sony 46" WS HDTV. PQ seems pretty good but not mind blowing compared to other progressive scan DVD players, but i do see a difference. The remote is fine but suprisingly it doesn't have as many buttons as u'd think.

ampedforfootball

I just got one. hooked it up through dvi, played Star wars, Lord of Rings and others. I just dont see much of difference over my jvc progressive. I have tried all three modes (480/720/1080) by using the button in front -no noticeable difference. What am I missing

Sansung hlm507, samsung hd dvd931,sony hd sat200, onkyo receiver