Samsung DVD-HD841 Up-Converting DVD Player

by Samsung

Product Details

Product Manual [1.13mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 16.9 x 1.9 inches ; 5.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0001H4BMU
• Item model number: DVD-HD841
• Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,258 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Samsung's DVD-HD841 delivers scintillating video and audio performance at an eye-popping price. Between the unit's progressive-scan component-video and DVI digital-video outputs, sophisticated high-definition upconversion (from 480i/p DVD-Video to 720p, 768p, or 1080i, depending on your HDTV), and processing abilities for the audio-only SACD (Super Audio CD) and DVD-Audio formats, this player quite nearly does it all.

The DVD-HD841 has a built-in video scaler that permits output to a HDTV.

Samsung's video upconversion technology eliminates visible scan lines and artifacts arising from interlaced video and the 3:2 pulldown process required to render film-based movies as NTSC video. The result: higher resolution from conventional sources and sharper images with few motion artifacts. The player's DVI digital-video output may be used for lossless video transmission between the player and compatible TVs and computer monitors.

Superior Sound
SACD and DVD-Audio media both offer super-high-fidelity sound. DVD-Audio discs provide 192 kHz/24-bit multichannel and stereo sound, high storage capacity, and unique bonus materials not available on regular audio CDs. These discs often have compressed Dolby Digital soundtracks for listening on standard DVD players, but true DVD-A decoding is required for full sonic appreciation. Depending on the disc, Sony's proprietary SACD format provides multichannel and/or stereo sound, often presented in a dual-layer format compatible with both standard CD players (at standard resolution) and SACD-equipped players like the DVD-HD841 (for full-resolution playback).

As an antipiracy measure, the DVD-HD841 performs its own decoding of both DVD-Audio and SACD signals, passing high-resolution analog, not digital, audio to your integrated amplifier or surround receiver. This means you'll need an audio/video receiver with multichannel analog-audio inputs to appreciate multichannel DVD-A and SACD releases.

Enjoy peerless multichannel, surround-sound audio from DVD-Audio and SACD media.

A set of stereo and a set of multichannel analog-audio outputs route audio from DVD-A/SACD media as well as from Dolby Digital- and DTS-encoded DVDs to your AV receiver. If you're not planning to use the DVD-A/SACD capability for multichannel programming, both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio outputs (one each of RCA coaxial and Toslink optical) for simpler connection with your receiver.

Another handy feature is the player's EZ View letterbox eliminator, which lets you enjoy full-screen pictures on 4:3 aspect-ratio TVs--even when you're watching widescreen DVDs. Composite- and S-video outputs bring compatibility with nearly any television.

What's in the Box
DVD player, remote control, remote batteries, user's manual, DVI digital video interconnect, stereo analog audio interconnect/composite-video cable, and warranty information.

Product Description

plays DVD-Video, DVD-R&DVD-RW, DVD+R&DVD+RW, and Video CD * plays SACD, DVD-Audio, CD, CD-R&CD-RW, and MP3 and WMA CD-R&CD-RW * plays digital picture CDs (JPEG) * 54MHz/10-bit video D/A converter * built-in scaler upconverts signals to 720p/768p/1080i (DVI output only) *

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

128 of 139 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Samsung DVD-HD841 = So Bad, January 3, 2005

By 

Psymon JC (Jersey City, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samsung DVD-HD841 Up-Converting DVD Player (Electronics)

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.

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).

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:

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!

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.

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.

4. Forgettable sound quality with SACDs and DVD-As - the Pioneer is much better (and it's cheaper too!).

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.

My advice to 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.

I can't believe Samsung could release such a poor product.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Geat DVD player for the price, February 7, 2005

By 

W. Jessup (Westfield NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Samsung DVD-HD841 Up-Converting DVD Player (Electronics)

I have had this DVD Player for several weeks now and only had one major problem; that was the setup issue that several have had. However, I was aware of this problem and knew how to solve it. But, it should be noted that Samsung has a firmware updated available that solves this problem. I am guess that Samsung will have this firmware updated preinstalled in the near future.

I rent movies from Netflix, the 5 at a time plan, so I watch a lot of DVD's maybe too many. I have not had any problems with a DVD skipping. In fact, I haven't had any problems at all with the playback of DVD's. The sound is great and the picture is perfect displaying the finest detail and the full range of colors. I am using the DVI output set at 1080i. I only wish that I could get the picture to look half as good when watching standard definition TV stations. I have spent hours finessing the color of standard definition (S-Video) and only a few minutes adjusting the DVI settings.

The only gripes that I have are with the remote. You do have to point the remote almost directly at the DVD player for it to receive the RF signal. And the buttons on the remote are somewhat close together making it difficult to press the correct button sometimes.

I am giving this item 4 stars because of the remote control issues. Other that these two issues with the remote, I have had no problems with this DVD player. And the price of this DVD player when compared to the others with the same features almost overcomes these minor problems.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars DON'T BUY THIS. GO WITH THE TOSHIBA., November 28, 2004

By 

the squirming coil (Omaha, NE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samsung DVD-HD841 Up-Converting DVD Player (Electronics)

I'm 35 and reasonably electronic literate. I bought this piece of [...] at Best Buy and in short I packed it up and took it back the very next day. The only other dvd player with HD capablities at Best Buy was the Toshiba SD-5970 and the sales floor rep actually told me to go with the Samsung. I couldn't have been more dissapointed with anything I've ever bought electronics wise and it's even more expensive than it's Toshiba counterpart believe it or not. To sum it up I bought this player obviously for it's HD upgrade capabilities. I wanted my dvd's obviously to be viewed in their optimum picture quality and thankfully I did get just that, once I switched out my Samsung for the Toshiba after a trip back to Best Buy that is. The Samsung's picture actually was barely an improvement on the Progressive scan Sony that I already have and for me that was enough. The Toshiba not only didn't have the screen flicker that the Samsung revealed but it has a near true HD signal and the clearness in picture compared to the Samsung is like night and day. Great picture, crisp and clear and truly HD like and it's DTS compatible as well. If you're a fan of the fact that the Samsung can play SACD's then don't let the only difference between these two sucker you into buy it like it did me along with the bad advice I received from the Best Buy representative also. If you're like me and are all about optimum picture quality do yourself a huge favor and do not buy this product. Save a few dollars and get the near true HD picture that you and your HDTV deserve and go with the Toshiba. The difference was huge and don't let their prices fool you either as the Samsung is actually the more expensive of the two. Bottom line; If you care about picture quality and are picky about this sort of thing and want your dvd's to look the very best they possibly can on your HDTV then buy the Toshiba. Enough said.