Samsung DVD-P401 Progressive-Scan DVD Player

by Samsung

Product Details

Product Manual [826kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 9 x 16.9 x 2.8 inches ; 6.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005AK8V
• Item model number: DVDP401
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #331,432 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Samsung's affordably priced DVD-P401 progressive-scan DVD-Video player features state-of-the-art component-video outputs, a slim design, and a dual-laser pickup for compatibility with not only DVDs and CDs, but CD-Rs and CD-RWs as well.

Topping this amazing player's feature set is its ability to perform true 3:2 pulldown through its component-video outputs, a true videophile feature.

What is 3:2 pulldown? Some context: while movie film runs at 24 frames per second (fps), NTSC television signals run at 30 fps, requiring film's 24 frames to be adapted to 30 frames before you can watch movies on standard (U.S.) television. The solution developed by the video industry exploits the fact that the NTSC format uses two "fields" per frame of video.

During the film-to-tape transfer, the telecine engineer mixes alternating sets of 3 and 2 video fields: the first frame of a second's worth of film is placed on 3 fields of video; the next frame is placed on 2 fields, and so on, until all 60 fields of a single frame of a 30 fps signal are complete--resulting in a gentle "stretching" of the original 24 frames.

While difficult to detect, this stretching is technically a distortion, and 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture on your component-video-equipped direct-view or projection TV or monitor.

The unit also offers standard component- and S-video outputs, and a 10-bit video digital-to-analog converter ensures precision playback of high-resolution DVD signals.

In the audio realm, the DVD-P401's Spatializer N-2-2 sound circuit simulates surround sound through your TV or stereo speakers, while its 96 kHz/24-bit audio converters deliver pristine audio quality from DVDs and CDs. The back-panel Toslink optical and RCA coaxial terminals each pass a 96 kHz/24-bit audio stream for use with the latest high-end audio recordings (though be aware that your receiver must be able to decode your 96 kHz recordings if you use a digital connection there).

The DVD-P401 includes left/right analog-audio outputs for compatibility with Dolby Pro Logic receivers and, in case you don't have a receiver yet, TV inputs. This unit also supports both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel formats through its digital outputs for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver or an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC).

Product Description

Black Stereo 1 year warrantyThis elegant full Multi DVD Recorder offers the flexibility of Full Multi Format recording plus the practicality of Dual Layer Recording. Archiving family movies is easy using the front DV input;

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

93 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maximum Quality - Minimum Price, September 6, 2001

By 

"[e-mail]" (Crystal Lake, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samsung DVD-P401 Progressive-Scan DVD Player (Electronics)

Having just purchased a Samsung Digital TV (Tantus Dynaflat, 27"), I wanted to take advantage of the progressive scan and 4:3 pulldown ability. The logical choice was to purchase a Samsung VCR with these attributes (to maintain remote compatibility, etc.).

DVD players on the market are strikingly similar... and most often, you do truly get what you pay for. This Samsung has been a startling exception. [the money] for a DVD player with 4:3 pulldown and progressive scan? Amazing! However, enough about the theory... how did it work in practice?

After hooking up the player to the Digital TV and then via a switch on the back of the player enabling 480p, the 480-line progressive scan mode, the picture clarity jumped from the run-of-the-mill DVD we're all used to, to something more resembling film quality (See the explanation on 4:3 pulldown in the manufacturer's comments).

Putting this DVD player through its paces meant pulling out a DVD from my collection which looked like, on the playing surface, someone used it to sharpen cutlery. This copy of "The Matrix" has more scratches on it than a prison wall- which makes it a good test for the dual-laser pickup. Most DVD players skip badly on this DVD; my second-generation Sony DVP-S530D even refuses to play certain chapters. The Samsung DVD-P401 did not hesitate, skip, or give any indication it was not dealing with less-than-pristine media. As a DVD player, it delivers more than expected, and much more adequately than many other DVD players which cost twice as much. ....

This is a great little player at any price- and at [the price], the bang-for-buck-ometer is off the charts.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Bang for the Buck - Some Issues, December 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Samsung DVD-P401 Progressive-Scan DVD Player (Electronics)

This is my first DVD player - looked long and hard for progressive because I have recently purchased Sony XBR-400 - 36" (WOW) and wanted to take full advantage of its capabilities. I agree that the load time seems slow, but what's 30 seconds when you're getting ready to watch a movie! Otherwise, the unit delivers, I've played many DVD's so far and none have had issues, Gladiator looks spectacular. For the money, I would highly recommend this unit. I have not used nor care for any of the other features. When I purchased (2 months ago) this was the only sub-200 true progressive player out there. (3:2 pull down and all). Worth the money considering the cheapest of the cheapest are only 80 dollars less! *****
*****Update, I now have had many issues with load time, It seems to take an increaingly long time to load a disk and sometimes even errors out saying that there is no disk loaded!!! All my DVD's are brand new out of the box and clean, I've had many problems with new Disney DVD's in particular. I'm debating wether to send it back.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars P401 does play MP3s, November 8, 2001

By 

"kappy7" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samsung DVD-P401 Progressive-Scan DVD Player (Electronics)

Despite what one reviewer has said I have had success playing mp3s from a CD-R on this unit.