Samsung DVD611 DVD Player

Other products by Samsung

Product Details

Product Manual [495kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 11 x 17 x 3.2 inches ; 6.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004TEUD
• Item model number: DVD611
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #107,346 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Samsung's DVD-611 is an affordable, no-frills, single-disc machine that outputs both Dolby Digital and DTS (Digital Theater System) 5.1-channel surround sound. In our tests, it also played The Matrix with satisfactory results.

Although there are plenty of low-cost DVD players that bear the DTS logo, our experience has revealed that many bargain-priced machines are not capable of satisfactorily passing the DTS signal on to audio-video receivers with built-in DTS decoders. In fact, we have grown so accustomed to this shortcoming that we invariably slip a 5.1-channel DTS disc into every budget- priced player we test before we break open the manual.

To that end, we're pleased to report that we played a couple of DTS 5.1-channel concert discs through the DVD-611 with good results. Of course, the DVD-611 also plays Dolby Digital-encoded DVDs with equal finesse.

On the video side, the DVD-611 passed The Matrix test. This popular movie has given many DVD players fits due to its spectacular action sequences, which stretch the limitations of MPEG-2 compression technology.

Briefly, MPEG-2 uses mathematical formulas to search for redundancies in each frame, basically tricking the eye into seeing information that is being repeated from scene to scene. This method works well for scenes with very little motion--a lawyer, for example, sitting in a high- backed chair with mahogany paneling behind him as he lectures a client. Unfortunately, on more grueling, fast-action sequences with constantly changing backgrounds--such as those found throughout The Matrix--the MPEG-2 format is challenged to squeeze an enormous amount of information into a limited amount of space. As a result, some DVD players' video decoders have a tendency to skip or lock up when playing certain scenes on "high-impact" films.

Hardware manufacturers are quick to point out that the problem is a result of using inefficient bit allocation when mastering the DVD-video transfer, but this is of little consolation to anyone who's purchased a player that can't handle The Matrix.Bargain hunters who crave action movies will be happy to know that Samsung's DVD-611 didn't so much as hiccup after being fed an afternoon's worth of Keanu Reeves kicking and screaming his way across the cyber screen.

In short, Samsung's DVD-611, with its 24-bit audio digital-to-analog converters, is more than acceptable as a movie machine. If you plan on using your DVD player to listen to music CDs, however, we recommend spending another $100 or more for a brand that incorporates higher-quality internal audio components. Although the DVD-611 sounds just fine on most movies, on music we noticed a decided brightness in the upper frequencies--especially on vocals.

Another rare and admirable trait for a budget DVD player is the presence of both coaxial and optical digital audio outputs. Although most budget players offer only optical, we're very pleased to report that the DVD-611 has both. One advantage to having optical and coaxial is the ability to use a separate digital-to-analog converter for music listening only.

The DVD-611 also has component-video outputs in addition to S-Video and composite. Although this feature is increasingly standard, even for lower-end players, it's reassuring to see that Samsung did not compromise on video outputs in exchange for offering two digital-audio connections.

The player's build quality is above average. It has a rather Spartan front panel, with no bells or whistles.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the remote control, which we found cumbersome to operate. The DVD- 611's remote and corresponding screen menus require too many steps to navigate. For example, if you're watching a movie and you need to change the settings, you have to stop the movie and hit the set up button, then hit the set up button again in order to activate the screen. Then you have to scroll down to the function you wish to change, and either hit the enter button or move the cursor left or right, depending on the function you're trying to access. To exit the menu, you have to use the return button on the remote.

The first time we tried this, we searched in vain for a way out of the menu before reading the manual and discovering that you have to hit the return button. We believe that today's remote controls should be instantly intuitive; in that regard, the DVD-611 fails to live up to our standards for ease of use.

If you're on a budget, however, and you're looking for a player that's DTS compatible and has dual digital-audio outputs, the Samsung DVD-611 is a reliable machine with good video processing. --Eric Gill

Pros

• Impressive video processing, even on fast-action DVDs
• Reliable audio playback in Dolby Digital and DTS
• Plenty of audio/video connection options

Cons

• Finicky user interface
• Clumsy remote control
• Average sound quality for music CDs and concert DVDs

Product Description

Samsung has established itself as leader in the DVD market by offering highly specified, well-designed machines at sensible prices. Samsung DVD player creates a level of excitement and experience that virtually turns your living room into a screening room.The Samsung DVD-611 features 10-Bit video digital to analog converter system that ensures precise playback of the high resolution DVD video signal. Analog video components are also selected to optimize performance. Component video output terminals provide the optimum connection between your DVD player and an advanced direct view or projection TV system. In addition, these component connections will be the ideal way to interface the DVD with upcoming HDTV display devices from Samsung. This player's 2x audio playback allows the soundtrack to be heard even when video is playing at twice the normal speed. Thanks to the advanced processing algorithm, voices sound clear and natural in spite of the high-speed playback. High-speed 96 kHz/24 bit audio digital to analog converters deliver pristine audio quality from every disc. Most importantly, it accurately reproduces the latest audio discs that are recorded in the in the 96 kHz/24 bit format. Left/right audio output terminals allow the DVD to be used with a Dolby Pro-Logic Receiver. The 6 channel Dolby Digital signal is automatically mixed down to a Pro-Logic compatible signal. Standard Remote Control with 2 AA Batteries is also included.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

103 of 108 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good Design, Poor Performance, June 12, 2000

By A Customer

Samsung is known for manufacturing quality TVs at affordable prices. Unfortunately, they don't seem to have the same success with their DVD players.

I brought this puppy home, attracted by both the low price and my satisfaction with my Samsung 27" TV.

Although the player performed satisfactorily while playing Tarzan, on other DVD's it seemed to skip over sections of the DVD at precisely the same point. I tried different DVD's, and this problem was consistent. The video and audio qualities were otherwise very satisfactory. This unit also has a zoom feature, very unusual for a player in this bargain price range. The remote is well designed, but the key pads are small.

But I can't see saving a few dollars and living with the skipping problem. Until Samsung addresses this issue, I suggest skipping their lineup and going with an equivalent model from Toshiba, Sony or Panasonic, the quality leaders. And Phillips has some very affordable models, and they seem to have licked some earlier Q/A problems.

After returning the Samsung I settled on the Toshiba SD-2200, and am confident that was the right choice for me.

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't Be Swayed By Bad Reviews, October 31, 2000

By	"pamandro" (Cape Coral, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

Like a lot of people, I could not wait any longer to get my first DVD player... and being budget impaired... I was looking for a good player at a relatively low price.

Before I buy, I always research, including reading the reviews for the Samsung DVD611 DVD Player. Seemed like split vote between those who praise the price and features to those who had VERY bad experinces with this machine and were justifibly warning consumers...

That all said and done, I ordered the Samsung DVD611 DVD Player for myself, leery of problems, but lured by the low price...and hoped for the best...

And I must say... this DVD far exceeded my expectations. So far, the skipping problem (which occur on most DVD players) has been minimal. The picture and sound quality and variety of options are more than I anticipated. The remote is small and easy to use... and it's just cool!

So, say what you will about the Samsung DVD611 DVD Player. I for one and very happy with it and would purchase another as a gift. Find out for yourself. Then write your own review.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sophisticated features at a rational price, June 13, 2000

By A Customer

I am very pleased with my Samsung DVD-611. I have previously owned the Samsung DVD-709 which performed admirably. I own CDV's from Asia. The Samsung products output the PAL encoded signal from these disks with a good quality NTSC signal. I had tried playing these disks on the Philips DVD players, but Philips DVD players always output a PAL signal when the input source is PAL which, will does not sync correctly or produce correct colors on the American NTSC televisions. The Samsung DVD-611 is future proofed with DTS outputs. The component outputs include coaxial and optical. The remote is sophisticated yet simple to operate. The mechanism on the Samsung DVD-611 operates quietly. The Samsung DVD-611 includes sophisticated features like 2X and 4X video zoom and multiple levels of fast and slow motion. There is no need to pay more for a high quality DVD player.