Samsung DVD-M301 DVD Player

Other products by Samsung

Product Details

Product Manual [1.49mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 9 x 16.9 x 2.8 inches ; 6.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 9 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005AK8T
• Item model number: DVDM301
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #75,352 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Samsung DVD-M301 DVD player is an affordably priced model that features state-of-the-art component-video outputs, a slim design, and a dual-laser pickup. The dual-laser design, which employs separate laser diodes for DVD and CD playback, enhances video and audio quality and extends format compatibility to CD-Rs. In addition, this unit includes an MP3 decoder for playback of MP3 files recorded on CD-R discs.

The player'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 terminal passes 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-M301 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).

In the video realm, the M301's 10-bit video DAC ensures precision playback of high-resolution DVD signals. Analog video components are also selected to optimize performance. Composite-video output terminals provide the optimum connection between the DVD-M301 and an advanced direct-view or projection TV system. The unit also offers standard component- and S-video outputs and a universal joystick remote control.

Product Description

The Samsung DVD-M301 DVD player is an affordably priced model that features state-of-the-art composite-video outputs, a slim design, and a dual-laser pickup. The dual-laser design, which employs separate laser diodes for DVD and CD playback, enhances video and audio quality and extends format compatibility to CD-Rs. In addition, this unit includes an MP3 decoder for playback of MP3 files recorded on CD-R disks. The player'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 terminal passes 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-M301 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). In the video realm, the M301's 10-bit video DAC ensures precision playback of high-resolution DVD signals. Analog video components are also selected to optimize performance. Composite-video output terminals provide the optimum connection between the DVD-M301 and an advanced direct-view or projection TV system. The unit also offers standard component- and S-video outputs and a universal joystick remote control.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not compatible with all DVDs!! Cannot recommend this one., May 27, 2001

By	Chris (Bellbrook, OH United States) - See all my reviews

I have had great luck with a Samsung VCR and Samsung DVD-709 DVD Player in the past so I was loyal to my confidence in Samsung products by purchasing the Samsung DVD-M301 DVD Player. What I found out was that not all DVDs would play correctly in this machine. I had played 4 movies without any trouble and was impressed by the video display quality of this model. But when I tried to play Artisan Entertainment Studio release "Bad Boys" with actor Sean Penn it would not play the audio for this movie at all! This is not some high-tech movie either - it is a basic real-life film made in 1983 with no special effects like most of the newer movies have. It displayed the video portion just fine but there was absolutely no sound during the playing of this DVD. The movie had played fine on my older Samsung DVD-709 model so I know it was not a problem with the DVD itself.

I wanted to know if it was a defective player or a product design flaw in the M301 Player so I took it to a local store who had the same model Samsung DVD-M301 Player that I could try the "Bad Boys" DVD with. Well it was the same result with the store's player also - NO AUDIO! That made my mind up for me to return the Samsung DVD-M301 and I purchased a Panasonic DVD-RV31 player instead. The Panasonic plays the movie just fine - audio and all. I did not feel comfortable keeping the Samsung not knowing how many other DVDs I would buy or rent that would have similar trouble.

I am writing an email to Samsung about this player and my experience and hopefully soon they will address the problem and correct it on future models. Until then BEWARE!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Headphone jack and longer warranty are bonuses, November 29, 2001

By A Customer

I bought this DVD because it was the best I could find that featured a headphone jack and control located in the front. That's very convenient for watching DVD's in a noisy room, especially since many sounds from a film are muted at low volume otherwise. Also it would be great for someone using this DVD as a CD.

I believe this Samsung has a one year parts/labor warranty. Many other DVD's give only 90 days' warranty on labor.

I had a different manufacturer's DVD of similar price which I'd returned. In comparing them, this Samsung is also better because the remote control does a great job of acting as a "universal" control, at least on my Toshiba TV. The remote is fairly intuitive. It also fits nicely in the hand. The on-screen controls are also fairly easy to maneuver.

Consumer Reports this month rates the M201 well, possibly even as a "best buy," if I remember correctly. I would imagine that the M301 is an updated version, since I haven't seen the M201 around.

I didn't buy a progressive scan DVD, which would have been ...more. I wanted the headphone jack. Also, by the time I get a new TV that could benefit from prog. scan (ie, HDTV ready), I figured that at that time, I could get another DVD for about 100 or 140 that featured prog. scan.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, May 27, 2001

By	Ameen Malhas (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews

I've been shopping for a DVD player for almost a year, when I happened to stumble upon this one, and I must say, as of now I'm very impressed. All my friends have Sony and Panasonic players, most of which break down very frequently, and dont play CD-Rs at all much less play CD-Rs full of MP3s. This is one of the best performing and best looking players out there.

Most of the high end products I bought in the past two years have required numerous and costly repare jobs, this one has really been stable for the past 3 months.

All this combined with a great price makes this a must-buy.