Enjoy quality viewing with the Samsung DVD-HD941 Progressive Scan DVD player with 1080i/720P Video Output. This DVD player features the cutting-edge Emmy award winning Faroudja video processing chip, which deinterlaces the video signal while upconverting it, removing jagged edges and providing a flawless picture. The Samsung HD941 DVD player plays Audio CD's, MP3's, WMA's, DVD's, DVD-R's, CD R/RW's, DVD Audio, and Super Audio CD (SACD) files and discs.
If you're after state-of-the-art picture and sound, Samsung's DVD-HD941 is a prime candidate for your home theater. The DVD player packs everything from Faroudja DCDi-enhanced HD component-video and HDMI digital-video outputs to sophisticated high-definition upconversion (for high-definition and HD-ready TVs) and processing abilities for the audio-only SACD (Super Audio CD) and DVD-Audio formats.
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| DCDi technology offers higher resolution and sharper images, with few motion artifacts. |
The player uses Faroudja's DCDi (Directional Correlation Deinterlacing) technology, which is designed to eliminate the jagged edges along diagonal image lines resulting from video interpolation. DCDi monitors image-edge transitions and fills in the gaps between frames. The player upconverts standard-definition material (480i, what we have on conventional TV) to enhanced- and high-definition quality (480p, 720p, 768p, or 1080i, depending on your HDTV). The result: higher resolution from conventional sources and sharper images with few motion artifacts. The player's HDMI digital-video output may be used for lossless video transmission between the player and compatible TVs and computer monitors, and the player comes with an HDMI-to-DVI converter for use with DVI-compliant devices.
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link any audio/video source (such as a set-top box, DVD player, or A/V receiver) with an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV). HDMI supports SD, ED, or high-definition (HD) video, plus multichannel digital audio--all using a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports up to 8-channel digital audio, with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements.
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-HD941 (for full-resolution playback).
As an antipiracy measure, the DVD-HD941 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.
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 you’re A/V 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. 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, HDMI digital video interconnect, HDMI-to-DVI converter, stereo analog audio interconnect/composite-video cable, and warranty information.
1 firmware update March 2005
http://product.samsung.com/cgi-bin/nabc/support/b2c_support_product_results.jsp
Firmware released 2005-03-02
1) sound skipping problem at a specific HDMI receiver audio
2) no sound at a specific HDMI receiver DD/DTS output
3) distorted picture during a chapter shift at some field disc
2 Just works...
I'm using an hdmi connection from the dvd player straight to the media box of a Pioneer 5040 Plasma.
There's a night and day difference in quality between 1080i/HDMI and 480p/YPrPb(component).
I haven't had any audio problems whatsoever. I'm using an optical link between the DVD player and an old Yamaha receiver.
Bottom line: good value for the money, great picture quality, rich feature set, unexciting remote and user interface.
3 Expectations met if not exceeded
After reading numerous reviews about the Samsung DVD-HD941 and its counterparts, my expectation level was to hopefully notice somewhat of an improvement over playing DVDs on my HDTV with a conventional, non-HDMI digital-video type player. I did not want to spend a small fortune on the high end players like Denon and Integra. To my surprise the picture quality was far better that what I had been expecting for the price. I was very happy with the picture quality in all 480p, 720p, 768p, or 1080i modes. I hooked it up to my RCA HD61LPW165 and my Sony KF-42WE610 HDTVs and did not notice too much of a difference in picture quality, both being very clear. The sound level dropped somewhat on the RCA HDTV but maintained itself quite well on the Sony. It appears as though the player is limited to the response of the type of HDTV. I would definitely recommend this player, espectially due to the price. I will be ordering a second one to complement my other HDTV.
4 SAMSUNG DVD HD-941 FACTORY DEFECT
I PURCHASED A SAMSUNG DVD HD-941 FROM J&R MUSIC WORLD IN FEBRUARY FOR AROUND $300 AFTER HOOKING UP THE HDMI CORD (SUPPLIED) TO A SHARP AQUOS 32in LCD TV. THE PICTURE WAS GREAT BUT THE AUDIO POPPED CLICKED, AND DROPPED OUT EVERY FEW SECONDS. THE TV ONSCREEN MESSAGE SAID HDMI AUDIO NOT SUPPORTED. I RETURNED THE PLAYER TO J&R AND IN TEN DAYS RECEIVED A NEW REPLACEMENT UNIT. UNPACKED IT,SET IT UP, AND THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURED AGAIN. I CALLED SAMSUNG TECH SERVICE AND THEY ADMITTED THAT SOME UNITS HAD A PROBABLE SOFTWARE PROBLEM IN SOME UNITS AND THAT THEY WERE WORKING ON IT. I RETURNED THE PLAYER AGAIN AND WILL GET MY CARD REFUNDED. I WILL LOOK FOR A DIFFERENT PLAYER. SONY S975V MOST LIKELY.
5 HD-941 is finally here!
When I purchased my new 61" Samsung DLP 6163W set a month ago I knew that the HD-941 DVD Player was a must have because of the HDMI Connection. Well I finally got it at Harvey's in NYC and as soon that I turned it on I noticed a significant difference in the quality of the sound and video compared to the HD-841 model. After watching DVD's for the pass 4 days I am 100% satified with this DVD player and immediatly returned the HD-841
6 Coming Soon
Checked with Samsung a few days ago, and they informed me that the player is expected to hit the market in December.
7 Not a review
As of November 5th, 2004.
This is not a review... SamsungUSA's website actually does list this under the current hi-def DVD players, but is not available for purchase yet. The HD-931 is the player listed under the archived players.
However, no word yet as to when this player will be released.
8 Production problems
This is not a "product review." I am posting this to advise of the delay in the release of this player. After getting a myriad of answers from Samsung's first level of customer service, I spoke to two "supervisors" who adivsed that Samsung is having production problems with the HDMI output, and that the issue is now "in engineering." There is no specific release date, but November appears to be the earliest it will be released. Amazon still has the release date as September 30, but this is no longer accurate according to Samsung. Most retailers are advising that they expect their first shipments in mid-November.
Update Oct. 20, 2004: Several online stores, including Amazon, have stopped accepting pre-orders. Also, Samsungusa.com no longer lists the DVD-HD941 under its current "high definition" DVD players. Rather, it can now be found only under the category "Archived DVD" players. I haven't checked with Samsung, but it appears that it may have pulled the plug on this model.
