good picture, when it works of course.

Skips chapters, common pixelization of image, slow disc reading, bla bla bla

Update from previous post: The Samsung DVD player has gotten progressively worse as time went on, as seems to be the case for many Samsungs. Even mint-condition DVDs have skipped and displayed extreme pixelation. I stick by my previous post; just because Robert wasn't present to see many of the skips doesn't mean that they did not happen, especially since I tend to watch many movies. Currently, the DVD player is in for repairs at Samsung, we'll let you know how it turns out.

It has alot of features that high end DVD players would have. It has a stylish look.

Remote is difficult to use by memory. Pixelization.

This is Matt's roommate, the one who purchased the Samsung P-421. First of all, I'd have to disagree with him on certain things. This DVD player doesn't skip on half of the DVDs that you put in. He is exaggerating alot on this. I don't know what he does with his DVDs before he puts them into the player, but it did skip alot on one DVD we saw. However, it was a rental from Blockbuster, so who knows what kind of condition the DVD was in. Most rental DVDs are in bad condition, i.e. scratches, etc because of all the people who mishandle the DVD. Also, I don't agree that Samsung has poor quality on their entire line of DVD products. They could, but it is hard to say because my roommate nor I have used any other Samsung DVD product. This is my first. Samsung has a superior product line of TV's, so I figured their DVD products would be great too. But I guessed wrong for the one I bought. It doesn't have good picture quality. You experience pixelization when you watch DVDs on it. We're gonna hook up component video this weekend and we'll see if it improves the quality of the picture, but I heard it doesn't really from other reviews. The sound quality from the player is acceptable. It's not the best, but if you're not some audiophile you won't know the difference anyways. Also, the remote is somewhat annoying and confusing because it doesn't have the best layout. I have an older panasonic DVD player at home and I really like that one because it has great picture, sound, and a remote easy to use. However, that DVD player was the top of the line when we bought it. I think it was near $300. I bought this DVD player because it had progressive scan and it was at a low cost. I didn't buy it for the extra remote because that is just idiotic. I don't even use that bonus remote. I didn't want to spend too much money on a player, but I wanted decent quality. I kinda do regret buying this particular model DVD player, but that doesn't mean I'll go run out and buy a Sony, Panasonic, or other Japanese line product. They aren't necessarily the best quality products because I had a Sony CD player that was supposed to be good, but it broke in like 2 years. It was a piece of crap. This just tells you guys to do your research when you buy products because that's what I should've done.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Panasonic

Girls think the 2nd remote is cute

Skipping, pixelization, poor Samsung quality control on their entire DVD line

This is actually a review for the Samsung P421, which is similar, but slightly higher end. Apparently, this player exhibits defects that are prevalent in the majority of Samsung DVD players. Namely, when playing DVD's, the player likes to skip chapters at random. This usually happens on about 50% of the DVD's I'm watching. It gets really frustrating. I also experience pixelization about twice per movie, but it goes away after about 2 seconds. I am switching to Component video this weekend to see if the picture improves. I haven't compared the audio to other DVD players, I guess it's reasonable. A recent Sound&Vision magazine said that CD audio accuracy was poor on this model, but I'd have to take their word on that. The player itself looks nice, although the remote is sometimes bothersome. I bought this DVD player because my Korean roomate insisted Samsung was a quality brand. Now I wish I just paid a few bucks more and gotten a stable Japanese brand.

Similar Products Used:

Philips, Sony, Toshiba

Progressive, zoom, all the outputs, good looks. But all these strengths don''t override its one weakness.

Picture is really bad (I''m being as tactful as I can)

Keep in mind: Though I''ve used Audio Review as a reference for about 2-3 years, this is my first review. I''ve purchased a lot of somewhat high-end gear, but never bothered to write reviews. This DVD player was so bad, I just had to write. If you value picture quality, stay away from this player. My bottom-of-the-line Sony died yesterday and I needed something cheap to hold me over until the DVD player I really want is released by someone (progressive, DVD-Audio, SACD, bass management, etc.). I brought this player home today with high-hopes. I''d finally get to see both component and progressive quality compared to my old Sony which had S-video as its best output. If you''ve ever wondered what severe video artifacts look like, this model is the textbook example. I have owned it less than two hours and its going back. I initially connected using S-video and the picture was awful. Then I switched to plain component and the picture was still awful. Then I flipped the switch to progressive and hooked it to my TV''s HD input. Picture was better, but still not nearly as good as the Sony through S-video. The problem with going progressive is that my 61" monitor disables the line doubler when going through the HD input and now I was seeing faint scan lines (something I''d never seen on my monitor before - I ordinarily view 1080i format through this input). My old Sony DVP-S330 was no charm as far as reliability and I was looking forward to a different brand, but I am now mourning its loss. While its build-quality may have been lacking, its video quality was stellar compared to the Samsung. Its COMPOSITE video quality blew away the progressive picture of this Samsung. If you think I''m just some snobby videophile, consider this: When I asked my wife (by no strech of the imagination a videophile) what she thought of the picture (on a DVD we''ve already viewed)she said it was grainy. Then she asked if I was going to return it. ''Nuff said. I give it 3 stars for value only because it has a lot of features found on more expensive models. But it gets an overall of 1 due to its very objectional video quality.

Similar Products Used:

Sony DVP-S330

The progressive scan feature is excellent. Combined with a HD 43 inch progressive scan television this setup is a wonder. You will love watching moves at home. Slim and lightweight and easy to hide in your cabinet. Though I would say that aesthetically it is excellent and shouldn''t be hidden from view. Has all the connections, component video output and digital optical and coax leads. Everything one could ask for at the price.

Slow loading time on this player i''m afraid. It takes about one minute to load any DVD or disc. If you''re not in a hurry then you need not consider what I''m writing here.

I''ve had this DVD Player for two weeks and I really enjoy the performance and quality. It is an excellent buy considering it''s price and features. I had a SONY DVD Player which I paid $ 1500 for and it didn''t give me anything but trouble. Only played half of the DVD i would rent. Very frustrating and not worth the money I spent. If you are on a budget and want full progressive scan with 3;2 pulldown, then this is the player for you. Even plays CD-R''s and MP3 with no fuss at all. Remote is lightweight and functional, not complicated to operate. Would have been nice if it was backlit but at this price you cannot have everything.

Similar Products Used:

SONY DVD-S7700 = bunch of crap, had it more than one year. Never worked properly from day one. Had it fixed several times and still doesn''t work !!.. Thrown it into the trash and perhaps some unlucky

Interlaced output, good looks

Progressive scan output, user-friendliness, performance

Wouldn't it be for the Panasonic RP56 - an excellent $200 progressive scan player - I would have been pleased with the RP41 PS output picture, which is "average": functional but "soft". At least it is true progressive when compared to the Pioneer 444, which lacks 3:2 pulldown detection. If you're after progressive scan go for the Panny. On the other hand it offers a good interlaced picture. But here, you have good and cheaper alternatives (Panasonic RV31, Pioneer 343, etc.).

But the ergonomics of the player is not good: slow loading time, basic time displays (no remain time, for instance), not capable of quick skipping through chapters. It also has a minor bug: it shows here and there sudden bursts of pixelation.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic RP-56, Pioneer DV-444, Malata N996