Samsung’s Hd-941 Has Arrived… - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

highdef · 11-30-2004, 11:22 AM

SAMSUNG’S HD-941 HAS ARRIVED…
AND HERE’S WHY YOU NEED TO BUY ONE RIGHT NOW!

Well folks, Samsung’s long awaited HD-941, upconverting DVD player is
finally here and let me say upfront, this unit truly lives up to all of the hype.

The good news is that the player has finally been released.
The bad news is just how difficult it’ll be getting your hands on one.

I managed to pick mine up on November 19th from broadcast photo and video giant B & H Photo located in Manhattan. Having spent a lot of time with this unit I have run various tests and here are my findings: (It should be noted that my test results are based on connection to a Samsung DLP HDtv.)

Those of us with HDMI will enjoy brilliant looking images without compromise. Samsung also furnishes an HDMI to DVI cable for HDtv’s without a direct HDMI connection port. Both the HDMI and DVI connections are absolutely stunning. I previously used the Samsung HD-931 unit but experienced disconcerting “black crush” issues when playing back 4x3 images, especially those from the early seasons of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” This issue are completely resolved and I am left with a picture that is nothing short of amazing.

Here are the formats available for playback over this unit: 480P, 720P, 768P, and 1080i. I use the 1080i setting (with the EZ-VIEW MODE engaged to VERTICAL FIT) for the playback of all "Full-Frame" programs as it provides the best distortion-free viewing of 4x3 images. “Seinfeld, seasons 1-3” look particularly good through this setting, as would most other 4x3 programs. On the anamorphic video side, you’ll need to use the playback format that best matches your HDtv. I mostly leave my player defaulted to 1080i unless the DVD transfer is not up to snuff. The unit employs Faroudja’s latest DCDI chip - and boy was it worth the wait. (This unit was originally scheduled for release back in September.) I tested several Superbit titles: “UNDERWORLD,” “SPIDER-MAN,” RESIDENT EVIL,” and “HOLLOW MAN” and all that I can say is, wow - for under $300 this is as good as standard-def-DVD gets. I would be hard-pressed to find another upconverting player with a picture as good as this one, especially in its price range.

How about sound? The player’s sound is equal to that of its vision. The HD-941 supports both SACD and DVD-AUDIO and it does so with outstanding fidelity. For testing the SACD side I used David Bowie’s 2002 disc “HEATHEN” and the score from “TITANIC.” Bowie’s album really shines on SACD as producer/engineer Tony Visconti presents us with a soundstage filled with sweeping range and multi-dimensional surround-sound; without becoming overly exaggerated as is the case with far too many SACD’s. James Horner’s score for TITANIC” is nothing short of extraordinary. This magnificent score is made even more enjoyable with multi-channel, 5.1. I was truly impressed with the SACD portion of this player. On the DVD-AUDIO side this player performs flawlessly as well. I used another Bowie disc, the 2003 album “REALITY,” and was completely blown away! Everything about this recording screams out look at me and don’t listen to 2.0 CD’s ever again. A side by side comparison of the standard CD release along side the DVD-AUDIO presentation was beyond belief. Boy does CD really suck in comparison! I also tested Faith Hill’s “CRY” album and was equally as impressed. Samsung has outperformed my Pioneer and Denon players in regards to these audio formats and don’t even get me started on the price differences.

Run, do not walk to get your hands on this outstanding new player from Samsung. Sure HD-DVD is supposed to be landing by late next year, but why should you wait to fully experience what you currently own today. Of course you should buy HD-DVD but the new HD-941 will get you by until the dust has settled on the future of a true HD, DVD format.

Kudos to Samsung for a job well done!

Those interested in experiencing all of the specs surrounding this unit can go to: http://samsungusa.com/cgi-bin/nabc/p...VD-HD941%2fXAA

tic-tac · 11-30-2004, 04:35 PM

I WANT IT!

We have a 931 that has issues with our plasma TV (mainly the lack of 768p support, I believe) and is unusable. This sounds like just the player I've been looking for... Now I gotta find one. (Oh, and the money to buy one, too...)

slap · 11-30-2004, 04:59 PM

Thanks for the post Highdef, reviews of this player are scare.

I've been following the threads over at AVS and the jury is still out on this player. The problem is not enough people have one to test! A few months ago I picked up an 841 open box at BB for under $150. That player seems to be widely considering a faliure because of black crush over dvi but for the price I think it's great as "non-upconverting" player with great PQ at 480P over component plus steallar SACD and DVD-A.

But I digress...have you noticed DTS dropout with the 941? This was widely reported with the 931 and 841 but I've never had a problem with my player.

snipsnapsappy · 11-30-2004, 05:27 PM

good review, only the David Bowie album is not in DVD-Audio, it is Dual Disc with Dolby Digital on one side. The Faith Hill album is true DVD-Audio though.

PunkMunkey · 11-30-2004, 05:45 PM

I do agree that it's a good review...but I do have one question for highdef...this player incorporates the Faroudja DCDi chip correct?...if so, then does the player suffer from macroblocking issues like the other players that utilize said chipset? I purchased a Denon 1910 only to return it due to the hideous macroblocking present in dark scenes...I've been gunshy about buying another upconverting player with the DCDi chipset for that reason...if this player resolves that problem then it may be the one I've been looking for.

tomdkat · 11-30-2004, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slap

I've been following the threads over at AVS and the jury is still out on this player. The problem is not enough people have one to test!

Yep, here is another review:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=474770

Peace....

Surf Monkey · 11-30-2004, 06:50 PM

Fantastic news and a very nice review. Thanks for posting it. I've been waiting for this DVD player for some time now. It's going to be the perfect complement to my Samsung HLN-4365W DLP set.

Surf Monkey · 11-30-2004, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Yep, here is another review:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=474770

Peace....

Hmmm. That's not good news. Looks like the player may not be up to snuff after all. Damn. I need a good DVI (or HDMI - DVI) player.

Rogue · 11-30-2004, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surf Monkey

Fantastic news and a very nice review. Thanks for posting it. I've been waiting for this DVD player for some time now. It's going to be the perfect complement to my Samsung HLN-4365W DLP set.

Hey Surf, have you had any lip sync issues with this set?

Surf Monkey · 11-30-2004, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue

Hey Surf, have you had any lip sync issues with this set?

On broadcast TV (standard cable) I get it from time to time. Never seen it on DVD content.

RaceTripper · 11-30-2004, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highdef

...
Here are the formats available for playback over this unit: 480P, 720P, 768P, and 1080i. I use the 768P setting for the playback of all 4x3 programs...I mostly leave my player defaulted to 1080i unless the DVD transfer is not up to snuff
...

768P would be for plasma (and other 1024x768 digital) displays. It seems pretty silly to output something from a scaling player that's not native to your display (which can't be both 768P and 1080i). You end up scaling twice: once in the player, and again when the display sees a signal that's not in its native resolution. Sorta defeats the purpose of an upconverting player.

Iguana Man · 11-30-2004, 10:57 PM

Crap...I just bought a Denon 3910! All this hype makes me wonder if I jumped on the Denon too quickly.....

storm117 · 12-01-2004, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Crap...I just bought a Denon 3910! All this hype makes me wonder if I jumped on the Denon too quickly.....

Don't sweat it, man. Keep your 3910. Read the threads over on AVS (most particularly the thread tomdkat posted) from there you can make your decision. Seriously though, the 3910 will completely obliterate the Samsung on many performance levels, delivering a vastly efficient interface for calibration in both audio and video.

highdef · 12-02-2004, 11:46 AM

Here is an updated footnote to my review:

I use the 1080i setting (with the EZ-VIEW MODE engaged to VERTICAL FIT) for the playback of all "Full-Frame" programs as it provides the best distortion-free viewing of 4x3 images.

11-30-2004, 11:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
highdef Actor Join Date: Mar 2001	Samsung’s Hd-941 Has Arrived… SAMSUNG’S HD-941 HAS ARRIVED… AND HERE’S WHY YOU NEED TO BUY ONE RIGHT NOW! Well folks, Samsung’s long awaited HD-941, upconverting DVD player is finally here and let me say upfront, this unit truly lives up to all of the hype. The good news is that the player has finally been released. The bad news is just how difficult it’ll be getting your hands on one. I managed to pick mine up on November 19th from broadcast photo and video giant B & H Photo located in Manhattan. Having spent a lot of time with this unit I have run various tests and here are my findings: (It should be noted that my test results are based on connection to a Samsung DLP HDtv.) Those of us with HDMI will enjoy brilliant looking images without compromise. Samsung also furnishes an HDMI to DVI cable for HDtv’s without a direct HDMI connection port. Both the HDMI and DVI connections are absolutely stunning. I previously used the Samsung HD-931 unit but experienced disconcerting “black crush” issues when playing back 4x3 images, especially those from the early seasons of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” This issue are completely resolved and I am left with a picture that is nothing short of amazing. Here are the formats available for playback over this unit: 480P, 720P, 768P, and 1080i. I use the 1080i setting (with the EZ-VIEW MODE engaged to VERTICAL FIT) for the playback of all "Full-Frame" programs as it provides the best distortion-free viewing of 4x3 images. “Seinfeld, seasons 1-3” look particularly good through this setting, as would most other 4x3 programs. On the anamorphic video side, you’ll need to use the playback format that best matches your HDtv. I mostly leave my player defaulted to 1080i unless the DVD transfer is not up to snuff. The unit employs Faroudja’s latest DCDI chip - and boy was it worth the wait. (This unit was originally scheduled for release back in September.) I tested several Superbit titles: “UNDERWORLD,” “SPIDER-MAN,” RESIDENT EVIL,” and “HOLLOW MAN” and all that I can say is, wow - for under $300 this is as good as standard-def-DVD gets. I would be hard-pressed to find another upconverting player with a picture as good as this one, especially in its price range. How about sound? The player’s sound is equal to that of its vision. The HD-941 supports both SACD and DVD-AUDIO and it does so with outstanding fidelity. For testing the SACD side I used David Bowie’s 2002 disc “HEATHEN” and the score from “TITANIC.” Bowie’s album really shines on SACD as producer/engineer Tony Visconti presents us with a soundstage filled with sweeping range and multi-dimensional surround-sound; without becoming overly exaggerated as is the case with far too many SACD’s. James Horner’s score for TITANIC” is nothing short of extraordinary. This magnificent score is made even more enjoyable with multi-channel, 5.1. I was truly impressed with the SACD portion of this player. On the DVD-AUDIO side this player performs flawlessly as well. I used another Bowie disc, the 2003 album “REALITY,” and was completely blown away! Everything about this recording screams out look at me and don’t listen to 2.0 CD’s ever again. A side by side comparison of the standard CD release along side the DVD-AUDIO presentation was beyond belief. Boy does CD really suck in comparison! I also tested Faith Hill’s “CRY” album and was equally as impressed. Samsung has outperformed my Pioneer and Denon players in regards to these audio formats and don’t even get me started on the price differences. Run, do not walk to get your hands on this outstanding new player from Samsung. Sure HD-DVD is supposed to be landing by late next year, but why should you wait to fully experience what you currently own today. Of course you should buy HD-DVD but the new HD-941 will get you by until the dust has settled on the future of a true HD, DVD format. Kudos to Samsung for a job well done! Those interested in experiencing all of the specs surrounding this unit can go to: http://samsungusa.com/cgi-bin/nabc/p...VD-HD941%2fXAA Last edited by highdef : 12-02-2004 at 11:44 AM.

11-30-2004, 05:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
snipsnapsappy Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Shell Beach, CA, USA	good review, only the David Bowie album is not in DVD-Audio, it is Dual Disc with Dolby Digital on one side. The Faith Hill album is true DVD-Audio though. __________________ I balked, now the proud owner of both formats. I am now bi-partisan. I enjoy what both red and blue have to offer. My Theater MySpace

11-30-2004, 05:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
PunkMunkey Join Date: Jul 2002	Re: Samsung’s Hd-941 Has Arrived… I do agree that it's a good review...but I do have one question for highdef...this player incorporates the Faroudja DCDi chip correct?...if so, then does the player suffer from macroblocking issues like the other players that utilize said chipset? I purchased a Denon 1910 only to return it due to the hideous macroblocking present in dark scenes...I've been gunshy about buying another upconverting player with the DCDi chipset for that reason...if this player resolves that problem then it may be the one I've been looking for. __________________ ...you left me feeling hopeful I'd never see your face again.

11-30-2004, 10:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
Iguana Man Ex-BadHumor Man Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Jersey, USA	Crap...I just bought a Denon 3910! All this hype makes me wonder if I jumped on the Denon too quickly..... __________________ Get outside and have fun! Nacho Website Focus

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11-30-2004, 04:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
tic-tac toe Join Date: Oct 2002	I WANT IT! We have a 931 that has issues with our plasma TV (mainly the lack of 768p support, I believe) and is unusable. This sounds like just the player I've been looking for... Now I gotta find one. (Oh, and the money to buy one, too...)

11-30-2004, 04:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
slap Actor Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boston	Thanks for the post Highdef, reviews of this player are scare. I've been following the threads over at AVS and the jury is still out on this player. The problem is not enough people have one to test! A few months ago I picked up an 841 open box at BB for under $150. That player seems to be widely considering a faliure because of black crush over dvi but for the price I think it's great as "non-upconverting" player with great PQ at 480P over component plus steallar SACD and DVD-A. But I digress...have you noticed DTS dropout with the 941? This was widely reported with the 931 and 841 but I've never had a problem with my player.

11-30-2004, 06:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
Surf Monkey Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The City of Roses	Fantastic news and a very nice review. Thanks for posting it. I've been waiting for this DVD player for some time now. It's going to be the perfect complement to my Samsung HLN-4365W DLP set.

12-02-2004, 11:46 AM	#14 (permalink)
highdef Actor Join Date: Mar 2001	Here is an updated footnote to my review: I use the 1080i setting (with the EZ-VIEW MODE engaged to VERTICAL FIT) for the playback of all "Full-Frame" programs as it provides the best distortion-free viewing of 4x3 images.