Samsung DVD611 DVD Player

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Samsung DVD611 DVD Player
Offering is as of 6-10-2004. Click through for current pricing and availability.

Televisions > Samsung DVD Players > Item 15

	Samsung DVD611 DVD Player
	by SAMSUNG

Dolby Digital and DTS output
Coaxial and optical digital-audio outputs
10-bit video and 24-bit audio digital-to-analog converters
Video black-level adjustment
Component-video outputs

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

Amazon.com Product Description
The Samsung DVD611 high-resolution DVD player incorporates a 10-bit video digital-to-analog converter and a 96 kHz, 24-bit audio digital-to-analog converter to ensure precise playback and pristine audio quality from every disc. Left/right audio output terminals let you use the unit with a Dolby Pro Logic receiver, so the typical six-channel Dolby Digital signal is mixed down to a compatible Pro Logic signal. A 2x audio playback allows the soundtrack to be heard even when you are fast-forwarding...