i'm looking for an HDMI dvd player for my Samsung LE26R41BD. (it's in the bedroom, so at the moment i'm using my PS2!!*)


i've read mixed reviews of both these units...but i only have £120 to spend.

1st question:
Is there much of a difference between the two units. (is it worth spending an extra £40)

2nd question:
is there another 'budget' player that'll do the upscaling better/the same without the problems of the sammys?

cheers for your help


* I know, I know...a toaster would give me a better PQ than the PS2!!

[alan_t]

go for the philips dvp5900.

[Lord Midas]

Well, I have the HD950. I have it connected to my Sammy 26" LCD via HDMI and it is spot on.

Ok, I only watch region 2 DVDs but for the money it has been superb. I tend to watch my films at 720p too.

[alan_t]

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-...?reviewid=6519

the 850 only received a 79% in a review

[senu]

Originally Posted by Al Gunning

i'm looking for an HDMI dvd player for my Samsung LE26R41BD. (it's in the bedroom, so at the moment i'm using my PS2!!*)


i've read mixed reviews of both these units...but i only have £120 to spend.

1st question:
Is there much of a difference between the two units. (is it worth spending an extra £40)

2nd question:
is there another 'budget' player that'll do the upscaling better/the same without the problems of the sammys?

cheers for your help


* I know, I know...a toaster would give me a better PQ than the PS2!!

No to both questions
For PQ there is none . The Phillips 5900 uses the same chipset ( has its own little gremlins ) so they are perhaps ( a much of muchness).
For the cost difference I would buy the 950 over the 850 but ...wait. Samsung have recently announced the 860/960/1080 .. I doubt that there will be any great cost difference from the current models and some of the annoying traits of the 850/950 may well have been addressed

[unique]

as far as i know, the difference between the 850 and 950 is the 950 plays sacd and dvd audio as it has 6 phono stages at the back for analogue audio output. the 850 is silver and 950 is black

there are a few niggles with the 950, which you can read up on if you search here. i have the 950 and the niggles dont bother me anymore

[senu]

Originally Posted by unique

as far as i know, the difference between the 850 and 950 is the 950 plays sacd and dvd audio as it has 6 phono stages at the back for analogue audio output. the 850 is silver and 950 is black

The 950 has a built in dolby digital decoder ( processor) and therefore 6 channel analogue output (5.1) bypassing the need for an external AV amp if you have a self powered surround speaker set.
It also has the brightest display panel light in the (whole wide ) world
( can be turned off)

there are a few niggles with the 950, which you can read up on if you search here. i have the 950 and the niggles dont bother me anymore

Those niggles also apply to the 850 ( PAL/ NTSC auto switching, the HDMI not supported message)
Like you ,I only find them a minor irritation more than anything else
The PQ of 850/ 950 and the Phillips 5900 are pretty much the same, ( at 720p: great if not earth shaking, but certainly not poor )
PS: If this will sway you I understand the Phillips can now be had for £75-80, Try Richer sounds first

[unique]

Originally Posted by senu

The 950 has a built in dolby digital decoder ( processor) and therefore 6 channel analogue output (5.1) bypassing the need for an external AV amp if you have a self powered surround speaker set.
It also has the brightest display panel light in the (whole wide ) world
( can be turned off)



Those niggles also apply to the 850 ( PAL/ NTSC auto switching, the HDMI not supported message)
Like you ,I only find them a minor irritation more than anything else
The PQ of 850/ 950 and the Phillips 5900 are pretty much the same, ( at 720p: great if not earth shaking, but certainly not poor )
PS: If this will sway you I understand the Phillips can now be had for £75-80, Try Richer sounds first

senu has wrapped up the main niggles - the blinding light (which turns off), non auto switching (but won't bother you if you don't play ntsc), and the message (which can be turned off, and only appears at the start of a title set for about 2 seconds)

the other thing is it doesn't tell you the remaining time left on a movie or chapter

i think i read the phillips uses the same chipset, thus should be of similar PQ, but i don't know much about the phillips at all

might be an idea to get check the prices of the 3 models and read reviews. i think i saw someone say the 850 is about £80, so it might be the same price as the phillips. i dunno if the phillips plays divx etc though, or if it can be made multi region. you also get a hdmi-hdmi and dvi-hdmi cable with the sammys, dunno about phillips, a cable can cost £10-£20 easily

cheers for the info...


i've just ordered the 850 for £74 - only reason i wanted the 950 was cause it was black!

i'll have 30 days to send it back if it really bugs me.

[Stampax]

74 quid? thats cheap - where from?

[MarkyPancake]

Originally Posted by Stampax

74 quid? thats cheap - where from?

Samsung HD850

It was up to £87 last week.

aye, Amazon.

couldn't really justify the extra dosh for the black style. looks like i'll have to just get my magic marker out!!