So who has one these DVD players? I am looking at the Sony model and I was wondering if it really works. Hopefully I can finally free up one of my component inputs so I can plug my XBOX into it. The Comcast HD box already takes up one and the other is taken up by my current dvd player. From what I understand, the DVI connection send both video and audio so I am not sure how that is going to work with my receiver set-up. My TV has the DVI input so no problem there. Always looking to decrease the number of cables.

I'm relatively certain DVI is video only. Audio will still be just as it is with component video.

If you're just looking to free up inputs, it certainly will work for that - DVI does indeed carry a video signal.

Are you looking at the machines that upsample standard DVDs (interpolates 480p to 720p iirc)? Reviews I have read say it does marginally improve picture quality.

Don't mistake those for true DVD-HD/Blu-ray which use a different physical media (like CD vs. SACD). This provides true, native HD (720p/1080i) data volumes and rates.

HDMI Interface for HD Ready TV Sets
� 720/1080i Upscaling of HDTV Level Resolution Video Output
� Super Audio CD Multi-Channel Playback
� Precision Cinema Progressive� Technology

I don't want to "waste" $300 for a marginal improvement. I was hoping that someone would have one already and give an honest opinion. I'll probably get it anyway but you know.....

If your TV "has the DVI input", HDMI is irrelevant.

If your TV has an HDMI input, different story, different answer.

HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) is video and audio.
DVI (digital video interface) is video only.
Two different standards.

HDMI is based on DVI and is backwards compatible - i.e. you can carry video-only out from a DVI-enabled component to an HDMI-enabled component. You won't get the audio.

http://www.siimage.com/documents/DVI_HDMI70lores.pdf

Regardless, if you want audio through your receiver/processor instead of the TV itself, you'll likely still route audio via Toslink/S/PDIF. Unless your receiver/processor has HDMI inputs and video switching.

Time to look for the manual for the tv again.....

Well, I found out that my TV only has the DVI and not the HDMI so the only player that I can buy is the Samsung model. I will pick one up for $165 from the place I bought the TV from and they are giving me a pretty good deal on it so I guess it will work out. It even includes the cable. So much for trying to stay all Sony.

I have the Sony DVP-NS975V connected via an HDMI to DVI cable to the DVI input of my Toshiba 34" CRT HDTV. I then use high-grade analog audio cables to handle the sound to the TV (it's in a small room in an apartment, so I do not bother with an audio system).

On anamorphic DVDs of CG movies ("Finding Nemo", for example), it is simply breathtaking at 1080i. The "Lord of the Rings" movies also look astounding.

Star Wars Episodes 1 and 2, being filmed in HD to begin with, actually kind of suffer - the SFX are blatently obvious since they're running at native resolution on a screen far, far smaller then they were intended for. They still look gorgeous, though.

Anamporhic DVDs look best. The better the DVD, the better the output. Watch TV series DVDs or an older, unrestored and non-anamorphic movie and it's little different then watching it on a progressive DVD player at 480p on your HDTV.

This is a really good scaler for the price: http://www.dvdo.com/pro/pro_ishd.html - also gives you more inputs.

So, If you are talking about the 841, I would totally stay away from that one. The 941 should be out soon, in a couple of weeks.

or, the new panasonic P97 is out now. That will do upscalling,

Friends don't let friends buy the Samsung 931 or 841.

Well, I went and picked up the Samsung 841 last night. As some posters have noticed, some dvds look better than others. I noticed the newer releases were the most clear on tv. (65" Sony widescreen HDTV) One thing that I don't like is that the remote for the unit isn't very responsive and I have to press the buttons multiple times for it to register.

Can you tell me what is wrong with the 841? I can always exchange it for the newer one when it comes out because the place I bought it from has a very liberal return policy.

I did some research on the 941 and it states that it uses HDMI. If that is the case, my tv only supports DVI and I don't like to use conversion cables as it seems to lose quality that way. Is there anything wrong with the 841?

So,

there are plenty of issues with the 841, drawer locks, discs don't come out, sparkling on some DVD's, poor image quality for some discs, due to disc quality.

head over to AVSFORUM and search in the DVD thread, you will find MANY bad responses.

I went through two units before giving up.

the 941 was suppossed to be DVI when it was first announced and I ordered it. It has since to come out yet, but should be soon.

as for DVI to HDMI, I don't think a conversion cable should suffer. I don't seem to have problems with the HDTIVO converting to my DVI in panny. And that is with the stock cable.

After cursing at the remote multiple times every time I tried using it, This player is going back. I think I will go with the Sony player and the HDMI conversion cable. $400+ but crap, it's xmas time soon right?

I'm quite pleased with my Sony, and darned if I can tell any difference between HDMI>DVI and just straight DVI>DVI. At this resolution, "bits is bits".

And even more pleased I got 18 months same as cash from The Good Guys on my card. ^

I payed cash which is almost as good as money right?

Does your tv have a DVI or HDMI input?