Typical price: £90
What is it: DVD player with video upscaling capabilities and DivX playback
What we think: The Samsung DVD-850 will go down as one of the bargains of the year -- a next-generation DVD player that precedes models from every other mainstream brand
What you need to know
Reviewed on: 20 October 2005
Tags: Samsung, Samsung DVD-HD850, Samsung DVD-HD850, projectors, low resolution
We like:
Slinky design; high-end features; advanced connectivity; wide video and audio format support
We don't like:
DVD-HD950 available for not much more; no DVI output
You might also need:
HDMI to DVI adaptor; component cable; DVD movies
CNET UK judgement:
The DVD-HD850 has been a hot consumer product since launch, offering high-end features at an extraordinarily low price. With the only competition coming from high-end manufacturers like Denon, the Samsung has the mainstream to itself. If you have a flat-screen TV, the true value of this product is more than the asking price
Full review:
It's telling that despite all the flat-screen TVs we've reviewed here at CNET.co.uk, a CRT TV is still our top-rated display. In this transitional period before high definition arrives (a period that will last for several years), there's no doubting that traditional television and DVD sources don't look as good on an HDTV as they do on a normal old CRT. Luckily, there are some halfway-point solutions that help fill the gap between low resolution DVD and high-definition TV panels -- and Samsung is the first mainstream company to release an 'upscaling' DVD player. Continue Reading...
Samsung DVD-HD850 History
1 Nov 2005 in Crave
Toshiba SD-350E: Nearly HD DVD
Toshiba's SD-350E fills the stopgap for those eager for high-definition DVD. By 'upscaling' your DVDs to high resolution, picture quality is dramatically changed, and because it has an HDMI output too, you can smother yourself in its digital goodness
20 Oct 2005 in Crave
Samsung DVD-HD850: DVD upscaler
Samsung's DVD-850 is no ordinary DVD player -- it will 'upscale' your DVD movies to high-definition resolutions. It's the perfect accompaniment to a flat screen or projector, and best of all, it costs less than £100. Bargain-tastic!
Latest user reviews
December 8, 2006
Posted by: Jamie Kellock
"Excellent value for money - poor firmware"
April 21, 2006
Posted by: David Howel
"Cheap, sexy and it works"
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