DVD-V5000
Written: Jan 04 '02
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Pros: DVD and Video player in one component. Good quality in just about everything.
Cons: Irritatingly 'helpful'; joystick a bit 'touchy'
The Bottom Line: For anyone looking for a combination DVD/Video player, this is the one to buy.
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| doreiwolf's Full Review: Samsung DVD-V1000 DVD Player / VCR Combo |
This is actually a review of the DVD-V5000 since epinions don't have it actually listed yet.
Firstly, the differences (that I know of) between the 1000 and the 5000:
The 5000 is the same as the 1000 but has Zoom function, and headphone jack.
This is my first DVD player. We went out looking to buy a new Video player and were looking at the possibility of a DVD player. Since our TV only has the co-ax input, we found we'd have to buy an adaptor to allow us to plug a DVD into the TV. Not what we wanted. The Samsung, however, came with both Video and DVD and had that adaptor inbuilt. That's a good start.
Installation and Setup
For us, installing was easy. Plug in the power, plug the aerial into the back, and run co-ax cable to the TV. Once we'd tuned in the TV we were away.
Setting up was reasonably easy, though some of the menu options aren't really intuitive. Once we'd got it under control we had the time set up, and tuned it into our local TV stations. Each station can be given a 5 character name.
The DVD player
Most of the functions of the DVD player can be accessed with one thumb on the remote (at least for my larger hands). They are all situated around a joystick. This joystick is used for moving around menu options and you actually press it in to select each option. This is where the first problem I found is. Sometimes it's just too easy to press the joystick in a direction and select an option at the same time, so you end up with the wrong option. Depending on the DVD this can be quite irritating
With the buttons around the joystick you can zoom, change subtitles, change audio settings, go in and out of the menu, play, pause, stop, change to the next or previous chapter and so on. I did notice that the Subtitle function seems to be DVD dependent. On almost all DVD's I could bring up the subtitle menu and change it on the fly. However with the Star Wars: Episode I, I could bring up the menu, but when I pressed 'Enter', it told me I couldn't do that. I actually had to go through the actual DVD main menu to do it.
I found it all quite easy to use and apart from the problem just mentioned I've found navigating menus, selecting options and playing quite simple and easy.
The Video Player
Many of the same buttons used for playing, rewinding, etc the DVD are used to control the video player. There are buttons to select which device you're using, and an LED on the display panel shows which is selected.
All of the standard functions work as expected, though occasionally the video seems to become confused with Fast Forward and Rewind and executes either at a snails pace. This only happens occasionally though.
Pause, even on Long Play is very steady (something I'm not used to), and the recording and play back is good.
The Manual
I've yet to come across a decent Manual for a Video player and this one continues the trend. They try to be helpful and give pretty pictures and the like to help you along, but most of the time it looks overly complex. I also found finding specific sections a chore. The manual is mostly based around functions; i.e. 'how do I record a program'. However if you want to know how to perform a function not explicitly listed then you just end up reading the items one by one until you get to the right bit.
Sound/Video Quality
Now remember that I'm using this though the co-ax/aerial cable, therefore I will suffer a loss of quality in video and sound. Despite that, both are better than I've ever had before. The sound and vision on the DVD is excellent and while you get a noticeable drop in quality when going to video (I tested with a DVD and Video of the same movie), the video is still as good as, or better than our old one.
The Good Bits
Having both components in the one box is a wonderful idea. It's just about the same size as our old Video player and therefore sits neatly in the old spot. We were wondering how to fit two components in a space designed for one. That's no longer a problem.
It's also a well integrated system. Copying from DVD to Video is a one button operation (when the DVD isn't copy protected). You can also watch a DVD while the Video is taping a channel. This makes life much, much easier for us.
The Bad Bits
Sometimes this video is just a little too helpful. It tries to be intelligent about which component you're using. If you don't have a DVD in, it will default to the Video for instance. However, often I'll eject the DVD, change DVD's, then press the Open/Close button on the remote to close the DVD door; instead the Video is ejected. You can get around this by pressing the DVD button, but often you don't remember to. It's a minor point but it really is irritating.
Other bad bits? Well none so far.
In Summary
Despite it's little quirks I find the V5000 easy to use and of good quality. It's had almost constant use since we bought it, playing more DVD's than I can count and recording several hours of shows a day (Ahh the joy of the Christmas break). It's performed reliably.
If anyone were looking to replace their old Video, or wanted a DVD or combination DVD/Video player, I'd have no hesitation recommending the Samsung DVD-V5000.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 400
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Epinions.com ID:
doreiwolf
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Location: Australia
Reviews written: 53
Trusted by: 9 members
About Me:
Computer geek, Star Wars nut, toy freak, interested in religion, ancient civilisations.
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