What Hi Fi Sound and Vision
16 MAY 2008
Samsung DVD-HD870
Here it is: the DVD player that has put all the other budget models in the shade.
So how has Samsung done it? Well, rival players have a significant negative point: whether it be a lack of detail, motion problems, or price. The Samsung, on the other hand, involves no such compromise. It’s the one real DVD all-rounder in its class.
The amount of detail and insight on offer here are very high indeed, even in the dark corners. What’s more, once this detail is unearthed, it’s gripped with absolute conviction, regardless of whatever intense action might be trying to shake the Samsung off.
Don’t believe us? Try the castle-storming chapter in Curse of the Golden Flower, and watch as this epic martial arts battle unfolds in sharp, stable, colourful beauty.
Unphased by the toughest of movie challenges
Speaking of colours, the Samsung displays them brilliantly. Bright costumes and neon lights are vibrant and exciting, while skintones are perfectly well balanced and thoroughly natural.
So is this the perfect budget DVD player? No, far from it, but it certainly has the best picture we’ve seen at this price. Sonic ability is more than adequate for DVD soundtracks, but there’s a slight lack of emotion with stereo music. Some might bemoan the absence of 1080p upscaling, but at this price these are minor issues.
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