Video Features
The progressive-scan output is king of this unit's video features, but keep in mind that you'll need a high-definition or HD-ready TV to appreciate its benefits. (The included S-video and composite-video outputs work just fine with older TVs, however.) Progressive scanning displays all 480 video lines in one pass to provide strong vertical resolution and flicker-free, high-density images. Likewise, 3:2 pulldown is a videophile treat. It accurately translates 24-frames-per-second movies into 30-frames-per-second television signals, correcting any distortion and removing redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture on any component-video-equipped direct-view or projection TV or monitor.

Audio Features
The DVD-P721M is compatible with standard CDs, audio CD-Rs and CD-RWs, and discs encoded with MP3 audio files. A 96 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converter ensures optimal decoding of all disc formats, while 2x audio playback lets you hear the movie or music while you search, where most other DVD players are mute. The player's Phantom Surround processor simulates surround-sound effects using only two speakers, and a 25-inch stereo headphone jack has a convenient rotary volume control.

Connections
Beyond the Memory Stick port, the DVD-P721M's traditional audio connections include two sets of left/right analog-audio outputs for compatibility with stereo Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions and two digital-audio outputs (one each of coaxial and optical) to route Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel signals to a surround-decoding audio/video receiver. The back panel offers one output each for S-video and top-of-the-line component-video, as well as two standard composite-video outputs.

Other Features
The player provides motion zoom, chapter digest, and a universal remote control (with jog/shuttle dial) that operates the DVD-P721M as well as most TVs and VCRs. You even get a special EZ remote for controlling basic DVD functions. Supplied accessories include a composite-video AV cable, instruction manual, two remote controls, and two AA batteries.

Product Description
The DVD-P721M is a no-compromise DVD source component that brings innovative functionality and unprecedented convenience to home entertainment systems. The striking silver front panel sports a new backlit function display, convenient jog shuttle dial and a slim port that accepts the versatile Memory Stick media for simple playback of digital audio and images from your PC. The robust 17" wide chassis also bristles with rear panel connections, including the Progressive Scan-capable component video output terminals. And this powerful performer is compatible with a host of audio, video and still image formats including: DVD, DVD-R, video CD and CD-R/W discs encoded with MP3 music files or digital photos, as well as the increasingly popular photo CD discs. A handy universal remote includes its own jog shuttle control, and can easily handle a host of TV's, VCRs and other equipment. The Memory Stick-compatible DVD-P721M can help the entire family enjoy family photos, downloaded music files and the latest DVD movies or music CDs from the comfort of the living room sofa.

- you can zoom in on the picture
- there is a replay button so if you missed what someone said, you hit this button and it goes back 10 seconds
- turning subtitles on and off is really easy - some players requre that you stop the movie and go back to the root menu
- for DVDs that allow it, you can view the scene from different angles

The Progressive Scan is really neat also. For the money, this DVD player can't be beat.


Not a Samsung Skeptic anymore   December 9, 2002
 15 out of 17 found this review helpful

At first I just walked into [...] and thought that I wanted a telephone until I saw this DVD player. It was on sale for [$$$] when I purchased it last year, and while I took it to the cashiers, I realized that there were five other people holding one. I didn't want to purchase a DVD player, as they were overpriced last year, but since my brother is a DVD fanatic, I needed one in order to borrow some of his movies. Well, I must say that I bought this player thinking that I'll use it for one year and dump it for a better one, but I still have it. My husband and I have the player connected to our Bose Home Theater System, our 36" Flat Screen TV, and our state of the art stereo system, and it works as hard as the rest of the equipment. Compared to my brother's [$$$] DVD player (bought 3 years ago), I must admit that I just can't see the difference between the two -- My brother has a SONY. Once I turned the DVD player on, its quality makes our cable company, AT&T Broadband, look like they are providing us horrible quality television -- I even called AT&T to complain. If you're looking for a DVD player that wants to do just that: Play DVDs, then this is an excellent buy for the money and quality you get. However, if you're looking to find a player that is going to play with you, by providing you with a number of useless buttons for "sleep" or "eat" or one that is going to have "pretty" on-screen numbers and so on, then you will have to purchase yourself a [$$$] system. One other thing that I've noticed about people who complain about their DVD players is that they "lock" and they have to turn it on and off. Well people, please note that when you rent movies from [...], and the DVD is dirty, your player will "lock" because it can't move, or will give you fragmented pictures. Take the DVD out, then clean it with WINDEX, and pop it right back in -- it works fine! We have not had one single problem with our DVD player, except that once in a blue moon it will get fragmented pictures and we know that its the CD, so we clean it with WINDEX, pop it right back in, and grow more annoyed at [...]. We've probably spent more money on rental DVD movies the last six months, than it cost us to buy this player. Extremely satisfied! It does what it's supposed to do, and everything else is completely trivial and unimportant.

Oh before I forget, one thing I actually do LOVE about the player is that when it fast forwards or rewinds, it is able to do it by chapters, or by different speeds. I've noticed that this feature is NOT provided in most DVD players -- my brother's SONY and my friend's players don't have this feature, except for a limited speed, while the Samsung does up to 128x, I believe. It forwards and rewinds by doubles (i.e., 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, 32x,... and so on). So if you stopped your movie half way, it's very easy to get back to where you left it. Plays MP3 and CDs, but you may have to turn on your television to do so, depending on how your connectivity worked out -- we didn't have any more input/outputs on our receiver, so it was set up directly with the television. Other than that, for those who can figure this out, this is great!

It does the trick!!


Fairly easy to setup - gorgeous to look at   September 7, 2002
 8 out of 12 found this review helpful

There is a slight delay after you make your selection on the remote, but I think this is standard for DVD players. I am having a bit of trouble finding the full title listings on my mp3 disks, and the instructions have a small typo, which doesn't help my search for the correct solution. All I get for the mp3 tracks are numbers.

Regarding the remotes: The small remote has keys that glow in the dark - although they are not "lit" internally.

All in all, I am satisfied with this player.