OK just for watching DVDs? (I don't watch TV) After reading all the reviews, I've decided this is the one I want, but watching DVDs is rarely mentioned. What about adjustment to screen size? I also want to get one of those gadgets that convert videos to DVD as part of the package. Any advice? (I literally do not watch TV so that part is irrelevant.) Thanks! OK just for watching DVDs? (I don't watch TV) After reading all the reviews, I've decided this is the one I want, but watching DVDs is rarely mentioned. What about adjustment to screen... » Read More OK just for watching DVDs? (I don't watch TV) After reading all the reviews, I've decided this is the one I want, but watching DVDs is rarely mentioned. What about adjustment to screen size? I also want to get one of those gadgets that convert videos to DVD as part of the package. Any advice? (I literally do not watch TV so that part is irrelevant.) Thanks! « Show Less
484134
DVD's look great on this plasma screen. They look a little better with a Panasonic Viera DVD player, but not a lot better, so I not sure it is worth the extra expense (and slow start-up time) for the Panny DVD player. This screen upconverts 480i anyway. My only "complaint" about the 42" plasma screen is that I would have preferred a 37" if Panny made a plasma that size. For my space, (8 foot viewing distance) 42 can be just a tad too big sometimes at full screen with lots of motion.
52461
I've used mine only to watch DVDs and it works fine. I haven't tried the TV yet.
839945
They are right. Download to computer and burn disc , I 'm not real computer literate as I have a problem viewing the disc on my tv. Which I blame on not knowing how to the right software to burn a DVD. But anyway, I wanted to add that you could also email the video as an attachment to your prof,
253452
I just picked one up from BB today, and the included manual isn't much more helpful. According to the manual, it is going to be up to the individual production of discs as far as what you'll be able to get from components. IF the protection is enabled, without HDMI you will only be able to view 480i or 480p. 720p or 1080i, either through HD DVD or upconverted SD DVD would/could be blocked. Hope this helps. Like I said, I have the unit and I'm watching it now with SD DVDs until tomorrow, and the upconversion is MUCH better than my previous Toshiba DVD upconversion player. Star Wars III was absolutely fantastic (picture wise. Unfortunately this unit cannot yet "upconvert" poor scripts, but I digress). If anyone wants to ask anymore questions, I'll be picking up a couple HD DVDs tomorrow (Tuesday 4/18) as well as getting some from Netflix, so I'll have plenty of review material.
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Did You ever get an answer on this. I have the same deal, including 4:3 aspect DVDs which are stretched to what I call "fatscreen". I have fussed with everything imaginable. If you have an answer, please email me at <michael.steeno@us.army.mil>
713611
Update: Watched a dvd last night (the same dvd I first tried) and the picture was perfect - even using HDMI 1080p setting! This time I chose "Anynet HDMI DVD" from the source list on my tv settings, which I don't remember being an option before. I previously chose "DVI". I wonder if that made the difference. Hmm. Anyway....glad my dvd's now look just as great as the HD channels. Thank you for responding C.Woodruff. :)LadyR
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I use mine on a regular basis , have not had any problems with it. Plays standard / full screen and everything else, but when playing a widescreen dvd I just click on the zoom button on the remote and good bye to the widescreen . It will read zoom on the upper left hand side of the screen but it does not interfere with the viewing.
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Coley- You made a good choice buying this TV. We love ours. As for making adjustments, sometimes you can make things worse, not better, by fiddling with the controls,unless you are really (like engineer) savvy. We did fool around a little, but then left it alone. I think Samsung should have an TV adjustment CD available for us to buy for their product. Someone said there is a general TV adjustment CD on the marked that you can buy, but I haven't found one yet. tv's are really complex these days.
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Did You ever get an answer on this. I have the same deal, including 4:3 aspect DVDs which are stretched to what I call "fatscreen". I have fussed with everything imaginable. If you have an answer, please email me at &lt;michael.steeno@us.army.mil&gt;
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Thanks David and Jay. Since I posted, most dvd's have looked excellent. The one I had judged it on before the post (The newest Harry Potter) may just be a bad disk. I will keep your recommendations in mind as I'm sure I will need to adjust for certain dvd's. I now agree that this is a great player and an excellent value.
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Brit ... do you watch non-Region 1 DVDs? If you watch DVDs from other regions, the Oppo DV-980H is a good buy. If you watch only Region 1 DVDs, and do not need the DV-980H other capabilities (SACD, DVD Audio, High Res. JPEG, DivX, etc.), consider getting the Toshiba HD-A30 or the HD-A35 HD DVD player. These two models are actually HD DVD players but upscale SD DVDs (slightly) better than the DV-980H. These 2 models have the same ABT video processor used in the DV-983H, but sells at a lower price as HD DVD has been discontinued. Boot up time of these 2 models is longer than the DV-980H (its about a minute) but you have the added capability of playing HD DVD movies which are now heavily discounted, some selling for less than SD DVDs. I have both the DV-980H and the DV-981HD, and both are very good models. I am certain that the DV-983H is as well built as the 980 and 981, with a bit more improvement on the video as well as the audio. I have both the HD-A30 and the HD-A35. Both are very good HD DVD players. Both are also very good DVD players. Were it not for the discontinuation of the HD DVD format, these 2 models would sell for much more. I understand that Toshiba's production cost in mid-2007 for the HD-A30 was for approx. $400, while the HD-A35 was for approx. $500. Both are built like a tank. Getting the HD-A30 for less than $200 is a very good bargain. The HD-A35 with its more advanced audio capability is also a good bargain despite its premium over the HD-A30. That said, the DV-980H has capabilities that the Toshiba HD DVD players do not have. If you have need these or have some use for these, then you can't go wrong with the DV-980H. Good luck. Edit: The price of the Toshiba HD-A35 has gone up from $230 to $300 shortly after the post above so its no longer as good a bargain as before. The HD-A30 however remains a good buy under the conditions described above.
1008400
One of the posters talks about the picture quality while using non-HDTV. I think he said he has it in a trailer, so no HDTV. Also, this unit doesn't have an S-Video connection, which is what is needed to get the best quality standard def. picture (at least that's my understanding). Which tells me that this unit is really not intended mainly for standard def viewing. Vizio, Sharp, and Philips make some units still with S-video connections. Maybe some others do, too, but so far I've found only those three brands. And if I had to guess, I would guess that eventually they'll all stop putting in S-Video connections, as more and more people start subscribing to HDTV.
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I appreciate the tip about the Sony PSP. I'll Look into that. I actually already have a really good Sony Portable DVD. There are just a couple of problems with it that seem to be the downfall with most Portable DVD players. First it is really pretty bulky and with Airport security and the rest of the craziness with air travel, the less and the lighter the load with a small child in tow is preferable. The other problem is her want to remove/change DVDS on her own which is tending to cause some damage to the DVDs themselves. I still haven't purchased anything because I am really trying to find the best item to suit my needs and I really appreciate the helpful advice. I appreciate the tip about the Sony PSP. I'll Look into that. I actually already have a really good Sony Portable DVD. There are just a couple of problems with it that seem to be the downfall with most Portable DVD players. First it is really pretty bulky and with Airport security and the rest of the craziness with air travel, the less and the lighter the load with a small child in tow is preferable. The other problem is her want to remove/change DVDS on her own which is tending to cause some damage to the DVDs themselves. I still haven't purchased anything because I... » Read More I appreciate the tip about the Sony PSP. I'll Look into that. I actually already have a really good Sony Portable DVD. There are just a couple of problems with it that seem to be the downfall with most Portable DVD players. First it is really pretty bulky and with Airport security and the rest of the craziness with air travel, the less and the lighter the load with a small child in tow is preferable. The other problem is her want to remove/change DVDS on her own which is tending to cause some damage to the DVDs themselves. I still haven't purchased anything because I am really trying to find the best item to suit my needs and I really appreciate the helpful advice. « Show Less
1179374
Jorge .. I almost forgot. If you have some Region 1 DVDs, play this on the HD-A35 and be surprised at just how good the HD-A35 is at upscaling your standard Region 1 NTSC DVDs. I particularly recommend you try Star Wars 2 & 3. I think you will like what you see. =) Now, if you like what you see and want to do the same with your Region 4 DVDs, consider adding the Oppo DV-980H or Oppo DV-981HD to your list of DVD players. The HD-A35 will play only Region 1 DVDs and Region Free DVDs. My DVD collection consist of Region 1 NTSC, Region 2 PAL, and Region 3 NTSC DVDs. This is why I have the Oppo DVD player in addition to my Toshiba HD DVD player. Jorge .. I almost forgot. If you have some Region 1 DVDs, play this on the HD-A35 and be surprised at just how good the HD-A35 is at upscaling your standard Region 1 NTSC DVDs. I particularly recommend you try Star Wars 2 & 3. I think you will like what you see. =) Now, if you like what you see and want to do the same with your Region 4 DVDs, consider adding the Oppo DV-980H or Oppo DV-981HD to your list of DVD players. The HD-A35 will play only Region 1 DVDs and Region Free DVDs. My DVD collection consist of Region 1 NTSC, Region 2 PAL, and Region 3 NTSC DVDs. This is why I... » Read More Jorge .. I almost forgot. If you have some Region 1 DVDs, play this on the HD-A35 and be surprised at just how good the HD-A35 is at upscaling your standard Region 1 NTSC DVDs. I particularly recommend you try Star Wars 2 & 3. I think you will like what you see. =) Now, if you like what you see and want to do the same with your Region 4 DVDs, consider adding the Oppo DV-980H or Oppo DV-981HD to your list of DVD players. The HD-A35 will play only Region 1 DVDs and Region Free DVDs. My DVD collection consist of Region 1 NTSC, Region 2 PAL, and Region 3 NTSC DVDs. This is why I have the Oppo DVD player in addition to my Toshiba HD DVD player. « Show Less
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I bought the DVDs, then backed them up on my computer by using a free program called Handbrake: https://handbrake.fr/.I disagree with the statement that one needs a large screen/monitor to do these exercises. I use my 8.4 inch tablet (was easily using a 7.0 in before) to workout all the time, both at my gym and when travelling. I would assume that most people have selected a tablet size that is appropriate for their own visual acuity.Good luck to you!
538832
This is straight out of my manual that came with the TV. Go to your source menu and scroll down to DVD. Select the DVD mode and then Insert your DVD. The data side of the Disc has to face towards the front of the unit. The player will load the Disc automatically and there will be an on screen indication letting you know that the Disc is reading properly. The DVD will switch to play mode automatically. The on screen Disc Menu will display for your selection. I'E' Play, Rewind, Fast forward, Etc. I have two of these 15 inch Curtis TV'S and both DVD players work just fine. If you still have problems with the DVD you might have to send the TV back for an exchange or a refund. Good luck! This is straight out of my manual that came with the TV. Go to your source menu and scroll down to DVD. Select the DVD mode and then Insert your DVD. The data side of the Disc has to face towards the front of the unit. The player will load the Disc automatically and there will be an on screen indication letting you know that the Disc is reading properly. The DVD will switch to play mode automatically. The on screen Disc Menu will display for your selection. I'E' Play, Rewind, Fast forward, Etc. I have two of these 15 inch Curtis TV'S and both DVD players work just fine. If you still have... » Read More This is straight out of my manual that came with the TV. Go to your source menu and scroll down to DVD. Select the DVD mode and then Insert your DVD. The data side of the Disc has to face towards the front of the unit. The player will load the Disc automatically and there will be an on screen indication letting you know that the Disc is reading properly. The DVD will switch to play mode automatically. The on screen Disc Menu will display for your selection. I'E' Play, Rewind, Fast forward, Etc. I have two of these 15 inch Curtis TV'S and both DVD players work just fine. If you still have problems with the DVD you might have to send the TV back for an exchange or a refund. Good luck! « Show Less
1034144
If you want DivX/XVid playback consider the Philips range of DVD players. The model I have has a USB slot up front - great for loading up something from your computer on a flash drive and enjoying it on your TV minutes later. Another interesting thing you can do is get an external hard drive (formatted to FAT32) and plug it in through the USB slot - it will read like normal like a giant flash drive. That's really awesome when you think about it!