In 2003, DVI w/HDCP (digital visual interface with high-bandwidth digital content protection) became a de facto connection standard for most mid- to high-end HD monitors. This multipin computer-type connector carries the uncompressed digital video signal directly from the DVD into the display device. The promise: a pure digital connection with no digital-to-analog-to-digital conver sions, providing a cleaner, more lifelike DVD picture.

To investigate this claim, I reviewed one of the first DVI-equipped players, the Samsung DVD-HD931. This handsome unit has a silver faceplate, a soothing baby-blue display and a bright cool-blue backlit scan shuttle ring. It looks more expensive than its $349 retail price would suggest. (Expected street price is $299.) The feature list is equally impressive. It includes a standard 480i output via component, S-video and composite video connections; a progressive (480p) analog output is also offered via the component video connection. Through the DVI connector, the user can choose upconversion to 480p, 720p or 1080i scan rate outputs while the signal remains in its digital form. Other features include MP3 audio with programmed play, JPEG photo play, zoom (2x and 4x), a non-proportional zoom called S-fit, analog audio output, digital audio output (via both optical and RCA jack) and Faroudja deinterlacing with DCDi signal processing.

I checked out the DVD-HD931’s performance by using the 480i scan rate first, then 480p (analog) and the DVI (digital) outputs. The 480i performance is best described as ordinary and comparable to players selling for less than one-third its price. So I moved on to the higher scan rates you would use with an HD set, beginning with 480p. I viewed a number of DVDs, both movies and test discs. The player produced (via its analog component video output) a picture that could only be described as unremarkable. In fact, my two-year-old progressive player produced better, clearer results. Test signals confirmed the lack of perfor mance, as did numerous visible picture artifacts. How could this be, I pondered? This unit has Faroudja’s coveted deinterlacing with DCDi circuitry. I inserted my trusty Faroudja Test Disc that was designed specifically to compare Faroudja upconversion favorably against all competitors. I ran every test. The player failed each one! Where lines should have been solid, they flickered; where patterns should have been black and white, they produced multi-colored rainbows. Faroudja uses a very famous flag- waving test where the stripes on Old Glory should look straight and true. They were as jagged as the teeth on my biggest wood saw.