------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Samsung N501 Review
by Kevin Manne
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type: NUON-Enhanced DVD Player
Release Date: Available Now
Pack-in: Ballistic
MSRP: $249
Features:
* MP3 Support
* 152 VLM Effects
* Support for CDRs
* NUON Enhanced A/V Processing System
* Dual Front Panel Joystick/Peripheral Ports
* Convergence Cockpit User Interface
* Moving Zoom Display System (1x - 20x)
* Multi-Angle Thumbnail Display
* Multi-Picture Strobe Display
* Integrated HDCD ¾ Decoder System
* Component Video Output Terminals (Y Pb, Pr)
* DTS ¾ Compatible Optical and Coaxial Digital Audio Output Terminals
* Advanced 10-Bit Video DAC
* High Speed High Linearity 96kHz/24 Bit Audio Converters
* Universal Joystick Remote Control
* Next Generation NUON Enhanced DVD Video Player
The third NUON-enhanced DVD player, and the first new NUON deck of 2001 is
finally here - the Samsung DVD-N501. Rumors of this player started flying
around January during CES, where the player made its first public
appearance. Rumors of MP3, CDR, enhanced VLM and more started circulating
around and got most everyone excited for this new entry to the NUON
lineup.
Initial pictures of the N501 weren't exactly favorable, so it was surprising
to open up the box and find a sleek, silver machine inside. The color is the
same as most of the new -flat screen- TV's you see around these days. The
angled look really makes it stand out on the shelves, and when stacked up in
your A/V rack. The blue-colored readout on the front matches the
-futuristic- feel of the player perfectly. And, to top it all off, there's
a nice big NUON logo on the upper right, and the words -NUON-Enhanced DVD
Player- on the upper left - leaving no doubt that NUON is inside this
machine. A smart change of pace from the -Extiva- moniker that Samsung was
attempting to attach to their series of NUON DVD players with the N2000.
Powering up the N501 reveals a new intro splash screen along with a new,
easier-to-navigate GUI system. The graphics are much brighter and easier
to read, and the menu is basically just more logically laid-out. No more
digging through many sub menus to find what you zre looking for. The new
Virtual Light Machine (VLM) menu system works well, too - thanks in part
to the -VLM- button on the N501's remote.
Speaking of VLM, there's much to love for VLM enthusiasts packed inside
the N501. 152 total effects allow for even more variety than before, and
(thankfully) user-interactivity via analog joystick is implemented here
too. What was once a passive - cool to look at - fancy screensaver now
becomes a more engulfing sensation-having control over those insane visual
effects on screen is just mesmerizing.
The enhanced beat-detection on the VLM is a very welcome addition as well.
Where the N2000's detection seemed a bit off and/or limited at times
(HDCD's worked wonderfully though), the N501 is simply wigging-out all the
time. But, perhaps you are not exactly happy with how the visuals are
responding to the audio? No problem - just cycle through the different
beat detection options depending on what type of music you're listening to
- Classical, Rock/Pop, Techno, and even -Chill Out.
Supposedly in order to keep the VLM running quickly with so many other
resources being used in the background, the resolution of the N501 VLM was
cut in half. Would you notice this if you'd never used the N2000? Probably
not. What if you had used it but didn't hear about the lower resolution on
the new VLM? Definitely not. While some effects tend to look blurrier than
others, they're mostly the new effects. Ones that carried over from the
N2000 don't look a whole lot different. In fact, some look cooler with the
blurriness up a notch - they just look that much more trippy. One thing's
for sure, the lower resolution definitely does not make the effects look
blocky at all. If anything, they look smoother and more liquid.
One of the huge additions to the N501 over the N2000 (and the SD2300) is
official support for CDRs. Here on the N501, there's no problem whatsoever.
This is perfect for burning your collection of CD' s into MP3 format and
cranking them out through the VLM.
Speaking of MP3's - yes, that feature is in here too. A folder-style
navigation menu handles the organization of the files, though names are
truncated thanks to the limited space and lower screen resolution of
standard TV monitors. Something that would have been great here would be
the ability to play random MP3 files with a shuffle feature, but it
appears not to be available on the player. Fast-forwarding and rewinding
of MP3s is not standard, but does exist as a hidden feature accessible via
a combination of key presses on a controller with an analog stick.
One of the favorite features of NUON, the zoom feature, is back once again
as well. For some reason the zoom-in is limited to 15x over the N2000's
20x (and 16x on the SD2300), but it moves very smoothly - that is, once
you figure out the control scheme. If you are used to the N2000 it will
take a minute to adjust to the new setup. Previously controlled by the
joystick on the remote only, now zooming in and out is accomplished with
the Screen Fit and Digest buttons ( adjacent to the Zoom button) and
panning around the image is controlled with the stick.
The remote is sleek and silver, just like the N501 itself. More compact in
size than the slightly bulky N2000 remote, but what it gains in a trimmer
size, it loses in the sizes of the buttons. The number pad, volume and
power buttons are fine but the smaller buttons such as the track skip and
NUON/repeat/ strobe buttons at the bottom tend to be hard to hit with
larger hands. Not to worry, though, because with time you will learn where
the buttons lie and will be able to hit them without much strain.
One disadvantage or those with -Digital Ready- stereo receivers is the
lack of a Dolby Digital decoder in the N501. Also, you won't find the
abundance of video and audio outs that were readily available on the
N2000. But, under normal circumstances, these won't be missed as there are
still plenty for most home users. Optical, coaxial, stereo, component,
composite and S-Video are all available here, while the N2000 provided
pairs of composite and stereo outs. These features were most likely left
out to keep production costs down, as the N501 retails at a low MSRP of
$229 (the N2000 launched at $349). Also missing from the package is a NUON
controller and demo disk.
All in all, the N501 handles a lot smoother and just -feels- better than
the N2000. The improved VLM easily beats the old versions with its highly
improved beat-detection and interactivity. CDR and MP3 support simply put
this player over the top - if you've no need for a Dolby Digital decoder
and a few outputs on the back, go for the N501. While the N2000 was a
great machine, the N501 is here to stay and has features good enough to
make it a worthy upgrade for N2000 owners and new adopters alike.
Specs:
- Audio Frequency response: 4 Hz - 20.05kHz (44.1kHz, 1 dB): 4 Hz -
48.0kHz (96.0kHz, 1 dB)
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 108 dB
- Dynamic range: 96 dB Video - Signal-to-noise ratio: 68 dB Audio
terminals - Coaxial digital out: 1 set
- Optical digital out: 1 set
- 2 Ch Audio Out (L/R): 1 set Video Terminals - Composite video out:
2 sets
- Component video out: 1 set
- NUON ports: 2 sets
- S video out: 1 set Dimensions - Net dimensions: 17"(W) x 2 3 /4
"(H) x 9 1 /2 "(D)
- Net weight: 6 1 /4 lbs. Supplied Accessories: Audio Video Cable,
S-Video Cable, Instruction Book, Joystick Universal Remote Control
with 2 AA Batteries UPC Code: 036725605015 Size - Shipping
dimensions: 20 1/2 "(W) x 6 1/2 "(H) x 15"(D)
- Shipping weight: 9 1/4 lbs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
