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  Product:     Samsung DVD-L300 Portable DVD Player  
  Price:     $647 (CAN) / $520 (U.S) 
  Supplied By:     Samsung Canada
  Author:     Hi-TEK
  Date:     March 3rd, 2005
  Rating:     star star star star star star star star

Samsung DVD-L300 Portable DVD Player
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Samsung DVD-L300 Portable DVD Player
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Once in operation, Samsung DVD-L300 Portable DVD Player works exactly like a regular set top DVD player providing the same level of functionality. The unit quickly loaded up the top level menu and provided quick access to the scene selection on the "Matrix Revolutions" DVD.

Samsung DVD-L300 Portable DVD Player
Click image for larger view
Samsung DVD-L300 Portable DVD Player
Click image for larger view
 

DVD playback was exceptionally smooth and the display quality was excellent. I didn't experience any performance issues while watching one of the pivital scenes in the movie where Neo battles his arch nemesis Agent Smith. I did note that the 16:9 aspect ratio really brings wide screen movies to life and additional scene enhancements are available in the EZ View Menu if you want to experiment with Letter Box, Pan Scan, Screen Fit and Zoon Fit options. The specifications for the DVD-L300 advise that this unit supports regular DVD's and DVD-R formats. I can confirm that my backup DVD's worked on this unit with no problems.

Samsung DVD-L300 Portable DVD Player
Click image for larger view
Samsung DVD-L300 Portable DVD Player
Click image for larger view
 
The Samsung DVD-L300 Portable DVD Player doubles as an audio player supporting regular music CD's, MP3's and WMA files. By pressing the Info button on the remote or front panel places a small display in the top left hand corner with information on the track number and time remaining in the song. Avid game players can also use the DVD-L300 as a portable display for gaming consoles such as the XBOX or PS2. Using the supplied cables, I connected both the audio and video ports on the DVD-L300 directly to my XBOX and was able to play a few rounds of "The Punisher" on the small 10" TFT-LCD screen. The image quality during game play was average with some noticeable ghosting in some areas of the screen. I can only contribute this to the low refresh rate on the 10" TFT-LCD.
Conclusion:

The Samsung DVD-L300 Portable DVD Player is a feature rich product that caters to those individuals who want an all-in-one multimedia solution. Samsung Canada has done an good job in incorporating an abundance of useful and easy to use features into one product. Consumers will appreciate the sleek light weight design and easy to navigate On Screen Display menu options. The product includes a remote control that is very handy for everyday use and has a nice non-complicated button layout. The DVD-L300 is the perfect item to have for traveling and Samsung has included a good assortment of cable accessories in order to adapt this product to different environments. While I was pleased with the performance of the DVD-L300 there are a few negatives that should be commented on. The first disappointment with this product is the very weak integrated speakers; the overall movie experience is completely lost unless you connect this product to an external source such as a pair of high-end speakers, headphones or a stereo receiver. The lack of a volume control on the remote control is a little disappointing especially if you want to control the DVD-L300 from the comforts of your couch. Finally, the add-on battery pack only provides 2.5-4 hours use which should be only good enough to get through one movie before the unit needs recharging. Consumers who want to constantly use this product on a daily basis will find the need to have the unit plugged into a wall socket at all times. Aside from the few minor issues, I'm rating the Samsung DVD-L300 Portable DVD Player a final rating of 8 out of 10. If you have any questions regarding this review be sure to visit the Samsung Canada website for more information or discuss them in our forums.

 
Thumbs Up! Pros:
  • All-in-one portable multimedia solution
  • Good picture quality and sharp display
  • Aesthetically pleasing compact design
  • Easy to navigate On Screen Display menu
  • Good assortment of accessories
  • Includes wireless remote control
  • Supports DTS, Dolby Digital and SRS
Thumbs Down! Cons:
  • Price
  • Weak Integrated stereo speakers
  • No volume control option on the remote control
  • Battery life limited to 2.5-4 hours
  • No carrying case included with the product
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