DAEWOO 3000N DVD player Review with pics

[Erwin]

The DAEWOO DVD 3000N Player Review

Well, it’s already here.

[img]http://communities.msn.com/_Secure/0OgAiIIoUSFL03JRZ3bVLnsPy*TTWqeykee6ewZbiNhAUrlLr* W9ftEenR7DkBGiOYDJat2XT8sAFe0GXSsxc*d85H*Q!Xto8/daewoo-main.jpg[/img]

The Look
The body style is very nice and it doesn’t have that “cheap” look (you know the ones I’m talking about: Oritron, Memorex). The front display, however, is cheap looking. The front LCD display is a BASIC form much like the ones you see on calculators (only it’s backlit with a green light). It’s mostly metal/aluminum with a plastic face plate. I would compare it’s look to the earlier Panasonic DVD players. Even the word DAEWOO is engraved on the top like the Panasonic A110s were which is kind of cool looking. Ok, enough of this.

The Video
The video quality is good. It’s a little better than the Apex and almost as good as the Curtis Mathes. I don’t know if this model has a bad video card or what, but at times when you insert a XVCD, blocks will appear everywhere. They appear mostly when a character moves or talks. You could see one block covering the entire mouth when the character would talk. When I changed chapters and went back to same scene or when I reinserted the disc, the problem would go away. I don’t know if I bought a LEMON or not. If the next one I buy doesn’t have this problem; I would say the video is very good. It plays DVDs fine.

The Audio
The audio is fine like most DVD players. It has a nice 3-D sound feature. It lets you control the volume within the DVD player. It provides analog and coaxial hookup for sound. It does not appear to have an audio synch problem.

Performance
Some of this was already mentioned in the Video department. The Pros: it appears to have seamless transitions between chapters(almost). It’s very fast when going through the chapters. The hookup is very easy to work with. It handled all the XVCDs I threw at it. The Cons: If the video problem that this player currenyly has did not exist, there would be no Cons.

Remote
This remote is identical to the Curtis Mathes DVD player remote in looks with a few buttons missing such as “power”. The remote responds well with the player.

Surprises
I opened up the hood like I have been on all the players I have been testing. Like the Apex and Curtis Mathes, it’s got a rom drive too. Another surprise is that it appears to have the same video card as the Apex with an ESS chip. It wasn’t too difficult to disconnect. They seem to have put some “sticky yellow substance” or glue around the IDE and electrical plugs, but that didn’t stop me. The player worked well when I hooked it up to my CDROM and DVD-ROM. One advantage it has over the Apex is that if you ever wanted to replace the ROM with another DVD-ROM or CDROM, it would be very easy. I placed my DVDROM in the DAEWOO player on the platform and took the DVDROM’s faceplate off and the tray ejected evenly out of the drawer without any modifications. If anyone has anything to add or knows anything about this player- please respond .






[img]http://communities.msn.com/_Secure/0OQAlADAUET703JRZ3bVLno73Zgf*MoopcgdHtzsisrmER*uAM axxJRxcO!Lq8YodTV53pnpBhHCwqlr9r4O1GaT7kafEvFTW/daewoo-ess.jpg[/img]
Same as the Apex

[img]http://communities.msn.com/_Secure/0OwAAAP8Uqmv03JRZ3bVLngnOQNF*u1kdiokEZlmCx!MxAy9nE L9fk7J*7s10bEVjreoCNs1!PbkS8MDReGF2LF9y4jhaReq9/daewoo-drive.jpg[/img]
The DVDROM Drive is exposed.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Erwin on 2001-09-24 20:38:50 ]</font>

[Kdiddy]

Did you test out the miniDVD option with this yet??..I hear it does it but only in "file" mode, IE, you have to use the mp3 menu and play the vob file....so it does not play like a true DVD, wonder if you tried this yet or not??

[Erwin]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-09-24 18:40:54, Kdiddy wrote:
Did you test out the miniDVD option with this yet??..I hear it does it but only in "file" mode, IE, you have to use the mp3 menu and play the vob file....so it does not play like a true DVD, wonder if you tried this yet or not??
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't have any miniDVDs, but it would be nice if this player was compatable w/ this format.

[Kdiddy]

from everything I gather....it is in a way, it will play the .vob file in file mode what contains the mpeg-2 video & ac3 sound....just cant take advantage of creating your own chapters, subtitles, seperate audio streasm & such..I THINK, thats why asking you to know for sure about the latter.

[ilc]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
The front display, however, is cheap looking. The front LCD display is a BASIC form much like the ones you see on calculators (only it’s backlit with a green light). It’s mostly metal/aluminum with a plastic face plate.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

It's really odd that the 3000N has this crappy display...because the manufacturer of the 3000N (GVG, of Hong Kong, although the player is made in China) put a very nice standard multi-colored RFT display on the 3000N's "sister" models -- the GVG DV-930 and DV-935. Click below to see a picture of the 930:

http://www.gvg.com.hk/english/m2/hk/dvdb/dv-930.gif

Also, I have a question. Could you please take another look at the sticker on the firmware chip -- on which the top line says "DV-3000N" -- and tell me what the last 4 digits are on the *SECOND* line? The last 4 digits should be either "3031" or "3030".

Thanks in advance.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ilc on 2001-09-26 01:33:38 ]</font>

[ilc]

You can play only the VOB files...it's not "true" miniDVD playback. Maybe someone over on Nerd-Out.com can alter the firmware so that true miniDVD playback is possible. This has been done with the firmware of the Apex AD-700 / Haier HD-700.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-09-24 21:32:45, Kdiddy wrote:
from everything I gather....it is in a way, it will play the .vob file in file mode what contains the mpeg-2 video & ac3 sound....just cant take advantage of creating your own chapters, subtitles, seperate audio streasm & such..I THINK, thats why asking you to know for sure about the latter.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

[Kdiddy]

yeah I know...I have an altered firmware for my GE1101P...was just asking about the daewoo..because the Sams has them in HIGH supply whereas the GE models they dont have any more at my local WalMart..and they have no clue when they will be getting more

[Erwin]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-09-26 01:28:51, ilc wrote:
Also, I have a question. Could you please take another look at the sticker on the firmware chip -- on which the top line says "DV-3000N" -- and tell me what the last 4 digits are on the *SECOND* line? The last 4 digits should be either "3031" or "3030".

Thanks in advance.


</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

It's "3030". That silver model looks much better.

[Erwin]

After almost a week of testing, I can honestly say this is a "choice" DVD player. It seems to work better with your spare DVD/CDROM PC drives than the Apex (although the Apex works, it's just not as good). I have the DAEWOO hooked up to a very slow Quad(remember this word)speed CD-ROM drive that I had from my early college days and it works great on those burned XVCDs.
Please note, I am not Anti-Apex, those are great DVD players for XVCDs. If they didn't have that problem with audio skipping, I would gladly keep the 500w(this model skips on DVDs mostly though).

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Erwin on 2001-09-28 19:19:29 ]</font>

[ilc]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
It's "3030". That silver model looks much better.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Have you tried copying any DVDs? I ask because, from what I've been reading, the ones that come with the "3030" chip also come with a video chip that doesn't "know" what Macrovision copy protection is...these "3030" chipped models are hard to find...so luck was on your side when you picked up your player!

[Erwin]

[quote]
On 2001-09-28 20:13:54, ilc wrote:
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
Have you tried copying any DVDs? I ask because, from what I've been reading, the ones that come with the "3030" chip also come with a video chip that doesn't "know" what Macrovision copy protection is...these "3030" chipped models are hard to find...so luck was on your side when you picked up your player!

</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Unfortunately, the macrovision is there. I played a DVD through my capture card and it did that thing where the screen "bounces" and stays there while the audio moves forward. Oh well. I have noticed that when I use my CDROM on the DVD player, the video will occasionally show some streaming rainbow-blurry-like spots(probably b/c the drive is only a 4x). I haven't tested it fully with my Hi-Val though.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Erwin on 2001-09-29 16:46:07 ]</font>

[Erwin]

Ilc, it looks like there is another silver version of the DVG-3000n with the same plain display. Sorry, I had to get rid of that picture b/c scrolling back & forth was getting annoying.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Erwin on 2001-10-01 21:31:13 ]</font>

[next]

Erwin - I finally took a look at your pics. It looks like it has an ESS chip in it. No big deal. Many low end players use this decoder chip. Watch out for any warranty support. It looks like Daewoo has disowned this unit. I'm hearing ALOT of complaints from people who purchased them from Sams Club. Some are saying that Daewoo will not honor any warranty support from units purchased from Sams Club. Must be something wrong with them. Well....good luck anyways.

By the way what decoder chip is in the Curtis-Mathes? Probably just an ESS too?

[Erwin]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-10-01 17:58:24, next wrote:
Erwin - I finally took a look at your pics. It looks like it has an ESS chip in it. No big deal. Many low end players use this decoder chip. Watch out for any warranty support. It looks like Daewoo has disowned this unit. I'm hearing ALOT of complaints from people who purchased them from Sams Club. Some are saying that Daewoo will not honor any warranty support from units purchased from Sams Club. Must be something wrong with them. Well....good luck anyways.

By the way what decoder chip is in the Curtis-Mathes? Probably just an ESS too?
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Here is a picture of the decoder chip. You can't get a warranty with the DAEWOO, that is most certainly true....But, you can provide $5 for a SAMS warranty which is even better. SAMS will give you the money back (no questions asked- can't beat that). Not only that, but SAMS provides a 90 day return policy which is more than enough time. I have 2 ProScan DVD players. One went out on me and Ciruit City gave me $270 store credit (ah, what to buy..what to buy ). I am glad that I bought the extended warranty for the ProScan, but $65 is bit different from $5.
I like the Apexs, but after reading several topics/posts from the forum, "Nerdout"(I think) that you made referrence to last week, I am a little nervous about owning the 500w which is why I took mine back today. But, apparently, you've had pretty good success with your Apex models (but then again, I did not purchase the same model you did).
Oh yeah, back to the topic, it looks the Curtis Mathes has "C-Cube" chip.

[img]http://communities.msn.com/_Secure/0PACpEu0VV6Bknqsbj1IifWCjo0XlZc3T3Ai9Kdus4SEr47DIy bnwXVE5Ffi27jjRFFJckemNtuSuyg5xIS2!5S8CTec*msi3/curtvideoboard1.jpg[/img]

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Erwin on 2001-10-01 22:18:52 ]</font>

[ilc]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-09-30 22:17:56, Erwin wrote:
Ilc, it looks like there is another silver version of the DVG-3000n with the same plain display. Sorry, I had to get rid of that picture b/c scrolling back & forth was getting annoying.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Erwin on 2001-10-01 21:31:13 ]</font>
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Yup...Daewoo's Web site (www.e-daewoo.com) has the silver version pictured...and this is the same picture on the DVG-3000N hack page:

http://www.dvd-wizards.com/darrenk/Daewoo_DVG3000N/DVG-3000Npatch.htm

I doubt that there's any difference between the black and silver players besides the color of course

[ilc]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-10-01 17:58:24, next wrote:
Erwin - I finally took a look at your pics. It looks like it has an ESS chip in it. No big deal. Many low end players use this decoder chip. Watch out for any warranty support. It looks like Daewoo has disowned this unit. I'm hearing ALOT of complaints from people who purchased them from Sams Club. Some are saying that Daewoo will not honor any warranty support from units purchased from Sams Club. Must be something wrong with them. Well....good luck anyways.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Daewoo claims that the player was sold by "a third party" to Sam's, and thus that conveniently makes it easy for Daewoo to disown the unit.

But that story really sounds far-fetched to me. I've personally never heard of a major outlet like Sam's/Walmart getting into a situation like this.

A theory floating around about what is *really* going on: the MPAA has probably contacted Daewoo, questioning them about the easy remote control access to the Factory Control Page. Daewoo is probably trying to avoid liability, so they have made up this story about the third party (probably telling the same thing to the MPAA) in order to distance themselves from the player.

To me, that theory sounds a lot more believable than the "third party" story.

[Erwin]

"To me, that theory sounds a lot more believable than the "third party" story."
Agreed, besides SAMS will provide a better warranty for $5.