I was wondering if anyone could recommend or tell me to abstain from this player. I haven't been able to find much information on this player, except on the UK Laserdisc website, where a close cousin, the DV-5000N is listed but there are no specs anywhere:

http://laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/samsung/samsung_archive.htm

Was this player a rebadged Pioneer? It is from 1991 based on the manufacturing date but that's all I can find. I found pictures from an eBay auction but I couldn't tell much from it as far as AV outputs, etc.

Funny you ask; I just acquired a DV5100 which looks very similar and was wondering the same.

I took the top off of my unit to inspect and found the chassis to be totally unique. It’s definitely none of the big three of Pioneer, Sony, and Philips so I assume Samsung really made their own chassis.

In any case, my unit is busted and I’m working on seeing what the issue is. If I can’t fix it, no biggy as it’s a really low end player. Thus, I would avoid getting one in general since these are not common so spare parts are going to be a problem. Also, I’m sure the picture quality is not great.

Wow ldfan really cool! There's a local guy selling the DV-5000 with 50 discs (nothing rare) for $150. He says the player works fine. I didn't even ask if it plays both sides - most likely it's a non-flipper. I thought maybe if I can get him down to $100 I may be willing to buy it from him just to play it with it. That said, I don't need another player right now.

So your DV-5100, does it have digital outputs? I'd assume it's got one composite video with a pair of L/R jacks minimum.

Post pictures if you can....really curious now.

Looks like a Sony but I'm totally guessing.

Really worth it only if its working and you need to get a backup player, otherwise may not be worth the risk?

Definitely not an auto reverse unit and no digital outputs. Here are pics of the unit.

Is it unfortunate enough to use a Sony pickup?

Damn.... just opened up the unit again because I was curious about the type of laser pick-up; it's a Sony KHS-130A.

It appears to be completely dead in respect to no red LED, no lense movement, and no pick-up movement. It could be another circuit affecting this issue as I hear a hum after the tray retracts but I have a feeling this baby is probably going to be on the way to recycling center. Good thing I did not pay anything for it.

Thanks ldfan for looking into the laser pickup. Hope you get your unit fixed. I'm on the hunt again for another LD player.