Samsung DLP TV Review

Model: Samsung HLN507W DLP TV
Description: 50" HD DLP TV
Resolution: 1280 x 720
Includes: Built-in 30W audio system, universal remote control
Color: Silver base with black bezel around screen

Reviewer: William Becker
Review Date: 05.25.04

An Overview of DLP Television

Texas Instruments introduced DLP (digital light processing) technology in 1996, hailing its unique ability to deliver a digital video signal from start to finish-i.e., without compressing it into an analog signal. DLPs utilize Digital Micromirror Devices (DMDs), which literally reflect digital information as sequences of red, green, and blue light.

Each frame of a movie is separated into its respective red, green, and blue components and then digitized into samples for each color. Each of the DMD's 921,600 (or 1280 mirrors horizontally by 780 mirrors vertically) micromirrors is, in turn, controlled by one of those color samples. These micromirrors reflect (or deflect) the reds, greens, and blues coming off a backlit color wheel, according to how much of each color is "written into" the digital video signal for each frame. DLPs display color images as rapid sequences of red, green, and blue sub-frames projected on to a screen, one right after another.

In the end, it is the human visual system that integrates or "reads" this digital signal cum RGB color sequence as a full-color image. All the blending of color and image formation is done on the viewer's end, so you might say that DLPs deliver digital video signals all the way up to the time the brain interprets them as analog (or "whole picture") signals.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Samsung's next-generation digital TV is meant, according to the manufacturer, to address "high-definition performance, compact design and affordability when compared to other flat panel designs." To that end, Samsung utilizes the latest in DLP technology: Texas Instruments's second-generation, HD-2 DMD (digital micromirror device). TI's latest-and-greatest DMD is supposed to counter the most persistent complaint with respect to DLP technology-its inability to generate truly deep blacks. This partly owes to the amount of light bouncing around the system, some of which inevitably reaches the screen when it's not supposed to. The HD-2 DMD is supposed to be engineered in a way that helps mitigate this problem by absorbing some of this unnecessary light output. Along with hi-def performance, DLP technology helps Samsung deliver on its promised compact design for the HLN507W. The set measures 46.6" x 33.8" x 17.6", making it only slightly bulkier than RCA's much-ballyhooed 50" Scenium. And, while Samsung's set has slightly larger proportions than RCA's does, the former weighs a full 20 pounds less. The HLN507W's relatively lightweight, compact build makes placement a breeze-as does its unobtrusive and, yes, versatile design. But more on this later. Suffice it to say that Samsung has assembled all the ingredients-including a first-rate DMD chip-to make good on its promise of high-definition performance delivered in a small unit at a reasonable price (under $4000).

Picture: 90/100

Straightaway, I was impressed with Samsung's anti-glare coating on the HLN507W's screen. Even with the TV turned off, you can't make your reflection out on the screen's surface, nor do slight amounts of ambient lighting interfere or compete for screen space. This is a fairly bright display-though not the brightest of the DLP bunch-so moderately lit rooms ought not wash out the image projected on the screen too much. Even so, I was partial to the screen as it looked in a darkened room, though other reviewers have contended just the opposite: that the picture looks a bit better with some of lights on in the room. (Since external light intensities do affect the set's black levels and overall color saturation, using the DYNAMIC picture preset will help compensate for the dulling effects of daytime television watching.)

Like I've said, the brightness of this set is quite good, as is the contrast, though the HLN507W does have a built-in limiter, which causes white levels to drop once you've pushed the contrast past a certain point (about 85 or so). As a matter of fact, when I used Video Essentials to calibrate the contrast, I couldn't really get the whites to "bloom"-proof that the limiter was doing its job. But you don't really need to pump the set's brightness to the limit; I was perfectly content with it set at 53 (out of 100). This TV is plenty bright for even the most light-starved pupil.

Setting the color to industry standards was a cinch with the Samsung: I was able to get the blues to match up perfectly on the test pattern. And, perhaps more importantly, when I did, the red was nicely saturated (not supersaturated or in any way blinding), and the yellow was, well, yellow (not orange or some reddish approximation of yellow). It is worth noting, however, that the TINT function won't operate in PC, DVI, or 480p and higher modes. You'll have to trust the factory settings, but this should cause you little in the way of trepidation: The reds and yellows, in my experience, are almost always dead-on when the blues are set correctly.

The Samsung has three global picture presets: STANDARD, MOVIE, and DYNAMIC. It also provides a CUSTOM setting for those inclined to do some "tweaking" of their own. Color temperature is adjustable, with options like NORMAL, WARM 1, WARM 2, COOL 1, and COOL 2. The jump in reds, for instance, from WARM1 to WARM2 is considerable, as is the jump in blues on the other end. I preferred WARM 1 mode, which, to my eye, was still vaguely cool or blue, but this did not seem to throw-off skin colors too much. (WARM 2, on the other hand, was just a little too warm or red, which makes everyone seem like they have a slight case of rosacea.)

The ASPECT button on the remote toggles among the set's five display-mode options: ZOOM 1, ZOOM 2, WIDE, PANORAMA, and NORMAL. Each format works differently. WIDE stretches 4:3 content to 16:9 ratios. PANORAMA stretches the sides, leaving the center of the image more or less intact. NORMAL is for viewing standard 4:3 content with black bars on the sides. To my mind, PANORAMA creates a bit too much distortion at the edges of the screen. As the name implies, ZOOM 1 and ZOOM 2 zoom in on the center of the screen by cropping the top and the bottom of the image. I, for one, had a hard time imagining the utility of these functions, but they're there-needed or not.

Input Jacks on the Samsung HLN507W DLP TV

Other Considerations: 90/100

The HLN507W has fairly wide viewing angles compared to most DLPs I've tested. The horizontal angles are still wider than the vertical ones (meaning you need to have the TV set-up at just the right height for optimal viewing). Samsung advertises a .155mm high-definition dot pitch, claiming that it "improves picture clarity especially when viewing higher definition video signal like DVD and HDTV." I have neither time nor space enough to verify the accuracy of such claims, though I can cite anecdotal evidence (e.g., the HLN507W's pretty-good-for-DLP viewing angles) supporting them.

The Samsung's sound system is adequate. It features 30W coming from two channels, and the system delivers sufficiently loud and clear audio with reasonable bass response. Left and right speakers are located in the lower frame area. The BBEâ High Definition Sound Processing Circuit attempts to recreate the surround-sound experience using only two speakers. While there is literally no substitute for the real thing, this system does as good a job as can be expected, given its spatial limitations. You can listen to your TV in different modes for sports, music, and dialogue. You can also customize your audio settings.

Like most DLP TVs, the HLN507W takes about 30 seconds to display a picture after a cold start. This is an inevitable delay. To avoid confusion as to whether the set is being turned on or off, Samsung has assigned the "on" function a tune consisting of a few ascending notes and the "off" function a set of descending notes. That's a nice touch, which scored a lot of points with the women in my office, who liked such audible reassurances.

The front of the Samsung is quite clean, without buttons or inputs. At the bottom center of the set is a circular LED indicator, which tells you when the lamp has burnt-out, or that the fan is malfunctioning, etc. This is a nice feature, especially for people who aren't that comfortable "messing around" with their televisions, trying to diagnose a problem. In lieu of forward facing controls, Samsung has stowed them on the lower right side of the unit. A single set of A/V inputs (Composite Video, L/R audio, and S-Video) is located midway down the left side of the front panel.

When it comes to inputs, the Samsung is literally packed with jacks! It comes with two Component-Video inputs that accept 480p, 720p, and 1080i sources. A third Component-Video input takes 480i and 480p. A standard VGA-style computer input is also present, which accepts resolutions up to 1024 x 768. A pair of A/V inputs with S-Video, two antenna inputs, one antenna output, and an A/V monitor output further enhance this set's connectivity.

Note: You are only able to store custom settings for groups of inputs. There are four "groups": Video 1-3 and S-Video 1-3; Component 1-3; DVI; and PC.

The universal remote included with the unit is sufficiently functional, though far from optimal. It is not backlit, which makes it useless in a darkened room. Which might very well be a good thing: This remote isn't going to win any beauty contests. It is a dull gray plastic, fairly unsubstantial, and slightly squat. It seems utterly mismatched with a slick, high-tech unit like the HLN507W.

Value: 91/100

The Samsung would have scored even higher in the value category if it had a built-in tuner. But, alas, it doesn't. Besides that, though, the Samsung HLN507W is a good-looking and fine-performing appliance, which delivers quite a bit of "bang" for your buck.


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