What is DLP? DLP, or Digital Light Processing, is a technology that bounces a colored light beam across an array of hundreds of thousands of hinge-mounted microscopic mirrors attached to a single chip, called a "micro mirror device" (below, pictured with the head of a pin). Each of the mirrors can be pointed toward or away from the light source thousands of times per second, providing not only minute color detail but also sharper resolution than even LCD displays.

And, when you're ready to take on the world of high-definition television, just add an HD satellite/off-air receiver or an HDTV tuner to enjoy full-quality digital HDTV broadcast programming. The set features a DVI-HDTV interface (compatible with HDMI, or high-definition multimedia interface) so you can establish a direct, premium-quality digital connection with your DTV receiver.

Samsung's DNIe (or Digital Natural Image engine) Video Enhancer augments all analog NTSC and wideband video inputs for an overall improvement in picture quality. DNIe improves contrast, white level, and picture detail, incorporating digital noise reduction to improve low-quality video sources. The set's Automatic Digital Format Conversion System is compatible with 1080i and 720p HDTV, 480P EDTV, and 480i SDTV formats. The system accepts any DTV, analog TV, or XGA computer RGB input. All video signals are converted to a progressively scanned 16:9 widescreen pixel count (1,280 x 720 resolution).

Film Mode 3:2 pulldown detection renders DVD movies in their native 24-frame format. Digital video mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24-frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture.

Samsung's HD Ultra-Fine Pitch screen further improves picture clarity, especially when viewing higher-definition video sources like DVD and HDTV. The .155 mm screen brings out subtle image details otherwise unnoticeable on standard .72 mm pitch screens.

A total of 13 video inputs handles more than just about any set we've seen and includes the DVI input mentioned above, a PC input (D-Sub 15 pin, XGA), three each composite-video and S-video inputs, two high-definition component-video inputs, a DVD-specific input that handles 480i/p outputs, and two standard RF inputs (for VCRs and cable boxes).

You can assign picture-format sizes to each video input; the remote's Aspect button toggles through the set's five options: zoom 1, zoom 2, wide, panorama, and normal (the TV retains the last format setting for each input); and all onscreen information and menus appear in translucent overlays, letting you view video programs in the background while you consult the setup menus.

The 15-watt-per-channel stereo audio system benefits from BBE High Definition Sound with a five-band equalizer, which enhances the sound from both movies and music programs. The Sound Mode Preset feature gives you dynamic sound settings for whatever you're watching--choose from standard, music, movie, speech, or custom.

What's in the Box
TV, remote control, two AAA batteries, and a user's manual.

This TV may drop in price, but is really becoming popular for obvious reasons. If you see it anywhere on sale, go ahead and buy it, I highly recommend it!

I then ran out and upgraded my cable box to a HD box.... ok, this is a big wow! It's so good it's almost stupid. I sat there mesmerized by this almost surreal picture. Travels through Italy, Hogan's Heroes (who knew this stuff was in HD?), Three Days of the Condor, and the College World Series... it was almost like being there... actually it was better. I may never leave the house!

Hookups are great. Plenty of component, s-video, and even a DVI (which I haven't used yet, although my cable box does have DVI, hard to believe the picture could be better). As integrated speakers go, the Samsung sounds great. It has a simulated surround sound mode which I tested with Apollo 13 and, while not high end surround sound, I was quite impressed. This ain't your daddy's tv speaker. Out-of-box experience was as good as it gets. It was well packed, easy to unpack, and everything worked perfectly. The remote will not win awards for revolutionary design, but it was intuitive enough for me to get to everything I needed.

My only real world experience with big screen tv is my dad's Sony rear projection. What impressed me with the Samsung compared to that experienece is... you can't get too close (no tunneling), it looks great from the side, from the floor, and standing up.... you do lose a little brightness, but it's still very watchable. It's not as good as plasma, but it's not far off. One of my pet peeves with big screens is the finish on the glass... I much prefer the "matte" non-reflective finish of the Samsung. And when combined with the superb brightness, you can watch (and enjoy) the picture even in a brightly lit room.

It wasn't easy for me to pull the trigger... I've spent the past several years of lusting over big screen televisions... never passing up the opportunity to peruse the aisles at BestBuy and Circuit City... watching the evolution from rear projection to plasma to LCD... and nothing really impressed me (ok, the plasma did impress me, but the pricetag was beyond comprehension). But there was always something that turned me off... my dad's Sony projection is cool, but when I watch a movie on it, I can see "CNN" and "Live" burned into the corners of the screen... and then I learned that you can get burn-in on plasma as well. Yikes. Then I saw the DLP... and I came close to falling in love.

If you're thinking about going HD and you can afford it, you will not be dissappointed with the Samsung.

1) Distance is key for achieving a good picture from a non-HD source!!!

Even the manual gives you a mathematical way of determining appropriate viewing distance. I've never seen anything like it. I could see the picture falling apart if I just took a step or two inside the recommended distance, but it looked excellent otherwise. I should probably note that the distance issue is almost eliminated when you are viewing from a HD source like a HD tuner or DVD player that has progressive output.

2) Think long term!!!

This TV was not built to impress those who are satisfied with a SD picture. Any complaints about the TV that I (and most others) have had deal exclusively with a non-HD picture. This TV's picture when viewing from a HD source is second to none! It's far better than any plasma or LCD screen I've seen -- thanks to DLP. The day is fast approaching when all transmissions will be in HD, and when that day arrives, then there should be NO complaints about this TV. Its HD picture is simply stunning!