 Classic & Current gamers read this!! |
| Review Date: February 3, 2007 |
| Reviewer: M. P Devino, kansas city |
I purchased this DLP TV about a month ago. I'm a hardcore gamer and collector of classic gaming systems having about every major system from the 80's to the present. I had purchased a 32 inch ADVENT HD tube TV about a year and a half ago.Wonderful TV by the way not one issue and outstanding deal running all modes except 1080P. This suited me just fine until I finally made my purchase of an XBOX 360/Wii about a month ago. The only downfall about the ADVENT was basically the 16X9 ratio although true would letterbox the XBOX 360 and Wii games as well as some Cube/PS2 games. This promted me to start my search for a larger TV now that I finally had a taste of "TRUE" HD gaming with the 360.
Like many people we all seem to get the 1080P idea in our head right away. This promted me to only search for an LCD TV at first. I had my eye on a Westinghouse 42 inch model that had all modes, but upon furthur investigation contrast was not very good. This was also the case on a Sceptre brand that was about $400 dollars less than the Westinghouse, again same issue after investigation not very good resolution. I also was willing to sacrifice 1080p for better contrast by searching for Plasma. Chatting with friends from Best Buy said there still is the chance of burn in even though most don't. For my case a lot of the older systems like SNES/Genesis/TurboGrafx where you have a static life bar not to mention older technology I didnt want to chance it.
This brings me to DLP, my main concern with these type of HDTV was I had heard about slight hesitation on projection TV's such as when you push the fire or jump button there was a slight millisecond hesitation. I realize this sounds pretty picky but I would notice something like this. Well after shopping, comparing, headaches etc.. I decided that the Samsung DLP was the best HDTV to go with. I sacrificed my 1080P but realized that the 360 runs in 1080i right now which this TV supports and when I do get the PS3 eventually I can be happy with 720p. There really is not too much of a difference as either way the picture is stunning.
The first game I popped in the XBOX 360 was Oblivion. The only setting I changed on the TV on initial startup was I put the TV into game mode which honestly with it on or off for the 360/Wii I didn't notice really any difference. On the other systems I did which I will explain later. All I can say is, Oblivion was STUNNING to say the least. NO I REPEAT NO hesitaion or millisecond lag when I jumped my dark mage jumped. The true test was of course Gears Of War I was floored by the image that this Samsung DLP put out for this game. Freaking AMAZING. The same can be said about the Wii. Zelda floored me on it's clarity, not so much as the 360 I had to remember that Zelda was originally a Cube title so there were a few jags but overall still a beautiful picture with component cables, I can't wait to see what Metroid 3 looks like on this TV as most of the Wii games coming out now are next gen.
The one issue I had with the TV has to do with what I mentioned about the Game Mode on the television I believe was made intentionally for the systems that support component cables for High Def gaming. For the 360/Wii I really couldn't tell a difference HOWEVER and this is where it gets a bit complicated. I tested all my game systems and noticed when the game mode was on there was a slight flicker that is noticable. I'm sure that this is due to older technology. So here is my quick rundown for the game mode settings.
XBOX 360/Wii-on or off I really couldn't tell the diff
Cube/PS2-games that support your HD cables on these two systems Game Mode on or off I really couldn't tell a diff/games without progressive scan support Game Mode off
Genesis/Snes/N64/Dreamcast/Saturn/Turbografx 16/basically any older game system-Game Mode set to off as there is a slight flicker with it on, and it shows on those systems that don't have HD cable support
I hope my review helped a bit if you like me are/were searching for an upgrade. This Samsung DLP TV is an absolute gem of a TV for gaming and for the price it has all the features and probably the cleanest sharpest picture I have ever seen on a TV even next to LCD/Plasma screens. Another side note DLP TV's will eventually need to have the bulb replaced after four or five years. The bulb right now runs about $175 shipped which when you think about it. Being able to replace the bulb will keep this TV running like new for virtually forever or until they place tv chips in our heads. I realize that was corny but I cannot stress how much I think this TV rocks.
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Excellent TV
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| Review Date: November 21, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Kevin, |
I had previously owned the Samsung HLN437W 42" DLP set for 3 years which I liked, but had some problems with since it was a first-generation DLP model. I received the HL-S4676S as an upgrade on a warranty exchange for my old set (not from Amazon or its affiliates). It took me some time to decide how I felt about the new set, but after a few days of use I am quite happy with it.
This set has a newer light engine (4th generation?) than my previous set with quite a few updates. The new color wheel reduces the rainbow effect that some people find irritating on the older models. This is much harder to detect on the HL-S4676S. The "screen door" effect is lessened on the newer set making individual pixels harder to distinguish from a close viewing distance. Also, the black levels on this set are much better than my old set. With the older light engines, dark colors were muddy and internal reflections limited the black levels in dark scenes. This set shows a consistently dark black in appropriate areas as grays and browns look a little more natural. Color reproduction is also more appealing with especially noticeable improvements in yellows/oranges and blues/purples.
The user interface is fairly nice and better organized than on my previous set. New features allow quite a few color adjustments, but I have found that the default settings are pretty close to optimal. Brightness and Contrast settings may be the only ones that you need to adjust for your viewing area. I use an external 5.1 receiver with my TV so the option of the internal mute is nice so I don't have to set the volume down to zero on the set or watch with "MUTE" displayed on the screen. The HL-S also features a USB port to connect any storage device to in order to view a .jpg slideshow or even play .mp3 music files. This is a nice feature, but may not get a lot of mileage. This feature is easily accessed through the on screen menu system.
I would recommend this set based on the many improvements I have seen since my previous Samsung model. Certainly, the overall appearance is much nicer with the glossy black finish and shallow 10" cabinet. With enhancements to picture and user interface you can't go wrong. All this comes in a package that has a 3" wider screen than my previous set while also being 20 pounds lighter (weighs under 50 lbs) and 6 inches less deep. |
Amazing TV at an exceptional price!
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| Review Date: December 17, 2006 |
| Reviewer: R. Barrett, Delaware |
I was originally looking at the s4266w, but I took a look at the dimension of this model, and thought, why not!?!?
only approx 2" wider, but more shallow then the 42" version!!!
I work for a major cable company, and see HDTV's everyday...all brands all sizes....I knew I wanted DLP....the Sony 3LCD projections are nice, but im a stickler for detail, and the screendoor effect was just too much for me to handle....
With the Samsung's, the bulb is easily accessible when you see fit to change it, and costs under $200...better then buying a new TV in 5 years...
With this TV the base is also slightly smaller then the screen, giving it a tapered look...since that was the case I was able to keep my old TV stand which is 40" wide and still have an inch on each side of the base... (38" wide base for this TV)
The only thing missing from this TV for some people would be a built in QAM Tuner....no matter if you have a cable box...
Great control over picture quality, but honestly I use the presets and they look great....
I can't judge the audio since I am running through a Home Theatre setup...
Straight out the box, and no problems at all!!!! |
Excellent Choice for the money
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| Review Date: November 28, 2006 |
| Reviewer: First Time Reviewer, Maryland |
Performed days and days of reviews, online and in the stores, for the common question nowadays, what technology should i rely on? DLP, LCD or Plasma.
I qucikly wrote off Plasma due to numerous issues, including fragility. For example, you should never carry it tilted! The screen supposedly fades out over a long period of time, and there is nothing pretty much you can do about it. No wonder plasma costs have gone down so much.
Then there were LCD display. The term LCD was confusing, for it refers to two different technologies. First, there is the LCD flat Panel, ruled out because of very high prices, in many cases twice that of Projection TVs.
Then, in the projection TV's, there are three competing technologies too, Texas Instrument Digital Light Projection/Processing (?), aka. DLP, 3LCD projection (mostly used by Sony Wega), and Lycos(sp?).
This particular TV is DLP projection. Advantages include easy of maintenance when it comes to backlight (LCD flat panel have to be fixed at manufacturer if the ever go out, granted, backlight is estimated to last around 60,000hrs). DLP, the backlight, a single bulb, is estimated to last 15K-20K hours, but it is a user replaceable part, currently costing about $200. So every couple years or so, by replacing the bulb, you bring your TV back to life as it was when new! 4YR warranty at BestBuy is about $250, Circuit City $400, Tweeter, $499. So factor in the cost of warranty while trying to figure out best deal. Most would do price match, but not on warranty.
Given the info above, i narrowed my search to DLP TV. Quickly, i started falling in love with Samsungs, for their sharp, bright picture, and overall outside "looks". I find myself watching it even when turned off!
Read countless reviews, trying to focus on what bad things people are saying about it, and honestly, couldn't find much, apart from complaints about sound. So far, in my opinion, sound is excellent as expected from a TV. Hooking it up to home entertainment system yields greater results, as with any other TV.
I have an old TV Antennae, plugged it to my Samsung 4676, and scanned for on-the-air channels......believe it or not, i managed to capture about 40 in my area, suburbs of Washington, dc. I find myself constantly watching the HD-channels over the air...and not needing my cable anymore!! I am even getting out-of-town local stations in my area....eg. i have about 3 or 4 different Fox/NBC channels. I watched Ravens game in Baltimore local channel in HD, since my local cable was only showing Redskins game! So to say the least, since i am hooked to HD picture quality, i am thinking of saying bye bye to cable...and on that note, start saving over 80/month, thus making this TV pay for itself in 18months! Not bad investment at all.
Picture quality without HD is still good enough....but once you see it in HD, you dont want to go back!
I highly recommend purchasing Samsung. This particular model is only 720P/1080i (google those terminilogies, i had to do the same) and newer 1080P (or full HD) usually sell for about 600 more! I have yet to see a provider that provides 1080P signals (progressive vs. interlaced). According to experts, the difference is not usually noticeable to the untrained eye. Save the rest....buy the best....this Samsung, weighing at only 42lbs...and 10" deep. You can even hang it, for its light weight. |
Bargain alternative to LCD or Plasma
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| Review Date: January 31, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Daniel Krause, |
I spent a long time researching televisions, looking for the right upgrade for me. I had been using a conventional CRT for years, and felt that with the advent of HD signals and upconverting DVD players, now was the right time. Initially, I was enthralled with the slim design of LCDs and Plasmas, but then price tag scared me off. By no means am I an extreme audiophile, but I didn't want to settle for second best. For a third of the price of a same size LCD, I got this beauty. At only 10" deep, it isn't all that much bigger than a LCD or Plasma. Additionally, I think it has better built in speakers (until I can upgrade to a surround system), and it has better contrast ratio with no pixellation whatsoever. Here is the breakdown:
Pros:
Great price
Slim design
Excellent picture and sound quality
(goes up to 1080i, and unless you can get a blueray it is all you need)
Light weight (47 pounds, which is less than my old CRT)
Came in an easy to use box (saving it for when I have to move)
No burn-in issues
Large selection of inputs (2 HDMI and more)
Cons:
Smaller viewing angle then a LCD or Plasma
(this was no problem for me, my living room is small and just placed all furniture insinde the optimal viewing angle, additionally it is easy to turn the the tv on its stand to accomodate any new angles)
Takes time for the tv to turn on a warm up (about 20 secs)
Lamp will eventually burn out (this was the biggest con for me, but the much lower initial price for a tv of this size offset this cost for me)
Some people see a ranbow effect on moving images on a DLP
(me and the wife have not had any such problem)
Overall I am very pleased with my purchase of this tv and would recommend it to anyone. |
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