Reviewing the latest Samsung DLP HDTV Sets
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Introducing the Samsung HL-R66W/67W Series of DLP Rear Projection HDTV Sets
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The Samsung HL-R66W/67W series of rear projection televisions consists of five DLP TVs - all in wide screen format, covering screen sizes 42 to 61 inches diagonally.
These sets are replacing last year HLP-63W series and represent Samsung entry-level models in their 2005 line-up of HDTV products.
All models in this series come with very similar features - the real major difference being a different screen size.
But there are other significant differences as well - in particular between the smallest model, the HL-R4266W, and the rest of the Samsung DLP rear projection TVs in this series of products.
A major difference from the 2004 line of entry-level Samsung DLP HDTV sets is more an issue of style. This year sets incorporate Samsung's floating-screen design, which visually isolates the screen from the bottom part of the set. This leads to a screen design that visually resembles more plasma displays than RPTVs.
All sets
are lightweight and slim, with the smallest in the range, the 42 inch
Samsung HL-R4266W
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Remember that when referring to unit depth, this does not represent floor space requirements, but only the physical dimensions of the unit. You should always allow for at least 4 inches (10cm) clearance space between a RPTV and wall for ventilation purposes. |
Main features: All models in this series use Samsung fifth generation light engine , with a DLP chip that has a native resolution of 1280x720 pixels - this is in line with similarly priced DLP HDTVs from other major brands.
Whether these Samsung DLP HDTVs use a HD2+, HD3, HD4 chip, it is not clear. Neither Samsung nor Texas Instruments are discussing chips other than ensuring that these sets use of the latest DLP technology. It seems that TI is going away from that nomenclature entirely.
The 1280x720 pixels resolution means that these Samsung DLP HDTVs should be able to display the full detail of 720p HD material, but they would not deliver as much detail with 1080i HD as would be possible with the 1080p step-up models. Worth taking note here that while 1080i HD video format supports a higher pixel count (1920pixels x 1080lines of resolution), yet this does not necessarily mean that 1080i is better than the 720p format since theoretically, the 720p is a progressive scan format that should deliver a smoother image that stays sharper during motion.
All sets in this range come with a built-in ATSC high definition tuner and an authorized digital CableCard slot. This means that you can receive over-the-air and cable HDTV programs without the need for extra set-top-boxes.
The smallest in the
range, the 42-inch
HL-R4266W
The larger models in
this series of Samsung DLP HDTVs, namely the
46-inch HL-P4667W
The HL-R67W models also come with the TV Guide-on-Screen feature; this is an interactive program guide that enables one to easily navigate through the available channels, identify HD programs, and set schedule recording and reminders.
On the downside, none of the models in the HL-R66W/R67W series come with a memory card slot. Not much of an important issue, yet this contrasts with similar models from other major brands such as Sony, Panasonic, and Toshiba. This means that you cannot simply plug in your digital camera memory-card to view your photos direct on these Samsung DLP rear projection TVs.
Price wise, these entry-level Samsung DLP HDTV sets cost a little bit more than the 2004 line-up of entry-level Samsung DLP rear projection TVs. Prices online vary from the $2,000 for the 42" model to $2,800 for the 61" model. Interesting to note that the 46-inch and the 50-inch models are practically selling online for the same price (at around $2,200).
The somewhat higher price for the HL-R66W/R67W series in comparison to last year product range may be justified by the fact that the 2005 line-up come with superior features and technical specifications. At the same time, however, this year models do not include the DVI video inputs found on the 2004 range of Samsung rear projection TVs (the DVI input present on the 2005 line-up of these entry level Samsung DLP HDTVs supports only audio in).
An interesting list of specifications, features, and enhancements.
A Detailed Analysis of the supported Features & Specifications of the HL-R66W/R67W Series of Samsung DLP HDTVs
Though these Samsung DLP HDTVs represent Samsung's main entry level DLP rear projection models, yet they still come with an interesting list of features and high tech specs that surely make these sets worth considering in any home theater or a living room installation.
Supported Video Formats: The Samsung Automatic Digital Format Conversion System will accept any DTV, analog TV, or XGA computer RGB input, and supports standard-definition 480i, 480p enhanced-definition TV, and high-definition 720p and 1080i formats. All video signals are converted to a 16:9 wide-screen 1280 x 720 (pixels) progressive display for flicker-free images.
Integrated HDTV Tuner: These Samsung DLP HDTV sets come with a built-in HDTV tuner which can receive both over-the-air broadcasts as well as digital cable broadcasts (ATSC and QAM).
The tuner supports picture-in-picture. The PIP feature on these Samsung projection TVs lets you select from a small movable, re-sizeable window in the corner of the screen, or share the screen with a side-by-side split screen.
Samsung Cinema Smooth 720P Light Engine: Samsung DLP fifth generation light engine uses a 0.55" DMD (Digital Micromirror Devices) chip from TI. It supports switching speeds twice as fast as previous generation micro-displays and up to 1,000 times faster than competing technologies.
These Samsung DLP projection TVs employ a special seven-segment color wheel design rotating at 10,800 rpm using air-bearing technology for whisper quite operation. Conventional six-segment color wheels used by most brands normally rotate at substantially lower speeds. The use of a high speed color wheel has a twofold advantage - achieving smoother color transitions without pixel breakup, and reducing possible rainbow occurrence
The overall image quality of these Samsung DLP HDTVs is exceptionally good with crisp, bright pictures and deep, accurate rich colors that are closer to film; there is no visible pixel structure in the image.
Thanks to a high contrast level of up to 2,500:1, these Samsung HDTV sets are also capable of delivering accurate picture detail even in dark shadowy scenes, with deep blacks that lacks nothing in comparison to the picture quality produced by flat screen direct-view CRT TVs.
Display brightness varies from the 1000cd/m2 for the two smaller sets to 600cd/m2 for the big brother in the series. Light source is through a high intensity 100/120W lamp which is user replaceable.
Samsung Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe) video enhancer refines all analog NTSC and wideband video inputs for an overall improvement in picture quality. DNIe improves contrast, white level, color reproduction, overall picture detail, and incorporates digital noise reduction to improve lower quality video inputs.
3:2 Pulldown: Samsung's Cinema Smooth film mode 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal is a handy feature for watching progressive-scan movie programs 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.
Comb Filtering: Except for the 42-inch HL-R4266W model - which use 3-line comb filtering, all other products in the series of Samsung DLP HDTVs make use of Motion Adaptive 3D Digital Comb Filter (also referred to as 3-Dimenson Y/C).
This is the best type of comb filter available today since it does not just separate the Y (luminance or black and white) and C (chrominance or color) elements in the video signal through simple filtering which is inadequate to render fine detail areas correctly in enhanced and high definition video signals. Instead, it cross reference the video information over three consecutive horizontal scan lines within a single video frame; it also analyze each frame in advance in order to determine the best filtering to use in the circumstances. This helps ensure best possible picture by dramatically reducing edge image artifacts while improving transition detail.
The 3-line adaptive comb filtering (also referred to as two dimensional or 2D Y/C because of the way these filters cross reference information over consecutive lines), used on the 42-inch model is not as good as the 3D Y/C in eliminating video artifacts introduced during the de-multiplexing process to separate the color and luminance information in a composite or S-video signal. However, this type of comb filtering is still cable of eliminating most of the video artifacts that would otherwise result (e.g. dot crawl and image ghosting) in fine detail areas of the video image.
Audio: These Samsung DLP HDTV sets supports Multi-channel Television Sound (MTS) standard for stereo sound and come with a 30-watt stereo audio system (two 15-watt speakers); this should deliver ample sound for regular TV viewing, such as sports, news, etc.
Included is Samsung proprietary SRS TruSurround XT feature, which simulates a compelling surround sound field through any stereo playback system, including headphones and the TV's speakers.
An optical digital sound audio output is also available on all models within the PL-R66W/R67W series.
Connections: All models feature the following video and audio connections, except for the 42-inch PL-R4266W which as already indicated, lacks the PC-in and the FireWire ports:
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AV in (RCA): 3 (1 side, 2 rear)
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S-Video In: 3 (1 side, 2 rear)
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RF In: 2
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Monitor and Sound Out (RCA): 1 rear
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Component Video Input (Smart Input): 2 rear supporting the following video formats - 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i.
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DVI Audio In: 1 (rear)
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HDMI: 1 (rear)
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PC In (D-Sub 15-pin): 1 (rear)
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FireWire (IEEE1394): 2 (rear)
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POD Slot (CableCARD): 1 rear
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AnyNet (Mini Jack): 1 rear
No memory-card slot id present on these Samsung DLP HDTVs.
Product Dimensions and Weight:
The table below lists the respective product dimensions and weight for each of the Samsung DLP HDTV sets referred to in this review article:
| Model |
Width (Inches) |
Height (Inches) |
Depth (Inches) |
Weight w/o/stand (Pounds) |
| HL-R4266W 42-inch 16:6 Samsung RPTV | 39.3 | 29.7 | 13 | 61.7 |
| HL-R4667W 46-inch 16:9 Samsung RPTV | 42.8 | 32 | 13.4 | 66.8 |
| HL-R5067W 50-inch 16:9 Samsung RPTV | 46.5 | 34.3 | 14 | 72.8 |
| HL-R5667W 56-inch 16:9 Samsung RPTV | 52.4 | 37.9 | 15.3 | 80.9 |
| HL-R6167W 61-inch 16:9 Samsung RPTV | 56.9 | 41.6 | 18.4 | 94.6 |
What's in the Box
All Samsung DLP HDTV sets come with a remote control (including batteries), user's manual, AnyNet and G-link cables, product registration information, and a limited manufacture's warranty.
Concluding Remarks
Surely,
these Samsung DLP HDTV sets are among the best one can find
on stores shelves, however, our best advice is that prior to any decision, we suggest that you take
a look at what other customers had to say about these Samsung DLP HDTV
sets following their purchase.
All you have to do is to click on the following links to access the respective Samsung DLP rear projection TV product page at amazon.com; then follow through the 'Customers Reviews' section on the same webpage:
We also suggest that you invest in some good setup DVD/CD to make the most out of your HDTV purchase. A must have is the AVIA (Audio Visual Interactive Aid) Home Theater Setup DVD
- a comprehensive audio/video calibration and setup tool, suitable for both the novice and the expert.
Worth also considering some easy to follow guide to get a better understanding of what HDTV is all about; the following should prove useful when it comes to planning and setting up your HDTV system:
To access the full range of rear projection television systems available at amazon.com
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Last updated on: 31st July 2005
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