Samsung has four, High Definition (1080p), rear projection TV sets; the HL-S7178W, HL-S6187W, HL-S5687W and HL-S5087W with corresponding sizes of 71, 61, 56 and 50 inches. All should produce the same picture quality with the differences being physical sizes and some additional features with the HL-S7178W having some additional features, including a CableCard slot, a TV Guide EPG, two FireWire (IEEE 1394) ports, picture-in-picture (PIP), and an higher performance sound system.

Samsung was the first company to introduce a rear-projection HDTV with a native resolution of 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels). Their 1080p rear projection range is based on microdisplay technology with a single Texas Instruments DLP chip. The chip has millions of tiny mirrors that switch on and off some 15,000 times per second to create the video output required. This sort of speed is required for delivering sharp pictures for sport and other fast movement video. The range has a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 in line with its peers in the market.

Native High Definition 1080p Resolution

Like other HD televisions utilizing DLP chips, native 1080p resolution is obtained by “wobulation” which doubles the horizontal resolution. This is in contrast to LCoS 1080p displays that have the full 960 x 1080 pixels on the chip.

With wobulation technology, each frame is produced by the projection of two subframes slightly offset (by wobbling the DLP chip micro-mirrors back and forth) in extremely rapid succession. The human eye interprets the result as a single seamless image of higher definition. Wobulation eliminates the ‘screen door’ effect plasma and LCD displays are prone to however, it must be applied carefully so that image sharpness is not reduced.

Picture Technologies

Samsung provides four picture modes (Dynamic, Standard, Movie, and Custom) which can be adjusted for color, brightness, contrast, brightness etc. with each remaining distinct for each input. This facility allows you to customize the picture mode for each video source, for four different lighting environments or other preferences. Samsung has also provided a “Games” mode, which increases color saturation and brightness and adds edge enhancement.

Rainbow Effect

Like other single-chip DLP display manufacturers, Samsung attempts to minimize any “rainbow effect” by using, fast rotational speed, multi-segment color wheels. Before making a decision, potential purchasers of single-chip DLP rear or front projection products should always arrange a viewing as although big strides have been made in reducing the incidence of “rainbow effects”, sensitivity varies from person to person.

Sound

All models except the HL-S5687W have audio provided by SRS Lab’s patented SRS TruSurround XT surround sound technology. For more information on the equipment supplied by SRS Labs can be found on their web site.

Connections

A convenient new feature is a “Photo Viewer Interface” which is a USB port on the televisions side. It’s a quick, easily accessible way to connect any USB equipped device for tasks such as display of digital photos or playback of MP3 files. Unfortunately, this feature is missing on the HL-S6187W.

There is a fairly good range of connections with two HDMI ports which can accept high definition, 1080p video sources. In addition, there are two component-video inputs, a PC input (VGA), two A/V inputs with S-Video, two RF-style antenna inputs, an A/V output, an optical digital output, and an RS-232 port. On the right side there is also a third A/V input with S-Video. The HL-S5687W has a universal remote control.

Warranty

All sets com with a parts and labor one year warranty.

User Reviews and Price Comparisons

Samsung HL-S7178W – 71″ rear projection TV ( DLP ) – widescreen – 1080p (FullHD) – HDTV

SAMSUNG – HLS6187W 61-IN. HDTV DLP REAR PROJ TV

SAMSUNG – HL-S5687W 56-IN. DLP REAR PROJECTION TV

Further Reading

Reviews by Presentation Technology Reviews of other competing 1080p, rear projection, microdisplay TV’s are; Sony’s KDS-R60XBR1 and the 50” KDS-R50XBR1 which employ Sony’s SXRD technology, JVC’s HD-ILA line of rear projection, high definition TVs with 56inch (HD-56FN97) , 61inch (HD-61FN97) and 70inch (HD-70FN97) screen sizes.

Read our Microdisplay chips for rear projection televisions post to learn more about the technologies powering the new generation of rear projection HDTV televisions