Our Samsung LCD TV review of the Samsung HL-S5679W
(Reviewed 10/8/06) For DLP fans the Samsung LCD TV review votes are in and the Samsung HL-S5679W comes out as one of the top contenders in terms of having an impressive 1080p big-screen that fuses excellent performance and cost efficiency.
The Samsung HL-S5679W is dressed entirely in black with a single silver highlight (that circular power button in the middle below the Samsung logo, which, unlike those of the company’s mainstream sets, does not turn blue when it glows). The Samsung LCD TV review find the design a bit understated but then you can never go wrong with black.
A glossy black frame surrounds the large LCD screen while a black horizontal speaker grille sits below the screen frame. The Samsung HL-S5679W measures a good 52.5” by 38” by 15.4” and weighs approximately 84.4lbs.
Still, this Samsung LCD TV review recommends putting your Samsung HL-S5679W on a stand to bring it up to eye-level.
As for its remote control, the Samsung HL-S5679W’s is similar to other Samsung TV sets. The Samsung LCD TV review panelists were disappointed with this unit’s lack of illumination. There was also nothing in the remote’s appearance to compliment it except that its major controls were easy to manipulate. We predict that most users would probably opt to get a universal remote after a few days of figuring this classy black TV set out.
What we find amazing while doing this Samsung LCD TV review is that Samsung HL-S5679W’s menu system seems to be the best by far in all HDTV systems that we have come across.
Other features to look out for in the Samsung HL-S5679W are its versatile picture-in-picture mode, cable card slots, extensive aspect-ratio control and a game mode that is said to eliminate any lag between a game controller and the onscreen action.
However, what really sets Samsung HL-S5679W apart from the rest is its LED-based light engine. This Samsung offering has a set of three LEDs that bounce light off one DLP chip to create the picture. The LEDs last far longer than standard bulbs but most importantly, it has immunity to the annoying rainbow effect, which is an edge over most DLP sets.
Most panelists gave this DLP a good LCD TV review. Its imagery is rich, accurate, and vivid and the details are sharp. However, the Samsung is a disappointment with its somewhat less-than-impressive performance in terms of black levels. This Samsung LCD TV review found the black levels a good deal lighter than expected and some dark scenes lacked punch and appeared more washed out than they should. However, the Samsung HL-S5679W does produce clean, smooth images with far less noise and practically no screen-induced grain at all.
When it comes to using the game mode, Samsung LCD TV review groups did notice the non-delay between the controller and the screen but the game mode does negatively affect the picture quality. We might have to give that a minus in this department.
Conclusion The Samsung HL-S5679W is a remarkable LED light sourced DLP RPTV set. With the great mods introduced to make the gaming and TV-viewing experience truly sweet, this set gets our thumbs up.
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