Samsung TANTUS Plasma TVs

Within the past year, Samsung Electronics has made major headway with flatscreen televisions. The company's new lineup of plasma displays is worthy of the attention of any movie or sports fan.

Ranging in size from the huge 63" HPL6315 to the more manageable 42" SPL4225, Samsung's 16:9 plasma sets are HDTV ready, supporting 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i digital video standards. They also accept progressive scan inputs from compatible equipment, such as DVD players. All five models in the plasma lineup specify a 160 degree viewing angle, bright vibrant pictures, fan-free cooling for noiseless operation, and "7W +7W" stereo sound.

Three of the models---the HPL6315, HPL5025, and SPL4225---are intended for wall- or tabletop mounting. Two others, the HPM5027 and SPM4227, are "NEO" designs, with drawer-equipped swivel stands for use on the floor. The sets all include anti-reflection screens for best picture in brightly lit rooms, and picture-in-picture capability for staying abreast of two programs simultaneously. A "balancing contrast and brightness" control keeps the two most common picture variables in reasonable proximity of each other.

The best performance of the bunch, based on published specs, is the 42" SPL4225, with brightness rated at 600cd/m2, and contrast ratio at 700:1. The 50" HPL5025, by comparison, does 550cd/m2 in the brightness department, with a 600:1 contrast ratio. Specs on the HPL6315 are 450cd/m2 & 700:1, for brightness and contrast respectively.

Weights vary according to size, naturally, with the SPL2425 tipping the scales at 32kg (70.4 lbs), the HPL5025 weighing 42kg (92.4 lbs), and the HPL6315 at 70kg (154 lbs). All Samsung plasma screens are engineered for high energy efficiency, and are "totally convergent," supporting static graphics and full-motion video from many sources, including DTV converter boxes, DVD players, camcorders, gaming consoles, and personal computers.

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