Samsung Unveils Slim-Bezel DLP HDTVs

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 6/23/2003

SAN FRANCISCO — Samsung used the recent Home Entertainment Expo here to unveil two additions to its family of rear-projection HDTV monitors based on Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology.

The two models include the 46W-inch HLN467W ($4,499 suggested retail) and the 56W-inch HLN567W ($4,999). Both are distinguished from earlier Samsung DLP offerings by a slim-bezel (2/3-inch wide) design that helps reduce cabinet size.

New models are positioned as "tabletop" DLPs. Each weighs less than 100 pounds. Both employ Texas Instruments HD-2 Mustang chip with 1280 by 720 resolution, Samsung's Digital Natural Image engine video processing and, for standard definition signal sources, Faroudja's Directional Correlational Deinterlacing (DCDi) video processing with 3:2 pull down. Other features include a DVI-HDCP digital input, auto sensing 480i/480p component video inputs for either interlaced of progressive scan DVD signals and dual NTSC tuners with picture-in-picture capability.

Both units also have been tweaked to boost image brightness.

Steve Panosian, Samsung Visual Display Group senior marketing manager, said the new DLP displays will have select distribution, open to Pro Group members stores and similarly qualified A/V specialists.

At the same time, the company introduced a new ATSC over-the-air digital TV tuner decoder, model SIR-T351 (shipping now at a $449 suggested retail). In addition to receiving all ATSC broadcast signals for output in selectable 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i formats, the SIR-T351 adds Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) demodulation circuitry, which will enable it to tune unscrambled digital cable signals.

The set-top box is equipped with both HD component video outputs and a DVI-HDCP digital video output.