50" - DLP - ATSC - 181 Channels - 16:9 - Surround - HDTV - MPN: HLR5078W
Strengths: Incredible pic; nearly as good as Samsung's plasma set that costs hundreds more. Analog broadcasts and VCR playbacks look great despite things I had read to the contrary about non-HD transmissions.
Weakness: None really worth mentioning, but since I have to...PIP function isn't terribly easy to use (at least compared to my old set). Backlit remote buttons would've been nice too.
Excellent set at a competitive price. I really can't see any deficiency in the picture quality compared to the highly touted (and slightly more expensive) Sony XBR series. Audio quality is more than adequate, but is of course further enhanced when connected to a home theater system. The HL-R5078 costs a few hundred more than Samsung's 720p DLP set, but I think it's well worth it considering the noticeable enhanced picture quality that I observed at the store, as well as the fact that the 5078 is future-ready to handle 1080p broadcasts. As you can tell, I'm very happy with this purchase.
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Top * bjtvs
"This is not a true 1080P HDTV"
seriously? please xplain
thank you
Strengths: High quality picture, very easy setup. Very impressive for the pricing.
Weakness: HDMI port only accepts up to 1080i signals.
I also purchased the new Samsung HD960 DVD player with 1080p upconversion. I was disappointed to find out that the HLR models by Samsung will not accept 1080p signals through the HDMI. It will only accept 1080i signals and upconvert in the TV. Not as big of a deal now, but may be a downfall if blu-ray takes off. The new Samsung models will accept the signal but cost alot more.
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TopStrengths: Large screen, lightweight, excellent picture, easy to set up and use, numerous accessible connections, good adjustable sound.
Weakness: Lamp must be replaced eventually.
I received the TV in a reasonable amount of time and in excellent condition. I don't have any HD programming available yet, so I watched analog and digital cable as well as a DVD on a unit with HDMI output. Analog was good and big, digital excellent, DVD superb. Digital movie was great on "movie" picture setting, sports not quite as good on long shots, very good on closeups. Connections and set up very quick and easy, manual and on-screen easy to follow. Would highly recommend this TV considering you get 1080p for an excellent price, much cheaper than you would pay for plasma or LCD, especially at 50".
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TopStrengths: The nice bright picture and 2 HDMI ports
Weakness: none known
Their is game lag only when I play the ps2 on 480i but I can always put it on GAME setting which just shows it in 480i so there is no problem there. I have Socom 3 which can be in 480p which is a native res. on this t.v. I also have an xbox360 and games on either 720p and 1080i dont suffer from game lag since the t.v doesn't have to upconvert so much. So if your looking at this t.v for gaming than this should be a good choice.
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TopStrengths: One of the best DLP pictures I have seen. Capable of running as a computer monitor at 1920 x 1080 resolution using the PC input (only HP and top of the line Mistubishi have this feature to date).
Weakness: As with any Projection TV, need to view right on for best picture. Expect to spend $1000 more compared to 720p models.
I bought this TV getting tired of watching sports on my standard TV. HD is a big step up and this is one of the few TVs out there that handles 1080p (and the smallest in DLP). With a screen this large (and expensive), I wanted to have a resolution comprable of running a computer on. This is one of the few units that provides a PC connection (15-pin VGA D-sub) to let me use the television as a 1920 x 1080 native resolution monitor. This is a great feature since there are no commercial devices available today capable of running at 1080p, so having a computer hooked up at this resolution allows you to watch photo slide shows (especially hi-res pictures) and AVI/MPEG/DivX movies effortlessly and in full resolution.
With the prices of 1080p DLPs about $1000 more than a comprable 720p DLP, having a computer connection is the only plus I see today. It is very hard to predict if this TV will take advantage of future 1080p specs (the manual mentions the HDMI port supports at least up to 1080i), but viewing 720p and 1080i images today, 1080p images in the future will be a definite step up. And having the PC port, at least gives you an option to take advantage of this today. I did a lot of research and considered the pros and cons of other technologies (LCD Flat-Panel & Proj., Plasma), and to get 1080p technology today, in my opinion, this model line from Samsung gives the most flexibility, brighter and smoother picture, and best performance (only speaking of 1080p capable TVs) to date, providing the right features to support the future of television for many years to come.
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TopStrengths: 1080p resolution, anti-glare screen, 2 HDMI inputs.
Weakness: No PC usage in PIP.
Very happy with my new DLP!
I have only had the HL-R5078W for five days, but compared to the old 27" CRT this is a godsend. The two points that made me spend an extra $700 over the HL-R5067W was of course the 1080p resolution, and when placed side by side there is a noticeable difference in the amount of glare. I shined a little LED flashlight on the front of the HL-R5067W and I could see the reflection on the screen, but on the HL-R5078W there was no reflection what-so-ever. This makes a big difference when there are windows opposite the TV.
There are just things I have so far that I was not happy about. You cannot use a PC connection during PIP. So much for surfing the internet while watching football. The second problem is that I cannot get the optical audio out to work. I'm not sure if it's from the TV end or the home theater receiver end. I will post an update if I can get it working.
Overall, I would suggest to anyone to spend the extra cash on this model over the HL-R5067W.
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TopStrengths: Great picture...clear colors...Looks great...Highly rated
Weakness: THe light bulb is slow to cool down and turn off the TV. The TV is also a bit slow to turn on...but I'm use to my old tube TV"S
I purchased this TV a few weeks ago and plugged it in and what a picture! It is everything and than some. Strongly suggest you get it....Price is also very competive
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TopStrengths: Like all the different connections that are available. Big, Light, Easy to Hook up, Easy to Use, Great Picture. I also like the PIP feature.
Weakness: No Memory Stick slot. Pricey compared to 720p models. Would have liked if the speakers were little more slick.
I really like the Picture, its great in Movie Mode. The smoothness is really good with a good video signal. Not too bad with a bad video input picture either. HDTV on broadcast channels are great. I use an antenna for local broadcast and dish for other non-HD signals. I am impressed with what my old indoor antenna is providing in terms of signal strength. I get all the local channels. I was originally thinking of buying a new HD specific antenna.
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TopStrengths: 2 HDMI ports. PC input. Very light-weight. Attractive design. (all black would've been nicer) On screen menu's offer alot of settings to help fine tune picure quality
Weakness: Dont expect a good picture from analog channels. Digital not much better.
Great clearity. Clean and crisp picture in HD. Had Samsung plasma for a month until a few pixels burnt out. No worrying about screen burn in especially from stations logo's, or scoreboards,etc. Worry free viewing.
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TopStrengths: Vivid colors and sharp features. Crystal clear when in HD mode almost looks like 3-D.
Weakness: On low light pictures you see some pixelation and when it goes to black sometimes you see blotches.
I did extensive research and it came down to this TV and the SONY Grand WEGA. I went with this TV for several reasons. The price is fantastic for a 1080p television. The HDMI port and other features are great as well. I like how you can customize your sound with the equalizer and the colors as well. This TV is light and it looks great. This is my first HDTV and I am glad I waited and did the research. This is by far one of the best TV's you can buy. I highly recommend it to anyone.
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TopStrengths: Good picture quality, elegant design
Weakness: User Manual is not very clear
I got this TV one week ago. I like its crispy pictures very much and I enjoy watching it very much. I would highly recommend it. This is one of the best!
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Samsung Hl-r5078w receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS score of 3.56 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #20 DLP projection TV of all time. The overall rating represents an intelligent balance of features, value as a function of price to features, and a summary of reviews from a variety of sources. The TopTen REVIEWS' formula gives a picture of important consumer features, market value, and a product's...
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Samsung looks after it's customers
Strengths: Performance and functionality of this HDTV is awessome with its unbelievable clarity and superb connectivity (Stereo, Computers, DVD, etc.). Much improved over the previous HLP series.
Weakness: A projection system, so there is the viewer angle issue; but not nearly as constrained as older projection systems. Higher cost!
My HDTV experience started with a DLP technology Samsung HLP series unit purchased in late 2004. Appart from four service calls, the unit performed very well. However, since we did have a history of service calls, Samsung provided us an opportunity to exchange (most other TV mfts won't do this) for a refurbished unit or upgrade (for a reasonable cost) to the latest iteration of HDTVs. We chose to upgrade to the new 1080P HL-R5078W. We started out with the HDTV cable box that we had used with our previous unit but turned it in (after about one week) and exchanged for a cable card (Motorola) since Samsung has its own HDTV box. Both approaches were good, but using the card is even better (can onlty attribute that to Samsung's built-in cable box). Our picture is literally awesome (even analog improved) and watching the Olympics was incredble.
The new 1080P technology being about $1000 above the 720P units is a hit many consumers won't like; especially since there are no broadcast with 1080P at this time. But, computer gamers (I'm not one) should literally love the 1920 x 1080 resolution (can you imagine 50" screen or larger in this series) for the serious gamer? No burning out pixels to worry about here either with projection technology. Outstanidng performance and incredible functionality; highly recommended.
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