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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating - Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 74 reviews
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Product summary
The good: Deep blacks; excellent connectivity, including two component-video and two HDMI inputs; numerous picture-affecting features; distinctive glossy finish and hidden speakers.
The bad: Prevalent artifacts and video noise; greenish tinge to near-black areas; subpar standard-def processing; unnatural enhancement along edges; no independent input memories.
The bottom line: Although the Samsung HP-S4253's glossy black styling and numerous inputs work in its favor, its issues with picture quality lessen its value.
Specifications: Product type: Plasma TV ; Diagonal size: 42 in ; Brightness (cd/m2): 1300 cd/m2 ; See full specs
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 05/22/2006
- Released on: 05/01/2006
The company revamped its remote, improving the new model with a smarter button layout, better differentiation between the keys, and a longer, easier-to-hold shape. Although it still lacks backlighting, we appreciate its ability to control four other devices. Samsung's internal menu system looks the same as ever. We found it intuitive to navigate and appreciated the ability to choose and rename inputs from the menu, as well as the helpful information explaining various menu items.
Like most 42-inch high-resolution plasmas, the Samsung HP-S4253 has a native resolution of 1,024x768 pixels. While that's not quite enough resolution to display every pixel of HDTV sources, no other like-size plasma can make that claim either. All sources, including HDTV, DVD, standard TV, and computers, are scaled to fit the pixels.The Samsung HP-S4253 has all the conveniences we expected, including an ATSC tuner to receive over-the-air digital and HDTV stations, although it lacks CableCard--no big loss in our book. There's a picture-in-picture option with side-by-side and inset views; an average selection of aspect-ratio controls (four for standard-def and two for HD sources); and a freeze feature to capture onscreen phone numbers, for example.
We also appreciate the solid selection of picture-affecting features, although we would have preferred the Samsung HP-S4253 to have true independent input memories. However, there are four adjustable picture modes: Dynamic, Movie, Standard, and Custom. Since the set reverts to the last selected picture mode when you switch inputs, it's possible to set up four of the TV's inputs separately for different sources. Samsung includes a separate game mode, which increases color saturation, edge enhancement, and overall brightness for a more vibrant, less realistic look that some gamers might prefer. Fortunately, Samsung's DNIe processing, which introduces more edge enhancement, is defeatable (in Movie mode, you can't even turn it on), whereas with the LN-S4051D, you can't turn it off. The company also includes noise reduction and 2:3 pull-down circuits (see Performance for more).
Although burn-in is generally not a problem with plasmas used in the home, we like the fact that Samsung offers three methods of protection: pixel shift, which moves the image slightly over time around the screen; a scrolling white-to-black ramp; and a full white field. There are also two energy-saving modes: one that adjusts the brightness according to room lighting and another that limits peak brightness.
The Samsung HP-S4253 offers one of the most comprehensive input bays we've seen yet on a plasma at this price. While the LN-S4051D LCD sacrificed a component-video for a second HDMI port, the HP-S4253 plasma has two of each. It also boasts a dedicated VGA-style PC input (1,024x768 is the recommended resolution); one A/V input with S-Video on the front and the right side, along with a headphone jack; two RF antenna inputs; and both coaxial and optical digital audio outputs for use with the ATSC tuner.
After testing, we determined that the Samsung HP-S4253 is an average performer among plasmas we've reviewed, although it turned in better picture quality than last year's HP-R4252.Our first step was to tune the HP-S4253's picture by adjusting its controls and performing a full grayscale calibration, after which we checked out some program material. To see how the Samsung handled difficult darker scenes, we slid Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith into our DVD player. We were quickly struck by the prevalence of low-level video noise in the near-black areas. As the opening Star Wars logo receded into the background, for example, small greenish motes appeared among the stars where there should be black space.
We turned down the brightness control, and the motes disappeared but at the expense of shadow detail; the instruments in the cockpit behind Obi-Wan's head, for example, appeared less distinct as they faded into the background. We still saw excessive green-tinged noise in some shadowy areas, however, such as the front of Senator Palpatine's robe as he addresses Anakin in his chambers.
The Samsung's color reproduction fared well with the exception of green, which tended to look too bluish. Prior to calibration, the Samsung's grayscale came relatively close to the standard overall, although it varied more than we'd like at different light levels. Skin tones looked mostly accurate and not too reddish, so we were able to get solid saturation and rich colors. One issue we couldn't adjust, even after calibration, was the set's tendency to tinge near-black areas, such as space or the black letterbox bars, a bit too green.
The Samsung's actual depth of black was fine for a plasma, and dark areas looked demonstrably closer to black than on either of the two LCDs we had on hand to compare (the Sharp LC-37D40U and the Samsung LN-S4051D). The Samsung's depth of black measured comparably to other good-performing plasmas we've reviewed recently, including the Panasonic TH-42PX60U).
Unfortunately, the Samsung HP-S4253 exhibited more false-contouring artifacts than just about any display we've examined recently. In one typical instance, as the camera slowly zooms in on the hooded figure of the Sith Master's hologram, for example, we could see distinct steps in the blue light as it faded into the background; on other displays, they were less distinct or entirely invisible. The set had a difficult time in many areas that called for fine gradations; a pillar in Anakin's apartment, for example, had patches of color instead of smooth transitions, and the lamp light caused more discolored contours on the furniture than it should have.
When we turned up the lights, we noticed that the Samsung's screen reflected a bit less light than other plasma glass-screen displays we had on hand, although naturally, it reflected much more than the LCD's matte plastic screens.
Along with DVD, HDTV also looked better in brighter scenes, although we noticed a couple of the issues described above, such as the flat color patches on the walls of the White House during Nightcrawler's incursion in a Fox showing of X-Men 2. Details, such as the texture in the President's desktop as his adviser examines the knife hole and the wood grain in Xavier's school, looked as sharp as we expected. We also saw some signs of edge enhancement; the borders of the struts and bulwarks in Magneto's plastic prison, for example, appeared too sharp and somewhat artificial, and we couldn't adjust the controls to compensate. We suspect this has something to do with DNIe processing, although the menu indicated that it was turned off.
Finally, the Samsung HP-S4253's picture quality with standard-def sources was less impressive than that of many HDTVs. In particular, its component-video inputs evinced softness and artifacts with 480i sources. A set of stairs was marred by curved lines that shouldn't have been there, for example, and test patterns revealed an inability to resolve every detail of DVD sources. For that reason, we recommend using the S-Video inputs, which performed significantly better, for standard-def material, and hooking up the HP-S4253 to a quality progressive-scan or upconverting DVD player. In its favor, the set's noise reduction was able to clean up some problematic material; in a low-quality shot of a roller coaster against a blue sky, engaging noise reduction decreased the roiling, snowy noise slightly, although not as much as with some sets we've seen. It also passed our 2:3 pull-down tests, engaging quickly to eliminate some jagged lines and other artifacts but only when film mode is selected.
| Test | Result | Score |
| Before color temp (20/80) | 6,731/6,698K | Good |
| After color temp (20/80) | 6,398/6,680K | Average |
| Before grayscale variation | ±151K | Good |
| After grayscale variation | ±66K | Good |
| Color of red (x/y) | 0.659/0.329 | Average |
| Color of green | 0.246/0.682 | Poor |
| Color of blue | 0.149/0.061 | Good |
| Overscan | 4 percent | Average |
| DC restoration | All patterns stable | Good |
| 2:3 pull-down, 24fps | Yes | Good |
| Defeatable edge enhancement | No | Poor |
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