Samsung HLR XX87W Pedistal Owners Thread - 720p DLP

[chris7469]

The new 2005 Samsung HLRxx87W 720p DLP Pedistal HDTVs are arriving. It is time to start an owners thread to focus on the HLRxx87W models. Please post your impressions of these new sets, pictures of your setup, tweaks, problems, and ideas about these great HDTVs

I have had mine for about 3 weeks and I love it. The Widescreen HD programing is incredible. I have Cablevision HD (via Cablecard) and an Oppo DVD. Other than the slight hourglass shape of the 3:2 HD signal, the set is incredible. With a cable card I have less control over the aspect ratio and interactive features but I can live with that because I have one less component with a remote and wires.

[UCSB]

Chris ... can you confirm that it is using an HD2+ chip (ie, you have a rectangular pixel pattern on the screen)?

[UCSB]

Chris ... you might want to edit your thread title and correct the spelling of Pedestal ... just in case other owners are searching for the thread.

[UCSB]

Does your owners manual give the contrast ratio for the set ... 2500:1 is our best guess.

[chris7469]

Bill:

My old HLP-5085 had a contrast ratio of 2500 to 1. I am pretty sure the HLR has a 5000 to 1 ratio.

I will get back to you regarding the chip. My spelling is soo bad, probably should have used spell check but its fixed.

Thanks. CM

[kenshin-dono]

yes i really need to know about the hd2+ chip as well.. is it an hd2+, hd2++ (if thats the name were calling it.. the succesor to the hd2+.. its gotta be a .8" 720p chip)

this is the tv im looking at getting right now but i dont want one of the wobulation chips, i want the .8" 720p hd2+ or the suposed new hd2++... im concerned it might be a wobulation or lower end chip because it costs less than the older 85 models as far as MSRP on their site shows. They also list it as a gen 5 engine whereas the 85 with its .8" was a 4th gen. The price could mean cheaper chip

they have them in at the BB i'll be getting it at but they're not on the floor yet so i cant get a look at the picture. any info is apreciated.. though im not sure how you'll check what chip type it is

[cybowolf]

Originally Posted by kenshin-dono

yes i really need to know about the hd2+ chip as well.. is it an hd2+, hd2++ (if thats the name were calling it.. the succesor to the hd2+.. its gotta be a .8" 720p chip)

this is the tv im looking at getting right now but i dont want one of the wobulation chips, i want the .8" 720p hd2+ or the suposed new hd2++... im concerned it might be a wobulation or lower end chip because it costs less than the older 85 models as far as MSRP on their site shows. They also list it as a gen 5 engine whereas the 85 with its .8" was a 4th gen. The price could mean cheaper chip

they have them in at the BB i'll be getting it at but they're not on the floor yet so i cant get a look at the picture. any info is apreciated.. though im not sure how you'll check what chip type it is

One possibility to at least determine if its wobulated or not is for someone who has one to get real close to the screen and see if there is a diamond-shaped pixel pattern. A diamond pattern would suggest it is wobulated.

FWIW, Samsung also refers to the wobulated HLR sets as "gen 5" in their literature. Also, the preliminary spec sheet for the 5087 makes several references to "Cinema Smooth". I'm not 100% sure, but I thought that was the term Samsung was using for wobulation....but I may be completely mistaken on that note. [EDIT: - Looks like I was mistaken, the 4677, which AFAIK is HD2+, also references Cinema Smooth]

-cybowolf

[UCSB]

Originally Posted by chris7469

Bill:

My old HLP-5085 had a contrast ratio of 2500 to 1. I am pretty sure the HLR has a 5000 to 1 ratio.

I will get back to you regarding the chip. My spelling is soo bad, probably should have used spell check but its fixed.

Thanks. CM

Chris ... the Samsung spec sheet that I have in the 87 series section of the 2005 Samsung DLP thread is showing the contrast ratio at 2500:1. Please check pixel pattern. I'm almost certain that you will see the HD2+ rectangles, but a confirmation would be great.

[kenshin-dono]

how do you check the pixel pattern btw? if you look really close and see regular squares its hd2+, but if they're triangle shaped its wobulation?

[cybowolf]

Originally Posted by kenshin-dono

how do you check the pixel pattern btw? if you look really close and see regular squares its hd2+, but if they're triangle shaped its wobulation?

A wobulated pattern would look something like the below, and you have to look very closely to see it:
/\/\/\
\/\/\/
/\/\/\
\/\/\/

I can't draw an ascii HD2+ pattern, but it would look more like a grid.

Anyways, either way its pretty unmistakable if you get right up close while the TV is playing something.

In the literature, HLR HD4 based sets always seem to be qualified with "up to" 2500:1 CR, where as the lit for the 87 does not have the qualifier...of course that may not mean anything as we have only seen a preliminary spec sheet. I do wonder what "up to" means though...is that only achievable with DNIe or something? Anyways, I just hope this isn't the road DLP makers go down, making it very difficult to determine the technical differences between models /sigh


-cybowolf

[JackLT]

Couple of HLR questions to those lucky to have!!

How is the noise of the unit when running with volume off ?

If you hook a PC up via HDMI can you comment on it, overscan, 1:1, etc?

What's the advantage of HLR over HLP pedestal units, as I understand both use the same HD2+ chip, not just specs but what you are seeing?

There is some excellent prices on the HLP line here, and I am wondering it its worth waiting for a HLR?

[7ate9]

Can you confirm that this set does NOT have a VGA input?

[JackLT]

Originally Posted by AkaStp

Good pic. Note that on the HLP 63 and HLR 67 models you can only see the diamond-shaped pixel pattern of the HD3/HD4 when there is camera movement in a scene. Otherwise, you will see no pixel pattern at all. S

So with a PC hooked up outputting 720p how does a still desktop look?

Does it resolve all the pixels or drop every 2nd one?

[kenshin-dono]

oh there was one more thing i was curious about. The manuals not that clear on what the modes actually do. does it have any kinda 'wide zoom' mode? some tvs have a mode for 4;3 source that fills the screen but stretches it on the ends to preserve a better picture.. i know most sony's have it, does the 5087 have it?

[RSawdey]

Originally Posted by kenshin-dono

oh there was one more thing i was curious about. The manuals not that clear on what the modes actually do. does it have any kinda 'wide zoom' mode? some tvs have a mode for 4;3 source that fills the screen but stretches it on the ends to preserve a better picture.. i know most sony's have it, does the 5087 have it?

Stretch features are mostly important to people with burnable displays, most DLP owners prefer to keep the OAR.

[UCSB]

Originally Posted by kenshin-dono

oh there was one more thing i was curious about. The manuals not that clear on what the modes actually do. does it have any kinda 'wide zoom' mode? some tvs have a mode for 4;3 source that fills the screen but stretches it on the ends to preserve a better picture.. i know most sony's have it, does the 5087 have it?

Yes, Samsung DLP's have this mode. It is called Panoramic and it does an excellent job. The center of the screen is essentially unchanged and the edges are stretched. But, there are several other modes. You have a lot of choices.

[kenshin-dono]

giving this a bump. dunno if chris forgot but theres some good questions here that need to be answered. anyone else got this set?

[chris7469]

Sorry it took so long to get back to everyones comments. I was away.

I put my face to the screen last night and noticed a grid like pattern. So I will assume its the HD2+ Chip.

The contrast ratio is 2500 to 1.

There is very little fan noise at all with no volume.

I can not comment on a PC hook up because I have not used one.

My biggest gripe is the pin cushion effect. Even though it may only be up to 1/8th of an inch. I really expected to see razor sharp lines with the bars. Even in letter box the pincushion effect is noticable, not as bad though.

I saw the same effect in the store, so I know its not my TV, I have to get used to it, because everything is not in widescreen and I hate a stretched picture.

Other than that, the TV rocks. The cable card works great.

If you have any other questions feel free to shoot me an email. Thanks. CM

[kenshin-dono]

woot. this will probably be the one i get sinc eit seems like its at least the hd2+

that pincussion effect is a standard on all DLPs right? not just samsungs? i seem to remember people mentioning it before

[Supratik]

These are tough decisions; I think I've narrowed it down though to this particular model and the Mitsubishi 52".

[kenshin-dono]

outa curiosity, either chris, or anyone else with this set; what color temp do you guys use?

i just got it today and havent had time to really mess with it, but on my old set i used cool. this sets got 2 lvls of cool and 2 of warm. Im using it just for games so i'll have to mess with it with various games but normal or cool 1 seem pretty good to me. What do you all use?

sucks you cant change it in cinema mode, what the hecks that crap? that basically leaves you just 2 settings for customizing

[JackLT]

Originally Posted by kenshin-dono

woot. this will probably be the one i get sinc eit seems like its at least the hd2+

that pincussion effect is a standard on all DLPs right? not just samsungs? i seem to remember people mentioning it before

There should be NO pincushion effect, the DMD is rectanglar and should be projected the same.

I don't notice any on a Panasonic DLP. On the Samsung, maybe its due to the pedestal design and more lenses / mirrors being used?

[chris7469]

As far as Settings, I prefer to watch all my HD channels and DVDs in Cinema or normal with warm 1 setting, and I bring all the levels down to about 50 or 60 depending on what I am watching. I make minor tweaks, but I besically go with my eye. I am very pleased with how the picture looks, of course I like the soft film-like look on movies and I prefer a crisp brighter picture for sporting events.

Everytime time I goto a TV store I ask the salsemen to show me the pincushion effect on their DLPs. They have no idea what I am talking about and then I ask them to take their 16:9 signal and change it to 4:3. They become surprised when they see the slightly curved lines.

I went to Tony Lucs this weekend and I noticed everyone of their LG HDTV monitors showing a slight pincushion effect. However, I have not found a set that has as much of effect as the Sammys do.

Owners of DLPs with absolutely no pincushion effect please let me know. I want to check it out. Thanks. CM

[GBFreek]

Originally Posted by chris7469

As far as Settings, I prefer to watch all my HD channels and DVDs in Cinema or normal with warm 1 setting, and I bring all the levels down to about 50 or 60 depending on what I am watching. I make minor tweaks, but I besically go with my eye. I am very pleased with how the picture looks, of course I like the soft film-like look on movies and I prefer a crisp brighter picture for sporting events.

Everytime time I goto a TV store I ask the salsemen to show me the pincushion effect on their DLPs. They have no idea what I am talking about and then I ask them to take their 16:9 signal and change it to 4:3. They become surprised when they see the slightly curved lines.

I went to Tony Lucs this weekend and I noticed everyone of their LG HDTV monitors showing a slight pincushion effect. However, I have not found a set that has as much of effect as the Sammys do.

Owners of DLPs with absolutely no pincushion effect please let me know. I want to check it out. Thanks. CM

I agree, am curious about the pinchusion...as to me, its very annoying and a big negative...

[dokturseuss]

what are the differences in the HLRxx85W and HLRxx87W other then built in tuner?

[yarsrvenge]

I ordered it from butterfly photo and have to say the transaction and shipping went splendidly. I also ordered a TR85 stand but I have not received it yet.

I have a picture and a video but I need three more posts before I can include a link I think

Impressions thus far:

- Picture quality is gorgeous! HD is particularily impressive. Regular analog channels look so ho-hum compared to HD Cable. I wish cox had more HD channels.

- When using the XBOX, the TV really shows off the jaggies and lack of anti-aliasing. Once XBOX 360 comes out, this should not be an issue. In the meantime, I have reduced the sharpness level on that input and it really helps.

- I haven't noticed the dramatic pincushion effect other peopel have reported but I may just not be looking hard enough. I will try and take a picture of a 4:3 screen with sidebars so you can see yourself.

[yarsrvenge]

I am using a Samsung DVD player that has HDMI output and upscales to 720P. DVD output is really good obviously, but it pales in comparision to true HDTV from the Cox cable box. The DVD Player I am using is DVD-HD850.

I know there were reports in the past about some upscale DVD players having problems over HDMI with certain TV's. No problems here. Of course, they are from the same manufacturer. I did not go with the Toshiba because of bad reports with some of their players.

[yarsrvenge]

I am not using an amplifier because of $$$ limitations, so I am using the speakers on the TV. I also decided to hold off on an amplifier right now because of reports with delays in sound from certain models. Since I play a lot of XBOX games, this is a concern for me.

The speakers non the TV are 30 watts. Since I am used to having an amplifier hooked up with two external speakers, the sound is a little lackluster. Not horrible, but it lacks a lot of bass.

I have the audio set to use the STS Stereo mode.

[kenshin-dono]

just a heads up, my hlr5087 has no noticible pincushioning. I can get real close and double check, but from about 8 feet back, playing games in 4:3 i notice no curving on the lines

yars. I have my xbox going into the tv through component and the audio to my reciever with an optical cable, there is no audio lag.

[Supratik]

So far, seems to be mostly positive reports on this television. Could you guys tell me where you purchased it as I have yet to actually see it in stores?

Thanks.