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Samsung HL61A750 Review
The Samsung HL61A750
One of the few remaining digital light projection products in the market, the Samsung HL61A750 definitely outclasses its competition, even in the large LCD and plasma niches. This is one HDTV that gives superb performance right off-the box, has great features that rivals high-end TVs, and by far the cheapest in its size class. This Samsung HDTV is worth considering if you really want the best piece for your limited budget.
Design
Unlike LCDs and plasmas, rear-projection display panels have an almost uniform look – slim cabinet and thin bezel in black glossy finish. Samsung doesn’t depart from that convention with the massive 61-incher HL61A750, so there is nothing much to crow about the design. With six hidden speakers, this HDTV definitely looks like other display panels in the market.
It is the remote which was given an overhaul. Samsung put a touch of colors – that’s right, it’s plural – in the remote, making it multicolored in a glossy black finish. Even so, the remote has no back light – a bad thing when you’re in the dark and you can’t see the colorful buttons. Besides, a matte finish would have been more appropriate for the hand held gadget, as glossy finishes attract smudges like magnets.
Screen/picture clarity
Rear projection panels are known to have good picture clarity and black levels, at least compared to early LCDs. The Samsung HL61A750 absolutely proves this point – the HDTV displays exceptionally clear images and deep blacks even before one tweaks the settings. Just imagine how much clearer it would be when you have the TV set professionally calibrated – it certainly performs not far-off from the high-end plasmas.
The new and long-lasting Generation 2.3 LED light engine used by Samsung creates blacks and shadow details like never before (and it greatly reduces replacement lamp changes). The compelling blacks in this HDTV make other colors crisper and clearer, making the images much more realistic. It also has impressive color accuracy when temperatures are calibrated properly. These exceptional properties are particularly awesome when watching high resolution high-def sources, such as Blu-ray.
Features
Being in a niche that is largely overlooked, Samsung has to fill the HL61A750 not only with cutting-edge technologies but also with features for it to really make a mark. The company certainly deserves kudos for not scrimping and fitting the HDTV with enough features, starting with the three picture modes: dynamic, standard and movie. These modes, along with the selectable color temperatures, enable users to adjust settings according to current environment. In addition, the HDTV has ample connection options: three HDMI ports, an array of audio/video inputs and outputs and VGA input for PC connectivity.
While it is true that only a handful of companies remain in the DLP niche, it is quite comforting to know that Samsung isn’t about to throw in the towel just yet. Thus, given the relatively low price and exceptional performance of the Samsung HL61A750, it is a wonderful piece of equipment that is perfect for those looking to have the best picture, without necessarily breaking the bank.
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Unfortunately, this TV is now almost impossible to find, but if you can find one, don’t hesitate. The color reproduction (with just a few easy tweaks in the menu) is just about perfect. The fact that it uses an LED lamp instead of expensive DLP bulbs is a great feature as well. I’ve had it for a couple of months and so far so good (fingers crossed) but some people have had some issues. RPTV is nearly gone, and this is probably one of the best ones you can get, and even when they were new, the price was VERY reasonable. I love LCD, but they’re just not affordable in larger sizes. Its a shame that these are not being made any more – Samsung had a real winner.
Before buying any Samsung products, Google for Samsung DLP or LCD TV problems. You will be shocked. I have exact same problem, power-off after 3years’ usage and paying $3,300 on 61″ DLP TV. What did I do? Through Google help, I installed the power conditioner ($300.00) and little fan ($7.00) with my finger crossing. So far so good.
But, my friend bought 56″ same model as mine about the same time. He spent $600 to repair power-off problem replacing some board whatever because my ad-hoc repair didn’t work for him.
Don’t be suckers for Samsung.
PS. As a Korean-American, I feel shame with this terrible Korean company.
After much research (about a year) we finally decided to purchase a 61″ Samsung DLP for $4,500 delivered. While we were thrilled for the first year, just shortly after that, the bulb went. Okay, no problem as this is typical, BUT just 10 months later, I shut her off for the evening and she has been dead ever since. It’s been months now, and we are being told to just replace it as parts needed are too expensive and labor is astronomical. WHAT??? You mean we’ve used this TV all of 2-2.5 years and it’s obsolete? I didn’t even spend half the original purchase price on our daughter’s first car. Samsung knows that there are problems with these TV’s, and they do not stand behind their product. Anyone know what I can do w/this huge TV I have still in place like a ghost who taunts me??? We tried replacing the bulb again–Nope! We tried replacing the ballust–Nope! Now, we’re too gun shy to purchase again!
My second one of these died after only 6 months. The parts needed are not available and won’t be for at least a month. Samsung is getting out of the dlp tv business, so please don’t buy them.
I purchased a Samsung television about eighteen months ago. Two weeks ago the picture became all distorted. Since my television warranty was through Circuit City I had no choice but to call a television repair person out to look at it. As soon as he walked in the door he knew what the issue was. He told me that the part would cost almost as much as the television and that his recommendation was to throw away the television and purchase another one. After doing some research I discovered that there were quite a few Samsung televisions that were going out and that the parts were on backorder for about a month. Samsung was also not helpful. I trying to discuss this with SamsungTweets on Twitter, but he blocked me when I asked why nobody called me like he said they would. The only other answer I got from Samsung was that I needed to take it to a service center; this is after I told them that a television repair person had looked at it. From what I can tell from looking on television repair forums, Samsung televisions look to be pretty flakey.
I have to agree with Robin. Thousands of outraged Samsung DLP owners have come to seriously regret ever buying one. Samsung DLPs appear to have some major design flaws. The most common symptoms we encounter after 1-2 years are:
1) Set contiuously turns itself off
2) White or green dots begin appearing across screen
3) Ghosting, lines, or afterimages on screen (event though DLPs do not suffer burn-in)
#1 is typically caused by degradation of the lamp, lamp ballast, and colorwheel as they break-in together. When the lamp starts to go (all lamps have a limited life-span) it can indirectly cause a cascade failure in the sensors of the other two components. Sometimes, the ballast and colorwheel check out on the o-scope and meter, but they register a new lamp as a fault. Either way, all 3 components usually have to be replaced at about $400 in parts. #2 & #3 require even costlier repairs.
I usually advise folks (who don’t have a Svc Plan) not to waste their money trying to repair it; just bite the bullet and go purchase a more reliable brand. They really don’t like hearing that, but it’s just not cost-effective for them to repair something for half the purchase price of a better comparable set.
You don’t have to take my word for it. Try Googling “Samsung DLP problems” or “Samsung DLP turns off” and see for yourself.
Samsung still uses the same basic design.
Samsung still officially denies any design flaws.