Samsung PS42Q97HDX Review

42in Plasma TV

Picture
Sound
Features
Usability
Value

Superb picture and fast motion handling capabilities give this plasma a class leading edge.

91%

1024x768 pixels

HD Ready

Reviewed: 01 May 2007

Design

Taking a leaf out of Panasonic's design book, Samsung have decided that less is more and have given the PS42Q97HDX a minimalist look and feel. The approach works well, and the Samsung PS42Q97HDX will add a chic touch to any living space.

Features

Three HDMI (1 side) are a positive start for connectivity on the PS42Q97HDX and they are complemented by 2 Scarts with component video and PC input. The Samsung PS42Q97HDX also has a built-in digital Freeview tuner with 7-day Electronic programming Guide (EPG).

Details

Screen size & shape: 42in 16:9

Tuner: Digital

Sound system: Stereo

Resolution: 1024x768 pixels

HD Ready: Yes

Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1

Brightness: 1500cd/m2

OTHER FEATURES: DNIe picture processing, Natural True Colour, Real Motion Studio.

SOCKETS: 3 HDMI (1 Side), 2 SCART, Component Video, PC input.

With the Q97 series, Samsung have focused much of their technical expertise on improving fast motion response.

Their 'Real Motion Studio' is a suite of technologies for achieving this aim. Movie Mode has been designed to eliminate 'Motion Judder' and 'Silhouette Editor' is aimed at retaining the sharpness and detail of a fast moving image.

Samsung have used another proprietary technology 'Natural True Colour' which complements their 'Real Motion Studio' suite to achieve balanced realistic colour, especially on fast moving sequences.

A new 18-bit processor, while increasing the responsiveness of all the technological components on this screen, has also been designed to increase the range and depth of colours.

Samsungs trusty Digital Natural Image Engine (DNIe) forms the picture processing heart of the PS42Q97HDX. The technology focuses on improving black levels, improving colour saturations and tone and sharpness and tone.

DNIe has four main feature areas, Motion Optimizer, Contrast Enhancer, Detail enhancer and Colour Optimizer, and has a track record of producing impressive results on previous Samsung screens.

With the PS42Q97HDX Samsung have addressed a long-standing problem with plasma screens in that pictures in daylight conditions often appear shiny. Samsung's 'Ultra FilterBright' actually reduces contrast ratio down to 1000:1 in brighter conditions and can bump it back up to 15,000:1 when the viewing environment becomes darker.

Samsung are obviously thinking seriously about the longevity of the PS42Q97HDX with 'anti-burn-in' technology which is used to combat the bug bear of plasma screen, screen-burn.

Two 10-Watt speakers form the audio capability of the PS42Q97HDX with SRS TruSurround XT technology promising simulated 3D effect enhanced dialog and powerful bass.

Performance

The first thing we notice about the Samsung PS42Q97HDX is the truly stunning black level performance, which is way ahead of anything that Samsung have produced in a Plasma unit before now, and at least matches the best that Panasonic and other class leading manufacturers are currently offering.

We have to say that we didn't notice a great deal of difference from the FilterBright technology, but things like this can be very subjective depending on your surroundings and perceptions.

The Samsung PS42Q97HDX is notable for its huge array of available manual adjustments. We judged this screen on factory presets, but from a little foray into the screens manual adjustments we are pretty confident that you would be able to tweak the PS42Q97HDX to suit most circumstances - you can even switch DNIe off completely.

It looks like Samsung have sorted out their niggling colour problems with the PS42Q97HDX. On previous Samsung Plasma screens, skin tones have looked decidedly green around the gills with a colour imbalance in this direction. Not so the PS42Q97HDX which shows a colour composure that is hard to match for a 42in plasma. The depth and richness of colours is impressive, and skin tones now look natural in all situations.

High Definition (HD) sources are where this screen comes into its own. The depth clarity and detail displayed is truly astounding. The proprietary motion compensating technology is doing its job with fast motion sequences, and will bring gasps of delight from onlookers.

Many consumers will buy this unit for its HD performance, but will be more than pleasantly surprised with its Standard Definition (SD) capabilities. The Samsung PS42Q97HDX really is a Plasma to contend with in this respect. Never before has the technology come so close to matching a good CRT for SD display. On close inspection there is some digital noise and a slight trace of motion blurring.

As you would expect the picture deteriorates slightly with Freeview as opposed to Sky, but this is still one of the most composed plasma's we have come across.

Finally, sound is about average for the screens in this class and certainly something that will not detract from the whole experience.

Conclusion

The Samsung PS42Q97HDX is the most accomplished 42in Plasma we have come across for the price. Not only is it a superb HD performer, the SD performance is more than a pleasant surprise with performance that does not quite match a CRT but comes close.