What features are in the new hlN models?

[FatDog]

The Samsung HLM units seem to be a favorite, but I keep hearing about the new HLN units due to come out with more features. Does anybody know whats different in the HLM vs the HLN units?

Here is the scant feature differences I have found:

- Direct source jump (instead of next->next->next)
- Faroudja DcDi chip
- Some models will only be sold by Tweeter and professional installers.

What else? Faster color wheel? Improved bulb life? Better viewing angle? More inputs?

Here are the 'important-to-me' features on the HLM units:

- 3 composite video inputs
- 2 Component inputs (1080i, 720p, 480p)
- 3 SVideo inputs
- 2 RF inputs
- 1 RF Output Whats that about?
- 1 DVI input

HD2 chip?

[Lowpro]

Here is a link for starters, http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1051806301003&skuId=5333472&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03006 .

More specific information is detailed below.

Input designations for Component 1-3, and Video 1-3

Component 1
Autosensing input (480i/480p) specifically designed for the current crop of DVD players.

Component 2 & 3
HD-capable inputs accepting 480p/720p/1080i sources.

Video 1 & 2
Your choice of composite or s-video connectivity.

Video 3 - Side Input
Your choice of composite or s-video connectivity.


DMD Chip, Color Wheel, and Lamp Details

DMD chip
All Samsung DLP sets employ the 12-degree HD-2 Mustang panel.

Color Wheel Details
Samsung spec's a 6 segment 2.5x color wheel. The color wheel runs at 9,000 RPM.

Lamp Details
The 43/50" models can expect about 8,000 hours out of the 100 watt lamp. The 61" is spec'd at 6,000 hours due to its 120 watt rating. Dealers should eventually be in a position to sell the lamp, which is around $250. The parts department via 800-Samsung may quote at or above this price.


Breakdown on the "7" and "65" HLN series.

1) Both employ 3:2 pull down.

2) Both also employ Samsung's DNIe (Digital Natural Image Enhancer) engine.

3) Side by side both will perform equally, meaning the "7" series vs. the "65" series. The "7" series does call out the Faroudja feature.

Something to note however is that the 3:2 pull down circuitry only works in the NTSC 480i and does not work in 480P, 720P or 1080i inputs. These scan rates bypass the Faroudja and 3:2 pull down circuits, where as the DNIe solution works on all analog inputs including the wideband component video and the inputs for progressive scan DVD players.


Few other features I left out....

1) Aspect Ration Memory by Input (Big oversight with the HLM line.)

2) Channel Labeling (May or may not be new ... not sure.)

3) HLN "65" series has enhanced case construction like the HLM "7" series.

4) HLN-5065W is less bulky than the HLM-5065W from last year. This may also follow with the other model sizes, but I have yet to see the specs on them.

Summary...
The HLN line is a substantial step up from the initial HLM series in my opinion. The DNIe processing alone does it for me. You get a lot more bang for your buck with the HLN series, but for the HLM series price. Certainly can't complain about that. Hopefully in a few years time we will see the pricing for these DLP products at half what they are now. I won't be able to wait that long but heck, someone's got to break the price in for everyone else.

Low Profile
www.lowpro.net

[Leth]

We just got one of those new HLN in the 43" size into Sears today. We put it up on display and tweaked a little. I must say the picture is very nice. Viewing angle is about as good as any RPTV but the brightness and overall picture quality was amazing. It's regular priced at 3499.99.

[riefil]

We just put the HLN5065w out at Best Buy. Wow!!! Not much tweaking had to be done, but it was necessary. I can't believe the color. Gotta have one soon!!!! Just waiting for my discount to kick in:D .

[FatDog]

Lowpro: outstanding post! thanks.

But I now know that there is a difference between the "M" and "N" series, and "65" vs "7".

Which model lets you jump directly to a source?

It's also good to know about the Faroudja chip only working for 480i.

On another point: There is a lot of buzz about a new HD-931 DVD player from Samsung. This DVD player does the line-doubling, up-conversion and 3:2 pull-down in digital format, then outputs this digitally via the DVI output jack.

So if you hooked one of these up to the DVI input on a DLP TV, you would essentially have a total-digital pathway up to the DLP chip. No need for special chips that do analog doubling/etc.

I'm assuming one of these $399 Samsung DVD players are designed to work with Samsung DLP televisions or am I making too big a leap?

There is controversy about the upgraded video via the DVI output. DVI is really DVI-CP (Content Protection) and Samsung has said verbage like it will "honor the copyright protection for commercial DVD's".

Does this mean that the DVI connector will detect a television as a "display-only" device and allow the video to go through, but not to the DVI input on a HD-VCR? Or does this mean it will not up-convert ANY commercial DVD? Few people know and confusion ensues.

Lowpro - any insight?

[aj327]

I think this was hinted at, but just to clarify - all the HLN series DLPs have the exact same internals. Even though the XX65 models don't speicify, they do indeed have the FLI2300 chip. The only difference among the various N series models is cosmetic. I know this to be true.

Also, it might interest some of you that many of the later M models are also identical to the N models internally...you can check via the SM to verify.

Also, I've heard through the grapevine that if you were one of the unfortunates who bought an M series DLP that had the "default to wide" issue, and didn't have discreet inputs, they will be offering a free firmware upgrade. I've also heard that for a small fee (somewhere aound $200), they will upgrade your hardware as well to the FLI2300 chip and DNIe. HOW they go about doing this I'm not really sure, but my source is direct, and I'm confident it will happen. I was told it would happen around 2 months from now.

We'll see.

-a

[FatDog]

many of the later M models are also identical to the N models internally...you can check via the SM to verify.

Cool. How do we know which serial numbers are "later"?

Or if we had one in front of us with the power on, how do we tell it has the FLI chip/direct-source inputs/no "Lock in full" issue?

[holemania]

lowpro,

good post on hln5065w...I didn't see dvi input on your list of inputs for this set or on the BB website "view" of the back of the set. Can you confirm whether or not the hln5065w @ BB has the DVI input?

Thanks!

[Lowpro]

The DVI/HDCP connection comes standard on all Samsung DLP sets. So that would be a "yes". :-) It also has the RGB input (15-pin D-sub) for your computer display.

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www.lowpro.net

[FatDog]

Lowpro: Any word on the Samsung ...931? DVD player that will up-convert a DVD in the digital domain and output the higher-def signal via the DVI port? The combo of a Samsung DLP and this DVD player should be outstanding.

[matic]

anyone know how I can get a split screen on my HLN5065W? The guy at BestBuy said this could be done, and it was a big selling point for me... thus far I've only been able to get a small PIP in the lower right corner, and I can't get my PC to display through it either.

thanks

[mikehbkwm]

Again that DVD player will only upconvert DVD's that are not copyright protected and 99% of DVD's are so that player from where I stand is kinda useless............

[Lowpro]

There are a few products out there which are basically "Set-top Home Theater PC" DVD players which do accomplish what you are looking for regardless of the copyright protection. Link below is the first one that came to mind.

http://www.movimagic.com/overview.html

Low Profile
www.lowpro.net

[Lowpro]

"Anyone know how I can get a split screen on my HLN5065W?"

If I am not mistaken the remote control has a flip panel at the top where many of the PIP options are located. Give that a shot.

As for the pc functionality with PIP ... I am not sure whether it is supported or not. Check your owners manual. If I confirm anything on that I'll let you know.

Low Profile
www.lowpro.net

[matic]

I'll fiddle with it... I wish my TV had an OS, I could just write an app to do it, this HDTV stuff is a little out of my expertise! lol.