Samsung pulls out all the stops with the HL-S6188W, an HDTV that uses DLP technology to present a superior 1,080p picture. While it can't match the cabinet thinness of plasma or LCD, the HL-S6188W still manages to pack a 61-inch screen and a long feature list into a graceful cabinet that measures less than 18 inches in depth.

The HL-S6188W uses a pixel-sharing process called "wobulation" to achieve a native resolution of 1,920X1,080, and all incoming signals can be up-converted to 1,080p. The result is an impressive, razor-sharp picture that is further enhanced by Samsung's DNIe (Digital Natural Image engine) processing. A contrast ratio that tops out at 10,000:1 means that whites are intense, blacks are deep and detail in shadow is clearly visible. In addition, the HL-S6188W employs a high-speed, five-segment color wheel that effectively combats DLP's inherent rainbow effects. To top it all off, the HL-S6188W has 3:2 pulldown to correct the uneven motion that can occur during the conversion of film to video.

In addition to a QAM tuner, the HL-S6188W sports a CableCARD slot on its rear panel, so it is digital cable-ready. This set also has dual tuners, so no external tuner is needed to enable the full complement of PIP functions.

Samsung uses a "hidden speaker" design on the HL-S6188W, so the below-the-screen stereo speakers are nearly invisible in the thin surrounding bezel. Audio options include SRS TruSurround XT simulated surround sound and automatic volume leveling, but the speakers only produce 10 watts of output per channel. This is low for a TV of this size, so you should consider using the rear-panel coaxial digital audio output to route the sound to a home theater receiver and speakers.

The HL-S6188W is equipped with a complete selection of inputs and outputs for connecting a variety of associated components. The side panel has a composite video input that is handy for linking a camcorder or game console, and there is also a USB input for connecting a digital camera or other data storage device and viewing pictures on the big screen. The rear panel has two component video inputs, a PC input with audio, two HDMI inputs, an IEEE 1394 connector, the CableCARD slot and the digital audio output, among others. There is also an RS232C connection for linking associated components into a home theater network controlled through the HL-S6188W.

While the MSRP is still steep despite a recent price drop, the Samsung HL-S6188W offers a top-notch big-screen experience and a feature list that most DLP HDTVs can't match.

Pros:  Sharp display with up-conversion to 1,080p, twin-tuner PIP, digital cable-ready, relatively slim cabinet
Cons:  Underpowered audio system, expensive

Warranty
1 year parts and labor