Thanks to the slim bezel and sleek "piano black" cabinet, this set has the appearance of a flat-panel display from the front, and with a thickness of only 11.5-inches (without the foot) it makes a good alternative to flat panel. The bezel is a mere 0.8-inches thick (or thin according to Samsung), and thus from the front about the only thing you'll see is the bright and massive 61-inch screen.

Under this screen is where the speaker is hidden, and it proves to be adequate, featuring SRS TruSurround XT audio. These speakers do an adequate job of simulating 5.1 multi-channel content through a mere two speakers, and this technology is compatible with all multi-channel formats up to 6.1. We liked the auto volume leveler, which is also present with this set to keep the volume consistent during channel changing. But with a set of this size we'd still recommend it be used with a dedicated home theater surround sound system.

Connectivity is king with the HL-T6176S, which features three HDMI inputs, dual component (Y, Pb, Pr) inputs, dual S-Video input and dual composite video inputs. In addition there is an audio line-in and composite A/V output, plus digital audio (optical output) and a PC serial (9 pin D-Sub) input. The addition of a coaxial audio output would be nice, but otherwise there are plenty of options for most home theater needs. The addition of a USB input makes for easy viewing of digital photos.

This DLP set from Samsung features a five-segment color wheel for high contrast and brightness. The 2.2-inch color wheel spins at 14,400rpm, and this helps create a picture that remains clear with fast-motion video, and eliminates the pixel breakup and blur that is found in other micro-displays. Since it is still a color wheel some users may experience slight rainbow effects at the edge of the set, but it was something that we have yet to notice with this particular model.

Working with the five-segment color wheel is Samsung's Cinema Smooth engine, which is able to deliver vibrant colors with high contrast and brightness, while also producing some amazing black levels as well. The Digital Natural Image engine makes for sharp and clear images, and it works with five image processors and a six-times density enhancer to deliver a fantastic picture from the multiple sources, while also removing digital artifacts from the images. This 1080p set (1,920x1,080 native resolution) features multiple mode settings to ensure the best possible pictures, whether you're watching live sports, movies on Blu-ray or HD-DVD or playing a game. The HL-T6176S even features an advanced special game mode, which actually enhances the dark areas and sharpens the picture, plus speeds up the response time to meet the demands of today's cutting edge gaming technology.

The HL-T6176S is a sleek and good-looking set at an affordable price for the picture size. Samsung has refined their DLP sets over the years, and with this latest generation you can expect rich colors and deep blacks in a very attractive package.


Pros: Three HDMI inputs, large display in a sleek cabinet
Cons: Uses a color wheel, which causes some viewers to see a "rainbow" effect on the edge of the screen

Warranty
1-year limited, parts and labor