Samsung ws32z308p slimfit ( TXR3079WH in us ) USA press release

This is one of the tv's on my shortlist, can't find any info about from samsung uk. I thought this press release might interest some.

I looked at this telly in Curry$ and it was the best I thought?? ( I'm no expert though...personal choice maybe? ) at 489 in the uk including delivery it must be considered 4 me....( budget 400!!! lol ) ... I know its 100hz but for the price & connctivity it must be a steal ( its cheaper here than in the US or Europe I think...if I did the exchange rate thing right, $ 999 or € 847....here 489 including delivery!!

************************ press release **********

SAMSUNG Says, “Slim Is In!” With Launch Of Award-Winning SlimFit™ TV

Priced Affordably Like A CRT, But Less Than 16” Deep, The TXR3079WH Integrated 30” Cathode Ray Panel TV Creates a New Category in the HDTV Market



Las Vegas, NV - Samsung Electronics, the global Visual Display and HDTV innovator, is revolutionizing the marketplace once again with the launch of its groundbreaking SlimFit TV featuring Samsung's new space-saving CRP (Cathode Ray Panel) technology. Already a CES 2005 Innovations Honoree, the new TXR3079WH is a 30" widescreen, integrated HDTV that measures less than 16" from front to back! Typical CRT sets on the market today average more than 24" in depth.
In addition to the ultra-trim profile, the SlimFit TV's CRP Flat Picture Tube enables the improved brightness, contrast and more natural color associated with CRT technology. With the debut of the TXR3079WH, Samsung, already a market share leader in the vibrant CRT category, is creating a new category in the flat TV market - one that represents an ideal compromise between affordable price and coveted form factor. The new SlimFit TXR3079WH can be seen at CES 2005 in the Samsung booth, #11024 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 6th - 9th.

While consumers clearly embrace the idea of slimmer televisions such as flat-panel TVs, the hefty price on larger screen sizes has so far been an obstacle for mainstream acceptance. As a result, the affordability and outstanding picture-quality found on traditional CRT TVs has helped sustain demand for that TV category. In fact, while the demand for flat-panel TVs has recently risen, chipping slowly at CRT market share, the Consumer Electronics Association estimates there is still more than a 20 million-unit market for picture tube televisions. The research and development team at Samsung has kept these consumers in mind with the production of the new TXR3079WH. Priced at only a modest premium over traditional HD tube sets, the new SlimFit TV is the ultimate blend of flat TV value, functionality and style.

"Samsung believes the new SlimFit television will play a significant role in revitalizing the CRT business and will carve a place for a new category that matches the affordability and image equality of CRT TV with the "slim is in" benefits of flat-panel TV," said Jonas Tanenbaum, Sr. Marketing Manager for Samsung Electronics America's Visual Display Group. "Conventional CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) sets have been around for decades and although they've become flatter over the years, they have always had a bulky quality and significant depth associated with them. Samsung's innovative engineering team recently made a technology breakthrough that allowed existing CRT factory production lines, with some modification, to produce a new generation of Slim Depth Cathode Ray Panels (CRP) that measure 2/3 the depth of conventional CRT models. In the coming months and years, Samsung will launch additional SlimFit screen sizes and models, which all feature this new CRP technology. The result for consumers is a -slim HDTV at a fraction of the cost of other flat-panel technologies."

With the Samsung TXR3079W, consumers can look forward to the superior picture quality and smooth action they have come to expect from traditional direct view sets. The new SlimFit HDTV attains incredible color and brightness. Its nano-pigment screen design enables an amazing 5000:1 contrast ratio, color reproduction that measures in at 100%, and an 800-candela brightness. All of these performance advantages are wrapped in its ultra-thin, sleekly designed cabinet that fits on just about any tabletop, cabinet or corner of the room.

Another compelling benefit of the TXR3079W is its built-in HDTV tuner, which works with an antenna to receive free, over-the-air broadcasts of HDTV. It has the ability to accept digital signals from both 720p and 1080i sources, displaying them in 1080i and delivers a crystal-clear progressive scan picture from any analog source. It comes with a Dolby Digital Dynamic Sound System that includes a 20-watt stereo with a multi band adjustable equalizer to complement the experience.

For film buffs, the TXR3079W also incorporates progressive scan DVD (480p) compatibility and Samsung's 3:2 Pull Down process that corrects the flaws inherent in film to video transfers. Samsung's exclusive Digital Natural Image Engine (DNIe) picture enhancement technology is also included to provide even better contrast, motion, detail and color. The TX-R3079W is scheduled to launch in June 2005 at an MSRP of $1,199.

[Dystran]

I have been looking for a 32" low priced CRT for my girlfriend. She was always complaining about the size of them in the shops (the depth). She knows that I cannot afford Plasma or rear projection (besides, she hated the 42" rear projections as they are too big!), and LCD was also a little too expensive, expecially as i wanted to get her at least a 32" as I wanted her to be impressed over her 21" inch current square screen

This Samsung seemed perfect. I have already ordered one, but may be 7 to 10 days before I get it. The £489 price incles VAT and delivery, and they also offer 6 months interest free credit.

Lets hope that this new technology is tried and tested enough to bring to market!

[Dystran]

By the way, The comet site was the one that seemed to have most information about it - although still not that much.

I was surprised to see that it had picture in picture? and it wasnt in relation to Teletext. I think that it allows to watch a different channel at the same time (good for when big brother is on hmm). TV's used to have this function a lot in the good old days.

Hi Dystran.....apparently only display models have been handed out in the uK up till now. I've found out today that the retailers placed their orders last week....and due in date ( at curry$ for one ) is the 24th of this month. I really want to get this one but it looks like its too late.....my wife's wimbledon requirements!!!.....so I'm off out tommorow to buy a tv......I wanted to get it via the net but still....BE direct is only 40 mins drive from me ( they had the samsung at 499, but none in stock but expected soon is all i was told ).

Picture in picture was really good......I played about with it for a long time...sad eh?. you can put a single p in p anywhere on the screen, & then you can have 12? channel p in p around the outside of a letterboxed pic, though these have a 10 sec refresh rate. The picture was the best out of all the tv's in the shop 4 me and 4 my wife & 'the' teenager, though there was some lag between changing channels. I really wanted a 50hz too!!......I would also rate its quality, its stylish and funky and excellent designer look, enjoy!!

[Dystran]

Great!! thanks for the info bud, i've not actually seen one in real life - took the gamble.

Shes going to love this present - beats a bunch of flowers! If I can get one for the 5 July she will be happy.

Shame you cant get one on time - do Argos still do their 90 no question returns policy? To get a TV to tide you over for a while?

Take care, and thanks for the info

Possibly Bad News I have spoken to some retailers today who are suggesting that there is a supply problem in the UK with this set.....perhaps someone here more in the know than me could comment??........I have been ( I feel ) reliably informed that there is going to be a 4-8 week delay from today on these TV's, and then they are going to be in short supply. Only those who have their orders in by now will get the first batch.

I may well have been misinformed, I hope so!!

[chriszzzzzz]

Mine arrives on wednesday. From Currys. Looked great in the store but will post opinion on Thursday hopefully.

[Dystran]

I went to curry's to take a look at the set.

It does look good. Good picture, and it is slim. Yes, it goes back a little, but it fits the stand perfectly and lets face it - a DVD player and other equipment goes back a little so I am happy with my TV set going back as far as my other equipment as it squares it all off nicely.

I've seen LCD TV's sitting on stands that have more depth than the stand to this set.

I liked the 45 degree view of the set. You cannot see the back and the edges look like that of an LCD even if you are quite a way around to the side of the set. The black seemed pretty dark too/

I ordered mine from Robertsons. Good price etc, but they are awaiting stock like already mentioned in this thread. I just hope Robertsons have some push to get it quickly!

Hope you enjoy your TV!

I spent quite a lot of time looking at this slim-CRT set in Currys over the last couple of weekends. After adjusting the picture options to reduce the contrast I was initially very happy with the picture. But then I noticed picture distortion on the very left and right edges of the screen. This is very noticeable when watching anything with vertical lines and a panning camera. Try watching a tennis match for example, or even an episode of Eastenders (has quite a lot of panning during indoor scenes). See those vertical lines bend outwards at the bottom and top. Very annoying. I didn't see any football, but I imagine that will also suffer.

I'm hoping that it is a fault with the set in the shop as it's one of the first batch, but I doubt it. Making the CRT so thin obviously has physical limitations. Now I'm stuck again. My room is too small to take a large 32" CRT, LCDs don't have good enough picture quality, and plasmas are too large and expensive.

My search continues. Whoever thought buying a telly would be so tough. Sigh.

[chriszzzzzz]

Wait til' Thursday and I'll let you know about any distortion. The one I viewed in the shop had none that I noticed.

The press release posted above states that the American version is HDTV ready with a built in digital tuner. Does anyone know if the version available in the UK is HD ready?

Originally Posted by m0nkeymafia

The press release posted above states that the American version is HDTV ready with a built in digital tuner. Does anyone know if the version available in the UK is HD ready?

Check out the following thread:

HDTV CRT in Europe? big NO?

Originally Posted by chriszzzzzz

Wait til' Thursday and I'll let you know about any distortion. The one I viewed in the shop had none that I noticed.

I'm looking forward to your comments on Thursday. Give the tennis a good viewing. Got my fingers crossed!

[Eiji]

This TV has been getting bad remarks by Americans who have either viewed or owned the set.

Bare in mind that although the model no. for the US set is different than the Euro set, its still the same TV bar the HDMI input and HDTV tuner so the flaws they see are the flaws we can expect.

Take your time to check out these threads in the avsforum:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=541592
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=534963
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=19522

Some highlights taken from the threads:

• Above average geometry problems
• Picture not as clear on the sides of the screen as the center
• Max picture resolution is only 800x1080i compared to Sony's Super Fine Pitch FD Trinitron sets which are 1400x1080i

Unfortunately, Sony's Super Fine Pitch FD Trinitron range of sets are not available in the UK

The US comments make interesting reading. Especially the following:

"However, after viewing 4 different units in 4 different stores, I've decided that I can not live with the geometry issue. All 4 units at 4 different stores had the same problem. The geometry issue is easily noticable when viewing 4:3 content with sidebars. The sidebars are wavy and have a pronounced outward curve at both the top and the bottom of the screen. When viewing full width programming it is less noticable, but whenever there is a vertical line on the display, especially near either side, the line will not be straight. It generally shows distinct curves in the line and the line will have a distinct outward curve near the top and/or bottom of the display screen."

This is exactly the issue I saw with the set in Currys. I imagine text in the corners of the screen will also suffer (e.g. football/tennis scores or news ticker).

With regards to the picture quality, I had the Sony KD-32DX200 right next to the Samsung set and the picture was not noticibly different. I understand the signal quality from the shop may not be the best but both displayed good pictures (after a little tweaking on the Samsung). I also did not notice any issue with the picture being clearer in the middle of the screen than the outside. Maybe I'll take another look.

Any idea when/if LG will be releasing a thin CRT over here? I see mention of the LG 30FS1D being released in the US around July . The following has a picture of it:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1759883,00.asp

I wonder if this has the same geometry issues.