Samsung TXN3071WHF 30" 16:9 DynaFlat Digital HD-Ready TV

The TXN3071WHF is loaded with Samsung's Digital Pro Picture three-stage video processing system, which produces a high-performance picture from both analog and digital sources. The Total DSP (Digital Signal Processing) improves analog to digital signal processing, the Pro Chip Plus converts all analog signals to the better flicker-free progressive scan, and the three-line digital comb filter analyzes multiple lines of picture information to minimize edge image artifacts while improving transition detail.

The 3:2 pulldown cinema video processing detects and compensates film--which is shot at 24 frames per second (fps) compared with video's 30 fps rate--to video for a smooth theaterlike experience at home. This set also features an Invar shadow mask (an alloy material used to attain better focus and brightness consistency), color temperature controls, and four video presets (standard, dynamic, movie, custom) that optimize the picture for brightness, sharpness, color, and tint.

It has a built-in 181-chanel NTSC tuner that receives MTS and SAP stereo broadcasts. You'll need a separate HDTV tuner to receive high-definition broadcasts. Its built-in speakers have 15 watts of power apiece and it features a headphone jack on the side of the set. Two component-video inputs allow you to connect an optional HDTV receiver or a source with component-video outputs. It also has 4 composite A/V inputs (3 rear, 1 side), 1 A/V output, 1 S-video input (side), and 2 RF inputs (rear).

Tech Talk
Aspect ratio: The aspect ratio refers to the shape of the video image. Standard television has a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is almost square in appearance. Digital television will have either a 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio, which is widescreen and appears rectangular, looking more like a movie screen and filling more of the viewer's field of vision for a more lifelike viewing experience.

Scanning method: Frames of video are made up of many lines of video that are scanned onto a television screen so closely they appear to be a solid picture. The scanning method can be either interlaced or progressive. Interlaced scanning (also used in today's analog TV), indicated by an "i" in the video format, fills in the odd number lines (1,3,5,7...) and then fills in the even number lines (2,4,6,8...) until the frame is complete. Progressive scanning, "p," fills in each line consecutively until the frame is complete, like a computer display.

What's in the Box
TXN3071WHF 30-inch TV, remote control, 2 AA batteries, A/V cable, and printed operating instructions.

The TV had a problem with 4:3 screens. First of all, it was annoying that the TV insisted on 16:9 screens whenever one changes the video input or turns the set off/on. To change this setting back to 4:3, one has to travel through an extensive menu tree. When playing the DVD with its direct input, again one has to travel through the menu system to select the "component 1" input. One cannot access it from the channel selector as one can for AV inputs like the VCR.

A flaw with the picture was that it blooms when a certain area of the picture suddenly is bright. The vertical lines in the 4:3 aspect ratio actually curve out at those moments.

Another problem is the lack of shielding in this set. I actually noticed where the wooden studs behind the sheetrock were in the wall the set was placed against. A moving of my arm around the back cover of the set hid the stud shadow in the picture.

After a week, I returned the set to trade it for a lesser priced Philips model. Its results are much better in all of the above.


Very pleased with this TV -- keep the price in mind   December 4, 2003
sagafan (Madison, WI USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

My first foray into the HDTV world...the TXN3071WHF is one of the most compact and inexpensive ->widescreen-< HDTVs you can get right now, I've had mine for almost a year. The picture quality is great, and the sound quality...well it's ok but I have my audio going straight from the DVD player to a surround-sound system anyway (which I'm guessing most people who own HDTVs do).

I do not have an auto-shutoff problem, maybe I have an earlier revision of the TXN3071WHF operating system. The only curious thing I've noticed is when there are any bright red objects on the screen, they tend to 'wiggle' a bit. Which is kind of a cool effect actually.

It doesn't have a ton of bells and whistles, but for an entry-level widescreen HDTV, this thing is pretty sweet. Watching Toy Story II or Finding Nemo in 16:9 format on this set will knock your socks clear off. : )


Forgive me Sony   November 19, 2003
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

The other reviewers may have defective TV's because mine doesn't shut off inexplicably; However, it does have curved side bars when viewing in 4:3 aspect ratio (this is not corrected/affected by the tilt adjustment). Also, the left side of my screen is brighter than the right. I have a call in for repair of these problems.

What cannot be repaired is the poor design, no doubt to keep the cost relatively low: 1. no rear S-Video jack (just one in the side panel). 2. not magnetically shielded (my receiver on the shelf above was turning the top of the picture green). 3. seperate buttons on remote for vid1/vid2/s-vid/ant & component1/2/vid1/2. 4. no dvi input. 5. no picture-in-picture.

I was going to get the Sony KV-30HS510 but thought I'd save some money with the Samsung; Forgive me Sony, you are clearly worth the extra $500. (which is just 13 cents a day over ten years, which is how long my last Sony lasted) Would've been well worth it considering the stress I'm going through now.


Inexplicable Auto Shut Off Feature   October 6, 2003
19 out of 21 found this review helpful

I echo the remarks of the other review here regarding the confusing auto shut off feature.

Picture & sound quality are excellent (in fact we don't notice any of the sound mentioned by the other reviewer. We have remarked about how quiet the set is, in fact, at all low volumes.)

The manual refers to a feature, which can only be described as an energy saving device, which causes the TV to turn itself off if you don't touch any button on the remote or one on the set itself for 3 hours. What luncay!

This is the seventh day for this set in our house and I just pulled the box back from the curb in case I have to take it back to Best Buy.

I don't drive with my air conditioning on with the windows down, but saving energy is supposed to be the consumer's choice. If I want to run the thing at full blast while away from the set for 10 days that is up to me, not the agenda of some energy saving police. Absolutely ridiculous.

And if you try calling the customer service line you'll be in for a treat. A kid on the other end who is reading a computer version of the manual you received with the TV. When I asked for more help (on my third phone call - the first one told me to unplug the set which would reset the timer to the "factory setting" for 5 minutes, and the second which told me to do the same for an hour) I was told that a technician would call me back "this week". What?! I'll just sit here with my $1000.00 paperweight waiting for help from above, or take it back and buy something that let's me decide how much energy to use or not.

Oh, by the way, the timer (counting down to what God only knows) is loud enough to make you wonder if you have a bomb in your living room. Probably engineered by the same dope who decided the thing should shut off in three hours. Lots of shows/events last longer than three hours (like the Redskins game, golf tournament, Yankees & Twins game, Super Bowl, Gone With the Wind, etc.).

Overall, I am about fed up with this one and really reconsidering our purchase as it was a coin toss between this one and the comparable 30" Philips widescreen HD set.