PLAYBACK 23: Samsung SP-A900B 1080p DLP projector

Samsung's Terrific "Joe Kane" Projector Just Got Better

Connectivity

Four HD inputs (two HDMI, two component) should be enough for most home theater users, and there are SD legacy inputs as well as an RGB PC input for computer gamers or those who want to use the projector as a giant screen computer monitor. An RS-232 serial port allows the use of an external system controller (Crestron, AMX, HAI and the like).

User Interface

On Screen Display

Virtually the same as the SP-A800B, with a colorful text and graphics GUI that is well-laid out and logical. I like that the OSD can be set to display the various menus continuously, which aids setup and calibration immensely.

Remote Control

Also virtually the same as the SP-A800B, the ovoid remote features backlighting, with buttons spaced far enough apart to avoid mis-setting. The labeling is a tad on the small side though. Discrete input selector buttons are another plus.

RECOMMENDED SETTINGS

As with any other quality front projection setup, having a full calibration performed at the time of installation is really the only way to ensure that the projector is properly optimized and mated to the projection screen.

• Color: 45
  
• Tint: 0
  
• Sharpness: Min
  
• Picture Mode: Movie 1
  
• HD size (pixel-to-pixel): 16:9, Overscan Off
  
• Color Temperature: 6500°K
  
• Dynamic Black: Off
  
• Color Standard: HD
  
• NR: Off
  
• Gamma: Film (2.2 result)

PERFORMANCE

Blu-ray Evaluation: Watchmen

Detail

The Samsung’s excellent optics provide outstanding uniformity from edge to edge, corner to corner, and are one of the key reasons why this 1080p projector carries a premium price. The various HD “making of” featurettes are chock-a-blocked packed with stunning video detail.

Color

Once properly adjusted, the Samsung displays true reference grade color accuracy, which is most evident in the movie’s late timeline scenes, which have a more vivid and sharper color palette than the color palette chosen for the film’s many flashback scenes.

Blacks

I watched the movie in both letterbox and anamorphic widescreen modes, and in letterbox mode the black bars at the top and bottom of the image simply disappeared when my theater room’s lights were dimmed—an excellent result.

Shadow Detail

With so many nighttime scenes in the movie, I never found myself squinting to make out the shadowy parts of the film—the textbook perfect gamma provided excellent shadow details all the way down to the darkest grays.

Artifacts/Noise

None noted.

Broadcast HDTV Evaluation: America’s Got Talent  (NBC)

Detail

Super crisp and clean, this talent competition show features superb production values and uses high-grade studio quality HD camera equipment, and the Samsung puts forth a detailed presentation that is highly uniform across the entire screen.