HDTV Powerhouse

Featuring a "hidden speaker" thin bezel design that "fits where others won't", Samsung's 56" widescreen DLP TV delivers an astounding HDTV experience. Samsung, the recognized leader in DLP technology, created the breakthrough Cinema Smooth light engine that produces razor-sharp pictures in 1080p. The natural, vivid colors of Samsung's HLS5688W are achieved through a 10-bit processing system with a 5-segment color wheel that enriches the viewing experience, far surpassing 3-panel technologies on earlier DLP televisions. A contrast ratio of 10,000:1 captures blacker blacks and crisper whites. And the ultra-fast DLP chip results in fast video performance. Best yet, Samsung's superior technology ensures no image burn-in for a reliable, long-lasting picture.

Cinema Smooth Light Engine

Samsung's Cinama Smooth light engine brings together the right optics, electronic circuitry and replaceable light source to create a brilliant picture that's more lifelike and much closer to film. Now in its fifth year of evolution, Samsung's Cinema Smooth light engine delivers crisp, 1080p High Definition resolution with high contrast and brightness, defined edges and sharp detail. The culmination of years of industry-leading research and development, the Cinema Smooth 1080p light engine releases the maximum power of the new generation of DMD microdisplays for the most film-like picture. It creates an image with no visible pixel structure and accurate shading and better low-light detail.

DLP Me ASAP

DLP TV by Samsung employs a Texas Instruments DLP chip that is comprised of millions of microscopic mirrors. The DLP chip is faster than any other HDTV technology, with the mirrors switching on and off 15,000 times a second to deliver a sharp picture for fast moving images. When combined with Samsung's new Cinema Smooth light engine, the result is a crisp, bright picture with deep, rich colors that's closer to film. Now in its fifth generation, Samsung's Cinema Smooth light engine releases the maximum power of the new generation of DMD microdisplays for the most film-like picture.

Enhanced Images

Samsung's 2.2" color wheel spins at 14,400 rpm for smooth fast-motion video, and has five color segments for more accurate colors. It's comprised of the 3 primary colors, Red, Green and Blue plus Cyan and Yellow. It achieves film-like transitions and eliminates the pixel breakup found in slower color wheel designs and slower-switching LCD microdisplays. The Cinema Smooth light engine uses a whisper quiet air bearing design. Samsung's exclusive Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe) makes the sharpest and clearest images possible, regardless of the profile of input signals. Five image processors and a six-times density enhancer ensure the best picture from any source. Now in its fourth generation, DNIe guarantees the truest colors and highest contrast, while virtually eliminating digital artifacts. With the HLS5688W's My Color Control, you can pick tones -- the green of the grass and the blue of the sky -- just the way you like, without affecting the other colors on the screen. The three major colors can be adjusted to perfectly fit your taste. Self expression meets display perfection.

Making Movies Come To Life

The HLS5688W's Cinema Mode lets you see colors the way the director intended by matching them more closely to production standards. This creates more accurate colors and natural skin tones when viewing Hollywood movies on your TV -- the perfect setting when enjoying movies with the lights off. Powered by Samsung's Cinema Smooth technology, 3:2 Pull Down corrects for the artificial frames created when films are coverted to DVDs. The result is a clearer image without the subtle motion artifacts caused by 24-to-30 frames per second video conversion.

Make Some Connections

The HLS5688W has lots of connections, including 2 HDMI inputs. HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) addresses both pure digital audio and video performance and simplifies connections from the new generation set-top boxes and DVD players by reducing cable connections to one cable and plug. PC inputs mean your HLS5688W can also function as a high-quality WXGA PC monitor. Another great option are the two smart component video (Y/Pb/Pr) inputs for your DVD and DTV sources that accept 480p, 720p and 1080i signals.

Let The Games Begin

A special game mode on the HLS5688W helps you get the most out of your gaming adventures. This mode enhances dark areas, sharpens the picture, speeds up the image processing response and enhances the sounds of your games. Picture and sound quality are optimized for the special needs of gaming systems. And all of this happens at the touch of a button.

Easy Entertainment

There are lots of features on the HLS5688W that help you get the most out of all the sources you watch, and make it easy to operate. An integrated HDTV tuner delivers the world of free off-air DTV and HDTV local broadcast channels with the addition of a suitable VHF antenna. Picture format size adjustment lets you enjoy all of your 4:3 aspect ratio programming in smooth, wide-screen without black bars. Four preset aspect ratio modes -- Normal, Wide, Zoom 1 and Zoom 2 -- stretch your image to fill the screen naturally. A 3-line digital comb filter dramatically reduces edge image artifacts while improving transition detail. Previous Channel returns you to the previously viewed channel at the push of a button, while V-Chip enables parental control for channel and program blocking of TV programs that incorporate the rating code signal. There's a clock with on/off timer and Closed Caption displays dialog that can be read along with encoded broadcast TV programs and pre-recorded videos. Non Volatile Memory preserves audio, video and menu settings during power outages, and and Auto Volume Leveler keeps audio volume consistent during channel changing to minimize static sound bursts.

Included With Purchase

Remote control, user manual.

Comparison Specifications

• 56" Screen Size
• DLP TV By Samsung, Single-Panel Design
• Widescreen Aspect Ratio
• Samsung's Cinema Smooth Film-Mode 3:2 Pull Down
• POD Slot (CableCard)
• 2 HDMI Inputs (1080p Input Support), D-Net (IEEE 1394), RS232C, USB 1.1, PC Inputs
• 2 Component Video Inputs, 3 A/V Composite, 2 S-Video Inputs, Optical Digital Audio Output
• 1080p Resolution, 1920 Horizontal x 1080 Vertical Pixel Count
• Cinema Smooth 1080p Light Engine

Additional Specifications

• Built-In Analog/Digital Tuner (NTSC/ATSC)
• Up To 10,000:1 Contrast Ratio
• Full HD 1920 x 1080p Digital Format Converter for All Inputs
• Whisper-Quiet Operation
• Brilliant Color for Brightness Increase in Non-Primary Colors
• Samsung's Latest-Generation DNIe Video Enhancer
• 2 Tuner Picture-in-Picture
• No Burn-In or Uneven Screen Aging
• Hidden Speaker System (DACS), 10 Watts x 2 Audio Output
• New Photo Viewer Interface (with USB 1.1), Game Mode

Manufacturer Specifications

• SRS TruSurrount XT Sound
• Color Wheel: 55 mm/5 Segment, 14,400 rpm
• Next Generation DLP Chips from Texas Instruments
• My Color Control, Cinema Mode, 3D Comb Filter
• Picture Format Size Adjustment, Color Temperature Adjustments
• Previous Channel, V-Chip
• Clock With On/Off Timer
• Non Volatile Memory, Auto Volume Leveler, Discrete IR Codes
• Universal Remote Control
• Electronic Program Guide

Dimensional Specifications

• Dimensions: 50.9" W x 35.7" H x 16.3" D
• Weight: 71.7 lbs.

Samsung HL-S5688W Warranty Details

One-Year Parts and Labor, Including Lamp

Samsung HLS5688W

Reviewed By: Israel - PASCO, Washington

I bought the HL-S5688W from Vanns.com about three weeks ago. I chose Vanns because they had a great price, no sales tax, and free shipping. Besides having great values, Vanns has a great reputation for having excellent customer service. Vanns shipping is second to none. I received my product in two business days. Last month, I purchased Onkyo up-converting DVD player and had the same fast friendly service.

I did a lot of searching online and local electronic stores and finally settled on the Samsung HLS5688W. It has an awesome picture and it offered the best value in terms of features to cost. Full 1080p - with full 1080p HDMI inputs, DCR capability, PC input, and built in TV Guide on-screen programming guide are some of the features of the 88 series. When playing dvds through my Onkyo up-converting DVD player via HDMI cable, the picture quality is breathtaking.
Overall, I have been extremely pleased with this tv and Vanns excellent customer service.

Thanks Vanns and look forward to my next purchase!

Excellent product!!

Reviewed By: Ron Collins - Owasso, OK

This television is great! I had recently purchased and returned a Mitsubishi DLP before buying the Samsung. The Samsung has much better picture, sound quality and is a better looking television. The price through Vanns was unbelievable. I couldnt find a better price anywhere. The delivery was also unreal. I ordered the television Friday morning and received it in my home the following Monday afternoon. I received the television three days before the Harmony remote that shipped UPS. You wont be disappointed with the television. Some people write that the bright is too bright but I think it looks great. Very happy with my purchase!!

Outstanding Value - 1st Class Service

Reviewed By: Paul David Danielak - Niceville, Florida

I did my research online, polled friends and coworkers and decided that this TV was the right one for me in terms of quality, features, and size for the money. I was apprehensive about buying a big screen TV online, especially after reading some of the customer reviews of the lowest price retailers. Vann’s price was a little bit more, but the reviews were dramatically different. I did find a few bad reviews, but they sounded like kooks. I ordered in the evening and the TV was on its way before Noon the next day with an estimated arrival of one week. I tracked it all the way across the country and it arrived 2 days early – in pristine condition. A terrific TV at a great price from a 1st class retailer! Thanks Vann’s.

Samsung DLP Rocks!

Reviewed By: Sam Wang - Sugar Land, Texas

I just bought the HL-S5688W from Vanns.com. I chose Vanns because they had a great price, no sales tax, and free shipping. I wound up saving quite a bit compared to my local discount retailer.
I decided that this was the year to buy a HDTV. Ive been following the prices and the technology for the past 2 years and just couldnt swallow the high cost. But prices have fallen dramatically in the past year and I finally got tired of watching my 18 year-old 27 CRT Mitsubishi which is still going strong and has NEVER needed repair!.
After looking at & comparing several rear projection models and technologies from Sony, Mitsubishi, Toshiba, & Samsung, I finally went with DLP and Samsung. To my eye, DLP is more natural looking and smoother than LCD or LCoS rear projection. I went with Samsung 56 because it has an awesome picture and it offered the best value in terms of features to cost. Full 1080p - with full 1080p HDMI inputs, DCR capability, PC input, and built in TV Guide on-screen programming guide are some of the stand-out features of the 88 series. Its a dirty little secret that some 1080p HDTVs have HDMI inputs that DONT accept 1080i or 1080p signals! Go figure. I looked hard at Mitsubishi models, since I am already partial to their TVs, but their DLP units were significantly more expensive than Samsungs for comparable features. I also love the Samsungs design and look with its glossy all black bezel and face - really sleek and cool looking, even when off.
After setting it up and tweaking the picture settings a bit, I was mesmerized. Playing DVDs through an Onkyo up-converting DVD player via HDMI cable yields an absolutely stunning picture. Even my local PBS station, which broadcasts over the air in HD at 1080i, looks incredible for its detail, color, and clarity. I also discovered a few cool design features of the Samsung. One is that it knows what input sources are turned onactive, so that when you toggle the Source button, it only toggles the active sources. So you dont have to toggle through a bunch of inactive inputs- AV1..AV2..AV3...HDMI1...HDMI2...RGB... - to get to the one you want. Very thoughtful. Another is that it remembers specific picture settings Modes for each sourceinput. So I have certain settings for DVDs, which we tend to watch at night with the lights off, and a different set for regular TV during the day - bright room, lights on. The built-in speakers do a pretty decent job with broadcast TV, but it would be a travesty not to plug this TV into a decent 5.1 Surround Sound system. I used the TVs optical digital audio output to plug into my AV receiver. Now I really feel like I have a true home theater exeperience!
Overall, I couldnt be happier with the Samsung or with my purchase experience. I highly recommend this unit and also Vanns.com!

Samsung HLS5688W DLP TV - Outstanding

Reviewed By: Mark Anderson - Wheaton, IL

This is an absolutely exceptional product with a great picture. I researched Plasma, LCD, and DLP, and believe this is the best choice if you do not need a flat panel. And in my opinion, the Samsung is the top of the class for DLPs out as ofDecember, 2006.

Vanns was also exceptional, order TV one week before Christmas, was delivered 3 days before Christmas. I would go no where else for this product online.

Samsung HLS5688W

Reviewed By: Josh Stamey - Colonial Heights, VA

I bought this TV from Vanns in June of 2006. Very pleased and happy withthe sets performance! the 100001 contrast ratio is NICE! Very black blacks and bright whites. Set up was easy and thoughtless. Using with cable service get the HDTV package The hdtv channels are unreal!!!
Get this TV!
Vanns.com, cannot be more happy with! Just bought my next set of speakers from them and have already bought 2 tvs from them in the past 5 months!
A TV and A service from Vanns!

No Comparison in the marketplace

Reviewed By: Paul Higginbotham - Middletown, CT

I received my HL-S5688W on 61906. After four hours of integrating it into my setup I turned it on for my first run. Out of the box the factory settings were horrible 100 brightnesssharpness, etc.. but once I used my DVD Essentials and set it properly it really began to show its stuff.

I turned on Star Wars III in HD from HBO and was just awe-struck. My wife and I sit 7 feet from the unit and it performed absolutely flawless without any distortion or problems.

Menus are easy to use, massive number of connectors are nice, and shapesize cant be beat for this type of model. It runs very quiet and puts off little heat. Overall I havent been able to find another comparable model made by any manufacturer. Get one quickly since they are only making a limited number of the 88s...