Color temperature (Movie Mode/Warm 2 Color Temperature before/after calibration):
20 IRE:   7,472 / 6,399 K
30 IRE:   7,148 / 6,458 K
40 IRE:   7,314 / 6,679 K
50 IRE:   6,833 / 6,484 K
60 IRE:   6,829 / 6,520 K
70 IRE:   6,786 / 6,489 K
80 IRE:   6,594 / 6,423 K
90 IRE:   6,757 / 6,626 K
100 IRE: 6,657 / 6,654 K
Brightness (100-IRE window): 36 / 35 ftL

Primary Color Point Accuracy vs. SMPTE HD Standard

The Samsung's color reproduction was most accurate in Movie mode with the Warm 2 color-temperature preset selected. Grayscale tracking was ±814 degrees kelvin of the 6,500-K standard from 30 to 100 IRE — below average performance. Adjustments made to the high and low red, green, and blue controls in the White Balance submenu improved grayscale tracking to ±179 degrees K from 20 to 100 IRE. Color-decoder tests revealed only a minimal –2.5% red error on both the HDMI and component-video inputs. Compared with the SMPTE HD specification, the set's red color point showed modest oversaturation, while the green and blue points were virtually on target.

Overscan — the amount of picture area cut off at the edges of the TV's screen — measured 0% for 1080i/p-format high-definition signals when the Just Scan mode was selected. The set displayed 1080i/p and 720p test patterns with full resolution on both the HDMI and component-video connections, although noise was visible on the latter input. The Avia DVD's resolution chart also showed the set incapable of displaying DVDs at a full detail level via the component-video input. Screen uniformity was very good for an LCD TV: Picture contrast diminished at off-axis angles beyond 10º, but there was no sign of tinting, streaking, or uneven screen brightness on black and white fields when viewed directly on-axis.

The Samsung passed all the tests contained on the Silicon Optix HQV high-def test disc, although its performance on the Film Detail check was unpredictable and appeared to have some interactivity with the various picture settings. Upconversion of standard DVDs was poor overall, but the Digital Video Noise Reduction settings worked well, helping to smooth out grainy images without reducing picture detail.

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