Design and Connectivity:
The design of this large plasma TV is very attractive. With a black, high-gloss finish, the set looks classy and modern, and hardly differs, outwardly at least, from its Samsung LCD comrades.

The built-in tuner will only receive analog cable TV. This Korean unit will, however, accept connections to modern playback devices via the two available HDMI inputs and the YUV component input.

With just two Scart sockets, it is a little spartan, especially since only one of them is RGB capable, and neither can accept S-Video signals. There is a VGA interface for computer operation along with a 3.5 mm jack for audio input.

The main functions of HDMI playback devices which support the HDMI-CEC protocol (Consumer Electronics Control), can be controlled via the TV's remote, in a functionality dubbed "Anynet+" by Samsung.

Remote Control and On-Screen Menu:
Same for LCD and plasma: The TVs of this model's generation come with the same remote controls and identical on-screen menus. The same criticisms are, therefore, valid for both. The buttons on the remote control are poorly arranged, and some are too small, which annoys in day-to-day use.

The excessively intricate menu is also rather slow to respond to instructions. Anyway, the presets are comprehensively tweaked, so the user is spared a time-consuming trawl through the depths of the menu's 20 different parameters.

Channel Changing:
The menu navigation's slow pace continues with channel hopping. The time to change from one channel to another is, at two seconds, less than ideal for snappy zapping. There is, however, a channel overview so you don't have to remember the channel numbers.

Swivel Stand:
One neat detail: The swivel stand. Thanks to this, access to the rear connections is made easier, and the TV can be angled to face the couch or TV chair.

The Samsung really shines with TV signals. Rarely does a flat-panel TV give such clarity with fast moving finance tickers, or present the grass in a football game so naturally. Images containing large brighter areas - a ski race for example - are somewhat darker than on the beaming LCD competition but, with smaller bright spots, this Samsung plasma is just as bright as LCDs.

There is a slight lack of sharpness with playback via the Scart-RGB input and, where possible, the more superior YUV input should be used for connecting external sources such as satellite receivers or DVD players. The picture is improved yet further if the HDMI input is used. DVD images in standard resolution should, however, be output in standard resolution, i.e. 480p or 576p. If you have a current player such as the Denon 2930 that can convert the picture to HD format, it will not help - quite the opposite in fact; this gives below-optimal sharpness.

If you remain at PAL resolution, i.e. 576p, DVD pictures are sharp and rich in detail and MPEG artifacts from the disc are as good as invisible. The typical weaknesses of older plasma TVs are largely avoided on the Samsung - tracking shots are reproduced with no false contouring, and uneven shading is only occasionally visible. With TV pictures and DVD signals alike, the Samsung teases more detail out of dark scenes than many other sets are able to.

Annoying: Pictures in 4:3 format are shown with gray bars down the left and right-hand sides. These are supposed to protect the screen from burn-in and cannot be deactivated. In predominantly dark scenes, they can be very annoying.

By its very nature, the Samsung PS-42 C 91 H lacks the resolution for HDTV. Despite this, the display does give impressive pictures from HD material. With accurate colors and a contrast ratio of over 3,200:1 - measured within one picture - the Samsung makes good ground.

Images such as the Earth against the jet-black background of space are displayed with almost tangible plasticity. Color quality is already impressive in the "Movie" mode, and the color temperature is largely constant at 6,800 Kelvin across the whole brightness range - gray remains neutral and skin colors are natural. With dark scenes, this plasma can bring out more detail than many higher-resolution LCD competitors, even with HDTV material.

The Samsung does not support 1080p, and therefore also cannot show movies at the original frame rate (24p format). Movies from Blu-ray discs will, as a result, judder more on this screen than in the movie theater.

Computer Operation:
The PS-42 C 91 H is not a good partner for PCs. Only interlaced pictures are accepted via HDMI, which is a bad idea for computers. Signals are accepted up to the maximum resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels through the VGA input, which are then stretched horizontally, distorting the aspect ratio but making text clearly legible. Alternatively, it can be displayed in the correct 4:3 format, but then the pixel rasters of the screen and computer do not match, and the text becomes blurred.

Sound Quality:
Some compromises also have to be made in terms of sound. The bass sounds slightly hollow, the middle is discolored and the treble frequencies are imprecise. Dialogs are easy to understand, but for movies or music, the analog audio output should be used to feed an AV receiver or a stereo system.

Mode: Movie

Brightness: 46

Contrast: 99

Sharpness: 55

Color: 40

Tint: R50 / G50

Color Tone: Warm 2

Digital NR: Off

Color Space: Wide

Size: Just Scan

* applied to realistic playback from HD DVD/Blu-ray material through the HDMI interface in a darkened environment. Manufacturing and HDMI playback device deviations may necessitate slight adjustment.

Chic and practical: The Samsung PS-42 C 91 H has a high-gloss designer finish. Thanks to the swivel stand, it can also be pointed directly at the viewer.

Solid basis: The TV's connectivity covers most eventualities.

Typically Samsung, but impractical: The confusing arrangement is crying out for improvement.