21/07/2005
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/home_av/tvs/0,39037585,39094561p,00.htm

Just when we thought the old boxy CRT TVs were history, Samsung Electronics has launched a reincarnation of the CRT TV in the shape of its Slimfit High Definition Cathode Ray Panel (CRP).

Kim Jeong-Wook, managing director of Samsung Asia's Electronics Business Division, claims: "The Samsung Slimfit TV range will fuel a revolution in the Flat TV industry. At Samsung, we used our strengths in research and development and cutting-edge design to find a compromise between affordable price and desirable form. The Slimfit TV's thin and sleek design, coupled with superior technology, answers consumer needs and will cement Samsung's leadership in the TV market in Singapore".

Using its space-saving technology, Samsung has reduced the TV depth by up to 33 percent resulting in a new product that uses CRT technology while retaining the same styling as a flat panel.

Convention 32-inch CRT TV	32-inch Slimfit	32-inch flat panel TV
60cm depth	40cm depth	30cm depth

The Slimfit is endowed with a rich feature set including Samsung's Digital Natural Image Engine and the new nano-pigment technology. The Korean maker says it will enable even distribution of brightness over the entire screen resulting in natural color tones and better contrast and brightness. The set is also HDTV-ready, but for unknown reasons 720p HD resolution is omitted.

On the audio side, Samsung has incorporated Virtual Dolby sound system together with multi-band adjustable equalizer for a complete audio and visual experience.

At about half the price of most 32-inch flat panel TVs, the Slimfit will be a welcoming alternative for most consumers. However, as illustrated, the depth is still longer than the average depth of its flat panel counterpart. In fact, the slimmer flat panel can go as low as 20cm or more, but for a higher premium of course.

The 32-inch Slimfit TV is now available at a retail price of S$1,999. A 29-inch model will ship in September this year.