As a DLP addict, the 5087W is my 3rd generation Samsung so I compared this rendition to my 5086W and 4663W predecessors.

Samsung 50" 5087W occupies almost exact same space as the 46" 4663W. However, much of the 4663W base was devoted to a sound system that IMHO, rivaled that of a desktop Bose system. The 4663W is now in my Mom's home and she says the sound is so realistic, she often scans her bedroom to see if it came from the TV or somewhere else.

The 4663W uses a lamp rated at 120W. The 5086W and 5087W use a lamp rated at 132W so I surmise that the 5087W is projecting an image 10% brighter than the older models. You will see a noticeable difference if you compare a 480 line image from an older model to the 1080 HDTV image on the 5087W. In short, 1080 details and colors are awesome.

Unfortunately, as Samsung introduced their latest series with the thinner bezel which allows a 50" screen in same area as the prior 46" models, they removed great audio. The 5086W audio either has smaller speakers, smaller amp or both. The 5087W completely eliminates a front speaker grille. Audiophiles know that high tones are directional so this was a mistake by Samsung. The biggest disappointments are lack of deep bass and overall volume.
Even at 100 (maximum volume) the output is about half of what it should be.

Could it be a coincidence that the design of latest Samsung Home Theatre Systems (HTS) match the 5087 TV? I suspect that Samsung cut back on TV sound to pocket more $$$ for themselves and force us to buy their HTS too.

The Samsung HT-Q40 does compensate for the poor sound of the TV. However, I'll likely upgrade to the HT-Q70 so I can test the HDMI ability to upconvert a DVD to 1080i quality.

As if the current selection of Samsung DLP sets isn't confusing enough, they've introduced the 5088W. Until I see & test the actual newer model, it appears they've added picture-in-picture (PIP) in the 5088W. Funny how my original 4663W had PIP. Older models also had a cablecard slot which they took away and now appear to be reintroducing in the 5088W. Makes me wonder if they'll introduce a new model next month with a sound system comparable to the 3 year old TVs while they remove other features we like.

Dear Samsung Decisionmakers: Please add improvements to newer models instead of taking them away and then giving them back again.

Bottom Line: Wait 5 minutes and Samsung will likely introduce a new model that has added or subtracted features from prior models. Until then, if you want the best DLP picture, get the 5087W or 5088W and add a separate Samsung Home Theatre System.

UPDATE 03/24/07:

After watching this DLP for nearly a year, I have fallen in love with it after making a few minor changes to my overall home theatre setup:

1. Upgraded my DVD recorder/player to Samsung DVDR135 with the capability to run HDMI cable from DVDR to TV. Watching DVDs is now AWESOME and the fronts of my TV, sound system and DVDR now match perfectly.

2. Remote Control Madness. Had a dream one night that all the remotes at my bedside were plotting to click me to death so I started searching for 1 universal remote that would run all my Samsung toys with 1 click, save me $$$ on batteries and eliminate the clutter. Months of research and testing remotes from $29 to $hundreds led me to the Harman Kardon TC-30 which works PERFECTLY. One click sets everything to watch TV through my Cox HDTV cable box, another click of any of the other 5 macro buttons (with color LCD images next to each button) makes all the setting changes to watch a DVD or VCR tape or listen to music. The TC-30 was the best $140 I spent on any of the a/v master bedroom toys. If you want more info on it, read my full epinions review for the TC-30.

Bottom Line: As of 03/2007 and after having seen all the newer Tvs at the January 2007 CES Show in Vegas, the HL-S5087W is still #1 through my eyes and as expected, the price keeps coming down. Even after looking at the latest LCD and plasmas at 2 to 3 times the price, I still think this has a better picture.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 UPDATE: Vizio LCD sets have recently invaded my home. Got a 20" for kitchen, 32" for guest room. Then decided to get a 47" with 1080p and see how it compares to my Samsung 5087. Winner and still champ is my Samsung, in part because Vizio tuner has a time delay that makes it impossible to keep the sound on while listening to other sets at the same time.

One recent dilemma has been how to watch all the HDTV channels without being forced to pay Cox Cable about $300/year for an HDTV box and HDTV service. Figured out that if I could find a way to incorporate a QAM tuner into my Samsung 5087 I'd get all the free unscrambled HD channels while only paying Cox $11/month for basic cable.
Tried a number of DVD recorders that claimed to include QAM tuners. The only one that worked properly was the LG DVDR787T. The Samsung 5087 tuner is capable of receiving HDTV in 1080p from an antenna. My problem is a mountain that blocks the CBS and ABC signals.

Having compared the HDTV picture on NBC using the antenna vs. the QAM tuner in the LG, I do notice a slightly sharper HDTV image from the antenna. However, the picture on my Samsung DLP set is so good, I'm happy with either one and even happier that I'm no longer feeding Cox Cable $300 a year.

Recommended: Yes