Whether this is your first Samsung television or you have been a previous owner, you will find that the company has stepped up again with their 42-inch plasma. As part of the Gen-5 Plasma Technology, the HP-S4253 is one of the first to exhibit the latest improvements to picture quality with many features that make it simple to use and fun to watch.

The shiny, black chassis provides an image that matches the high quality of this unit. The look is striking and houses the speakers which are enclosed in the bottom. Appearance is a key component, but the performance is what will really impress you.

Like a high-end computer, features are in abundance in this Samsung. No more worries about choosing which show to watch. Split-screen and picture-in-picture capabilities allow you to view two separate channels side by side. Want to input from your computer? No problem, the picture-in-picture mode allows you to input a signal from a computer or from a second channel and view it in the corner of the screen.

If high definition is your goal, Samsung has you covered there as well. Two inputs for HDMI/DVI are included so you can connect your high-quality digital video and audio signals using just one cable. This allows you to utilize the optimum connections for top performance of DVD players and cable boxes. It lacks a CableCard slot, however, there will be no problem connecting all of your other entertainment equipment with the six other inputs available.

Obviously the most important part of a television is the picture quality, and Samsung offers a resolution of 1,024 x 768 pixels giving a beautiful picture. The coloring is accurate and clean when using high-definition materials. Although some standard pictures may appear more pixilated, the HP-S4253 offers a 10,000:1 contrast ratio which provides an excellent overall picture. When compared with other name-brand screens of similar size, the Samsung is consistently brighter and sharper.

Audio quality is another winner for this unit. Two 15-watt speakers that are built-in provide a sound that is simply superb. Since they are enclosed in the unit, there are no bulky speakers to position or wires to work around. Having all these components in one compact unit adds to the beauty and functionality of this television.

Samsung is known for their easy to navigate menus and that is evident in this model as well. The menu can be made transparent so you can browse the options without obstructing the view of the current program. The remote offers a wide variety of options with easy to locate buttons to activate and deactivate special features. While the TV lacks advanced color controls, you have full access to brightness, sharpness, color and tone which allows you to optimize the settings for your personal taste.

Overall, the Samsung HP-S4253 42-Inch Plasma HDTV offers strong image quality along with great sound and versatility with its connections. Beyond the basics, features like split-screen and picture-in-picture make it a wonderful addition to any home entertainment system.