Samsung PS42Q7HD review

More specifically, typical plasma constraints, such as smeared movement and unwanted reflections, have also been addressed. The new FilterBright system minimises glare caused by ambient light, leaving images cleanly defined in different lighting conditions. Movement has also been made more cohesive using the Smooth Motion Driver, which adds another ten frames per second to the original source to reduce judder and ghosting.

The icon based, graphical menu system is exceptionally easy to use, although the remote is a touch temperamental and the neon light that flickers at the front of the screen with every button press can be distracting. There's the usual array of sound and picture preset modes but customising the settings yourself produces more natural images.

Aside from a couple of pseudo-surround sound settings, including SRS TruSurround XT, there's few of the advanced adjustments that can be found in more expensive screens. However, one extra curricular feature worthy of mention, especially if you're a games enthusiast, is the Game Mode. Selecting this enhances contrast in dark areas, increases response time and amplifies the bass sound to create a more involving games experience.

The screen isn't overwhelmed with interactive functions, which eases operation by default, but the core technology that lies beneath is more impressive that you expect to find from a budget screen.

Performance
Picture performance is competent and commendable for the price, but there's a discernible difference in image quality compared to class leading screens.

Bleached black levels are the main culprit, robbing images of the solid definition and deep contrast, especially in dark scenes, that sets apart rivals from Pioneer or Panasonic. There's also a consistent drizzle of background noise and pixellated gradations, which are most apparent during digital broadcasts, but never totally disappear even when using upscaled high-definition signals. Provided you have enough space between you and the screen the distraction is minimal but the closer you get, the worse it becomes.

Otherwise, colours are rich and diverse with an unbiased balance between natural and artificial shades that appears realistic and unforced. Motion rendering is also particularly impressive and even the unpredictable movement seen in sports programmes like the World Cup appears smooth and smear free.

Audio ability is restricted by the small speakers, which limits bass depth and dynamics, while the surround effects only appear to muddle the sound stage. But a screen of this size deserves to be accompanied by additional speakers and the inclusion of an optical audio outputs means it can be easily connected to a surround sound system.

Edited by Mary Lojkine
Additional editing by Kate Macefield