SAGEM AXIUMTM

HD-D56B
Indulge in extra-wide images
A spectacular design Huge diagonal screen Exceptionally high picture quality An adaptable sound system Intelligent Digital connectivity DLPTM, the most innovative technology of today Ready for High Definition TV

SAGEM AXIUM TM HD-D56B

HIGH-DEFINITION DLPTM SCREEN 142 CM - 16/9

FEATURES

SAGEM COMMUNICATION (SAFRAN GROUP) reserves the right to modify the technical characteristics indicated for this product and/or to discontinue production of this product, at any time and without prior notice. Noncontractual photos. DLP is a registered trademark of TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TECHNOLOGY. The HD Ready logo is a registered trademark of EICTA. DCDi is a registered trademark of FAROUDJA. PHOTOS: PAUL-OLIVIER DOURY. Credits: insertion TV: GOODSHOOT PHOTODISC.
SCREEN Piano black edging with silver finish base 56 inch diagonal screen (142 cm) 44 cm in depth All-in-one table-top style with a matching stand unit (available as an optional extra) Format: 16/9 Resolution: WXGA 1280 x 720 pixels Contrast: 3000:1 Brightness: 700 cd/m2 Viewing angle: 140 Anti-reflection-coated screen DCDiTM de-interlacing chip by FAROUDJA RECEPTION Double Tuner Input frequency: 45.5 - 862.25 MHz Number of programmes: 99 Systems: PAL, SECAM Modulations: BG, I, L, L, D, K, H SIGNAL INPUT Video: Native/ Upscale: SDTV/EDTV (480i/480p) (576i/576p) HDTV (1080i/720p) PC Signal: Native/ Upscale: VGA 640x480, SVGA 800x600, XGA 1024x768, 1280x720 SIZE AND WEIGHT Size (WxHxD in mm): Packed: 1425x1100x600 Unpacked: 1306x939x438 Weight: Packed: 51 kg Unpacked: 37 kg RIGHT-HAND SIDE FUNCTIONALITY AV6 S-video input (Mini Din 4-pin) Video composite input (1xRCA) Audio input (2xRCA) PC1Computer: VGA input (SubD-15 pins) Audio input (jack 3.5) Headphone Output (jack 3.5) 6 buttons (on / off, P+, P-, V+, V-, OK)
REAR CONNECTIVITY 3 SCART SOCKETS (RGB/Comp./S-video, audio) AV4 S-video input (Mini Din 4-pin) Video composite input (1xRCA) Audio input (2xRCA) AV5 (progressive or interlaced: automatic detection): Input Y, Pr, Pb (3xRCA) Audio input (2xRCA) Audio connectivity: HiFi output (2xRCA) SPDIF in/out (2xRCA) PC2: DVI-D input (HDCP protection management) Audio input (2xRCA) AUDIO Wide band 2x30W AMP (20Hz - 20kHz) Stereo Nicam 5-band graphic equalizer 2-way integrated acoustic system 2 loudspeaker outputs POWER SUPPLY AC - 220-240 V 50 Hz Typical power consumption 170W (stand by 3W) Economic mode: settable lamp power
HD READY 720-line display in progressive scan mode (720p) or 1080-line in interlaced mode (1080i) With the development of HDTV content you can enjoy programmes in a quality up to 20 times superior to that of electro-magnetic TV reception and up to 3 times better than DVD
Advanced Functionality DLPTM technology Picture: 5 setting modes, 7 format types PIP, PAP*
* PIP/PAP functions: providing viewing of High Definition and standard content for example DVD - simultaneously
SAGEM COMMUNICATION (GROUPE SAFRAN) Business Group Haut dbit Activit TV Numrique Le Ponant de Paris 27, rue Leblanc - 75015 Paris - FRANCE Tl : +Fax : +www.sagem.com

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SAGEM AXIUM HD-D56B N 2,700 (Approx) N 158 N www.sagem.co.uk
DLP Goliath slays plasma Davids
French DLP pioneer Sagem unleashes its biggest TV yet, the 56in HD-D56B. For once, John Archer is dwarfed by a larger shadow

RATINGS

Highs: Picture performance; spacesaving design, connectivity Lows: Noise over motion; very slight rainbow effect; intrusive subwoofer

Excellent

fter striking gold with its first two DLP TVs and pinching a big chunk of the UK DLP market
look like a 56in TV; this is due to the remarkably thin and rather attractive gloss black frame around the screen. Even Toshibas highly regarded Picture Frame design has nothing on the D56B when it comes to space saving. Its not just the screen frame thats small. The pedestal supporting the screen is also tiny, considering that it houses the TVs main speakers, a modest subwoofer, and the DLP projector array. The only slight downer in all the aesthetic glory is the rather ordinary, and optional, 299 floor-stand unit. Connectivity is extensive and futureproofed. Digital connectivity comes via a DVI input and unlike the one on last years Axium D50, this one handles the HDCP anti-piracy protocols likely to be such a major issue in the years to come. The screen also sports a side-mounted standard PC D Sub input, a trio of Scarts (two RGB enabled), a set of component video inputs for analogue progressive scan and high definition fare, springclip speakers for adding your own external left/right speakers and a coaxial digital audio loopthrough. Explore whats on offer, and youll wonder why the D56B is a basic model. Faroudjas DCDi deinterlacing picture processing is on hand to tidy up edges and reduce jaggies, plus theres an Eco mode that reduces the TVs light output to extend its life and potentially boost contrast levels. The audio specification includes dynamic bass and Virtual Dolby, while more general utility features include twintuner picture in picture.
Picture Sound Features OVERALL

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in the process Sagems now out to show how far its ambitions stretch with its biggest screen yet: the 56in HD-D56B. As if to stop us getting too excited, though, Sagem happily informs us that the B in its model number actually stands for basic. Hardly something to shout about, surely? Or maybe it is. For Sagems basic suffix implies that the set Average
At the D56Bs heart lies a Texas Instruments HD2+ DLP chipset, with 3,000:1 contrast ratio and widescreen 1280 x 720 native resolution. With the HDCP-ready DVI jack, analogue HD capability and compatibility with the key high definition formats, means its free to wear its HD Ready badge.

LAB REPORT

Colour fidelity Black level Contrast Resolution
has been stripped of a few potential Poor frills in order to deliver the most acreage of screen possible for 2,700, and hints that an even more luxurious model is undergoing development. Glance at our pictures and youll probably think that the D56B doesnt

Image clean up

I continue to be startled by the pictures from DLP screens, and this Sagem merely fuels my excitement. Its image cleanliness is remarkable with practically all sources. Analogue HD feeds reveal barely any dot crawl and grain, while DVI-fed high definition material suffers none of the overt artefacting witnessed via the digital inputs on Sagems HD-D45 at least if you choose the lowbrightness, contrast-heavy Cinema picture preset. HD material such as NASA promotional material, fed in via PC, appears extraordinarily detailed. When the space shuttle lifts off, youll wonder why you feel no heat from its rockets. Progressive scan DVD feeds also look pristine and filmic, while standard RGB feeds from a Sky Digital receiver are admirably coherent. Usually pushing such sources up to a size like 56in really emphasises digital macroblocking or motion blur, but not here. Also contributing to the startling purity of a

SPECIFICATIONS

ITEM SUPPORT DETAILS HD Ready G Fully loaded for Britains upcoming HD service Progressive Scan G Compatible with 480p and 576p Digital TV Tuner Two analogue tuners Composite video G 2 phono inputs S-video G 2 inputs Scart G 3 connections (2 RGB enabled) Component video G 1 pair of inputs HDMI/DVI G HDMI with HDCP PC input G Standard 15-pin D Sub connection Headphone G 1 output Sound 40W RMS Resolution 1280 x 768 Brightness 700cd/m2 brightness Contrast 3000:1 (Claimed) Dimensions 939(w) x 1306(h) x 600(d)mm Weight 37.2kg Also featuring HD2+ TI DLP chipset; digital & analogue tuner, twin-tuner picture in picture; picture presets; Virtual Dolby Audio; loudness mode; built-in subwoofer; graphic equaliser; dynamic bass mode; headphone volume; sleep timer; hi-fi volume adjust; ECO mode; EPG where theres broadcaster support; autotuning; multiple widescreen modes

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Tried&Tested
Explore whats on offer and youll wonder why the D568 should be considered by Sagem as basic
simple RGB is the D56Bs colour rendering fast becoming a strength of DLP. The picture is impressively bright too, proving that you can deliver a dazzling picture from a DLP rear projection TV without it being accompanied by noise, or compromised by hotspots. Like all rear projection designs, the image dims when viewed off axis, but getting off axis from a set this large isnt easy! Image clarity is first class. The chipset is more than an able match for all sources, and offers considerable texture and image depth. Theres some fizzing noise over horizontal motion noticeably during camera pans. This trait is certainly more obvious here than on the higher-end DLP models like Samsungs SP50L7HX or Loewes Articos 55. Theres also some
rainbow effect, usually evident in moments of high contrast movement but these dont appear as often or vigorously as they once did. The set has two tuners, both of them analogue. The D56Bs audio performance is solid, with plenty of bass and good subtlety; theres no problems with harshness. That said, the soundstage feels rather narrow, even in Virtual Dolby mode. Also, during movie viewing the sound sometimes appears slightly dislocated from the picture, making you aware that its coming from speakers under the screen. This is because the mid bass is very localised. Its better if you view with the Dynamic Bass and
Loudness options off. Naturally, Id recommend using the provided springclip connectors for adding your own external front speakers ASAP.

Conclusion

This exotic DLP dwarfs the majority of the plasma competition and leaves it for dead when it comes to sheer value. Despite the huge screensize, it has a relatively modest footprint and it looks sumptuous. Id also rate it as one of the best DLP picture performers currently available its even future-proofed in all the right places. If this is Sagem being basic, the mind boggles at what they might do at the high end! I
Connections are excellent, including DVI, component and S-video

An easy to use handset

Side-mounted inputs for games and camcorders
A trio of Scarts (two RGB-enabled)
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