Model: Samsung LN32450
Description: 32" LCD TV
Resolution: 1366 X 768 (720p)
Power Consumption: Not listed
Reviewer: Robert Wiley
Date: Summer 2010
Samsung LN32C450 Review
Samsung's 2010 4 Series LCDs are a step up from the 3 series. Available in the same sizes they still feature a 60Hz, 720p, CFL backlit panel, with SRS TruSurround HD. They add a third HDMI input, the ability to watch video off a USB thumb drive and Samsung's AnyNet+ which allows communication between similarly equipped Samsung home theater equipment. The 4 Series LCD make for an excellent TV for the bedroom, a child's room or other rooms where you need a smaller, less expensive HDTV.
Samsung LN32C450 Review
Test and Optimum Viewing Distance: 8 feet
Calibrating to near D65 was fairly easy. With smaller TVs we are not quite as concerned with pinpoint accuracy to D65. However, the below picture settings will get you close. There are more white balance controls and advanced settings than I anticipated based on size and price, such as Black Tone, Dynamic Contrast, a Gamma setting, and a nifty Flesh Tone setting that will take the onscreen flesh tones from a yellowish to a pinkish appearance at your whim without changing the overall color appearance of the picture much.
Follow these picture settings for the LN32C450 LCD.
Backlight: 8 Black Tone: Dark
Contrast: 91 Dynamic Contrast: Low
Brightness: 47 Gamma: +1
Sharpness: 13 Color Space: Native
Color: 52 White Balance: Rgain: 27, Roffset 24
Tint: Unchanged Flesh Tone: +1
Edge Enhancement: Off
Testing for Motion Artifacts: Samsung did not cut corners on the processing video boards contained in the LN32C450. We were fairly impressed with testing results.
Samsung LN32C450 Review
The LN32C450 did a good job with various processor tests results. There was little motion artifacts during the Video Resolution Loss Test.
Picture Quality Performance: With 480i images we noted some jerky motion artifacts in the background of some scenes. However, I did not see much offensive negatives in the foreground and was very pleased with the detail offered in 480i. The processors did a very nice job. Color rendition was not oversaturated, if not sometimes a little muted.
Samsung LN32C450 Review
This scene from the Blu Ray HD version of S.W.A.T. Shows a bright background and good contrast in the foreground without losing detail.
With our Blu Ray set to 720p resolution to match the TVs resolution we were very impressed at the bright sharp images and intense color offered. The TV really has a lot of pop with HD material. We also did not note the negative background judder with HD material and this proved out with our HD HQV processor testing as well. Black levels were deep and occasionally oversaturated but not often enough to really be a strike against. Dark shadow detail was totally acceptable for a TV of this size and price range.
Samsung LN32C450 Review
This scene from HD scene from S.W.A.T shows no dithering artifacts in the background blinds and good shadow effects.
Off center viewing was average on this LCD TV with the contrast and black levels fading at around 35 degrees off angle – again not bad for this price range.
On a negative note, there was notable loss of contrast and black levels at a 35 degree angle. This is not uncommon for LCD TVs. It's a problem that LCD TV manufacturers have attempted to somewhat alleviate with the introduction of LED backlighting. The idea has been marginally successful.
Samsung's proprietary technology AnyNet is included as an option which allows easy communication between Samsung devices and sharing of remote controls.
The input selection of the LN32C450 gives an ample 3 HDMI inputs, a composite, component, USB (which allows video viewing). The component and composite inputs cannot be shared – only one at the time.
As far as aesthetic considerations go, the LN32C450 has pleasant design with a slight touch of color at the bottom of the framing bezel. There is also a slight sloped element to the bottom of the frame that accentuates the touch of color. The design is better than the other 32" LCD TVs on the market except the LG's. You almost cant believe how light the TV is upon lifting it, a scant 15.7 pounds. The TV is 3.25" in depth and 8" with the stand. The included table stand is very light and inexpensive and the TV must be turned on its head and the table stand screwed on upside down to accomplish the assembly (at least that's the way we found easiest). The table top stand does not swivel side to side.
The remote control basic, is not backlit, but contains sufficient controls – especially for this size of TV. There is a nifty "tools" key that allows from quick selection of frequently used controls. The onscreen menu is very complete with thermal scrolling design and is easy to use – perhaps more so than Samsung's high end TV offerings. The menu appears as an overlay to the material being viewed which is always nice.
Samsung LN32C450 Review
Aspect ratio options include Zoom 1, 16:9, 4:3. The algorithmic sizing remedies in the TVs processing do a nice job.
Audio Output: There are two inbuilt 5 watt speakers, which are deficient in our opinion. From only 10 feet the user will need to keep the volume control at 75% of total capacity. The sound output quality is also poor with a tinny, hollow character – but that's about all one can expect from 5 watt speakers.
Currently the LN32C450 costs around $489 from authorized Internet dealers. It offers a very nice feature set and quality in this small size and price range – which is often lacking in quality options. Competition is from the Sony KDL-32EX500, and the LG 32LD520 as well as a couple second tier brands such as Vizio.
Rating scale from 70 (denoting poorest quality) to 100 (signifying the very best quality). Picture quality is double-weighted in the Overall Rating Score calculation.
(sources:http://reviews.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/samsung-lcd-tv/samsung-ln32c450.html)
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