SAMSUNG LTP326W 32" HDTV Flatscreen TV Monitor

Rating:
Summary: Good Thing Going
Review: I purchased this set from Amazon through Crutchfield in September, 2004 (I waited as long as possible to review this item), and use it in my tv room.

I'm pleased with this purchase:

1. Video is superb. I watched this model at J&R (they had a running loop on a DVD player) one month before buying, and color and pixel acuity are as good as any CRT and SO MUCH better than any Plasma screens. What you'll hear and discover are that LCD black levels are much lower than plasma televisions. I am not a professional video editor, but as a graphic designer, I look for acuteness. Since I set up this LCD for a viewing distance of less than ten feet with medium-ambient lit environment, I chose acuteness over black-levels. It's on-screen selection offers DNIe (Digital Natural Image engine)--it does makes a big improvement to black-levels. I knew getting this LCD requires better cables; Time Warner Cable provides, in my opinion, low-quality cables. I got Monster cables (about $300) for component video-in. I compared these cables and the results are obvious--invest in some better cables if you spend this much on your television.

2. Audio is decent. I'm not an avid audiophile, and so even at level 20, this LCD is booming. I got Monster cable (about $150) for audio as well. If I do want to view more DVDs, I may get a simple surround sound system (which I plan to get and may update this review). The fan in the LCD set emits no sounds to my untrained ears.

3. DVDs look good on my two-year-old player. I am using component input. If you didn't know already, top/bottom letterboxing occurs since most movie directors choose varying anamorphic lens to shoot. I have yet to upgrade to progressive-scan DVD recorder/player later this year. So, I may again need to edit my review here.

4. Beautiful metal/glass exterior looks great with my media setup, black or silver finish components. Since most places (TigerDirect) do not stock these LCDs locally, prepare to wait at least two to three weeks for delivery. The sturdy LCD set comes with just a crescent-shaped base, so get a wall-mount attachement if you like to hang it. It requires two people to unpack and mount. There is a learning-curve for the on-screen menu, but if you can navigate a DVD menu, it should not be too difficult. Cleaning is easy because it does not attract dark matter like a CRT set--no harsh chemical, just a Swiffer will do.

5. Content is vital. Most people forget that this technology is still young. What you get from your cable company is about ten High Definition channels while there are hundreds of standard-definition channels. Standard low-quality signals, which show blotchy, fragments of color where digital compression takes place, look washed out. Left/right letterboxing occurs with broadcast signals since most people have televisions with a 4:3 ratio. So you just deal with it; local cable providers still have a long way to go. I find myself always switching to nature shows on Discovery HD or Public Television 13 for full screen quality.

There are tons of information out on LCD versus Plasma televisions if you do internet searches or read users groups. It reminds me of VHS versus BETA. Most information appears to be marketing promotionals, so be aware. Also, proponents of both televisions will tell you why one is better than the other. The real answer comes from: how you are setting up this television (though bigger is better, your view distance is relative), what level ambient light (if it is high, then black level is more important), picture detail (which is as important as color & black levels), and price (since we can only afford so much).

I hope this review helps you decide--this television is a good thing going.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: I was set to buy a rear-projection TV when I saw this model in a show-room. It had a near photograph quality picture, and I could not pass it up.

I have not chosen a High-Def provider yet (which is why I can't give 5 stars yet), but I still get major improvements in DVD picture quality while I decide. Set up was simple, and the wealth of inputs simplified my current system.