Samsung LN32B460 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV: Samsung LNS3241D 32-Inch LCD HDTV

Samsung LNS3241D 32-Inch LCD HDTV Review

Samsung LNS3241D 32-Inch LCD HDTV Feature

Powerful entry-level 32-inch LCD TV with integrated HDTV tuner; measures 35.1 x 24.2 x 9.8 inches (WxHxD) with included stand
3D Y/C digital comb filter for improved transition detail; picture-in-picture (PIP) capability
1366 x 768-pixel resolution, 500 cd/m2 brightness, super-fast 8ms response time, 3000:1 contrast ratio, 178-degree viewing angle
Connections: 2 composite A/V (1 side), 2 S-Video (1 side), 1 component (Y/Pb/Pr), 2 HDMI, 2 RF, 1 USB, 1 RS232
Two stereo speakers, 10 watts apiece (20 watts total); SRS TruSurround XT virtual surround

Samsung LNS3241D 32-Inch LCD HDTV Overviews

The LN-S3241DX will satisfy the savvy technical minded customer who demands vivid color and the crisp detail for 3000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. Dynamic SRS TruSurround XT sound fills the room, emanating from side speakers discreetly hidden in the slim, black monitor.A Samsung LCD TV can function as a high-resolution PC monitor and a high-end TV without any sacrifice in picture quality. Outperforming PC monitors in brightness, response time, resolution, and of course, screen size, Samsung lets you adapt to the expanding multimedia revolution.

Samsung LNS3241D 32-Inch LCD HDTV Specifications

If you're just entering the HD arena and don't want to break the bank on your first flat-screen television, the entry-level 32-inch Samsung LNS3241D LCD TV is a great fit for your budget and it offers many of the same video processing features as its higher end 51- and 52-Series siblings. It features an integrated HDTV tuner, 10-bit video processor, and a 3000:1 contrast ratio for smooth, vibrant pictures. It also includes dual HDMI inputs for simultaneous signal transfer of audio and video from digital devices and PC connectivity. The dual purpose pedestal stand can also be used as an articulating wall mount when it’s folded back. Additionally, the stand can be removed for wall-mounting via optional VESA compatible hardware (such as Samsung wall mounting kit WMTL4001).

Samsung's DNIe™
Samsung's DNIe™ (click for demo) technology offers digital perfection in naturally presented, crystal-clear images that uncover even the most minute detail.

Motion Optimizer: The visual data are automatically broken down into signal and noise and adjusted through a combined spatial/temporal process to eliminate noise and blurring without the slightest damage to the original signal. This guarantees the viewer a picture of astounding sharpness, whether the scene is still or moving.

Contrast Enhancer: DNIe has done away with the unwanted side-effects that conventional contrast enhancement can produce, such as noise boost-up and flicker by developing an algorithm that recognizes over 1 million criteria for applying contrast. Its detail contrast enhancement technology can automatically analyze up to 70,000 local images within a frame, treating the viewer to a picture rich in contrast even in the tiniest details.

Color optimizer: For each scene the color optimizer calculates the saturation of red, green, and blue in the input signal and adjusts it to the shades that the human eye accepts as natural. Even a conventional process like white tone enhancement produces more striking results when when used with DNIe. The end result is a palette of vivid hues and pure white tones to satisfy the most discerning viewers eye.

Detail enhancer: Many viewers complain of the unnatural effect that conventional uniform detail enhancement produces by relying on artificial amplification of the input signal. In contrast, DNIe automatically analyzes the portion to be amplified, detecting and re-processing any noise or defect to bring the viewer a startlingly sharp and lifelike image.

The Samsung Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe) Video Enhancer refines all analog NTSC and wideband video inputs for an overall improvement in picture quality. DNIe improves contrast, white level, picture detail and incorporates digital noise reduction to improve lower quality video inputs. The 3D Y/C digital comb filter constantly analyzes the three dimensions of picture height, picture width, and picture changes-over-time to dramatically reduce edge image artifacts while improving transition detail.

Get a great view from anywhere in the room with this TVs great verticle and horizontal 170-degree viewing angle.

The LNS3241D features a stunning 3000:1 contrast ratio, 500 cd/m2 brightness rating (for brighter whites, deeper blacks, and every shade in between), a 1366 x 768-pixel resolution (for a widescreen 16:9 screen aspect ratio), 178-degree viewing angle, and a super-fast 8ms (millisecond) response time, which minimizes blurring of moving images and is especially helpful for sports and action movies. Other convenience features include:

Picture-in-picture (PIP) enables convenient simultaneous viewing of TV programs and video or PC sources.
Built-in image scaler to handle inputs from a variety of digital and analog audio/video sources.
Parental Control (V-Chip) helps parents monitor what their children watch on TV by establishing rating limits.
Auto volume leveler keeps audio volume consistent during channel changing.
Multi-lingual on-screen displays in English, Spanish or French.

High-quality virtual surround sound can be experienced with just the speakers built into the sides of the TV. SRS TruSurround XT technology delivers an amazing, simulated 3D effect with clear dialog and powerful bass. It produces 10 watts of power per channel (for 20 watts total) and offers the following connection options:

Composite (RCA audio/video): 2 inputs (1 on the side)
S-Video: 2 inputs (1 on the side)
Component (Y/Pb/Pr): 1 input
HDMI: 2 inputs
PC: 1 D-Sub15 input
RF: 2 inputs
Sound monitor output: 1
Digital optical audio ouput: 1
Headphone: 1
RS232 port: 1

Tech Talk
HDMI is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link any audio/video source (such as a set-top box, DVD player, or AV receiver) with your TV--all over a single cable. HDMI supports standard, enhanced or high definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It supports all ATSC formats--standard (SDTV), enhanced (EDTV), and high (HDTV).

TruSurround XT audio adds three new audio enhancement technologies to produce an amazingly immersive sound experience.

Dialog Clarity brings movie dialog into Focus during the playback of any surround-encoded material to make speech much clearer and crisper.
TruBass creates incredible deep rich bass allowing a person to perceive significantly deeper, richer low bass tones that are far beyond the physical low frequency capabilities of the speaker itself.
The SRS WOW feature widens the soundstage by processing standard two-channel stereo material as well as multi-channel encoded material for a dramatic improvement in the playback of any stereo audio over a two-speaker system.

Component video (also called Y/Pb/Pr) features a three-jack video input, which provides separate connections for luminance (Y), blue color difference (PB) and red color difference (PR). This results in increased bandwidth for color information, resulting in a more accurate picture with clearer color reproduction and less bleeding than you would get with S-Video or composite (RCA yellow video plug) connections. You will need a separate RCA left/right audio cable for sound.

What's in the Box
32-inch LCD TV, tabletop stand, remote control (with batteries), AV cable, AC power adapter, printed operating instructions

Warranty
1 year parts and labor (90 days parts and labor for commercial use)

Samsung LNS3241D 32-Inch LCD HDTV Customer Review

I'd been looking for an LCD TV for sometime. Originally I was going to pickup a 26" but then became so aware of the minor price differences between a 26" and a 32" I've always known I wanted a Samsung, mostly because of my respect for the Korean people. Plus, due to all the reviews, and my experience with Samsung LCD monitors, I knew I wasn't making a mistake picking up a Samsung.

From day 1, I haven't been able to complain--much. The picture quality, how the blacks appear, etc. all are wonderful. Using it with my Panasonic DVD player, Apple TV, and even Dish Network receiver has not presented any issues. I've even got an Nintendo Wii hooked up to the component input. Each and every input looks wonderful. The menu system makes sense and is easy to navigate.

My only complains would be that I wish it had more HDMI inputs. It only includes 2. I ended up picking up an Xtreme Mac HDMI switcher, which works well, but, it would've been nice not to have had to buy that.

The other issue is with the built-in "surround sound" type software sound enhancement it has. While it works, if you leave it on for everything, it just sounds odd. In the end, I've just found to leave it off..and now I'm looking for a real surround sound system.

I wish it was bigger now, but really a 32" isn't a bad size. ALl in all, if you pick one of these babies up, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. I haven't been.