Samsung UE32D5000PW review

For this review we tested the 32in model in the D5000 (PW) range, but it’s also available in 37in (UE37D5000PW) and 40in (UE40D5000PW) and 46in (UE46D5000PW) screen sizes. All models have identical specifications except for their dimensions and power usage. We’re confident that image quality will be practically identical across the range.

Samsung’s new mid-range LCD TV is a stylish, compact example of just how much you can get for your money at the moment; the 32in, 1080p set is less than 3cm thick, which makes it ideal for wall-mounting, but still manages to squeeze in USB multimedia playback and DLNA media streaming.

Despite having an incredibly thin panel, the back and sides of the set hide a wide range of connectivity options. Four HDMI ports and a single VGA are joined by two micro adaptor ports, which provide component, composite and SCART video inputs with the bundled adaptor cables, while taking up less room than the separate ports. Audio options include digital optical and headphone outputs, as well as a 3.5mm input for PC audio. A common interface (CI) slot will let you add pay TV services and an Ethernet port connects the set to your local network. Finally, two USB ports let you play multimedia files, although you can’t use a flash drive to record TV broadcasts as on more expensive sets.

File format support was excellent, both from a PC over the network and from a USB portable hard disk; we had no trouble playing our MKV, XviD and DivX files, although high-definition AVCHD files refused to play. Audio and image playback is limited to MP3 and JPEG respectively. There’s no integrated Wi-Fi, so you’ll have to run a network cable from the TV to your router for DLNA media streaming, unless you buy the optional wireless dongle.

As this is one of Samsung’s lower-end TVs, it doesn’t include the Smart TV features found in the more expensive models. Although this means you can’t access catch-up TV services or stream YouTube videos without the aid of a separate set-top box, we aren’t huge fans of Samsung’s implementation of the service anyway.

The on-screen interface is simple yet attractive, and very easy to use. The Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) includes picture-in-picture, so you can continue to watch one channel while choosing a second. Everything felt very responsive, with the exception of loading content from a USB flash drive or over the network; the TV had to pause to think while it accessed our files, but no longer than any other set we’ve seen.

Picture quality was good; standard definition Freeview broadcasts looked reasonable, but were hardly breathtaking. There were still noticeable noise artefacts on the low-quality channels such as BBC News, but higher-bandwidth stations fared much better. Even so, it makes the omission of an HD tuner all the more puzzling, as the panel is much more adept at handling high definition content.

Blu-ray movies looked fantastic, especially once we’d dived into the settings menu and tweaked the image. There’s a huge selection of options for a budget TV, including HDMI black levels, edge enhancement and noise reduction, as well as brightness, colour and contrast settings. We especially liked the ability to alter the backlight brightness, a feature often overlooked on low-end sets.

We were surprised to see that Samsung has managed to include a 100Hz panel, rather than the 50Hz screens usually found in low-end sets; it certainly made a difference to the fast moving chase scenes of Casino Royale, which looked much smoother than on other similarly priced TVs. Even during fast panning shots, the action stayed very crisp. Colours were already quite accurate at their default settings, but we still managed to improve the picture slightly with some tweaks.

Sound quality from the two 3W speakers is best described as serviceable; we had no complaints when tuned into BBC News, but the lack of bass and low volume couldn’t match the picture quality when watching Blu-ray films.

As a second TV, the UE32D5000 makes a lot of sense; it lacks a Freeview HD tuner and the online features we would expect to see in a living room set, but picture quality is easily up to the task of casual watching, particularly in high definition. For £360, there are very few sets that look quite so good, whether on or off. However, those looking at the larger sized models should be more wary of buying a TV with such missing features – unless of course you’re definitely pairing it with a HD set-top box.