Ask Engadget HD: Best 30- to 35-inch HDTV?
By Darren Murph 
posted Mar 18th 2009 12:00PM
posted Mar 18th 2009 12:00PM
"I'm having the hardest time finding a decent 30- to 35-inch HDTV. Due to the size, I'm looking LCD, but there just seems to be so few options. Has anyone picked up a set of this size for their apartment or bedroom that proved to be good? Any opinions would be great, I'm running out of patience here!"
Stay calm, Paul. It's all going to be alright. We're just certain these readers will hook you up with a fine response -- right, folks?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Geoff @ Mar 18th 2009 12:36PM
Samsung LN32A450 or LN32A550. The 450 was top rated "budget" 32 inch LCD HDTV among many
different review sites.
MUlti-format-mayhem @ Mar 18th 2009 12:28PM
I wouldn't buy a small HD TV.
The 'HD' part of it would be pretty useless.
Unless you're going to use it like a monitor and sit less than 1 meter away from it, it's pretty pointless and wasted.
In fact I'd say anything 'HD' under 50" (for most people at 'normal' viewing distances) is wasted.
http://www.carltonbale.com/2006/11/1080p-does-matter/
Chad @ Mar 18th 2009 12:43PM
Thanks for your informative but not germane to this discussion comment. As I too am looking to replace my current 26" CRT with a 32" flat screen I am equally interested in useful information. Since almost all flat screens no matter what size are at least 720p capable the question is still valid despite not being "useful" for 1080p.
A2HD @ Mar 18th 2009 12:52PM
I agree that 1080p HD under 42" is unnecessary for your "average" user. And I also believe that you should always get the largest TV that will fit within your space and budget with the quality you are targeting.
But for smaller rooms and/or budgets I think 720p 32" HD TVs are great. Like I said below I like my 32" Samsung LN32A550 720p HD TV.
ack154 @ Mar 18th 2009 2:42PM
I have the same as A2HD and love it. Sadly it is our living room TV for now, but will be relegated to bedroom duty as soon as I can find/afford something larger that I like.
Evan @ Mar 18th 2009 5:45PM
I think my 46" tv feels too large for television programs like Oprah or home renovation shows and it's too small for movies. It's size is also too dominating for a bedroom or den.
No size is perfect, and every size of the spectrum has a potential room and usage:
24" - kitchen for afternoon television
32" - bedroom for prime time shows
46" - family room for video games
120" - home theater for movies
squiggleslash @ Mar 18th 2009 6:40PM
MFM - that rather depends upon the viewing distance. We're about eight feet away from our 32", and yes, we can tell the difference. Better mastered DVDs look great, but there is a difference.
In any case, I hate to point out the obvious, but it's increasingly difficult to find a TV in that size that isn't HD. I've seen a few SDTVs around, but they tend to be sub-20" CRTs.
sklegg @ Mar 18th 2009 12:28PM
Samsung LN32A550
A2HD @ Mar 18th 2009 12:38PM
I have a 32" Samsung LN32A550 that I really like. I did a bunch of research around Christmas/New Years for the best 720p 32" and it looked like the 32" Samsung LN32A450 got consistent good reviews. When I saw the LN32A550 for a good price I bought it (assuming it had the same panel and electronics) and really like it.
Matt K @ Mar 18th 2009 12:46PM
I have the Sony KDL32XBR6 and love it. Compared it to the LN32A650 and the colors were slightly more accurate to me. What really tipped the scale was the sound. Did not care for the down-firing sound the Samsungs offer.
AceAwesome @ Mar 18th 2009 1:06PM
I have that same exact TV! KDL32XBR6. The only 32" 1080p out there the time I bought it. 1080p at that size might not matter much, unless you're using it as a PC monitor which i'm doing.
Another plus is the internal TV guide/tuner. I just plugged in my comcast coax directly to the TV and i get a full guide. However, I do not get HD channels becuase I believe my local Comcast provider blocks the free HD content. I should really get around to calling them about that, and sending over that hate mail. Haven't seen my PS3 on it yet, but it shold be no less than pure awesomeness.
Phil @ Mar 18th 2009 1:16PM
It all depends on how much you want to spend and what you want to hook up to it. Typically you don't need a full 1080p for that range of tv, but if you are hooking up a blu-ra, ps3, e-box 360, or dish network it is probably worth investing a little more. The 2008 Model Samsung LN32a330 is a good picture and a good price. At just under $500 not a bad tv. But keep in mind it only has one composite input which is disquised as a componet. I like Sony's new 2009 model KDL32l5000. It has an interesting body style but good picture for a 720. If you want a 1080p tv in that size, Sony has a brand new kdl32XBR9 out, looks super sexy with the 120 hz and 1080p. It retails for about 1100, so not terrible but thats if you want the best of the best.
Philip Doll @ Mar 18th 2009 1:43PM
The Samsung Touch-of-Color line - great set - anything above the 26'' is 1080p
Wryker @ Mar 18th 2009 1:59PM
I loved our 32" LCD Vizio in our bedroom! Picture was great and no problems with it. Upgraded to a 42" and moving the Vizio to our guest house so I recommend the 32" Vizio!
Nelson @ Mar 18th 2009 2:09PM
I have the KDL-32XBR6 and it's great. I had originaly bouth the Samsung LN32A550 but book it back and got the Sony. HD signals look awsome.
Galley @ Mar 18th 2009 2:16PM
Sony KDL-32XBR6
Rob S @ Mar 18th 2009 2:18PM
I'd second the Vizio comment. I have an average sized bedroom and had been using a dual monitor (22" / 22") as dual head computer monitors with a TV tuner card. I wanted something bigger but my room and budget couldn't go too far. I got a VO32LF a couple weeks after it came out and it took the place of my secondary monitor. I have a pretty giant desk so am about 4' from the tv when sitting comfortably and am about 12 feet away when laying in bed. ~$500 for a 1080p set.
Redwood @ Mar 18th 2009 3:03PM
I'm looking for a 37" or 40" LCD TV. Up for consideration: Samsung LN40A550, Samsung LN40B550, Panasonic TC-37LZ85, Panasonic TC-37LZ800, Sony KDL-40S5100, Sharp Aquos 42" LC42D65U (not particularly looking to go that big, but I've heard good things about Sharp service on 42"+ screens). My eyes have trouble detecting the difference 120Hz makes, so I don't think the extra cost is worth it. Any advice? Other ones to look at? Thanks in advance.
Random comment: It's funny that when 1080p came out, I heard that it was hard to tell the difference between that and 720p screens on anything less than 50+". I could easily tell the difference on 40" displays from 8+ feet at the store.
Pip @ Mar 18th 2009 3:39PM
Yeah, the real problem is there are some cinema chart graphs going around that show that you're not supposed to be able to tell HD at whatever distances. I'm sure there are optimal viewing distances, I wont dispute that, but to claim a certain size at a certain distance is useless is pretty far fetched unless you're talking about a mile away or something.
I used to own a 30" 1080i set, and I could tell the difference between standard broadcasts and HD broadcasts from nearly 20 feet away. Even though most charts and armchair theater experts were saying it wasn't possible, and a waste of money.
I have poor eyesight, too. It's not like I'm superman.
John Allen @ Mar 19th 2009 1:40AM
So when you say you saw the difference at that size between 1080p and 720p, I believe you are mistaken. I highly doubt both TVs were hooked up to Blu Ray, pretty sure it was running on a house feed at 720p where there would be no difference in resolution. What you saw was the difference in contrast, which a 1080p set will have more of which is why the picture looked better.
And Pip, the chart you are probably talking about is the one where you cannot tell the difference between 720p and 1080p not standard defintion and high definition because there is always a huge difference between the two. If I am wrong, link me to that graph.
ilya124 @ Mar 18th 2009 3:39PM
I have the Sharp Aquos LC32D44U. Its a good tv and you can find it for a really good price if you look around, again, you don't really see that much of a difference between 720 and 1080 on a tv of this size.
DJ @ Mar 18th 2009 5:29PM
I just picked a Sony 40' S-Series two weeks ago for our master bedroom. I got it for $749 plus a free HDMI cable at the Sony Outlet Store in Kenosha. It'a a new, not a refurb unit wilth full 1080p.
Granted, it's not as crisp or have the same color richness as the 40" & 46" XBR's that have in other rooms, but for a bedroom, it's perfect. And at the price, there was no comparison. Even the 32" & 37" XBR's were more expensive and they were only 720p (yes, the 1080p versions are now available and even more expensive)
John Allen @ Mar 19th 2009 1:39AM
Umm, the Sony XBR is only 1080p. There are no 720p XBRs. The S is the entry level that is pretty much the Wal-Mart TV. L is the next step then XBR in 32 inch range. Don't know what TV you were looking at
Evan @ Mar 18th 2009 5:31PM
With OLED HDTVs potentially coming out in the next couple of years, I think this is a poor time to buy any LCD HDTV.
phidjit @ Mar 18th 2009 5:58PM
April 1st Sharp release their LC32DB60U - 32" Aquos 1080p with a built in blu-ray player. No nonsense, $999 on Amazon.
I'd expect the current model (no blu-ray) LC32D64U to drop in price when that shows up, maybe you could grab a deal.
Gekke Henkie @ Mar 18th 2009 6:10PM
The question is: The 'Best' 30-35 inch HDTV, which I think means 32" (or, 31.5" viewable, to be exact).
1. The best quality, picture-wise(!), is a 1080p display.
2. The optimal distance for a 1080p display is 1.5 times it's diameter (see THX). By the way, this counts for EVERY size of 1080p-display, which means that also small displays can benefit from HD, as long as you're sitting close enough. I don't understand how useful it is what some people here above mean with 'normal' distance, or 'average' user.
3. For a 32" display the right distance is therefore 48" (or 4 feet, or 1.20 meter) away from the display.
4. The 'Best' relates to where you are gonna use it for (Blu-ray, gaming, other).
5. When used for Blu-ray viewing, most BD's are in 1080p24 format, and if you like the movie/film-like look, there is only one(1) 32" display on the market that correctly refereshes these movies in a multiple of 24fps, without using the 3:2 pulldown proces (to 60Hz and then multiply it again by 2 to get 120Hz), and that is the brand new Sony KDL-32XBR9 (it uses the correct 5:5 pull-down to get 120Hz). The former one, the 32XBR6, appeared to do 60Hz only, unfortunately.
6. For gaming, you would not want a 120Hz display, because of time-lag. I don't know which display would be best for no-time-lag, but I've read something about Sharp-displays.
7. For 'other' uses of lesser quality (than point 5), like video, TV-viewing, etc, the question of 'Best' is much more related to other features then the PQ (picture quality), like ease of menu's, multiformat, audio, remote-quality, HDMI-CEC features, connectivity, etc. I can't answer the question for this kind of use.
Conclusion: If best PQ is desired (use a BD-player and) buy the Sony KDL-32XBR9 (MSRP $1.099, retail $999) and put your desk/pc/chair so that your eyes are at 4 feet distance.
Gekke Henkie @ Mar 18th 2009 6:13PM
Ps. If with 'Best', you would mean 'Best deal' (lower price, but less quality), there is really no 1 answer possible.
anny @ Mar 18th 2009 9:24PM
thanks for your information ,it maybe very nice !
thedankone @ Mar 18th 2009 9:23PM
Anything with an IPS panel...Hitachi ultra thin and some JVC have these panels. LG does also but not at that size. Sony can't even tell you what panel tech you will get...why cuz they suck old man balls.
EKiN @ Mar 18th 2009 11:40PM
xbr6...hands down, did a loooot of research before and couldn't be happier, great solution if you want to use as a pc monitor too. And the sleep with picture off feature is really key in a bedroom.
Marc @ Mar 18th 2009 11:51PM
The Panasonic LZ800's seem under-appreciated (perhaps because few stores carry them). There is both a 32" and 37" version, which have plasma-like viewing angles and black levels.
mikeb12345 @ Mar 19th 2009 8:47AM
I've been liking my Samsung A540 (Costco-only model). Its a slight step up from the A450 but sells for less (I forget exactly what, but it may be more inputs). It is NOT 1080p like I think all of the rest of the 5-series, but for a 32inch TV, most will say that is fine. I took the calibration settings from the 450 settings posted on various sites.
TG @ Mar 19th 2009 10:48AM
The Vizio VO32 1080p models are a great bargain. Color accuracy, grayscale tracking and video processing are about the best you can find at the 32" size and it can double as a monitor if needed. Also has lots of inputs. Studies have shown Vizio is actually one of the most reliable TV brands on the market as well, contrary to public perception.
If you can't live with its somewhat limited viewing angle the Panasonic PZ85 series should be pretty cheap right now and is packing IPS-A panel technology. The color accuracy of Panny sets leaves something to be desired though.
The Samsung models (all of them pretty much) are also a safe middle of the road choice that is hard to fault. I would stay away from Sony (panel lottery, no better than Sammy yet more expensive), Sharp (quality has been dropping steadily for the last few years, uses outsourced low quality panels on all their cheaper tvs, crappy video processing), and of course all the other budget brands you can find cheap online. Westinghouse is probably the best known of the 3rd tier makers. Having owned one and personally seen a number of them fail I never recommend them anymore no matter how good the price may be.
reallynotnick @ Mar 19th 2009 3:14PM
While I see a lot of votes for the 32XBR6 and 32a550, I am kind of surprised I don't see any votes for the 32XBR9 which easily beats the first two. Though the first two are being clearanced out at most places so they are probably better bang for buck.
Plus keep your eyes open for the 32b530 from Samsung, my local BB has just got them in, not sure how it stacks up to the 32a550 though.
Miki @ Mar 25th 2009 8:46AM
Does anyone know if new LG 32LH3000 sports an IPS panel ? I couldn't find the info anywhere, even in the official owner's manual. It has the same price as new Samsung 32B530 (about 600€) and if so, the LG is the cheapest IPS 32'' TV i know of. Only other IPS 32-incher that is on sale here is excellent Panasonic TX-32LZD80F which costs about 200€ more.
I need a LCD for PC use so i would prefer an IPS panel over S-PVA. Any other recommendations beside the two I already mentioned ?
thedankone @ Apr 3rd 2009 12:41PM
Don't know, looks like LG has removed all IPS panel info from the US site as well. I know until now they have used IPS panels on 42" + models. LG is also know for dissecting IPS tech such as "e-ips" to make it cheaper to manufacture.
Have you looked at Hitachi they use alpha ips panels on all lcd models and eefl back lights.
If you don't need a Freeview tuner or such you could always go for a newer h-ips panel lcd monitor. They have the widest colour gamut...but a high price tag.