Samsung LE32R74BD review

The future-proof specification is supplemented by the integration of both analogue and digital Freeview tuners, guaranteeing its shelf life extends to the eventual digital TV switchover. Digital images are supported by Samsung's Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe) using 10-bit processing, which optimises images by enhancing detail and contrast as well as drawing natural shades from a palette of 12.8 billion colours. Picture processing systems are often sacrificed to cut costs, but Samsung deserves praise for retaining such features for an affordable price.

On screen menus are well presented with neat graphics that ease uncomplicated operation. The out-of-the-box settings have been wildly exaggerated to appear instantly exciting, but you'll want to tone the settings down for more realistic images. There're several picture preset modes defined by your room's brightness -- with the Standard setting performing best in most cases. Otherwise, you can customise individual settings, including colour tone -- the warmer options tend to produce more accurate colours and skin tones.

Digital TV menus are separate with colourful information guides and electronic programme guide featuring moving thumbnails with sound that let you scan schedules without missing any action. Although you can access programme information from the remote, an information bar that temporarily appears as you change channel would be useful. The electronic programme guide only covers a single day instead of the weekly guides presented by some screens.

There are similar preset modes for sound and an SRS TruSurround XT feature that struggles to create surround sound effects from the stereo speakers. Among other extra-curricular features that you won't find from most budget screens is a Game Mode, which uses faster response times for a smoother, sharper gaming experience.

Performance
The Samsung LE32R74BD's picture performance is impressive for the price without reaching the exceptional levels that, agreeably more expensive, class leaders can climb.

Digital TV programmes are more than adequate for everyday viewing with excellent stability, natural colours and a particularly wide viewing angle that allows more freedom with seating positions. Edges could be more precise and movement occasionally stutters but images are noticeably clean and unaffected by digital artefacts.

Using analogue inputs to display DVD images does produce sporadic speckling in backgrounds and colour gradation inconsistencies -- but both can be eliminated by turning to the HDMI digital input. With a 720p upscaled signal, even from an inexpensive DVD player like Samsung's own HD850 (£100), the images are outstanding. Detail and depth of field are immediately emphasised, backgrounds no longer shimmer and movement glides across the screen.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of sound performance. The small speakers lack weight and dynamics, while high volumes are frequently affected by sibilance, and the surround effects only serve to muffle the dialogue and create an unwanted echo.

Edited by Mary Lojkine
Additional editing by Kate Macefield