Customer Reviews

Samsung UN32C4000 32-Inch 720p 60 Hz LED HDTV (Black)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been playing with a new Samsung UN32C4000 for a week now and the following contains the results of my findings.

1)Basic Features
This monitor is the cheapest 32" LED on the market. The resolution is limited to 720p which is perfectly fine for a TV of this size.
The UN32C4000 is well equipped in terms of input (4 HDMI 1.3 ports, 1 USB, 1 component input, 1 optical sound input and 1 PC input).
The HDMI input are located on the left side of the monitors. IMO, the inputs are too close from the bezel so that my HDMI cables are visible from the side. HDMI angle cables may be more suited for slim monitors like this one.
Edge-lit LCDs are known for having uniformity issues but my unit displays was fine in this area.
Backlight bleeding is minor and should not be an issue for most.
Black level displayed by this monitor proves to be significantly better than my 2 years old Samsung LN32A450.
However, watching the Dark Knight movie was a bit painful to my trained eyes. This tv is not suited for movie watching due to lack of details in shadows.
The OSD is well designed and makes the calibration a bit easier compared to the LN32A450.
I really want to point out that this TV is really beautiful due its ultra slim design and the familiar Touch of Color Design.

2) Advanced Features
Calibration was done with he help of a Enhanced Chroma 5 meter (LED compliant). Unfortunately, the results are disappointing.
a) RGB Color Balance (GreyScale)
Calibration was done by modifying the white balance adjustments (RGB-Offset and RGB-Gain). The white point target is the usual 6500 as defined by HD Rec709.
While the 20%-100% stimulus are good, the 10% stimulus is way too blue (Color temperature (CT) of 8900!). All DeltaE errors are below 3 and the average CT is 6685 (6450 if 10% stimulus is ignored).
b) Gamut
I found out that this TV has not CMS control. This is a big let down since the user manual clearly specifies that a custom color space is available (p.16) but it is NOT there in the OSD. Thus, I was only able to modify the gamut by adjusting the clumsy Color setting. Fortunately, the end result is satisfying since the delta errors are below 5 for all primaries and secondaries.
c) Gamma (Target of 2.2)
Let me be clear here, the gamma curve is awful. Gamma is stable between the 10% to 50% stimulus but drops into the abyss between 60% and 90%. Adjusting the gamma control uniformly shifts gamma over all stimulus and does not solve the instability issue. Nothing can be done here since there is no 10 points gamma adjustments like the UN32C6500 (more advanced) model.

3) Summary
I have found out that the picture quality of the UN32C4000 is generally inferior to its 2 years old predecessor, the LN32A450.
While the slim design will be missed, I will exchange this TV for the cheaper and hopefully better Samsung LN32C450.

4) Calibration Settings for optimal picture
Mode: Standard
Backlight: 9
Contrast: 82
Brightness: 42
Sharpness: 50
Color: 46
Tin: G42/R48
Shadow Details: +1
Gamma:+2
White balance: R-Offset:30 G-Offset:25 B-Offset:23 R-Gain:17 G-Gain:35 B-Gain:18
Color Tone: Warm2

Timely delivery
Easy to set up
Excellent Picture
Nice sound
Perfect size for small apartment
Unobstrusive.
Good Price.
Happy with Purchase after 2 months.

For the price, available features, quality, size, and power consumption this set does a great job. Above all, this set is THIN!!! Holy cow is it thin! At the same time, this set is relatively light versus a CFL backlight TV.

Moving on, blacks and the overall color range is pretty good on this set. Backlight bleeding is minimal for blacks and I've fooled around with color/contrast/brightness settings to find my comfort zone. Please, please do the same because factory settings are 99% wrong for most folks.

I've done research about 1080 vs. 720 resolution and found a general rule of thumb, "If the set is around 32"/42" or less then you won't see a difference between 1080 and 720." So far I have to agree. Granted I do not have a Blu-Ray player to provide an ultimate result, but with what I do have I am satisfied. Which brought me to another conclusion when shopping for a new TV.

If you buy a fancy 1080p set and hook it up to a poor signal then you wasted your money. Meaning, if you don't provide a solid 1080 signal then you won't use the full ability of the set. On that, just because you use HDMI does not mean you have a 1080 signal! In my case, the cable company provides 720 resolution and if the landlord allowed it, I would go with a satellite company to find true 1080 signal.

Aside from picture quality, sound quality is so so as most integrated sound systems are. On the bright side I believe the speakers hit a moderate range of sound, but don't expect amazing bass or high tones.

Last of all, I am not a huge sports fan, but when I watched the Super Bowl on this set I was impressed. In fact, I might start watching more games now that I have this TV.

I just read all the other reviews. I see a lot of negative comments, and I am a bit confused. OK, so here is me. Average guy, I like gadgets, and I like my stuff to work when I turn it on. I am not and audio/visual nerd. I have satellite TV (now, ditched cable mostly because of this TV in my bedroom) and I work a lot. I just want to enjoy my things.

I also won this TV. Long story, but I did. Look folks, if you are anything like me and are not going to break out your tricorder or whatever some of these folks were using, have a decent HD signal, and just want a really great, slim, and attractive TV, buy this thing!

I purchased this 32-inch TV for our bedroom. I followed a reviewer's calibration settings, and found the picture quality to be less than desirable. I set it back to the default, and it once again looked like a Samsung LED TV, instead of an old CRT tube.

I own the 40-inch Samsung LED (1080p, 120Hz), so I have a good reference point.

The picture is so vivid you can see makeup lines. Color brilliant. I haven't mastered the sound but I have options. I didn't need technical assistance plugging in the connections. Veiwing is a pleasure. Even the person who delivered the box commented on how lightweight the set was. I often have to do a channel search because the signal gets lost. I've lost local channels. The plug in's, the sentive touch of the controls, even the remote in innovative.

Got this TV with overnight shipping for 3.99 (as a Prime Member). Very easy setup. The TV is really light, razor thin, and has allot of great features. The picture and color is great on this set and the USB port is excellent for playing MKV files off a external hard drive. Very very happy with my purchase!

UPDATE: I ended up returning this TV as I couldnt get the colors right even after calibration, just wasnt the TV for me. Went with the LG 32LD550 LCD TV and all is well now.

As far as the quality of the picture is concerned this is the best 720p tv out there. For the setup and installation of the tv it was very easy. I bought the tv refurbished from amazon and the only thing that was missing was one screw. At least it was not an important one. The tv has great sound quality and it uses very little power on eco-mode.

Picked up Samsung 4005 e-series at Costco...Guess its same as 4000...389.00 after 50.00 off...Well I got it home set-up HDMI....Picture great...But no sound! Called Samsung...Costco tech........We did sound test.....There is a sound tone when you turn on and it was ok...The Rep said I should exchange cable Box because HDMI port was bad.....Oh yes! the Com hook-up was fine...The orig wires from cable company (5).....To make a long story short....I went into cablebox setting and just changed ( audio source) to HDMI.....It was on ( other)...Its great now....Hope this helps you....I need to buy a 2nd Roku or DVD player thats internet capable...

This one fits the bill. At a mere 1.7" deep(w/o base), this low end spectrum LED HDTV packs a dynamic punch. Great picture even with standard cable, analog, and PC inputs. Fantastic HD picture for 720p 60Hz specs. Sleek modern design combined with a great viewing angle and size make the value to price ratio for this product excellent. All in all, it is definitely worth it.