A Review of Emerson's Low Cost 32" LCD HDTV the BLC320EM9

When it comes to new gadgets the flat panel television is without question the official gadget of 2009. Just look at any electronics store's sale circular and that is precisely what you'll see right on their cover. Thanks to new inexpensive production costs and the increasingly tumultuous consumer electronics market we've seen remarkable price drops in flat panel television technology. One manufacturer that has proven to be one of the more popular low cost flat panel television producers is Emerson. One of their more popular models is the BLC320EM9 a low cost 32 inch LCD HDTV. I have had the opportunity to spend some time with a BLC320EM9 and I'm going to let you know how it performed for me.

Style: 2/5

Picture Quality: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Overall: 3.5/5

Product Overview:

A lot of low cost LCD manufacturers are really trying to invest a lot into the outward appearance of their televisions. It doesn't appear that is the case with the Emerson BLC320EM9 as it comes complete with a rather standard looking bezel that is a moderately glossy black. The stand is the same in color and is a little bulky in appearance; mine is also a bit loose and doesn't feel terribly sturdy. The speakers are integrated into the base of the screen's frame and produce rich acoustics but fail to reach a reasonable volume. If you enjoy watching your TV at high volumes you may want to consider complimenting the BLC320EM9 with a small inexpensive set of surround sound speakers. The remoste control is intuitive and user friendly however some complain about being unable to sync their cable provider's remote to their television so be ready to use multiple remote controls.

The picture provided by the Emerson BLC320EM9 is above average especially considering its low cost. I found the viewing angle to be perfectly acceptable. I used a Playstation 3 to deliver a high definition signal via the device's HDMI input and found it performed quite well despite only being able to produce a 720p resolution. For those of you with standard definition don't fret because the Emerson handles non-HD signals very well. The black levels are not as rich as I would have liked and I urge consumers to compare this screen with others at your local retailer if available. I believe most will find the black levels adequate, but be warned.

Product Value:

Overall I found this product to perform about average. I would recommend this for anyone on a serious budget or for a child or student's dorm room. It is without a doubt reasonably priced at just over $400, however it had dipped below 400 before so keep a look out for sales with the Emerson BLC320EM9.