The Samsung LN32B360 LCD TV is Worth the Investment

Bargain HDTV shoppers can easily be intimidated by the wealth of choices available for small screen LCD TVs, many of them indistinguishable from the rest. The Samsung LN32B360 stands out thanks to its picture quality. It might not be perfect, but it destroys the competition in terms of the performance of black levels, and it leads in most other results. The Samsung LN32B360 is a little more expensive than most LCD TVs and some of the features that make other models sing are strangely absent here. But overall, if I needed a small LCD that gets the job done for a reasonable price, then the Samsung LN32B360 would be my pick.

The Samsung LN32B360 LCD is simple but no less handsome than the bigger models, sporting a black, glossy frame and proportions of most other entry level HDTVs. Several small differences add class to the proceedings. The bottom lip of the frame has a small bump that matches the oval stand's base. Not only does it look snappy, but the stand swivels too. It's often the subtle features that decide what television I purchase and the Samsung LN32B360 understands the importance of detail quite well.

This LCD's remote menu system is small and simple, particular when contrasted by the larger sets available today. The remote is packed with buttons, almost as many as that of the Toshiba AV502U, but it does this with a great deal more efficiency. Thanks to the different sizes and colors of the keys it's easy to tell what button you need to push and when it needs to be pushed. When I first looked at the remote I figured it would take me days to master its functions but I was flipping through quickly after 20 minutes.

The Samsung LN32B360 uses a simple series of menus through the remote and the layouts you navigate are similar to those of the high-end Samsung TVs. I like this because it makes for easy access to the functions you use on a daily basis. Most menu items have text explanations that pop up beneath each, and the descriptions and instructions are written very well, and the logic of navigating the site is pitch perfect. The numerous items under the "Support" tab will be of great help to beginners. A self-diagnosis option will help find any troubles the Samsung LN32B360 might be having and it will provide you with ways to contact Samsung for help.

This great little Samsung model uses an adequate amount of pixels -- 720p -- compared with the 1080p resolution found on most of the other models. Since the Samsung LN32B360 LCD screen is so small, the difference between these two numbers aren't as critical as it might normally be. I found no noticeable drop in picture quality.

For the price, the Samsung LN32B360 LCD TV is one of the better models on the market today. Though the price is a little heftier than some of the competition, its high quality picture and excellent remote and menus make up for its apparent shortcomings in the pixel and resolution area. There simply isn't a better entry level LCD TV than the Samsung LN32B360.