Samsung LE32A656 Review
By David Mackenzie • Wednesday, 13 August 2008, 6:15 pm GMT
Here at HDTVTest, we’ve already reviewed the 40-inch HDTV from Samsung’s Series 6 range – the LE40A656. A combination of superior panel performance, video processing, usability and similarly great connectivity meant that this display received a “Highly Recommended” award.
For the benefit of those who can’t make room (or don’t want to make room) for a 40″ display, we’ve taken a brief look at the 32″ version – the Samsung LE32A656 LCD television (also available as LE32A656A or LE32A656A1… essentially the same model). Aside from the obvious difference in screen size, the 32″ model lacks the 100hz motion technology presented on the 40″ and larger models, suggesting that other differences may lurk under the hood.
Design
Samsung’s “touch of red” design is, unsurprisingly, consistent with the other models from Series 6. As a result, we won’t have any revelations regarding it here, but this reviewer can offer his own individual opinion and say that it looks fantastic on the Samsung LE32A656 LCD TV.
The subtle champagne-coloured red tinge around the edges of the bezel creates a look that’s classy without being distracting, and the centimetre or so of transparent glass-like material that lies beyond seals the deal: the Samsung LE32A656 is an HDTV that looks far pricier than it really is, perhaps as a result of its own merits, but perhaps also because it seems reminiscent of Sony’s premium X-Series BRAVIAs. Looking at standard bezels after this will feel like a real step down.
The Samsung LE32A656 LCD television rests on top of the supplied (but not pre-fitted) table-top stand, which is finished in gloss black. The LCD panel can swivel left and right on this stand, should you wish to angle it away from a window on a sunny day, or simply get a better look at the action.
Connections
Samsung provides ample connectivity options on the LE32A656 HDTV. There are no less than four HDMI inputs (three of which can be found on the back), as well as two SCART terminals for backwards compatibility. One of these is RGB capable, whilst the other is capable of Composite video only and should be avoided. There’s the obligatory Component video input (only one, but this is becoming less of a problem), a VGA PC input, and on the side, a shared block of S-Video, Composite Video and Stereo Audio jacks, handy if you have a standard definition camcorder, for instance.
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| Rear: 3 x HDMI, VGA, component, 2 x Scarts, aerial, analogue & digital audio outputs |
This side panel also houses the fourth HDMI input, as well as Samsung’s USB input (branded “WISELINK”), which lets you connect a USB storage device to play JPEG and MP3 files on the TV.
Operation
One of the first things to hit you once you start configuring the Samsung LE32A656 is its speed. Jumping around menus and selecting options is lightning fast, making the display a real joy to quickly set up and use.
The standard on-screen menu is split into five usable segments (there’s a sixth icon showing a satellite dish, but was greyed out at all times for us). That leaves the [Picture], [Sound], [Setup], [Input], and Digital TV Setup pages.
Samsung provide an extensive array of picture setup options within these menus. As well as standard adjustments, the [Picture] menu allows adjustment of the Backlight intensity, which is a step above some other manufacturers. There are even more tweaks hidden within the [Detailed Settings] and [Picture Options] submenus, the most important ones allowing you to disable the [Dynamic Contrast] system, adjust [Gamma] for a very slight accuracy improvement, and user accessible control over the [White Balance], which is excellent.
As the Samsung LE32A656 doesn’t feature 100hz technology, there’s a feature called [Movie Plus] to be found in its place. This is still a motion interpolation algorithm, albeit one which won’t give you any increase in motion resolution. Instead, it’s here for the benefit of those who don’t enjoy the natural look of film material, and prefer to give films and high-budget programmes more of an “amateur video” look.
EPG (Electronic Programme Guide)
Samsung’s EPG is brimming with thoughtful design features. This one screen houses a preview window, programme description, time progress bar, and still has room to display the contents of six channels. Scheduling a reminder for a programme is as easy as highlighting it and pressing the middle remote control button – there are no unnecessary “Are you sure?” screens. The blue button on the remote jumps forward 24 hours on the programme grid – very handy if you’ve just seen an advert for a programme that’s showing the next night. Pressing the channel – and + buttons on the remote jump up and down a page, allowing you to navigate the wealth of services available with ease.
The only slight down-side is that the EPG is a tiny bit slow to respond when compared with the rest of the LCD TV’s menus, but this really is a minor complaint given how fast these are.
Remote Control
Samsung’s remote control design appears to have been designed with accessibility in mind: its large buttons and bold, clear text may not be the most visually appealing combination around, but they do mean that super-precise eyesight won’t be necessary to quickly identify the buttons. If you like to watch in a dark room, you’ll appreciate the fact that the keys are lit up by an appealing orange backlight (which you can easily disable to conserve battery power).
Everything is well positioned, too, with the Menu, directional pad, and AV Input keys are located nearby, as are the Volume and Channel rocker buttons. The satisfying feel of the buttons rounds off this well-designed remote.
Calibration
Greyscale
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| Pre-calibration CCT with [Picture Mode] “Movie” & [Colour Tone] “Warm2″ |
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| Pre-calibration RGB tracking and delta errors (dEs) |
As evidenced by the pre-calibration chart, the Samsung LE32A656’s out-of-the-box “Warm2” greyscale preset (unlocked by setting the Picture [Mode] option to “Movie”) is relatively close to the D65 standard to begin with. Of course, Samsung provide an easily accessible adjustment which allows this to be refined even further, which we naturally took advantage of to achieve the following – a much better result:
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| CCT after greyscale calibration in “Movie” [Picture Mode] |
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| RGB tracking and delta errors (dEs) after greyscale calibration |
Colour
Although the Samsung LE32A656’s colour accuracy is good overall, there was still some desaturation, particularly in the greens, after calibration. This is almost certainly superior to too much saturation, however.
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| [Colour Space] “Auto” CIE Chart |
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| CIE chart with reference to HD Rec. 709 after calibration with HD source |
Benchmark Test Results
| Dead pixels | None |
| Screen uniformity | Clouding reducible to negligible levels |
| Overscanning on HDMI | 0% with [Size] set to “Just Scan“ |
| Blacker than black | Passed |
| Black level | Excellent |
| Black level retention | Stable |
| Primary chromaticity | Good after calibration with “Custom” [Colour Space] |
| Scaling | Above average |
| Video mode deinterlacing | Very good; effective jaggies reduction |
| Film mode deinterlacing | Passed 3:2 and 2:2 cadences in all resolutions |
| Viewing angle | Good for an LCD TV (90°) |
| Static resolution | Fully resolved 1920×1080 over HDMI & component |
| Motion resolution | 250 |
| Digital noise reduction | Acceptable at baseline |
| Sharpness | Defeatable edge enhancement |
| 1080p/24 capability (PS3) | Accepts 1080p/24 video signal; no telecine judder |
| Input lag (rel. to Samsung F96) | On par in [Game] mode or over VGA; 0-20ms slower otherwise |
Power Consumption
| Default | 196 watts |
| Calibrated | 71 watts |
| Standby | 1 watt |
Black Level
Fitted with an SPVA panel, the Samsung LE32A656 is off to a great start as far as black level is concerned. Adding to the effect is Samsung’s “Ultra Clear Panel” finish, a reflective treatment which helps give the image the illusion of more depth (albeit with some potentially irritating reflections).
This impressive panel, coupled with the fact that Samsung allows us to adjust the backlight level, mean that the Samsung LE32A656’s post-calibration black level was a suitably inky 0.06 cd/m2.
Screen/ Backlight Uniformity
As with any LCD display, unevenness was visible prior to calibration. Toning down the frankly insane out-of-the-box backlight intensity during the calibration process made this unevenness essentially invisible, except under the darkest room conditions.
Static Resolution
Thanks to the Samsung LE32A656’s “Just Scan” mode, it was possible to resolve all 1920×1080 pixels of a 1920×1080 source for perfect clarity.
Motion Resolution
Our usual test from the FPD Benchmark Blu-ray Disc allowed us to measure the motion resolution at around 250 lines.
Video Processing
In this department, the Samsung LE32A656 LCD HDTV performed identically to its bigger 40″ brother. In other words, it effectively smoothed jaggies for video material, engaged the effective processing to resolve maximum detail from interlaced film sources, and scaled lower resolution images suitably well.
The Samsung LE32A656’s film deinterlacing mode is automatic – there is no option to force Video deinterlacing. This isn’t a huge loss, but we did notice that the video processor would sometimes get confused when content transitioned between film and video (video credits at the end of a film-based programme, for example). Control over this functionality would be a bonus.
Picture Quality
High Definition (Blu-ray)
There’s little else to say in this department, other than performance was hard to fault. The superior black levels, correct handling of 24p input material, 1:1 mapping, and relatively accurate post-calibration greyscale all added up to create incredibly pleasing image quality. The only slight annoyance was related to the LCD panel’s response time: jet-black objects sometimes produced noticeable motion trails, especially when viewed against a white background.
Standard Definition (Freeview Digital TV)
There are no problems with Samsung’s implementation of the digital TV tuner. What’s being beamed over the air by broadcasters will still look ropey, but the Samsung LE32A656 does not indulge in any half-baked attempts to “enhance” the picture. As a result, Freeview looks as good as can be expected.
HD Console Gaming (Xbox 360)
This category was difficult to test, not because of any fault of the Samsung LE32A656, but because my Xbox 360 has now died for a second time and is currently in transit back to Microsoft for repairs (for the bargain price of £60, no less!) Fortunately, unlike Microsoft’s, Samsung’s hardware is well designed, so assuming your games console works in the first place, the LE32A656 LCD television will prove a brilliant screen for gaming. We measured the input lag at between 0 and 20ms relative to the Samsung F96, which is one of the reasons why gaming was such great fun on this TV. The psychological effects of input lag are incredibly interesting, because I found myself enjoying games that I’d previously tired of on my own (laggy) set.
However, Samsung have included one very questionable design element with this LCD television. Although the LE32A656 does include a “Game Mode” (accessed by pressing E.MODE on the remote), this is effectively useless because it forces retina-burning brightness and greyscale options on the viewer, and locks out even the most basic of picture options. It’s fortunate indeed that the gaming performance is so good on its own.
Conclusion
Pros
- Excellent black level with decent shadow detail
- “Ultra Clear Panel” increases perceived depth, but reflects ambient light (see Cons)
- Good SD video processing
- Comprehensive set of picture adjustment controls available in user menu (including white balance and a rudimentary colour management system)
- “Just Scan” allows for exceptional detail from 1:1 pixel mapping
- Displays 1080p/24 video signal without exhibiting telecine judder
- Generous connectivity with 4 HDMI 1.3 input, USB port, etc.
- Settings can be stored independently for each input
- Can accept and display 1920×1080 progressive video signal over VGA
- User menu and EPG navigation incredibly responsive
Cons
- Shiny “Ultra Clear Panel” reflects ambient light and causes glare
- Mild input lag (except in “Game” mode or over VGA) may affect sensitive gamers
- Some clouding and backlight unevenness (though reduced to unobtrusive levels after calibration)
Summary
Samsung’s displays have come a long way in recent years. It would appear that the huge Korean manufacturer has learned how to pair their excellent LCD technology with video processing that, for the most part, does it justice. If you’re looking out for a modestly sized 1080p display and can position it in a way which prevents the reflective screen surface from becoming a problem, then the Samsung LE32A656 presents exceptional value for money.
Please give us a review of the Samsung 50 PSA656 Plasma display, or of the LG 50PG6000
Im either going to go for this TV or the 40w4000, not sure though any ideas?
Well, I got w4000 40” last week. But, If I were you, i buy A656 40” . really,really,really. It’s really hard to forget his first lover…
Thanks David for this review! Is it possible for you to have the LG LCD 6000/5000/3000 TV series reviewed??
Thanks in advance!
Hey Gudio: we’ll try!
hey david I am chris from avforums,
1)Thanks for the review!
2)Why havent you taken any pics?
3)Do you know the next review?
Great review thank you. hope you can add some setting for 32″ i just saw setting for the 40-50″ is there any different?
Hi, does anyone know the calibrated settings for the review? I wanna try it~
David, can I have the calibrated setting for the 32″ please~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you~~
thanks, it would be a detail on your part to show the adjustments and calibrated to be able to enjoy complete this magnificent lcd
What are the best calibration settings for this tv?
What calibaration settings did you use?
i have this tv myself and would like to compare the two.
I currently use this tv with the panasonic bd30 blu ray player and when the 24p mode is activated I still experience motion judder when there are camera pans. Does anyone else have this problem?
Philips 42/47 9703 should be next, these tv’s are getting great reviews but we all know you’re reviews are the only ones we really trust ;o) please please try get one!
I am worried about the problem with reflections. Is this a real problem really?
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Please, Please, Please give use your calibrated settings to try. I have this telly and I`m having a hell of a time trying to get a good picture out of it…….
great review. Would like to no the calibrated settings as well.
I have this TV connected to the Panny BD30 player and using 24p output setting leads to highly disturbing picture judder.
Can anyone please help me?
Thanks.
A very thoughtfull and detailed review of a market segment shrouded in fog at time of writing.
I am in the market for a 32″ 1080p set which can be utilised as a top quality HD source, a capable terestrial/dbv-t TV source and, wait for it…….primary PC display.
Having trawled through countless sites in an attempt to obtain a detailed objective view on my short list of 32″ panels, I am left with an uncertainty of the objectivity and somewhat puzzling differences in opinion from several reviewers of the same unit. I have to say, I did expect more uniformaty overall.
More importanly however, at time of writing, having spent in excess of 4hrs per week night over the past fortnight in a valiant attempt to do my research, I have been unable to find a single review site containing a uniform review of the main pretenders in the 1080p 32″ market segment.
Suffice it to say, it is near impossible to make an informed summary comparison against competing products/manufacturers when each reviewer/review website follows a different format and/or less in depth review from its competitor.
This review however has in my humble opinion been the most accurate summary of a number of other online reviewers difference in opinon against the same (LE32A656A) panel under review, in addition to being the most detailed in terms of judging the panel’s true capabilities once calibrated, so is therefore the benchmark for all others to follow and in my view at least will be the source of my informed decision making process prior to purchase.
The only thing lacking however, is an equivalent review of the LE32A656A direct competitors in the 32″ market segment.
I strongly believe that if this is addressed however, all potentional buyers in the market for a 32″ panel who are prepared to carry out their research online will be spending their allocated evening research time at hdtvtest.co.uk with a glass of wine in hand (ok maybe not wine since this is not a shoe and handbag review centre, a can of beer perhaps) ;P making easy viewing of “the” one stop shop online HDTV review centre.
Co-incidentally at time of writing I can say with certainty that if this was the case, hdtvtest.co.uk will be the only review centre online currently being able to offer a direct and uniform comparison of all the main pretenders in the 1080p 32″ segment, which will undoubtedly increase the number of visitors as a result
Please, Please, Please, arrange a detailed review as per the above against the following:
Sony KDL32W4000
Panasonic TX32LZD80/85
and any other sets deemed as contenders by the hdtvtest crew.
Im prepared to PAY handsomly!………..honest
KR,
Hum
Nice work!
Please, give us a review of the Pio KRL! Thanks.
Another vote here for the calibration settings please. I know you are always busy, (or is it holiday time?) but they would be very useful as a starter for everyone….thanks, Paultje.
[...] is een uitgebreide review van de samsung LE32A656 geplaatst op de HDTVtest site. [...]
I have used the settings for the 40″ so far…and even tho’ the set isn’t identical, they do work well. Even so I would like the settings you used for the 32″ to compare.
Ta
I’ve got a Panasonic BD-30 connected to this TV set, and I’m also experiencing highly disturbing judder with the player’s 24fps output activated through the Just Scan mode, which totally ruins every slow camera pan. If I was able (or aware) to test it with the BD-30 before purchasing, I certainly wouldn’t.
I’ll vote for the calibrated settings too. So if anybody has the settings, used in this review, i would be V E R Y happy if he would share the information.
Thank you!
galen@gmx.de
I have just ordered this TV after reading a number of positive reviews for the TV. And the general consensus is that while the TV doesn’t seem to be the be best performer it does have the best performance to price ratio while being aesthetically pleasing as well.
You can also put me up as another vote for the calibration settings!!
i get this tv today.. it’s fantastic but i think that with your settings will be better.. so PLEASE give us the settings, for a beginner it’s so difficult to get a perfect set. that’s my vote
please
please
please
_o/ for settings
[...] LE32A656 32inch lcd televisie Er is een uitgebreide review van de samsung LE32A656 geplaatst op de HDTVtest site. [...]
Hey please can you post the calibrated settings, also you should post them as standard for every reveiw.
Hey guy’s I have just bought this set
it’s very good, I used the digital video essentials DVD to calibrate it which worked a treat all though it was intended for use on CRT’s still produced good results because the basics of calibrating any screen remain the same,
Brightness, Contrast, Colour, Sharpness, and Gamma, this set has all of those features and more! Turn off all the digital enhancements too you don’t really need them movie plus etc etc.
If any of you have a recent DVD or Blueray that was THX mastered then check the menus on it or on disc 2 you will find a very nice THX screen calibrations tutorial and pludge images for setting up your screens. take advantage of the blue only option located in one of the advanced picture menus on the set ” can’t remember which now!” as this will give you better results for calibrating the colour.
You probably shouldn’t use other peoples settings as all rooms are different, and would yield different results depending on ambient light etc etc, trust your own eyes! if it looks good to you then it must be good. as long as you get what you want out of the set right?
BTW I calibrated mine using DVE played on my PS3 via HDMI when I was finished I popped in a Blueray to admire my efforts “2 hrs worth!!” and the images were stunning! YAY! I switched the TV on the next morning so the kids could watch cbeebies and it looked shite??? So I need to calibrate for SD TV Freeview and Sky as well as HD via HDMI I hope this set stores the settings for different inputs?
Good luck all
SETTINGS PLEASE, SETTINGS PLEASE
[...] Samsung LE40A656 Review – 40” 1080p 100Hz LCD HD TV Samsung LE32A656 Review Samsung LE32A656 / LE32A656A / LE32A656A1 Review "La Verit ha bisogno di tempo" Irina Derevko. [...]
Sounds like the 32 inch version hasn’t got the input lag of the bigger ones or is is it because of the different reviewers?
Yeah~ I would like to have the calibrated settings for this. I recently got Eye-One Display 2. Might be useful as a starting point.
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Please could you review the LE32A457 please?
Just bought one and it would be great if you could please post the calibrated settings for it but will try the 40″ settings in the mean time.
adding another request for the calibration settings that you used - please
I humbly request a review of the Philips 32PFL7803 if at all possible.
I can’t seem to find a single review of this TV on the entire web, i don’t understand how can this be…
Given that the price tag for this TV has gone down to the point of allready costing the same as the Sammy Le32A656, it would be of interest to see a credible review for this model, even because if let on paper alone, it should steamroll the sammy, but numbers on a paper don’t mean much to me without a good review behind it.
Please take it into consideration.
Hi all,
anybody use this lcd tv for a pc monitor??
Thanks for a good review. Am wondering, though, if the lack of 100Hz refresh rate means this TV performs less well with fast moving images than rivals that do have such technology? If anyone can reassure or shed light I would be grateful.
Hi Hypo,
I use this TV as a monitor. It works extremely well. I use the standard VGA monitor cable to output 1920×1080.
HI Greg
thanks for the info, and the desktop looks ok? games? any lag issue? maybe a photo from your lcd?
Desktop looks fine. No issues that I have noticed, but I will admit, I haven’t been looking for any. Where would you like me to put a photo?
Thanks , I`ve already bought the lcd, its fantastic, im playing flightsimulator and its GREAT
Stupid I know but could someone please let me know if this set can be wall mounted as I have a Sammy 26″ already wall mounted and i am looking for a replacement. Thanks
Good review, just bought a LE32A656, a great Tele. Its a pity the audio output time lead, 85mSecs as measured using Sound Forge on the audio output terminal vs loudspeaker, can’t be made adjustable so that I can use my old analogue amplifiers simultaneously with the TV sound.
Hello, Humour, i found such a requested objective uniform thingy review just the other day when i was browsing for the right tv to buy, but your post was so pompous, arrogant, cringe worthy and anything but (yourword:) humble, that ive decided not to tell you where.
Yours
Frase
[...] E un model interesant: Samsung LE32A656 / LE32A656A / LE32A656A1 Review [...]
The picture is awesome in HD mode, little to no jugger. Even though it dosn’t have 120 HZ, only the Panny has that in the 32 inch. But with the 1080p who could tell the difference. Sound is good with plenty of options, and the Touch of color is very nice, I think it’s the best looking 32inch LCD out there. I will will probably buy the 46 or 52 inch sammy when I get enough money or my wife lets me, you know how that goes! anyway the only negitive if you want to call it that, and one that I read was it’s a dusk magnet, but with the cloth pad cleaner they give you, it’s really not a problem.
Please can you add the calibration settings for the le37a656 plus a review if you can. Thanx
Also I haven’t read all the comments or reviews but is it just me or does the 100hz motion plus feature really not work and make it look worse.
Calibration settings anyone? please?
[...] Small hick-ups. that aren’t there in 60hz. The 32" model does not have 100Hz technology - Samsung LE32A656 / LE32A656A / LE32A656A1 Review - but according to this review, should handle 24p without judder/jitter. Does it occur on all of [...]
[...] Posted by steve664npc The 32" model does not have 100Hz technology - Samsung LE32A656 / LE32A656A / LE32A656A1 Review - but according to this review, should handle 24p without judder/jitter. Does it occur on all of [...]
Can’t quite understand that “250 lines video resolution”. I have read somewhere that good consumer HD camcorders give about 600 lines, not speaking about Blu-Ray. So, is it not ridiculous to watch a “250″ movie on this and similar TVs? What common that has with HD, at all?
Sorry (actually would be happy:) if I am not right , thanks in advance for the comments.