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Wide Color Enhancer/Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp
Connectivity
Super Patterned Vertical Alignment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Key Features
 | Samsung’s Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (SPVA) panel provides a 178-degree viewing angle from all four axes |
Audio Features
TruSurround is a patented SRS technology that solves the problem of playing 5.1 multichannel content over two speakers. TruSurround delivers a compelling, virtual surround sound experience through any two-speaker playback system, including internal television speakers and headphones. It is fully compatible with all multichannel formats up to 5.1 channels. High-quality virtual surround sound can be experienced with just the two hidden, downward-firing side-mounted 2.2-channel dome speakers built into the TV.SRS TruSurround XT technology delivers an amazing, simulated 3D effect with clear dialog and powerful bass.
TruSurround XT audio also adds three audio enhancement technologies to produce an amazingly immersive sound experience.
- Dialog Clarity brings movie dialog into Focus during the playback of any surround-encoded material to make speech much clearer and crisper.
- TruBass creates incredible deep rich bass allowing a person to perceive significantly deeper, richer low bass tones that are far beyond the physical low frequency capabilities of the speaker itself.
- The SRS WOW feature widens the sound stage by processing standard two-channel stereo material as well as multi-channel encoded material for a dramatic improvement in the playback of any stereo audio over a two-speaker system.
Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?
 | With standard-definition TVs, the rule used to be that viewers would feel comfortable watching a set from a distance of 3 to 6 times the screen size in inches. With HDTV, the resolution is so much better that you can sit closer to a larger TV without noticing the pixels. So with HDTVs, the rule tends to be you can sit anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times the screen size (in inches) for the best experience.
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- Series 5 1080p LCD HDTVs are available in 32-inch, 37-inch, 40-inch, 46-inch, and 52-inch models
- Series 6 1080p LCD HDTVs are available in 19-inch, 22-inch, 32-inch, 40-inch, 46-inch, and 52-inch models
- Series 7 1080p LCD HDTVs are available in 40-inch, 46-inch, and 52-inch models
Great Picture! May 27, 2008Robert Steelman (Yadkinville, NC)
79 out of 79 found this review helpful
I've been wanting a new flat-panel TV for some time and, though I do make a lot of purchases on-line, I felt like I actually needed to look at a TV in person. My wife and I were looking at the TV's in Wal-mart when another customer pointed out that the better TVs had a higher contrast ratio and he thought that was the most important factor. Sure enough, the one we thought had the best picture was the one with the highest contrast ratio - it was 3200:1, the best 32-inch in the store. (I really wanted something with 1080p resolution, but they only had 720p in the 32" size TVs. We decided to get that one, since we had seen it and felt like we could enjoy it - but they didn't have one in stock...
I came home and began to research. It turns out that there are only a very few 1080p TVs in the 32" model, this being one of them. In looking at the contrast ratio I found that this one was rated at 15,000:1 - almost 5 times better than the best one at Walmart. (High contrast ratio seems to give you darker darks and whiter whites - lower contrast ratios have a milky looking gray where it's supposed to be black...) My research combined with what I saw in the store gave me the confidence to purchase a TV on-line. I settled on the Samsung LN32A550.
The TV arrived in good working order and I had it set up and running within 30 minutes. (The biggest problem was unhooking and moving the old one!) The picture is everything I could have imagined it would be - far better than anything I saw in the store. The crystal clear picture and crisp, well defined images make this simply the best picture I have ever seen on a TV. I saw a bit of a NASCAR race on this unit and the motion was unbelievably smooth - no after images at all.
I debated a bit on giving this unit a five-star rating. I felt like the picture quality so outrated the sound that I had to bump it up a bit. But if sound is an issue you may want to consider this to be a "four-star" unit. While the TV has a built in equalizer function (with some presets based on your listening preferences) I found the sound, even in the best adjustment leaves a lot to be desired. It has a tinny sound much like you would expect from an old transitor radio. I would suggest investing in a good pair of external speakers to enhance this unit. (If you already have a home theatre set-up sound is not an issue anyway...)
So far I'm glad I made this purchase. If Samsung can improve the speakers on this TV they will have the perfect TV!
*****
UPDATE:
OK.... Now that I've owned this thing a few months I'll tell you how it's going:
First, it was pointed out to me in a post that the contrast ratio on 27- and 32-inch TV's was 15,000:1 instead of 30,000:1 as I incorrectly surmissed from the somewhat unclear (to me) product update. I have edited the initial review to reflect the correct information. I'm sorry for any confusion it may have caused. (If you want the higher ratio and have the room, you could consider going with a larger screen size. 15,000: is still a pretty amazing ratio though...)
Overall I am happy to report that I am just as satisfied today as I was the day I first turned it on. I did purchase a set of Creative GigaWorks T40 Premium 2.0 Speakers (available at Amazon.com) for around $125 - and this dramatically improved my viewing experience. (I'm sure the best option would be to use a home theatre set-up - but this unit is in my bedroom...)
I still recommend this TV - just don't expect too much out of the sound - without a little help.
Great HDTV September 9, 2008Richard H. Mason (Frederick, MD)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
The LN-32A550 SAMSUNG is fantastic. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't tell the difference between a 720p and a 1080p in this size TV because you can.
The HDTV programs are great. Digital programs are very good and SD programs are above average depending on the channel (can't wait for February).
Blacks are deep, whites are bright and flesh tones are natural.
There are more setting in the menue for picture and sound than any other HDTV I looked at.
3 HDMI ports and all the other ports you could want in a TV this size including a USB port for showing pictures and firmware updates.
The sound is only average but I have it in my bedroom. If you are going to put it in a family room or living room you might consider adding speakers.
Swival stand and backlit remote are great features.
The simple piano black finish and lack of chrome make this TV look sleek and modern.
A winner July 5, 2008Tigerman (Montgomery,AL.)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Bought this TV for my parents bedroom. Having been a Sony man bought a 46 inch Samsung last year, I was expecting a winner and got one. Samsung quite frankly has won me over. The set's review stated the sound was not all that great but frankly I don't view it as a negative. I watched "Fools Gold" on blu ray, as well as other programming, and the sound seems fine.The picture is gorgeous-especially on HD programming.
The only disappointment was that the first set we received was faulty. Amazon was great about taking care of a quick replacement.We did however experience continued problems with shipping(didn't pick up defective set when the new one arrived). Was totally unimpressed with the shipper.I strongly suspect the problem with the first set was damage in shipping.Overall very happy with the purchase.TIP-when delivered INSIST that the delivery person stay 5 mins. to see that the set is functional or tell them they will be taking the set back with them.They CAN do it,you just have to make them WANT to.This simple step would have saved a ton of trouble for us.
Much better the A450, Nearly as good if not as good as the A650 August 4, 2008M. Mauro (NEW JERSEY)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
We looked at Alot of TV's in Stores and it came down to a choice between the Samsung A550, A650 and the Sony XBR.
At the End of the day the A550 looked as good as the Sony or the newer A650 and the price was the best of all 3. It was the only one to be had at slightly under 1k Bucks.
I tend to always buy the best if you can see or feel a difference between products regardless of price. I dont shop by Price only.
I feel that when you buy the best you are always happy and you dont always say too yourself that i wish i had spent the extra hundred or whatever for the other one.
Perfect LCD TV for just about everything June 9, 2008William B. Jones
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Well, after looking around for quite a while I came across this little gem. This is a perfect affordable TV for just about anything. Stylish and performs well, this is a great buy if you want an LCD TV to last you a while. Best when used to watch movies or play video games on. If you do play games on it, make sure you buy VGA cables for your system, because with any LCD you will get bad response time with video games, but even without the cables this TV has very low response time.