==Background:==

About a year ago my 12-year-old fat television finally broke down. It started with some smoke and then a fizzling noise and I knew it was time to finally come into the 21st Century and get a up to date model so I did a little research and ended up at Curry's. I liked the concept of a flat screen model but I didn't want a television that would dominate my lounge.

After a lot of thought I finally bought this 32" Samsung model, as it was reasonably priced at £350 it looked attractive with its sleek black design. I could have taken out an optional extended warranty but decided against it as under the Sale of Goods Act I would have a year guarantee anyway.

For me the only slightly annoying thing was I had to buy a stand to put it on. As the television did not come with it and I needed to pay an additional £50 for that. Still when I put it together it did look good and I was pleased that it was able to store all DVD player, Sky Box and Video recorder.

==The installation:==

Once I got my purchases home, I unpacked the boxes and prepared myself for the nightmare of putting the wires in the correct holes. But I was very pleasantly surprised as by following the simple instructions all the leads and cables fitted together and everything seemed to have a home. Although I put my flat screen on my new cabinet there was also the option and fittings so that you could put the screen on the wall.

The installation of the Television could not be easier as I remember on previous occasions sitting in front of them trying to find the relevant channels and tuning them in, it could take hours!! However I was pleasantly surprised that the first job was putting the batteries in the remote control. Then once I turned the television on I just needed to press and follow the quick and easy instructions and the remote did all the work for me. It was all done in a matter of minutes I just left the machine to get on with it while I cleared up all my empty boxes and made myself a cup of tea. A few minutes later it was all complete and I was so impressed all the channels where on the correct numbers and everything was in place for me to enjoy my new acquisition.

==My thoughts on the television:==

After a year of using the television I have to say I am very happy with it. The picture is very good and I have never had any reason to change or amend any of the settings. The only slightly annoying feature is I still find despite a larger screen than before is when there is writing at the sides of the screen it is not always completely visible which is frustrating especially when I turn in football and I can't see the complete score immediately, I have to wait for the commentator to bring it up again.

To operate the television you need to press the button on the side of the unit. Then you get a rather annoying little tune and you can use the remote to flick between channels, access over services such as teletext and change the volume. It is all very easy to operate via the hand held controller. But should you wish you can change the volume or channels on the unit itself should you lose you remote or the batteries run out (which in a year has not happened to me yet).

I really like the fact you can save space with your flat screen especially if you are installing it directly to the wall. For me it just looks better than that ugly back you have with the old versions of televisions. Previously I had heard that some brands of flat screen television have reliability issues but I am very pleased to say I have had no problems the only thing that very occasionally happens is the television will without warning lose the channel you were watching, but all you have to do is put the channel in again and you are back again.

Other features you can use are setting up your TV with your PC. I must admit I have never thought of doing this but the instructions advise this is possible. I use the teletext service a lot to find out all manor of things and through the controller it is easy to move between screen with a good quality of print, the only moan I have and I don't think it's the televisions fault at all is I would like to have all the screen for text rather than half of it with the rest being the picture from the channel you are on.

The flat screen is quite portable and you can change the angle the screen faces, although I have found I cannot turn it quite as far as I would like. So when you install the screen onto the stand you need to make sure you put it roughly at the angle you want it as when you install you stick it to the base to prevent you ever knocking the screen of the base.

What I really like about this model is it looks good whether it is on or off and it is not the centre point of my lounge whereas if I bought a larger version I'm sure it would have. It is also easy to flick between the television mode and either DVD or video section. You do not need to take out or put in plugs or leads just put in your choice of viewing.

When you finish watching the television you can turn it off on the unit itself or you can use your remote to do it for you. The only maybe not surprising thing is it makes the same annoying noise to tell you its closing down. What did surprise me is it remembers the channel you where last looking at it you turn it on again a few minutes or hours later, however if it is the next day it will not and you have to put in the channel you wish to go to, not a big deal at all just surprised me it did not remember.

==Conclusion:==

For me this is a good quality flat screen television and although I have only had it a year, I have had not grounds to be disappointed with my investment. I particularly like the design and the fact with it being just a 32" that I do not feel it dominates the room. It was well priced and I feel it is easy to operate with a good quality picture.


Thanks for reading my review.


©CPT Daniels September 2010