TV Advice on Samsung UE32ES5500

Lucutus

I am in the market for a new 32" TV. I've been looking at the Samsung UE32ES5500 LED model at €400 from pixmania.

It looks like a good all-round TV good and hits on everything I would need from a tv, 3x HDMI inputs etc.

Does anyone have this model and woudln't mind replying with a quick pros and cons list before I purchase?

TIA

HMD

I was thinking of going for this TV. Have you bought it yet?

marathont

Im also Interested in this TV. Would be curious about how usable the smart features like the apps are. Ie is it slow to navigate.

I have an older samsung TV (not SMART TV) but it does have some apps like youtube and twitter, but is painful to use. Really slow to navigate through the menus.

Lucutus

I haven't purchased yet. I can't bring myself to pay 499+ for it in bricks and mortar stores when it's 399 on pixmania.

I did visit a few stores to see if they would price match. Harvey Normans, (for the laugh!), Power City and PC World. None of them will drop below 500 for it.

While I was in, I had a look at this and the 40" version. The image clarity on the 40" was terrible imo, cloudy and noticeable ghosting. The 32" was much better.

Tried out playing 720P MKV's from a USB key, the menu's seemed snappy enough and image quality was good. Blacks and contrast are nice.

The other concern I had was the viewing angle, I had read that it was bad at some distances, so I wanted to check for myself. It did seem quite restrictive. At about 7 feet away, moving 3 ro 4 feet to the left or right I could see a perceptable difference in the image. Not bad for my situation as it's going into a small sitting room.

If you are thinking of purchasing one of these, I would recommend that you go and check it out in person to make up your mind.

Also, If you end up paying 'top dolla' for one, make sure they throw in a few extras, HDMI cables or whatever you need, although none of the vendors would drop the price any further, they all offered to throw in their own extended warrenties or random accessories packs at no extra cost.

All things considered, I'm still convinced I will get one, just might wait for the better price/stock from Pixmania, I'm not in a rush and maybe some more info/reviews will shake loose about it in the meantime.

Lucutus

...for completeness sake, marathont and HMD, I thought I'd update this thread.

in a nutshell, AVOID THE UE32ES5500

:mad:

I got one and ended up identifying a problem with the unit which the retailer and Samsung themselves have confirmed to me verbally.

It emits a faint, but noticeable high pitched sound, like a squeal or buzz, from the back of the unit every time it displays a black full screen image such as fading to black between scenes. the noise is also noticeable when it is turned off and on.

If you have one of these TV's you can probably check to determine if it has this problem using this video from your Samsung Smart Apps and listen at to top right corner. It only happens when there is a black screen and the sound is likely emitted from a cheap transformer or similar, (ie. it's not the speakers).

This is one of thir best selling models of TV, if you are considering it, bear this in mind and make sure you test it before buying, or, if you have one and it has this issue, I recommend returning it under warranty for a replacement with a model that doesnt have this issue.

I really liked the TV apart from this problem, which I just couldn't live with, so it went back and I got a nice *silent* LG instead.

Hope this helps save someone some frustration.

travist

Well, good to see you were able to swap it for a different tv. Did you buy online in the end? Any problem swapping with Pixmania?

marathont

I went ahead and bought this TV. Overall, I am quite happy with it. Netflix and RTE player work well.

I didn't notice any buzzing from the TV during normal use over the weekend. But have not had a chance to investigate closely yet.

Haven't had much success in playing movies over the network, mostly get 'file not supported' or something. I have only played this briefly, as Im not too bothered with this feature.

I use and app on my android phone called imediashare, which I can send youtube etc and other videos, pictures and music straight to the tv which is very useful.

Bought it in DID for €499

Krusty_Clown

They are currently selling this one in Currys for €459, so I'm thinking of picking one up. Did you get media playing over the network? Still happy enough with the set? How do you find the viewing angle? Thanks.

Lucutus

travist wrote: »

Well, good to see you were able to swap it for a different tv. Did you buy online in the end? Any problem swapping with Pixmania?

Not Pixmania in the end, I bought in power city, €460, so I could bring it back if I had a problem. Delighted I went bricks and mortar, even if it was an ordeal with multiple trips back and forth. Got the LG there too.

Curious to know if models bought in other stores have the same problem I mentioned with the buzz/squeal. 4 boxed and the display model had it when I checked.

marathont, you wont hear it during normal use really, only when it's displaying a black screen and a little when it's turning on. Have a listen to it at the back/top/right.

marathont

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

They are currently selling this one in Currys for €459, so I'm thinking of picking one up. Did you get media playing over the network? Still happy enough with the set? How do you find the viewing angle? Thanks.

Yes, I am happy with the set. I cant complain about the viewing angle.

I got streaming working, but I had to change the dlna server, using Serviio now which has a profile for samsung tellies, so I think most files are playing now.

I will check later, if there is a buzzing with a black screen, but as I dont notice it during normal use, I am not too bothered.

Gadget Man

I purchased a new Samsung UE32ES5500 last Friday; it cost €450 from a retail shop in The Blanchardstown Centre. I have to say I'm extremely happy with it. I have listened over the last week for the high pitched sound, like a squeal or buzz, from the back of the unit as described in an earlier blog but thankfully everything is fine.

Krusty_Clown

Picked mine up last night in Currys. Well happy with it so far. No high pitched buzz noticeable either. Can't really see anything I would use in the Smart-apps space.