Samsung LN32A550 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

If you've been a hold-out in the big switch to HDTV, waiting closer to the February 17, 2009 federally mandated conversion date, your hesitance may really pay off.

Televisions like Samsung's LN32A550 have been packing in more and more of the latest high definition technology yet selling for prices that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. ( See current Amazon price on the LN32A550.)

But you still may have may questions preventing you from making a purchase. Plasma vs. LCD? Samsung vs. Sony? What's the right size for my viewing room? We'll take you through a quick features review of the LN32A550 and help you determine if this is the best TV to suit your needs.

First, you'll need to do your homework on the plasma vs. LCD question. If you read further, we'll assume you sided with LCD, opting for its brighter screen, lower risk of burn-in, and other advantages LCD offers in comparison vs. plasma technology.

Second, what brand do you go with? Sony has extended its dominance in the television market with its revered Bravia series of LCD TVs, but manufacturers like Samsung have carved out considerable slices of the market with HDTVs that more than hold their own vs. the more expensive Sony Bravia sets. The 32-inch model LN32A550 is just one such example.

Next, what's the right size screen for your room. If you plan to sit six or eight feet from the screen, a 32" display should be the right size for you. Any greater distance, and you'll want to consider a larger display, otherwise you'll be missing out on much of the fine detail that HD television has to offer.

So what are the key specs of the LN32A550? It offers full HD, 1080p resolution. Granted, that's overkill on a 32" screen (many videophiles will tell you that the difference between 720p and 1080p resolution on a screen smaller than 46" or so is marginal at best) but who are we to argue with 1080p on a set this inexpensive?

The LN32A550 delivers an impressive 15,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, which measures the depth of color from the darkest blacks to the whitest whites that a TV can produce. And a very quick 5ms pixel response rate helps the LN32A550 show very quick action without blurring the picture.

Other key points to consider are the LN32A550's more than adequate 3 HDMI inputs for hooking up your high-end components, the well-reviewed SRS TruSurround XT audio system, Picture-in-Picture, sound leveler for consistent volume level, and the V-Chip parental control system. And all this for a price tag that won't break the bank.

But before you make any decision to buy, what do other consumers like you think of the LN32A550? Find out how they grade the LN32A550 after putting it to the test in their own homes... read their user reviews at Amazon.com.

Compare the Samsung LN32A550 to these 32" LCD HDTVs: