Samsung's 32-inch flat panel LCD set features an artistic, modern design with rounded corners and a piano-black bezel. The LN-T3253H sits on an oval stand that allows the TV to swivel up to about 20 degrees so you can always get a great view of this set. The "hidden" bottom speakers remain nearly invisible from the front but provide SRS TruSurround XT to simulate the multi-channel audio experience. This is a good set for those looking for a TV that will not overpower a living space. The only downside is that the LN-T3253H is a tad on the expensive side for a 720p set, especially considering the falling price of 1080p models.

The Samsung LN-T3253H features a native resolution of 1,366x768 and scales all sources to fit the pixels. The set is compatible with 480p, 720p and 1080i content, while also supporting downscaled 1080p HD content. The set produces a very good picture, and offers many controls to tweak the color and other video settings. The colors are very accurate and lifelike while the blacks are reasonable, especially in dark scenes.

The LN-T3253H offers numerous picture adjustments, including three picture modes that are independent by input. From here you can adjust brightness, contrast and even backlight control to meet the exact conditions of the room. The backlight intensity can also adjust the overall light output of this set, so you can get just the right level of picture brightness whether you're watching TV during the day or late at night, and this can help accommodate varying degrees of ambient room light. There are five presets for color temperature, along with a full set of color temperature controls. These further allow those looking to adjust the sets to absolute perfection.

This set features specialized picture modes for those times when you want a quick fix instead of the endless tweaking. The LN-T3253H even offers a game mode to support the action with the latest video game systems, including the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

And to further accommodate those systems, along with the latest Blu-ray and HD-DVD players, the LN-T3253H features a total of three HDMI connections. These include two rear HDMI inputs as well as a side input, so making the switch between gaming consoles is as easy as can be. We were impressed with the rest of the connectivity options, which include two rear component inputs, one rear A/V input with composite and S-Video input and VGA PC input, as well as twin RF inputs for antenna and coaxial cable. In addition to the side HDMI input, there are side composite/S-Video inputs, headphone output (a feature we also appreciate on TVs of any size) and even a USB port for use with digital photos, as well as MP3 playback from a USB thumb drive.

You can take control of your various A/V devices with the slender wand-styled remote, which can command up to four additional components. The semi-illuminated remote--which only features backlit buttons for volume, channel and devices--automatically skips any inactive inputs on the TV, making toggling between devices a snap. While we would have been even more impressed had it been fully backlit, the remote works well enough that we can't complain too much.

The Samsung LN-T3253H has a very good, bright picture. It offers a stylish design for living spaces, but is a bit expensive for a set its size. However, it doesn't come up short on features or connections. If you're looking for form as well as function, and need a smaller-sized display, this is a good option. Just be prepared to spend a bit more for it.


Pros: Three HDMI inputs, optimized game mode
Cons: Pricy for 32-inch set, 720p rather than 1080p

Warranty
1-year limited, parts and labor