Samsung UN32C4000 32-Inch 720p 60 Hz LED HDTV (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been playing with a new Samsung UN32C4000 for a week now and the following contains the results of my findings.
1)Basic Features
This monitor is the cheapest 32" LED on the market. The resolution is limited to 720p which is perfectly fine for a TV of this size.
The UN32C4000 is well equipped in terms of input (4 HDMI 1.3 ports, 1 USB, 1 component input, 1 optical sound input and 1 PC input).
The HDMI input are located on the left side of the monitors. IMO, the inputs are too close from the bezel so that my HDMI cables are visible from the side. HDMI angle cables may be more suited for slim monitors like this one.
Edge-lit LCDs are known for having uniformity issues but my unit displays was fine in this area.
Backlight bleeding is minor and should not be an issue for most.
Black level displayed by this monitor proves to be significantly better than my 2 years old Samsung LN32A450.
However, watching the Dark Knight movie was a bit painful to my trained eyes. This tv is not suited for movie watching due to lack of details in shadows.
The OSD is well designed and makes the calibration a bit easier compared to the LN32A450.
I really want to point out that this TV is really beautiful due its ultra slim design and the familiar Touch of Color Design.
2) Advanced Features
Calibration was done with he help of a Enhanced Chroma 5 meter (LED compliant). Unfortunately, the results are disappointing.
a) RGB Color Balance (GreyScale)
Calibration was done by modifying the white balance adjustments (RGB-Offset and RGB-Gain). The white point target is the usual 6500 as defined by HD Rec709.
While the 20%-100% stimulus are good, the 10% stimulus is way too blue (Color temperature (CT) of 8900!). All DeltaE errors are below 3 and the average CT is 6685 (6450 if 10% stimulus is ignored).
b) Gamut
I found out that this TV has not CMS control. This is a big let down since the user manual clearly specifies that a custom color space is available (p.16) but it is NOT there in the OSD. Thus, I was only able to modify the gamut by adjusting the clumsy Color setting. Fortunately, the end result is satisfying since the delta errors are below 5 for all primaries and secondaries.
c) Gamma (Target of 2.2)
Let me be clear here, the gamma curve is awful. Gamma is stable between the 10% to 50% stimulus but drops into the abyss between 60% and 90%. Adjusting the gamma control uniformly shifts gamma over all stimulus and does not solve the instability issue. Nothing can be done here since there is no 10 points gamma adjustments like the UN32C6500 (more advanced) model.
3) Summary
I have found out that the picture quality of the UN32C4000 is generally inferior to its 2 years old predecessor, the LN32A450.
While the slim design will be missed, I will exchange this TV for the cheaper and hopefully better Samsung LN32C450.
4) Calibration Settings for optimal picture
Mode: Standard
Backlight: 9
Contrast: 82
Brightness: 42
Sharpness: 50
Color: 46
Tin: G42/R48
Shadow Details: +1
Gamma:+2
White balance: R-Offset:30 G-Offset:25 B-Offset:23 R-Gain:17 G-Gain:35 B-Gain:18
Color Tone: Warm2

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