Small screens don't always have to mean limited feature sets, and the Toshiba 32SL415U is proof of that. It's an LED LCD
HDTV that measures 32 inches and tops out at 720p resolution, but its built-in Wi-Fi and robust suite of online services make it a good choice if you need a set for a small space. Its impressively low black levels contribute to a very good picture, and the set's numerous connectivity options mean you can hook up nearly anything to it. But with a list price of $579.99, it's a little expensive for a sub-40-inch HDTV, though a wealth of features and great picture quality make up for it.
Design
Small, black, and plain, the set comes with a completely flat bezel, with chromed accents on the left and right edges. The bezel is only interrupted by a Toshiba logo on the bottom and an infrared sensor and power light in the lower left corner. Physical controls are hidden on a small panel just behind the left side of the bezel; they're membrane buttons that are difficult to feel out without looking directly at them. Two USB ports and an HDMI port sit on the left edge of the HDTV behind the bezel, and the other three HDMI ports, component video input, optical and 3.5mm audio input, PC, and Ethernet ports are located around back. This rear-mounted input layout is an inconvenience if you're planning to mount the HDTV on a wall, because only one HDMI port is readily available without getting behind the screen. Still, connections are plentiful for a smaller set.
The 9.1-inch remote is identical to the one bundled with the
Toshiba 55TL515U ($1,999.99, 3.5 stars). It's silver with a black top that holds the buttons, which are arranged in a comfortable layout. Dedicated Net TV, Netflix, and Yahoo! Widgets buttons give instant access to online features, and Size and Pic Size buttons can adjust aspect ratio without going through menus.
For a smaller screen, the 32SL415U serves up plenty of features. It can access Netflix, Pandora, YouTube, and other streaming media services and Web apps through its built-in Wi-Fi connection. It has a light sensor and a smart dimming feature that adjusts the screen based on the brightness of the room. It has four HDMI ports and a PC port, making it capable as both a home entertainment display and a computer monitor. What's missing? There's no 3D support, and the max 720p resolution is lower than the 1080p standard for larger screens, but at this size, it's not a problem. Also, the screen's refresh rate is just 60Hz, though we often recommend disabling 120Hz and higher "motion" modes anyway.
Performance
We test HDTV picture quality with a chromameter and the DisplayMate test pattern software. After performing simple brightness and contrast calibrations, the 32SL415U showed remarkable brightness and surprisingly good darkness. White levels had a solid 368.88 cd/m{{sup}}2{{/sup}} peak luminance. Black levels reached a respectable 0.02 cd/m{{sup}}2{{/sup}} for a contrast ratio of 18,444:1, impressive for a small, inexpensive screen. The only problem: Once you get more than 15 degrees off-axis, black levels shoot up and shadow details blow out. This isn't a problem for watching the HDTV on a couch, but if you're going to watch it from the sidelines or host a big party, be aware not everyone will see the best picture. Colors were generally accurate without much calibration, but reds ran slightly cool and blues ran slightly warm. If you want to tweak the colors, the HDTV has a selection of advanced color settings. Even if you get the settings just right, remember they'll still look off if you watch the HDTV from an angle.
Though it is a 720p set, the picture is very good. I watched The Mechanic on Blu-ray, and the 32SL415U showed rapid action sequences with little blur or stuttering. While black levels are satisfyingly dark, the lower resolution combined with the off-axis viewing issues to obscure shadow details on occasion. Bright sequences, like the trailer for Battle: Los Angeles, were satisfyingly sharp considering the lower resolution. The HDTV might have benefitted from a 1080p resolution (and, strangely, the 24-inch version of the TV is 1080p), but it still manages to be attractive and smooth.
According to our power tests, the 32SL415U consumes an average of 57 watts under normal viewing conditions, with darker scenes dipping to 25 watts and few spikes higher than 60 watts. This is good for a small HDTV, but it doesn't reach the energy efficiency of the 40-inch
Panasonic TC-L42D30's ($1,049.99, 3.5 stars) 36 watts.
At almost $600 for a 32-inch 720p screen, the Toshiba 32SL415U is a little expensive. However, its built-in Wi-Fi and generous set of online services help justify the price. And its four HDMI ports make it capable of handling whatever you need to connect to it, and its picture is top-notch, if you sit front and center. It has all the connectivity of the 42-inch
Insignia NS-42E859A11 ($699.99, 3 stars) without the clunky interface or notable light bloom. If you can spend a bit more than usual for a smaller screen, consider the 32SL415U.
