We're not always the biggest fans of convergence in our electronics. Separate components usually work better than all-in-one units, and it's much easier to upgrade a component when new technology comes out.
That being said, the LG 32LG40 32-inch LCD, which comes with a built-in DVD player, makes a lot of sense. If you're looking for a bedroom TV or kitchen TV, a separate DVD player can be an eyesore, while the 32LG40's slot-loading DVD player on the side just looks slick. Not only that, but the LG also has pretty good image quality, with very accurate color thanks to extensive color management options.
We did have some knocks--lackluster black level and off-angle performance were the main ones--but overall we found there's a lot to like about the 32LG40.
Read the full review of the LG 32LG40.
Note: Longtime readers of CNET reviews have come to expect the pieces to be accompanied by picture settings that enable viewers to set up their TVs as we did for the review. Unfortunately, we're unable to publish those settings to the review itself at the moment, so you'll find them reproduced below instead.
Below you'll find the settings we found best for viewing the LG 32LG40 in a completely dark room via the HDMI input with a 1080p, film-based source. Your settings may vary depending on source, room conditions, and personal preference. Check out the picture settings and calibration FAQ for more information.
Picture menu
Aspect ratio: Just Scan
Picture mode: Expert 1
Backlight: 40
Contrast: 96
Brightness: 53
Sharpness: 21
Color: 53
Tint: 0
Expert control menu
Fresh Contrast: Off
Noise Reduction: Off
Gamma: Medium
Black Level: Low
Color Standard: HD
White Balance: Warm
10 point IRE calibration
IRE: [Red, Green, Blue results, respectively, for each IRE point]
100 [3,2,-50]
90 [3, 8, -50]
80 [10, 5, -50]
70 [10, 2,-40 ]
60 [12, 3, -35]
50 [10, 3, -30]
40 [10,3, -15]
30 [10, 3, -10]
20 [14, 16, 8]
10 [13, 9, -25]
Color management system
Red color: 0
Red tint: -2
Green color: 0
Green tint: -15
Blue color: 0
Blue tint: -2
Yellow color: 0
Yellow tint: 0
Cyan color: 0
Cyan tint: -1
Magenta color: 0
Magenta tint: -1