Finlux 32F8030-T review

Great picture and the latest online features: an absolute bargain 32in HD TV Tested at £300

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Great picture and the latest online features: an absolute bargain 32in HD TV

Pros

  • +

    Freeview HD

  • +

    Smart TV including BBC iPlayer

  • +

    Detailed

  • +

    Natural pictures

Cons

  • -

    Thin sound

  • -

    Motion not quite perfect

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Let’s cut straight to the headline features here: the Finlux 32F8030-T comes with access to internet TV content, including BBC iPlayer, TuneIn Radio and Viewster for films, and even chucks in a wireless dongle should you not want to make a wired connection.

That’s a chunk of the price tag justified right there. Furthemore, connect it to your home network and you can also stream media to it from any computer or DLNA certified device, and even use a free remote control app for iPad and iPhone to control your TV.

Finlux 32F8030-T review: specs
Alongside these less expected features, this TV has all the standard inputs you might expect. There are four HDMI inputs, plus component, SCART and composite video connections.

Two USB inputs and a PC connection add yet more flexibility, and for audio there are optical audio and headphone outputs, too. And it’s a Full HD resolution LCD screen (with LED backlighting).

The interface looks modern and slick, while the remote is chunky and basic (but the buttons are laid out sensibly and clearly, so it’s easy to get up to speed).

Finlux 32F8030-T review: picture quality
But is the picture any good? Yes. At times very good for the money. The Freeview HD tuner is decent: sharp, detailed and relatively free of noise and general instability.

Switch to Blu-ray and the Finlux looks great. Watching Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, we simply don’t find any serious complaints.

Of course, the picture isn’t faultless – there’s some noise on hard-to- render details and motion isn’t perfect – but thanks to solid blacks and natural colours, good sharpness and impressive detail, we’re more than happy.

DVDs look great, too, though there’s naturally a little less insight and definition.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.


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