Cello C32RTS: 32 Inch Cello - Review 🏆

Cello is a UK-based electronics brand that has been manufacturing televisions and other home appliances for over two decades. While not as well-known globally as brands like Samsung or Sony, Cello has established itself in the UK market as a budget-friendly option for LED and LCD televisions.

The Cello C32RTS 32" TV being reviewed here aims to provide an affordable smart TV with decent picture quality and features. As a mid-range model in Cello's lineup, it looks to deliver on the basics like HD resolution, smart capabilities, and integrated Freeview tuners.

Design

The Cello C32RTS 32" TV has a simple yet sleek design that will fit well in most living rooms. It has relatively thin bezels around the display, measuring just 10mm on the sides and top and 18mm on the bottom. The total depth of the TV is about 66mm without the stand.

The included stand has a central pedestal design with two feet positioned towards the edges of the TV. The stand feels quite sturdy and supports the TV well. It has a matte black finish that matches the rear of the TV.

The TV itself has a matte black plastic construction that doesn't look too premium but is perfectly fine for the price. The rear panel juts out slightly more around the bottom where the inputs and power connector are located.

Overall, the design is fairly basic but gets the job done. The thin bezels help maximize the screen real estate and the stand provides a stable base for tabletop placement. Those looking for a more stylish design may want to wall mount it or place it on a TV stand.

Display

The Cello C32RTS features a 32 inch LCD panel with HD ready resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. This provides decent clarity for everyday viewing, streaming and gaming.

The LCD panel offers good viewing angles, allowing you to watch TV comfortably even when sitting at an angle or from the sides of the room. Color reproduction and black levels are also decent for an entry-level LED TV in this price range.

With a standard HD resolution, you won't get the sharpest image compared to Full HD or 4K models. But for a 32 inch screen, the resolution is adequate and text and details appear clear enough for most uses.

Overall the display quality is quite good considering the affordable price point of this Cello TV. The size and resolution combination is well-suited for smaller rooms and viewing distances.

Another great option is the Cello Z0222: 22 Inch. This compact model also features an HD ready resolution, making it perfect for smaller spaces. With a 22 inch display, it's ideal for bedrooms or kitchens where space is limited. Despite its size, the viewing experience remains enjoyable with decent color accuracy and clear visuals for daily use. The lightweight design makes it easy to mount or move, providing flexibility in your viewing arrangement.

Features

The Cello C32RTS comes with some great smart features for its price range. It has built-in WiFi that allows you to connect to your home network and access online apps and services.

The TV uses the Android TV operating system, giving you access to the Google Play store and popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and more. It's easy to download and install new apps directly on the TV.

The remote control is simple but effective, with dedicated buttons for popular streaming apps. The remote also has a microphone for voice control with Google Assistant. You can use your voice to launch apps, search for content, control smart home devices, and more.

One handy feature is Chromecast built-in, allowing you to cast content from your mobile device or computer directly to the TV. This makes it easy to play videos, music, photos, and more on the big screen.

Overall, the smart capabilities and connectivity options on the Cello C32RTS make it much more than just a regular TV. For the price, it packs in some great features that add a lot of extra functionality.

Performance

The Cello C32RTS delivers decent picture quality for an affordable HD TV. With a resolution of 1366 x 768, images are reasonably sharp and detailed. However, the lower resolution can make some content appear slightly soft.

The TV has a peak brightness of around 200-250 nits. This is fairly typical for sets in this price range. The brightness is sufficient for most indoor viewing, but the picture loses some pop in brighter rooms. Contrast is also average, with decent blacks but limited shadow detail in darker scenes.

One area where the C32RTS performs well is color reproduction. The TV covers over 90% of the sRGB color space, meaning hues appear vivid and saturated. Skin tones look natural, and colors don't shift much when viewed from an angle. This makes the C32RTS a good option for watching movies and shows with lots of color.

Overall, while the C32RTS doesn't have the best picture quality, it provides very solid performance considering its affordable price point. As long as your expectations are set accordingly, most users will be satisfied with the C32RTS for casual TV viewing and streaming.

Audio

The Cello C32RTS comes with 2 x 8W built-in speakers that provide decent audio quality for a budget TV. The speakers use DTS TruSurround HD audio processing to deliver clear and immersive sound, especially for dialogue. Music and action sequences don't sound as crisp due to the lack of bass, but the audio is good enough for casual TV watching and shouldn't require an external soundbar. Overall, the speakers perform well considering the low price point of this TV. Dialogue is clear, and you can hear stereo separation between the left and right speakers. The volume also gets sufficiently loud to fill a medium to large room. While audiophiles will still want a more powerful sound system, the built-in speakers are very capable for a 32-inch TV in this price range.

Connectivity

The Cello C32RTS comes with a good selection of connectivity ports to allow you to connect external devices.

• It has 2 HDMI ports which is great for connecting devices like a Blu-ray player, games console or set-top box. The HDMI ports support HD video formats.

• There are 2 USB ports included which allow you to plug in USB sticks or hard drives to play media files or view photos. The USB ports are version 2.0.

• For audio connectivity, there is a headphone jack so you can plug in headphones or external speakers. The headphone jack uses a 3.5mm connector.

• Unfortunately there is no ethernet port for wired internet connectivity. The TV relies on the built-in WiFi for smart features and internet connectivity.

• In terms of wireless connectivity, the TV has WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and also Bluetooth to connect devices like headphones or speakers wirelessly.

Overall the connectivity options are decent for the price, with HDMI and USB ports for connecting external devices. The lack of ethernet port is a downside but built-in WiFi provides wireless connectivity.

Ease of Use

Setting up the Cello C32RTS is straightforward and user-friendly. Simply plug it in, connect to power, and follow the on-screen instructions to get it up and running. The setup wizard guides you through connecting to WiFi, scanning for channels, and installing any updates. Within minutes, you'll be ready to start watching TV.

Navigating the C32RTS is intuitive thanks to the smart remote control. It has dedicated buttons for popular streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. The remote also has quick access buttons for Freeview Play, giving you easy browsing of catch-up TV. Voice control via Google Assistant is built into the remote, allowing for hands-free navigation.

The remote has all the usual buttons you'd expect - volume, channel, input selection, etc. Everything is clearly labelled and easy to find without looking. The minimal button layout prevents clutter. An accompanying mobile app also allows you to use your smartphone as a remote. Overall, the Cello C32RTS offers effortless usability and navigation for accessing media and TV features.

Value for Money

The Cello C32RTS 32-inch TV is very competitively priced at around £180. For a 32-inch HD LED TV with smart capabilities, this is an excellent value.

Compared to other similarly priced 32-inch TVs like the JVC LT-32C600 or the Bush 32 Inch Smart HD Ready LED TV, the Cello offers comparable or better features and performance. The Bush TV lacks smart capabilities, while the JVC has lower resolution.

Considering the Cello comes with built-in WiFi, Freeview Play, and access to streaming apps, it packs in great functionality for the price. More expensive 32-inch models from brands like Samsung and LG don't offer much more beyond perhaps slightly better picture quality.

The included 2 year warranty provides peace of mind on top of the already affordable price point. Overall, for a 32-inch smart TV under £200 from a reputable brand like Cello, this model provides fantastic bang for your buck. Casual viewers and secondary room TV buyers will be very satisfied with the features and performance at this price.

Verdict

The Cello C32RTS 32-inch HD Ready LED Smart TV offers a decent package for an affordable price point. Here are some pros and cons:

Pros:

• Good value for money given the sub-£200 price tag
• Decent HD ready (1366 x 768) resolution display
• Built-in Freeview T2 HD provides access to free HD channels
• Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
• Access to on-demand apps like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, YouTube etc.
• Easy to setup and intuitive menus
• 2 HDMI ports and 2 USB ports for connectivity
• Audio quality better than expected at this price

Cons:

• Picture quality could be better - only HD ready resolution
• Sound could be better - internal speakers lack bass
• Smart TV platform is basic - not as smooth or responsive as higher-end brands
• Viewing angles are limited due to TN panel technology

Overall, the Cello C32RTS 32-inch Smart TV delivers good specifications and features considering its affordable price point under £200. It's a decent option for secondary rooms or budget buyers. While the HD ready resolution and audio quality have some limitations, it gets the basics right. For the price, the Cello C32RTS is a solid choice for anyone looking for an entry-level 32-inch Smart TV that won't break the bank.