EMtronics EM32ROK: 32-inch Roku TV HD Ready 720p Smart TV EMtronics - Review 🏆

The EMtronics EM32ROK is a 32-inch HD Ready 720p Smart TV that offers good value for money. This 2024 model provides access to popular streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer, as well as Freeview Play to access live TV and on demand content. With Dolby Audio support, 3 HDMI ports, and mobile control via the EMtronics app, the EM32ROK aims to deliver a seamless entertainment experience in an affordable package.

Some of the key highlights of this budget-friendly Smart TV include its simple design, HD Ready display resolution, built-in Wi-Fi for smart features, and versatile connectivity. Read on for an in-depth look at what this EMtronics model has to offer.

Design

The EMtronics EM32ROK Roku TV has a sleek and modern design that will look great in any living room. It has a 32-inch screen size, which is a good option for smaller rooms or as a secondary TV. The TV itself has thin bezels around the display, giving it a contemporary style.

In terms of physical dimensions, the EM32ROK measures 28.9 x 17.3 x 3.2 inches (WxHxD) without the stand. It's relatively lightweight at just 7.7 lbs, making it easy to move or mount on a wall. The TV has a glossy black finish that gives it an elegant look. The included stand has a curved X-shape with a matte black plastic construction.

The EM32ROK Roku TV does not offer any color options - it only comes in black. But the black finish should fit well with most decor. Overall, the design is slim, modern, and stylish without taking up too much space.

The EMtronics EM40ROK: 40-inch Roku TV Full HD 1080p Smart TV is another great product from EMtronics. This model features a larger 40-inch display with Full HD 1080p resolution, providing sharper and clearer picture quality. Like the EM32ROK, it also runs on Roku's smart TV platform, giving you access to a wide range of streaming services. The EM40ROK maintains a sleek and modern design, making it a stylish addition to any room. Its size makes it a versatile option, suitable for both small and medium-sized rooms. The TV comes in a black finish that complements various interior aesthetics.

Display

The EMtronics EM32ROK comes with a 32-inch HD ready display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The TV has an LCD panel, which is typical for models in this price range.

The 32-inch screen size is decent for smaller rooms and apartments where you sit fairly close to the TV. However, the HD resolution is lower than full HD 1080p, so you won't get the sharpest image quality, especially on larger screen sizes. The resolution is fine for regular TV watching from a distance, but you'll notice some pixelation and lack of fine detail when viewing HD content up close.

Overall, the display quality is as expected for a budget 720p TV. The screen size is versatile for different room sizes, but the lower HD resolution limits the picture clarity compared to 1080p sets. Still, for casual TV watching and streaming, the display performance should be satisfactory considering the affordable price point.

For those seeking better clarity, the EMtronics EM40HDRW: 40-inch Full HD 1080p LED TV offers a significant upgrade with its 1080p resolution on a larger 40-inch screen. This model caters to viewers who desire sharper image quality and finer details, making it suitable for more spacious rooms. The full HD resolution enhances the viewing experience, especially when watching HD content, providing a better overall picture quality compared to 720p sets.

Connectivity

The EMtronics EM32ROK comes with ample connectivity options for a budget smart TV. It has 3 HDMI ports, allowing you to connect multiple devices like a games console, Blu-ray player, or streaming stick. The HDMI ports support HDCP 2.2 for high quality video playback.

For USB devices, there are 2 USB 2.0 ports which can play media files directly or provide extra storage. A USB WiFi adapter can also be used if you don't have ethernet access. Speaking of which, wired connectivity is provided by the RJ45 ethernet port with speeds up to 1 Gbps.

On the wireless side, the TV has built-in WiFi supporting the latest 802.11 ac standard. Connectivity to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks is supported. The wifi performance is quite good and you shouldn't face any major issues streaming high bitrate content.

Overall, the connectivity options on the EM32ROK are plentiful for the price. The inclusion of 3 HDMI ports and dual band wifi makes it easy to connect all your devices and access streaming content.

Smart TV Features

The EMtronics EM32ROK runs on Roku TV, which provides a user-friendly smart TV experience. It comes with several popular streaming apps pre-installed so you can start watching right out of the box.

For video streaming, the EM32ROK includes Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube. The Roku Channel also provides free movies and TV shows. With access to these services, you'll have thousands of movies and shows to choose from.

In addition, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4 and My5 are provided for catching up on UK TV. There's also Apple TV and Google Play Movies & TV available to purchase or rent new release movies.

The EM32ROK has Freeview Play built-in, giving you access to UK catch-up TV services like BBC iPlayer directly through the electronic programme guide. You can scroll back to watch shows from the last 7 days.

With Roku's streaming stick design, you get a smooth and responsive smart TV experience. Navigating between apps is quick and easy with the simple Roku interface. Setting up and managing streaming services is straightforward as well.

Overall, the built-in Roku platform provides an excellent smart TV experience out of the box, with all the top video streaming apps and catch-up TV services included.

Sound

The EM32ROK is equipped with two 8W speakers that provide decent audio quality for a budget TV. While the sound isn't as immersive as having a dedicated soundbar, it gets loud enough to fill a small to medium-sized room.

The TV supports Dolby Audio processing which helps optimize the sound quality. Dolby Audio aims to provide a more dynamic listening experience by enhancing loud and soft sounds. This makes explosions and sound effects more impactful, while also improving clarity for dialog.

Overall, the sound quality is fairly average but sufficient if you don't want to purchase a separate audio system. The Dolby Audio processing helps compensate for the TV's limited speaker hardware. However, audiophiles will still notice the lack of bass and soundstage compared to higher-end TVs or a dedicated speaker setup. For most casual viewing the built-in speakers will be adequate.

Remote Control

The EM32ROK comes with a simple yet functional remote control. It has all the necessary buttons you'd expect like power, volume, channel rockers, input selection, shortcuts for popular streaming apps like Netflix and Prime Video, etc. The buttons have a nice tactile feedback and are well spaced out. The remote is powered by 2 AAA batteries.

One handy feature is the ability to control the TV using your smartphone. EMtronics offers iOS and Android apps that let you turn the TV on/off, change volume, switch inputs, launch apps and more. This adds convenience if you misplace the physical remote. The mobile app worked well in my experience without any lag or disconnections.

Overall the remote that comes with the EM32ROK gets the job done. The addition of mobile control via an app is nice for flexibility.

Performance

The EM32ROK offers good overall performance, especially considering its budget price point.

Picture Quality

The 32-inch HD ready display provides decent picture quality for most content. It can display 720p HD resolution clearly which is fine for streaming shows and movies. While it lacks the sharpness of a full 1080p display, the image is fairly crisp and colors look accurate. Fast motion can get a little blurry at times but it handles panning shots reasonably well.

Response Time

The response time is adequate for a budget 720p TV. There is minor ghosting visible in high motion scenes but it's not too distracting. Casual viewers likely won't notice much. Gamers may want to look for a faster panel.

Viewing Angles

Viewing angles are mediocre, as expected for an affordable LED TV. Color and contrast start to shift when viewing from off-center seats. The picture washes out noticeably at wider angles. It's best suited for smaller rooms where viewers can sit close to the center. Overall the performance is as expected for the price.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Affordable price point for a 32-inch smart TV with Roku TV
• Easy to set up and use
• Good selection of streaming apps and channels including Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, My5, YouTube
• Roku OS is intuitive and responsive
• Works well with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice controls
• Decent HD resolution and picture quality for most non-critical viewing
• Excellent built-in audio with Dolby Audio processing

Cons:

• Only 720p resolution, not full HD 1080p
• Limited connectivity options - only 3 HDMI ports and 1 USB port
• Sound quality lacks bass
• Remote control feels cheap and plasticky
• No HDR support
• Roku ads on the home screen are annoying
• Small 32-inch screen size limits immersiveness

Overall, the EMtronics EM32ROK Roku TV hits a sweet spot on price while delivering very good smart TV features and streaming app support. But the lower 720p resolution and lack of HDR hold back picture quality compared to 1080p sets. It's a decent budget option for secondary rooms or dorms, but won't satisfy videophiles looking for top-tier HD specs and performance.

Verdict

The EMtronics EM32ROK is an affordable 32-inch HD ready TV with good smart features. It offers a lot for the price, making it a solid budget option if you're looking for a small to medium-sized TV for casual viewing and streaming.

The HD ready resolution is decent but not spectacular. However, at this price point in a 32-inch size, it's fairly standard. The direct LED backlight avoids screen uniformity issues sometimes seen on edge-lit models.

The Roku smart platform is a real highlight, providing an intuitive and responsive interface. It offers a vast library of streaming apps including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, BT Sport, and more. Airplay is also included for easy media streaming from Apple devices.

Connectivity is ample with 3 HDMI inputs and USB playback. The remote is basic but easy to use. Sound quality from the built-in speakers is average and best suited for dialog-focused content. For movies, TV shows, and music, connecting an external soundbar is recommended.

Overall, the EM32ROK delivers very good value. The Roku TV platform, streaming apps, HDMI inputs, and smart features make it a great affordable option for bedroom/kitchen use or as a secondary TV. It's easy to recommend if you need a small TV on a budget.