RCA RB32H2-UK: 32" HD LED TV RCA - Review 🏆

The RCA RB32H2-UK is a 32-inch HD LED TV from RCA, an American brand known primarily for electronics and home appliances. This budget-friendly television offers a crisp high-definition viewing experience in a compact 32-inch size.

Key features of the RCA RB32H2-UK include:

• 32-inch LED display with 1366 x 768 HD resolution
• Dolby Audio sound system
• Built-in USB media player
• HDMI, SCART, VGA PC inputs
• DVB-T2/C tuner for accessing freeview channels
• Digital audio output

With its LED display, HD resolution, and Dolby Audio, the RCA RB32H2-UK aims to deliver solid performance and features for an affordable price point. The addition of a USB media player makes this model a versatile choice for bedroom or secondary room usage.

Design

The RCA RB32H2-UK features a simple yet attractive design with a black plastic body and thin bezels around the display. The TV has two V-shaped legs that provide sturdy support and allow for basic swivel adjustments.

The bezels are fairly slim, measuring around 0.6 inches on the sides and top, and about 1 inch on the bottom. This creates a clean, contemporary aesthetic and allows you to focus more on the 32-inch screen. The screen itself has a matte anti-glare coating that helps minimize reflections.

Overall, the build quality feels decent for a budget TV in this price range. The plastic body doesn't look or feel premium but it gets the job done. While the stand design is basic, it seems stable and allows for some flexibility in placement.

Aesthetically, the RCA RB32H2-UK has an understated, no-frills look. The black color and thin bezels give it a streamlined appearance that should fit well in most settings, from bedrooms to offices. It likely won't wow you with its looks but delivers satisfactory design given the affordable price point.

For those seeking a bigger screen and enhanced features, the RCA 43 Inch QLED UHD Smart TV: 43 4K HDR10 Smart TV is an excellent option. This model boasts vibrant 4K HDR10 imaging, delivering stunning color and clarity for an immersive viewing experience. Its smart features provide access to popular streaming apps, making it perfect for entertainment enthusiasts looking for high-quality visuals and versatility.

Display Quality

The RCA RB32H2-UK has a 32-inch LED display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The panel type is LED-backlit LCD, which provides decent brightness and contrast levels for most indoor viewing environments.

The 32-inch screen size is suitable for smaller living rooms or bedrooms. While not the highest resolution at only 720p HD, it still provides a reasonably sharp picture at typical viewing distances of 6-10 feet. Colors appear fairly accurate out of the box, though there are limited calibration options.

Viewing angles are typical for an LED TV, with some contrast and color shifting when viewed from sharp angles off-center. The matte display helps reduce glare and reflections. Overall brightness is rated at 250 nits, which is average for this price range. Contrast ratio is not officially specified but appears to be around 3000:1 based on specs.

This RCA model does not support high dynamic range (HDR) for expanded contrast and color. So while picture quality is decent for most everyday viewing, it lacks the enhanced visual impact available on some higher-end 4K and HDR televisions.

For those looking for a smaller option, the RCA RB24H2CU: 24 HD TV is a great choice. Featuring a 24-inch display, it offers 720p HD resolution, perfect for compact spaces like dorms or kitchens. The vibrant colors and clear visuals enhance everyday viewing experiences. Its small size and lightweight design make it easy to move around, while its affordability makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.

Audio Quality

The RCA RB32H2-UK TV comes equipped with two 8W down-firing speakers that provide decent audio performance for the TV's price range. It supports Dolby Audio sound processing, which helps optimize the audio quality for different types of content like movies, sports, and music.

The built-in speakers deliver reasonably clear and well-balanced sound, though bass response is understandably limited due to the small speaker size. Dialogue in TV shows and movies comes through cleanly for the most part. The Dolby Audio modes add a slight boost to the overall volume and audio quality, helping make the sound fuller and more immersive.

While the speakers get sufficiently loud for a small to mid-sized room, the audio lacks refinement at higher volumes, sounding somewhat harsh and strained when pushed near max volume. The TV lacks more advanced audio features like equalizer settings to customize the sound. Those looking for a more powerful and nuanced audio experience would benefit from pairing the TV with a standalone soundbar or speaker system.

But for casual TV watching and listening, the RCA RB32H2-UK provides an acceptable audio experience straight out of the box. The speakers handle day-to-day TV audio needs just fine, making external audio equipment optional rather than essential.

Smart Features

The RCA RB32H2-UK has basic smart features that allow access to popular streaming apps. It runs on RCA's proprietary operating system, which is easy to navigate but lacks some of the polish of operating systems from bigger brands.

The TV comes with built-in apps for Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. Setting up accounts is quick and easy. The apps look good and function as expected when streaming movies and shows.

There is no voice control support on this TV. You'll need to use the remote control or RCA TV remote app to navigate the interface and control playback.

The smart capabilities are sufficient for basic streaming needs, though more demanding users may want a TV with a faster processor and wider app selection. But given the price point, the RCA provides a solid smart TV experience.

Ports and Connectivity

The RCA RB32H2-UK TV comes with a good selection of ports and connectivity options. On the back of the TV, you'll find 3 HDMI ports which is great for connecting all of your devices like Blu-ray players, games consoles and set-top boxes. The HDMI ports support HD video and audio output. There is also 1 USB port which allows you to play media files directly from a USB stick or hard drive.

For analog connections, the TV has SCART and VGA ports. The SCART port provides a way to connect older devices that use composite video and analog audio. The VGA port allows you to connect a computer and use the TV as a PC monitor.

For wireless connectivity, the RCA RB32H2-UK has built-in WiFi and Ethernet. The WiFi allows you to connect the TV to your home network wirelessly to access smart features. And the Ethernet port gives you the option to connect to your router with a wired connection for more stable internet access. The TV does not have built-in Bluetooth.

Overall, the connectivity options on this RCA TV should satisfy most users. The inclusion of HDMI, USB, SCART, and VGA provide ample ports for devices. And the WiFi and Ethernet give you flexible wireless connection choices.

Remote Control

The RCA RB32H2-UK comes with a standard remote control that is easy to use and provides access to all the TV's main functions. The remote has a slim, lightweight design that fits comfortably in your hand. It uses infrared technology and has a decent range, allowing you to control the TV from anywhere in the room.

The button layout is straightforward with separate groups for power, volume, channel selection, media playback, settings, and navigation. The buttons have a nice tactile feedback and are responsive when pressed. There are quick access buttons for Netflix, YouTube, the home menu, and the electronic program guide. Everything is clearly labeled so you won't have any issues figuring out what each button does.

The most frequently used buttons like power, volume, and channel selection are larger for easy accessibility. The remote lacks advanced options like voice control but provides all the basics you need for effortless TV operation. It's powered by 2 AAA batteries (included) and the battery life is decent. Overall, the remote is functional and gets the job done without any major usability issues.

Performance

The RCA RB32H2-UK delivers decent picture quality for an affordable 32-inch HD TV. It has a 1366 x 768 resolution, which is standard for HD. The LCD panel provides adequate brightness and contrast for most indoor viewing conditions.

Watching HD content from Blu-ray discs or streaming services, the RCA provides reasonably sharp and detailed images. Colors appear natural and well-saturated. Dark scene details are decent though blacks could be deeper. The picture lacks the crispness and vibrancy of 4K TVs but overall quality is quite good for the price.

Standard definition content does not upscale well, appearing soft and pixelated, which is expected for an HD display. Fast motion can cause some blurring and jitteriness but it's not too bothersome for most content.

The smart interface based on Linux is easy to navigate but can feel a bit sluggish at times. Launching apps and loading content takes longer than higher-end smart TVs. Basic functions like switching inputs work quickly with no delay. Overall the smart features are functional for basic needs but power users may want a snappier processor.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Good value for money 32-inch HD TV with decent features
• Crisp and clear HD picture quality
• Built-in Freeview Play provides catch-up TV access
• Easy to setup and use
• Good connectivity options including 3 HDMI ports
• Sleek modern design that looks good in any room

Cons

• Only 720p resolution, not full 1080p HD
• Limited HDR support
• Audio quality could be better
• Smart TV features are basic
• Remote control feels cheap and plasticky
• No streaming apps like Netflix built-in

Conclusion

The RCA RB32H2-UK 32 inch HD LED TV offers a decent budget option for those looking for an affordable smart TV with basic features. The HD resolution display and Dolby Audio provide good visuals and audio for casual TV watching and streaming. While it lacks more advanced features like 4K resolution or HDR, the inclusion of smart capabilities like onboard streaming apps makes this a suitable choice for secondary rooms or dorms where you don't need top-of-the-line performance.

Overall, this RCA model hits a reasonable sweet spot between price and features. For users who want a basic smart TV for light entertainment and don't require robust connectivity options or premium display quality, the RB32H2-UK is a solid value pick. However, those wanting a more immersive viewing experience with 4K, HDR or surround sound may want to consider upgrading to a higher-tier model. Within its price range though, this RCA TV delivers satisfactory HD viewing and streaming access at an affordable cost.