TVC TRC CD-02

Akai CTS-2750 Akira CT-29FD9 H-707V Micromax Akishi AK25M1 Amstrad CTV-1409 Daewoo DTC-25G1TM CM-900 Daewoo DTC-29G1TM CM-900 Funai MS-21A MKII Funai TV-2000A MK12 Funai TV-2000T MK10 Funai TV-21000A MK12 Grundig Arcance 55 Chasis K1 Grundig Arcance 72 Flat Grundig Davio 37 Grundig MF 55-2401 Grundig P37-1101 Grundig P37-2201 Grundig P37-3201 Grundig P37-5211 Grundig P51-1101 Grundig P55-1101 Grundig P55-4201 Hitachi C-24W511TN Hitachi C28W440N Hitachi C28WF523N Hitachi C28WF530N Hitachi C32WF535N Hitachi C32WF720N Jvc AV-21BF10EES Chasis VESTEL Jvc AV-21BT8EEB Jvc AV-21MT15
Jvc AV-21MT35 Jvc AV-21VA15 Jvc AV-28RT4SU 11AK45B5 Jvc AV-T2922 Jvc HV-29WZ Jvc HV-32D25 Jvc HV-34LH21 Jvc HV-34LH71 Lg 21FB6AB Lg 21FB7RG Lg 21FX4R Lg 21FX4RG Lg RP-29FC35 Lg RP-29FC40P Lg RP-29FD15 Lg RP-29FD60 Lg RP-32FZ40P Lg RP-34FC35P Lg RT-29FD16RX Lg RZ-21FB35 Teac CTM806SV Teac CTM807SV Teac CTM808SV Toshiba 14N1XT Toshiba 20V2E Toshiba 21CZ5T Toshiba 21D7DXE Toshiba 21D7SXH Toshiba 2929DXH Tvc Chasis PT92

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on test

THE FLAT FACTS
I 42IN PLASMA TV I 5,000 I RESOLUTION: 1,024 x 768 I DIMENSIONS: W: 1,035 H: 640 D: 89 (mm) I SPEAKERS: YES I TV TUNER: YES I SCARTS: 3

JVC PD-42D30ES

JVCs latest plasma TV has the looks, but does it also have substance?
ntil recently, making plasma TVs look sexy wasnt very hard. The slim screens alone were enough to have punters gasping in awe. But now that plasma screens are 10 a penny, people want more. And JVC, it would seem, knows it. The companys new PD-42D30ES arrives in two massive boxes. In one is a stand that combines a lush, glossy grey finish with a surprisingly open design. In the other is the screen, which slides easily on to the stand to create a fabulously in-your-face finished look. A table-top option is 200 less expensive.
Even the accessories unusual pole-shaped speakers and a subwoofer are tastefully designed and cleverly integrated into the stand to maximise its looks. The package also includes an external AV box a chunky, yet attractive item thats host to all the AV hookups that matter, including PAL/NTSC progressive-compatible component video input. The only unexpected absentee is a PC jack. The key feature is Digital Image Scaling Technology (DIST). This was introduced, to disappointing effect, on JVCs HV-32D25 CRT TV a few months ago. But this version is an updated,
plasma-friendly one, the chief benefits of which are claimed to be an increase in perceived resolution, better contrast and improved colours. The screen also carries JVCs Super DigiPure processing. This includes contour and colour enhancement, a digital comb filter, motion compensation and 3D video noise reduction. You also get twin-tuner picture-in-picture and Snow Noise for tackling screen burn.

Performance

First impressions of the 42D30s picture arent great. It has a smeary, murky look, especially
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Bland in the extreme, but a doddle to use
with movement or noisy source material. Luckily, with judicious tweaking of the screens digital processing options basically turning all of them to their Min settings we were able to improve things a good deal. At its best, the 42D30s picture really is very good. Colours are natural and tightly contained, but this is not at the expense of over-stressed edges. We also appreciate the fine-detail levels on display with DigiPure activated. The screen is surprisingly adept at repressing blocking fizziness in digital broadcasts, too, and suffers refreshingly little solarisation, except during quickish camera pans and on poor-quality, low-lit scenes. There is still room for improvement, however. Firstly, the contrast range isnt great enough. Secondly, we occasionally spotted harmonic smearing across the screen. And finally, even with the digital processing systems all on their
Theres a lot to like about the PD42D30. The design is flash, the picture gets most things right and the sound is potent
lowest settings, movement during Sky Digital sports broadcasts can still look messy. The sound system is powerful with a wider, cleaner, richer soundstage than expected, while the well-integrated sub underpins the action smoothly. Our only gripe is that when the going gets tough, the dialogue gets lost. Theres a lot to like about the PD-42D30. The design is flash, the picture gets most things right and the sound is potent. If JVC can up the black level and add a PC jack next time round, it could have a genuine star on its hands. WP

FEATURES

External AV box; DIST technology; DigiPure processing; BBE audio; 3D noise reduction; TV Link; 2x 10W, 15W sub; progressive scan; twin-tuner PIP; Snow mode; multipicture channel scan; 3D sound; Colour Management; Movie Theatre mode; freeze pic; teletext; child lock; sleep timer SOCKETS On screen: left/right/sub speaker connections; video-in cables. On AV receiver: three Scarts (two RGB); component video inputs; two stereo audio inputs; stereo audio output; DVI and control outputs to screen; RF jack; S-video and composite video inputs; headphone jack CONTACT JVC 5000 www.jvc.co.uk TEST DATA Colour: good. Practically zero bleed or noise, although edges can be soft Geometry: perfect Frequency response: excellent. Clarity to 5.8MHz in DigiPure mode

Ratings

FOR Picture at times; design AGAINST No PC input; contrast; a tad costly PICTURE.####$ SOUND.####$ LOOKS.##### FEATURES.####$ EASE OF USE.##### VALUE.###$$ A partially successful attempt to storm the slimscreen marketplace

VERDICT ####$

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