0105wv05 Panasonic TX-28DTX1

16/11/04

5:05 pm

Page 36

FACT FILE

q q q q

50Hz pictures Digital tuner Seven-day EPG 2 Scarts (1 RGB)

Panasonic TX-28DTX1

FEATURES 28in 16:9 IDTV; EPG with limited category search; 50Hz picture; Nicam sound with speech/music/Dolby Virtual modes; autotuning of digital and analogue tuners; 8-event timer memory; pic and sound presets; Q-Link; digital teletext and interactivity support; Owner id security system; noise reduction; AI contrast control; multiple aspect ratio support; child lock; off timer; screensaver in DVB mode; dimensions: 807(w) x 509(h) x 533(d)mm; weight: 45kg SOCKETS 2 Scarts (1 RGB); stereo audio output; RF jack; CAM slot; stereo audio input; S-video input; composite video input; stereo audio input; headphone jack CONTACT www.panasonic.co.uk TEST DATA Colour: very good impressively bright, rich saturations, minimal bleed, and edges are reasonably hard Geometry: average there are a couple of noticeable bulges to each top corner Convergence: very good just a trace of red bleed to extreme top right. Frequency response: very good traces of fine detail to 5.8MHz For a full explanation of test data, see page 140

28in IDTV 550

depth. A shortage of either treble detail or bass expansion leaves action scenes sounding compressed, harsh and muddy especially if you make the mistake of choosing the TVs Speech mode over the more open Music one. While not able to live with a sturdy film soundtrack, though, the TX-28DTX1s speakers do okay with TV viewing which is acceptable for 550. The TX-28DTX1 is hardly a classic. But then, its not built to be. Its built to hit a price and if that price is about what you had in mind for your next TV, the TX-28DTX1 delivers plenty of bang for your buck John Archer
ou dont have to be a rocket scientist to understand the appeal of Panasonics TX-28DTX1. Just take in the fact that its 28in in size and has a built-in digital tuner, then look at the 550 price. Panasonic has also made sure that it looks much nicer than most of its bargainbasement brethren, courtesy of a slick deep-grey screen frame that boldly stands proud of the main light-silver TV chassis. Things get more down to earth on the connections front. Our efforts only uncovered a duo of Scarts, the RF input, a stereo audio output, a slot for a CAM card (more on this in a moment) and a full set of front AV jacks. Still, while this hardly sets the pulse racing, its par for the budget TV course. Features are dominated by the built-in digital tuner, backed up by full interactivity and teletext compatibility, plus an Electronic Programme Guide. The set can also be upgraded for payTV services via the aforementioned CAM slot. The EPG is disappointing in that, although it works with Freeviews new seven-day information system, its very slow at compiling data and fails to keep a small version of the picture running while you look for programmes to watch. Nor does it offer much genre searching flexibility. The one piece of good news here is that you can use it to set timer recordings in conjunction with a suitably sophisticated (ie, compatible with Panasonics Q-Link system) VCR. Now that the EPG has drawn our attention, its also worth saying that the TX-28DTX1 is hardly Speedy Gonzales when accessing digital teletext, either.
Other features are predictably thin on the ground. This is a 50Hz TV with only fairly basic noise reduction and automatic contrast control to enhance it. On the audio side, meanwhile, theres just Dolby Virtual worth mentioning.

PERFORMANCE

Happily, the TX-28DTX1 moves up a gear with its picture. Its most likeable facet is its extreme cleanliness. The TV does a terrific job seemingly without the aid of special processing of suppressing the blockiness and shimmering that afflicts many Freeview broadcasts. Also, theres none of the basic graininess that many budget TVs suffer with. Another common budget trait the TX-28DTX1 effortlessly sidesteps is a lack of contrast. Its black level is comfortably profound enough to give pictures bags of field depth, lots of background, and formidable solidity (with digital tuner pictures at any rate). The good contrast performance knocks on into the sets colours, which emerge richly, vibrantly and with authenticity, thanks to the absence of the grey mistiness associated with poor contrast. If the 28DTX1 does have a weakness, its with fine details. The picture doesnt look quite as pin-sharp as one or two rivals, even at the lower-priced end of the market. That said, were actually quite happy to trade a little fine detail for the TX-28DTX1s smoothness. The TX-28DTX1s price is more clearly apparent in its sonics. Although it serves up a surprisingly wide soundstage, this width is accompanied by precious little

WHATS GOOD

Picture; price

WHATS BAD

Sound can struggle; only one RGB-capable Scart; very slow EPG/digital text access
PICTURE SOUND FEATURES EASE OF USE VALUE ALSO CONSIDER.
PANASONIC TX-28DTX10 Another great Panasonic IDTV, only this time with 100Hz processing for not much money more Reviewed: Sept 04 PHILIPS 28DW6558 About the same money gets you perhaps marginally inferior pictures, but better sound Reviewed: (32in) Jul 04

OVERALL VERDICT

Nice pictures at a good price make the TX-28DTX1 a likeable, if not quite irresistible, IDTV option
36 January 2005 s WHAT VIDEO AND WIDESCREEN TV