ON TEST / 32IN LCD TV

Verdict Approx price 850

Panasonic TX-32LZD80

A debut full HD 32in LCD TV with mostly impressive results
BGood connectivity; pictures good in most ways; full HD pixel count EBlack levels not the best; colours could be more vibrant
WHILE INDUSTRY WATCHERS may witter on for hours at a time about whether or not theres any genuine benet in having a 1,920 x 1,080-pixel resolution in a 32in TV, the simple reality of the marketplace is that Joe Public demands full HD regardless of screen size. So it is that Panasonic has been compelled to launch its rst 1080p 32in TV, the 32LZD80. hardly revolutionary. For more excitement you need to turn to the televisions connections, which comprise three v1.3 HDMI inputs, a built-in SD card slot for direct viewing of digital photographs, a component video input, a digital audio output, a dedicated PC input and much more. The 32LZD80 also promises some potent black level response with a claimed contrast ratio of 10,000:1 delivered, inevitably, with the help of a dynamic backlight system that dims the pictures brightness during dark scenes to help them look, well, darker.

The rivals

/ Philips 32PFL9632D
A tad more expensive, but its performance is stronger overall. Reviewed: Issue 327

/ LG 32LB75

Not quite as good overall as the Panny, but very good value at 600. Reviewed: Issue 329

Features

The home for all those tiny pixels is reasonably attractive with a slick black nish, but at the same time its
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As youd expect of any full HD set worth its salt, the 32LZD80 can play back the 1080p/24fps format used to master the majority of movies to Blu-ray disc, plus theres a 1:1 pixel mapping mode that deactivates overscanning for a purer rendition of 1,080-line sources. Inevitably, Panasonic has been busy tweaking its image processing since its previous LCD generation, resulting in the 32LZD80 stepping up from V-Real 2 to V-Real 3 technology. As far as we know theres nothing radically new about this latest V-Real incarnation; its simply an improved and rened version of the previous one, with its focus on noise reduction and enhancing contrast, colour and
Theres a really wide range of tones on show, most of which look likeably natural///
detailing. But any improvement on what was already one of the nest image processors around can only be a good thing. With surprisingly few tweaks to play with in the 32LZD80s onscreen menus, we might as well wrap up this section with a quick mention of a deciency. This TV doesnt have 100Hz, which combats LCDs common problems with handling motion. For that youll have to look higher up the manufacturers new range.

Ease of use

With their superbly designed remote controls and total no-brainer onscreen menus, its hard to imagine any Panasonic TVs scoring less than ve in an ease of use section. This is especially true in the 32LZD80s case, where, to be honest, there really arent that many features for you to have to master.
rescaling standard-denition sources to t the full HD resolution a feat few such screens manage to pull off entirely convincingly. The V-Real 3 system also makes a name for itself in the sets motion handling, as even without 100Hz onboard, objects move across the 32LZD80s screen with good uidity and without losing much resolution. Next to impress is the LCDs colour response. Theres a really wide range of tones on show, most of which look likeably natural, and we were also struck by the subtlety of the colour blends (a joint function, we think, of the full HD pixel density and the V-Real 3 processing again). The strengths weve just described mean that when its at its best, the 32LZD80 is a showcase for what HD-friendly LCD screens can do. But sadly those best moments dont occur all the time. The biggest aw materialises when watching dark scenes, as the 32LZD80 fails to get blacks looking as solid as wed like, due to the appearance of some all too familiar grey mist over the darkest areas. This slight lack of depth has an impact on colours, too, for although subtle and natural in tone, they fail to look quite as rich and vibrant as those of some of the best rival screens around. We also felt that HD material didnt look quite as pin-sharp as we might have hoped from a full HD screen. But then if this is the price to pay for the lack of noise in the picture, we guess its fair enough.

Fact le

/ 32in LCD TV / 1,920 x 1,080-pixels / Freeview tuner built in / 1080p/24fps support / V-Real 3 processing
/ Time in Lab: 12 days / Serial No: NC-8120001 831mm 103mm
Playback Test Colour temperature Contrast ratio Luminance Colour Frequency response
Rating 6,153K 824:1 35.85fL
Power consumption: Standby: In use:

1W 108W

Lab notes: A thoroughly decent set of results from a thoroughly decent TV

Spec check

Screen size & shape: 32in, 16:9 Tuner: Digital and analogue Sound system: Nicam stereo Resolution (pixels): 1,920 x 1,080 HD Ready: Yes Quoted contrast ratio:10,000:1 Quoted brightness: N/A Processing: V-Real 3 Screen dimensions: 831(w) x 538(h) x 103(d)mm Weight: 15.5kg / Other features: HDMI CEC control; noise reduction, colour management, IPS Alpha screen for wider viewing angle, 1080p/24 playback; Deep Colour compatibility; JPEG viewing from SD cards; 1:1 pixel mapping; GuidePlus EPG / Sockets: Inputs: 3 HDMI v1.3; component video; 2 Scarts (RGB); composite video; PC; stereo audio; tuner; CAM slot; S-video; headphone jack; SD card slot. Digital audio. / Contact: www.panasonic.co.uk

Sound

As one of the lower-level models in Panasonics new LCD range, we were slightly sceptical of the 32LZD80s audio abilities based on the companys previous low-end models. But the reality proved rather better in the sonics department than anticipated, with really quite solid levels of bass, midrange clarity and raw power.

Picture

In most ways, but not all, the 32LZD80s pictures are every bit as excellent as you could have hoped. Particularly striking is how supremely clean and noise-free pictures look regardless of whether you are watching standard or high denition. This clearly reveals the quality of that V-Real 3 image engine, especially when it comes to

Value

Given this screens excellent motion handling and the enhancements afforded by V-Real 3, plus its unexpectedly impressive audio, we think 850 is about right for the 32LZD80. With its slightly weak black levels, wed not pay more Z
Panasonics 32LZD80 is a good all-rounder, but the average black levels mean its not quite the superstar wed hoped for
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ON TEST / 32IN LCD TV

Verdict Approx price 950

Panasonic TX-32LZD85

V-Real 3 combines with 100Hz processing to stunning effect
BGood connectivity; outstanding pictures; full HD panel EVery minor flicker over some fast-moving edges
ONLY LAST MONTH we looked at the rst of Panasonics new LCD TV range, the 32LZD80, and we really liked it. So this month were delighted to get hold of the step-up model that adds 100Hz processing to an already mouth-watering mix. motion handling, as doubling the usual 50Hz PAL refresh rate should reduce motion blur. Motion Focus processing technology should also assist in smoothing things out, while playback of Blu-ray images should be much more uid thanks to the inclusion of a dedicated 24fps lm processing mode. These additions to the spec of Panasonics entry-level model have the potential to make the 32LZD85s picture quality substantially better, which is a tantalising prospect given how impressive its predecessors pictures were.

The rivals

/ Philips 32PFL9632D
The only 32in TV we can think of right now that offers a genuine alternative to this Panasonic in performance terms. Reviewed: Issue 327

Features

Its very pretty by Panasonics usually austere standards, with its high gloss black bezel offset very attractively by a cute little lip along the bottom. The 100Hz engine built into the 32LZD85 is intended, as usual with an LCD TV, to improve the sets

/ Panasonic TX-32LZD80

100 less and is still a great TV. Wed try to nd the extra cash, though. Reviewed: Issue 333
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22/4/08 12:16:37
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other 32in TV we can think of bar the Philips 32PFL9632D. Motion handling is similarly impressive, as practically all stuttering is removed, even during 24fps viewing. Whats more, this uidity is judged supremely well, avoiding nasty processing artefacts and the over-slick look that caused us so much nausea with Sharps rst generation of 100Hz sets last year. The picture also looks more vibrant and richly saturated than that of the 32LZD80, making it positively glow with health and vitality. Colours are superbly subtle in their blends and hues, too, as well as enjoying some of the most natural skin tones around. Possibly because of the reduction in motion blur, the /// Panasonics ne detailing also looks a cut above that of its cheaper sibling, and delivers exceptional clarity and texturing piped in from a good /// high-denition source. The 100Hz system even helps the 32LZD85 deliver full HDs extra detail, greater clarity, slightly more enjoyable standardand smoother colour blends when denition pictures. In fact, its one showing 1,080-line sources, really of the best TVs around when it can be seen even at this size, comes to rescaling Freeview especially in a small room. broadcasts to a full HD pixel count. Its also got all the connections Perhaps the most surprising area you could expect of a sub-1k 32in of apparent improvement comes LCD TV, too, including a healthy with the 32LZD85s black levels. On three HDMIs all built to the latest paper theres no obvious reason v1.3 specication, making them why its dark scenes should look less compatible with the Deep Color troubled by greyness than those of picture-enhancing format. the 32LZD80, but they denitely do. All of which leaves us with really Ease of use only one tiny little negative to Still easy to use, Panasonic has report on the 32LZD85s pictures: a taken care not to load the menus sporadic tendency to icker with any unnecessarily ddly stuff, momentarily over one or two very the remote control is pretty much contrasty edges during camera perfect, and the onscreen menu pans. But this is a pathetically minor structure is as easy to navigate as blip given all the benets the TVs a menu could be. processing introduces elsewhere. Naturally, the extra picture technologies weve described come on top of Panasonics acclaimed V-Real 3 image processing engine, with its various systems for improving contrast, colours, ne detail and noise levels. Part of the V-Real processing spec is a dynamic contrast system whereby the TV analyses the black level content of incoming images and adjusts the brightness of the backlight accordingly. Due to this, the 32LZD85 is able to claim an extra high 10,000:1 contrast ratio. Another key fact about this set is its full HD resolution as its still relatively rare to nd so many pixels crammed into a 32in screen. But weve already seen evidence that

Fact le

/ 32in LCD TV / 1,920 x 1,080 pixels / 100Hz Motion Pro processing / V-Real 3 processing / 1080p/24fps support
/ Time in Lab: 9 days / Serial No: NC-8160006 831mm 103mm
Its one of the best TVs around for rescaling Freeview broadcasts to a full HD pixel count
Playback Test Colour temperature Contrast ratio Luminance Colour Frequency response
Rating 6601 903:1 40.70fL
Power consumption: Standby: 1W In use: 122W Lab notes: Good results, but they hardly do the superb subjective experience justice

Spec check

Screen size & shape: 32in, 16:9 Tuner: Digital and analogue Sound system: Nicam stereo (speakers not included) Resolution (pixels): 1,920 x 1,080 HD Ready:Yes Quoted contrast ratio: 10,000:1 Quoted brightness: N/A Processing: V-Real 3 Screen dimensions: 831(w) x 538(h) x 103(d)mm Weight: 15.5kg / Other features: 100Hz Motion Picture Pro 2 and V-Real processing; dedicated 24fps mode; dynamic contrast delivering 10,000:1 contrast ratio; Picture NR; child lock; picture overscan on/off; SRS TruSurround; speaker distance adjustment; cinema picture preset; IPS Alpha panel; digital tuner with EPG support / Sockets: Inputs: 3 HDMI (v1.3), component video, 2 Scarts (RGB); composite video, PC, stereo audio, tuner, CAM slot, S-video, headphone, SD slot. Output: digital audio / Contact: 357 www.panasonic.co.uk

Picture

We expected the addition of 100Hz and Motion Focus technologies to have some benecial impact on the 32LZD85s pictures, but nothing could have prepared us for just how great that impact would be. For it seems as if the extra processing has somehow improved not just the appearance of motion, but a number of other picture areas too. Objects unquestionably move around the 32LZD85s screen with greater clarity, sharpness and precision than on not only the 32LZD80, but pretty much any

Sound

Although we didnt hear any signicant differences between the 32LZD85s audio and that of its cheaper sibling, thats no great problem as the latters sound was pretty potent, anyway.

Value

In an ideal world, some would say the Panasonic 32LZD85 should be around 100 cheaper, but then you are getting a truly superior performer for your money and its worth every penny Z
An improvement on the 32LZD80 and not just Panasonics best LCD yet, one of the nest 32in atscreens ever
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