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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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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