0604wv19 panasonic tx-36pl32

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Panasonic TX-36PL32
CRTs have always boasted the best pictures and this 36in set has some serious size to boot. Jim Findlay takes the tube
he days of CRT might be numbered but Panasonic, for one, is making sure it won't go out without a fight. The 36in TX-36PL32 is almost as big as the technology gets and, with a price tag some distance lower than its plasma and LCD rivals, should ensure that tube TVs have the stomach for a good few rounds yet.

36in widescreen TV 1,150

DESCRIPTION
As you might expect from something involving such a colossal amount of glass, the TX-36PL32 is heavy. It's pretty space-hungry too, with a chunky cabinet ensuring that this isn't one to be stashed away discreetly in a corner. Panasonic's designers haven't exactly over-exerted themselves with this boxy number. The unfussy angularity isn't unattractive so much as dull, with aesthetics that could have been conceived at any point over the last five years or so. Admittedly, it's fairly pointless trying to beautify something this vast and the matt silver finish won't date for a while, but companies such as Loewe have achieved far more striking results with even bigger, bulkier televisions. Sockets are just the right side of generous, with three Scarts meeting most needs, a component video input catering for the high-end aficionados out there and an analogue audio output for hooking up to an external amplifier. To complete the line-up, you'll also find the obligatory front-flap selection of S-video, composite and stereo audio inputs. The remote is disappointingly pedestrian, with Panasonic sticking to its tried and tested, two-tone brick. Unwieldy shape aside, though, this is an effective zapper
that works well with the similarly no-nonsense graphics of the menu system. Once you've hit the auto-tuning option, the set will be up and running in a couple of minutes flat, with the channels correctly ordered and labelled. All you need to do is tweak the image to your liking and you're away. The adjustments are fairly standard, with predictable (but no less welcome) pre-sets for picture and sound. The standout picture gizmo is the scan mode, which provides progressive pictures from both PAL and NTSC sources via the component input. Other flourishes come in the form of noise and flicker reduction settings for the image and an 'Ambience' (virtual surround) mode for the audio.

PERFORMANCE

It is getting harder to differentiate between quality CRT pictures. The bar is now so high, that it is often easier to spot conspicuously bad sets than unusually good ones. Fortunately, the TX-36PL32 falls into the latter category. The (analogue) broadcast pictures are invigoratingly crisp, with largely studio-bound daytime fare coming across in all its brightly-lit glory. DVDs, however, are where the real action is at. One of the first things that grabs you is the marvellously realistic amount of detail. The opening sequence of Tomb Raider II, for example, in which a deep-focus helicopter shot pans over the cliff-top village of Caprini, is captured in such startling resolution that it's as if you are in the chopper itself. This clarity makes for an amazing apparent depth of field, with the scene taking place in a very convincing rendition of three dimensions. Colours are also extremely well balanced, with no perceptible preference for one end
FEATURES 36in 16:9 CRT TV; 100Hz; Nicam stereo; QuintrixSR flat tube; Q-Link; NTSC compatible; Ambience audio mode; Teletext; picture-in-picture, picture and picture, picture out of picture; noise reduction; flicker reduction; auto aspect ratio switching; 3 x zoom; owner ID; weight: 82kg SOCKETS 3 Scart inputs (two RGB) component video input; S-video input; composite video input; stereo audio input and output DIMENSIONS 950(w) x 623(h) x 582(d)mm CONTACT www.panasonic.co.uk TEST DATA Colour: excellent Convergence: very good Geometry: excellent Frequency response: excellent For a full explanation of test data, see page 126
of the spectrum over another. Variations between shades are masterfully handled, with the deep blues of the Aegean in the same sequence contrasting nicely with the more brilliant azure of the summer skies. When the action shifts to rural China, the hills are pleasingly verdant but never lurid, with a naturalistic earthiness tempering the vividness of the greens. Flesh tones are good for the most part, although an element of sun-bed orange does creep in from time to time, particularly during interior shots, although
Uninspiring but fuss-free operation

The front AV sockets sit alongside the manual controls
The silvery casing is hardly original but does look the part
Three Scarts and component video inputs around the back
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a careful fiddle with the colour balance can help keep this to a minimum. Blacks are also solidly realised and the admirable contrast ensures that even the darkest scenes retain a surprising amount of detail. The 'killer tree' sequence towards the end of Tomb Raider bears striking witness to this, with the moonlit landscape losing little or none of its features. Movement is pretty smooth, with jerkiness only occasionally cropping up during slow, lingering pans across angular cityscapes. Keep the picture processing low, though, and you won't go far wrong. The audio isn't quite so clever, but still has much to commend it. It's thumpingly loud, for a start, which means that the Panasonic won't have any difficulty at all in coping with even the most cavernous living-rooms. There is also an impressive amount of bass on offer, underpinning even the most demanding soundtracks with an adequate amount of muscular, low-frequency rumble. The speakers are a bit of a let-down, though, wasting the power at their disposal by starting to distort once the
volume creeps up towards the 80 per cent mark. The casing is also slightly suspect in this department, with our sample emitting a buzz when the going got loud. The Ambience mode is also a little less than convincing. It does a reasonable job of dispersing the soundfield but dialogue becomes distinctly echoey and you'll find the standard Nicam performance a much more satisfying, all-round bet for both DVDs and broadcasts. It's also a bit of a shame that the audio modes are limited to 'Music' and 'Speech', but some time spent tweaking the treble and bass settings gives you just about enough range to accommodate most preferences, although a more in-depth graphic equaliser might have been an idea.

WHATS GOOD

Amazingly sharp picture; price

FACT FILE

WHATS BAD
Extremely bulky; slightly distortion-prone audio
PICTURE SOUND FEATURES EASE OF USE VALUE

%%%%% %%%%% %%%%% %%%%% %%%%%

G G G G

36in CRT TV 100Hz QuintrixSR flat tube PAL/NTSC progressive scan capable G Component video input G Nicam stereo G Q-Link equipped

OVERALL VERDICT

A top, well-featured and highly-specified CRT TV at a fantastic price

CONCLUSION

The TX-36PL32 is an impressive large set. It won't appeal to those of you with limited space, but if you can accommodate it, you'll find its picture outshines all but the very best plasmas. Phenomenally good value and definitely one to consider before splurging several grand on a flatty
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034 EHC 21 Panasonic TX-36 TV

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CRT TV
Key Features 36in 16:9 CRT 100Hz processing Quintrix SR flat tube Analogue tuner Nicam stereo Ambience audio mode Teletext Auto aspect ratio switching Picture-in-picture Connections 3 x Scart inputs (two RGB) Component video input S-video input Composite video input Stereo audio input Stereo audio output RF input Dimensions 950(w) x 623(h) x 582(d)mm

Reviews> >

Panasonic TX-36PL32
Will this CRT convince flat-panel lovers to change their mind? Danny Phillips takes a closer look
XCUSE THE ANALOGY, BUT PANASONICS TX-36PL32 is a bit like Pavarotti chunky on the outside with an extraordinary, awe-inspiring talent inside. But whereas the Italian tenor is blessed with an aptitude for operatic warbling, this 36in TVs gift is an uncanny ability to produce stunning CRT images. Thats where the comparisons end unless Pavarotti also has three Scart inputs on his back, two of which handle RGB. The TX-36PL32 has just that, and it also boasts a set of component video inputs, which rather brilliantly accept both PAL and NTSC progressive scan video. Thats quite a feat for a tube TV, but to find one that offers it at this price is a rarity of unicorn-like proportions. The rest is fairly bog standard, but theres a panel of AV inputs on the front that let you hook up more devices. On the looks front, Panasonics designers must have left their crayons at home when they conceived the TX-36PL32 how
Nothing escapes detail-wise
else do you explain the lifeless, blocky box we see before us? Its not ugly, but lacks pizzazz and does nothing to convince flatpanel fanciers that their money would be better spent on a CRT. Whats more, youll break your back heaving it onto a TV stand.
What we like about this CRT TV Sharp, striking images Low price Progressive scan capable What we dont like about this CRT TV Its a bit dull and very bulky Sound performance at loud volumes
Turning to the operating system, we find that the TX-36PL32 only has your best interests at heart. It doesnt want you to worry about manually tuning and sorting channels, or wading through impenetrable menus everything is installed automatically and the user interface is easy to navigate. Panasonic has always been big on features and theres no change here. The progressive scan mode is the sets biggest bonus, especially as deinterlacing DVD decks are becoming more common. There are plenty of picture adjustments, noise and flicker reduction, virtual surround and picture-in-picture. Impressed? Well prepare for things to get even better. Feed it DVD pictures through component and the first thing youll notice is how chop-smackingly sharp the pictures are. Theres nothing that escapes detail-wise, and it keeps everything looking natural and realistic. It lends movies the kind of three dimensionality that sucks you in and wont let go. Colours are also magnificently reproduced, with the TX-36PL32 bathing the screen in gloriously vibrant tones. Every colour is well balanced and natural, with no stepping between different shades of one colour as you often find with plasma or LCD. Its only when we come to sound that theres a few negatives to report. Its not keen on loud volumes, as theres a buzz that occurs when you crank it up. Plus, the Ambience mode is far from convincing, making dialogue sound a bit too echoey for our liking. Otherwise, theres lots of muscular bass and sharp dialogue helping to make movies an enjoyable experience. If you want large pictures from an inexpensive set, you wont do much better than the TX-36PL32. Whats more, its picture quality puts some more expensive 36in CRTs to shame. The catch is its plain-Jane design and ultra-bulky dimensions, but focus on its inner beauty and youre onto a winner.

Component video inputs cleverly accept both PAL and NTSC progressive scan video

Verdict

Sales Web www.panasonic.co.uk
EASE OF USE LOOKS FEATURES PICTURE SOUND VALUE
VERDICT Its far from beautiful, but this TVs superlative picture quality makes up for any aesthetic shortcomings. But the best part is the price, which makes it amazing value.

Overall

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