WP10-04 Wall-hanging TVs

15/2/05

11:26 am

Page 81

GROUP TEST

FEATURES
Wega Engine works its wonders on the KLV-L32M1s pictures every bit as successfully as it did on the 32MRX1
WEGA Engine, including DRC detail boosting; progressive scan; noise reduction; DRC reality/ clarity graph adjustment; contrast enhancer; DRC progressive or High Density modes; sound and picture presets; Virtual Dolby; can use TV as centre speaker; auto volume; Smartlink; multiple aspect ratios; sleep timer CONNECTIONS Scart x3 (2 RGB); component video input; stereo audio input x 2; S-video input; composite video input; aerial input; audio output; centre speaker spring clip inputs; headphone jack CONTACT www.sony.co.uk

Sony KLV-L32M1

utting-edge picture processing often gets left off the more budget TVs on the flatscreen market. Thankfully, however, Sonys much praised Wega Engine remains on this 32in LCD, the KLV-L32M1, despite the drop in price compared to its KDL-32MRX1 predecessor. The screen lends itself well to wall-mounting courtesy of Sonys SU-LW1 wall bracket, which gives a tilt of up to 20 (available separately). Whats more, Wega Engine should provide images worthy of any wall, by keeping all the scaling necessary to map an incoming picture to a screens native pixel count completely in the digital domain. This removes mess-inducing digitalto-analogue (and vice versa) conversions. It also applies secondary processing to add extra detail and improve contrast, colour gradations, colour tone and contours.
so no Sky high-definition. Fortunately, the Wega Engine works its wonders on the KLV-L32M1s pictures very successfully, so if high-def aint your thang, this could be just the set for you.

Trail blazing

The most immediate impact comes from the colour response. Hues from our The Motorcycle Diaries test disc blazed out with a richness and vitality that leaves most rivals for dead. Even more impressively, these colours always looked entirely natural. The next thing we noticed was the clarity and detail. While the amount of fine detail that Wega Engine adds isnt as dramatic as with Philips Pixel Plus 2 system, it still gives pictures oodles more texture and depth than theyd normally have. Furthermore, there are less processing side-effects (practically none, in fact) than with Pixel Plus 2. We therefore have come to the conclusion that many people could well prefer Wega Engines slightly calmer approach. Whats more, the exceptionally bright image retains a natural white balance something that can be seen during Che and Albertos scramble through the snow in The Motorcycle Diaries. And a great plus point for Wega Engine is its flexibility: it deals pictures from analogue tuners just as impressively as it does high-def sources. If we were to be picky, wed wish for a fraction more black level response in the
KLV-L32M1s pictures. But that would make them nigh-on perfect simply not be a realistic expectation of a budget 32in LCD. For 2,300 (and less online) were more than happy to get even this close to perfection. The KLV-L32M1s audio is a more run-ofthe-mill. The speakers managed to eke out lots of detail from The Motorcycle Diaries sound mix, underpinned by a fair amount of bass. But the mid-range can sound harsh when the going gets tough. But dont let such puny niggles put you off the KLV-L32M1. It is comfortably the best LCD picture performer weve seen at this price, and should help Sony add some serious sales to the critical praise Wega Engine has already earned. It may not quite reach the heights of the Pioneer, but its a very close thing. WP

THE FLAT FACTS

I 32IN 16:9

Float away

So, what has gone to make this Sony so affordable? The most obvious change is the removal of the 32MRX1s stunning floating, glass-framed design but the KLV-L32M1 is still an attractive screen. Before we get too carried away by the Sonys flexibility, we should mention the limitations it doesnt work with PCs, it doesnt have a MemoryStick slot for playing or recording still pictures and MPEG 4 video, and doesnt have a built-in Freeview TV tuner. Worse, theres no DVI or HDMI inputs

RATINGS

PICTURE.##### SOUND.####$ CONNECTIONS.####$ FEATURES.####$ EASE OF USE.####$ VALUE.##### Its on-board Wega Engine is a serious bit of kit that would grace any wall
LCD TV I 1,500-2,300 I RESOLUTION 1,366 x 768 I DIMENSIONS W: 835 H: 603 D: 110 (mm) I SPEAKERS: YES I TV TUNER: YES I SCARTS: 3 (2 RGB)

VERDICT #####

ISSUE 10
WHAT PLASMA & LCD TV 81