Panasonic TX32LXD85 Review

32in LCD

Picture
Sound
Features
Usability
Value

If HD is not high on your agenda, the TX32LXD85 makes a very compelling argument.

HD Ready:

yes

Resolution:

1,366 x 768

Rating:

92%

Reviewed: 11 May 2008

Design

Maintaining consistency in the design of their flat panel TV's, most offerings from Panasonic are now recognizable as belonging to the same family.

Actually looking quite similar to Panasonic's high end LZD800 series, the lower edge of the TX32LXD85 sports a very elegant silver trim running the full length of the panel while tapering away at its edges. This trim is very slightly indented at its top and then extends outwards slightly beyond the screen at the bottom, giving the feature an elliptical pod like structure. Finishing this subtle approach, the screen tapers slightly backwards along the top of the unit.

Avoiding the temptation to follow the stylistic lead of other manufacturers and over embellish their screens Panasonic have managed to produce a subtle but highly stylish piece of design that also benefits from top notch build quality.

Features

With a native resolution of 1,366 x 768 the TX32LXD85 loses the Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution of higher end LCD offerings from Panasonic. There is no support for 1080p/24 mode (which shows films in their original 24 frames per second) and the TX32LXD85 does not have the ability to show the higher resolution x.v. colour format.

Screen: 32in 16:9

Tuner: Digital

Sound System: Nicam

Resolution: 1,366 x 768

Contrast Ratio: 10,000:1

Brightness: 550cd/m2

Other Features: Motion Picture Pro.

Sockets: 3 HDMI, 2 SCART, Component Video, Composite Video, PC input, SD card slot.

Increasing the frame rate from 50 frames per second (fps) to 100fps, Motion Picture Pro has been designed to eliminate the problem of 'motion blur', a particular problem for LCD TV's.

The TX32LXD85 is equipped with the latest incarnation of Panasonic's picture processing engine 'V-real 3'. Panasonic have re-engineered almost every element of their on-board electronics management function in its latest guise.

There are two major constituents to the V-real 3 equation, V-real PRO 3 Processor and V-real PRO 3 Driver. The 'processor' element works on the raw video signal to optimize the incoming stream, while the 'Driver' element works with the refined signal and optimizes panel performance to this signal.

One of the more interesting functions within 'V-real 3' detects on-screen motion and activates backlight blinking to maintain resolution in the areas most affected.

With 3 HDMI inputs along with the Component, Composite and S-video inputs, connectivity is as good as you would expect from an entry level offering. We particularly like the SD card slot which incorporates an intuitive slide show fuction for displaying your still JPEG photos.

Performance

While the TX32LXD85 loses a little of the pin sharp detailing that you find on a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution screen with High Definition (HD) sources, place this panel along Panasonic's own TX32LZD85 and you are hard pressed to spot the differences. We believe that he advantage of Full HD on a 32in screen is minimal and the disadvantages of 1,366 x 768 is negligible with HD material.

Ironically, the advantage of a lower spec resolution presents some advantages with Standard Definition material. Not having to work so hard to translate terrestrial Freeview's 576 lines of detail does not present such a problem. Panasonic's LCD TV's have gained a justifiable reputation for their abilities with even the poorest quality SD sources, and the TX32LXD85 maintains that reputation. Motion Picture Pro 100Hz processing along V-real 3 produces a picture which is sharp and detailed while remaining remarkably free from video noise.

We recognized Panasonic's LXD70/700 series as a group of products that really benefited from the implementation of 100Hz processing. Although 100Hz technology on the 32LXD85 is not a great leap forward, the result is a picture that suffers to a remarkably small degree from 'motion blur'. Only on the fastest on-screen action will you recognize any loss of composure, and then you will have to look closely.

Most of the big LCD TV manufacturers have mastered the art of producing a rich and vibrant colour palette without the overall effect becoming too 'garish'. The TX32LXD85 also introduces a subtlety to this reproduction of colour which gives tricky areas such as facial tones a wholly realistic appearance.

A dynamic backlight system (where the amount of light emitted can be regulated down for the benefit of darker scenes) contributes to an excellent black level performance for an LCD. We say 'for an LCD' because placed directly alongside Panasonic's entry level plasmas the 32LXD85 falls a little short. Although the 32LXD85 can't match its plasma rivals, the gap is narrowing, and unlike previous generations of LCD TV's there are no traces of on-screen greyness.

Like most flat panels, the concession made to styling and hiding slim speakers within the overall design produces a rather lackluster acoustic performance. To be fair to Panasonic, most other manufacturers have taken the same route, and the sound quality is good enough not to adversely affect the whole experience to any great degree.

Conclusion

If High Definition is not high on your agenda, the TX32LXD85 makes a very compelling argument.