Sony KDL-32P3020 Review

32in LCD

Picture
Sound
Features
Usability
Value

Great all round budget performer from Sony.

HD Ready:

yes

Resolution:

1366 x 768

Rating:

88%

Reviewed: 10 February 2008

Design

From a distance, the KDL-32P3020 looks like any other conservatively styled but nevertheless chic piece of Sony LCD TV elegance. Look a little closer however and it becomes apparent that the budget status is reflected in the quality of materials used. We have to say that this is a rather 'cheap' looking LCD TV.

Features

As one of Sony's entry level series of LCD TV's, the 32P3020 loses some of the high end features of higher spec models. Although the lack of 100Hz may have an impact, the absence of Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution is simply not relevant when comparing 32in screens.

Screen: 32in 16:9

Tuner: Digital

Sound System: Nicam

Resolution: 1366 x 768

Contrast Ratio: 1800:1 (8,000 dynamic)

Brightness: 450cd/m2

Other Features: BRAVIA Image Processing Engine, BRAVIA Theatre Sync.

Sockets: 2 HDMI, 2 SCART, Component Video, Composite Video, PC input.

Connectivity on the 32P3020 is adequate rather than impressive. With 2 HDMI inputs, it has one less than the next tier of budget LCD from Sony the 32S3000. This screen also comes equipped with 2 Scarts and the usual composite, component and s-video inputs.

As an entry level LCD TV, the 32P3020 comes equipped with Sony's standard Bravia image processing engine. The standard Bravia engine it must be remembered however, has an established reputation as a wholly competent and accomplished picture enhancing technology.

WCG-CCFL (backlight) technology allows the KDL-32P3020 to achieve approximately 95% of the NTSC (National Television System Committee) video signal colour gamut – representing a 140% improvement on LCD TVs that feature traditional fluorescent backlights. WCG-CCFL incorporates a different type of luminescent material to produce more accurate and deeper reds and greens

By combining the BRAVIA ENGINE and WCG-CCFL backlight technology, Sony claim to provide far truer and more accurate colour tones for enhanced picture depth and clarity.

Theatre Sync, which is Sony's name for CEC (Consumer Electronic Control), is a control standard that functions over HDMI 1.3. The technology facilitates one-touch control over compatible devices and in practice means that if you fire up your compatible DVD player, the all connected devices such as your LCD TV will also spring into life.

Performance

Although there is no 'Live Colour Creation on the P3020, its colour handling abilities are similar to the S3000, though not quite up to the standard of higher spec Sony's. The WCG-CCFL backlight is partly to blame with a slight lack of uniformity across the whole of the screen producing less than wholly consistent colours. This is certainly a minor flaw of the KDL-32P3020, but colours nevertheless maintain a vibrancy that few other LCD's can match.

The overall picture performance of the KDL-32P3020 is excellent, and the quality of Standard Definition (SD) came as a pleasant surprise. This screen actually tells us a lot more about the features it does not posses, namely 100Hz processing and Full HD resolution. The higher end features certainly work, but we were impressed with how little impact there absence had on the 32P3020. There is very little video noise even with the poorer quality Freeview as a source, and the benchmark quality of facial tones was particularly impressive.

Although fast action material is prone to a little blurring, on the whole this screen will satisfy all but the most demanding of consumers looking for a good SD performance. Its not quite there yet when compared to your CRT, but the gap is narrowing.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the KDL-32P3020 is its black level performance. Its abilites in this respect are not going to trouble the best Plasma's or even LCD's , but what this screen achieves is a black level which belies its status as an entry level LCD TV. Crucially, there are few signs of greyness across darker scenes.

As we expected, the KDL-32P3020 achieves an excellent level of detail and sharpness with High Definition (HD) material. Colours are absolutely stunning, with a vibrancy and sharpness that we have come to expect.

Conclusion

The Sony KDL-32P3020 is a very good budget performer, and the only real advantage the step up 32S3000 has is the extra HDMI input. The absence of 'Live Colour Creation' has little impact with the 32P3020 showing itself to be more than competent in all areas.