37in LCD Picture Sound Features Usability Value Excellent picture quality and dynamic colours make this screen a very good all round performer. Rating: 89%

Reviewed: 31 March 2009

  Overall picture quality, Value

  Black levels slightly disappointing

Design

 

With some subtle stylistic changes, the TX-L37G10 looks a cut above Panasonic's entry level LCD TV's. With just a slightly slimmer frame and a narrowing of the distance between the screen and outer edge of the frame the TX-L37G10 presents itself as a rather chic piece of audio visual kit.

The TX-L37G10 can't compete with some of the waif like models out there at the moment, but decent build quality and attention to detail add to what is on the whole an attractive looking package.

Features

With the option of 32in or 37in size screens, Panasonic's mid range G10 LCD series arrives without some of the more interesting connectivity features of higher end screens but receives the benefit of a number of important features which marks then apart from new entry level LCD TV's.

	Screen: 37in 16:9 Tuner: Digital Sound System: Nicam Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Contrast Ratio: 50,000:1 Other Features: V-real 4 picture processing, Freesat digital tuner, 100Hz processing (IFC), noise reduction function, V-audio surround sound. Sockets: 4 HDMI, 2 SCART, Component Video, Composite Video, PC input, CAM slot, SD card slot, Ethernet port.

 

First of all there is a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution screen which will enable the TX-L37G10 to present High Definition (HD) material in its full unadulterated glory.

The G10 series also benefits from the inclusion of a built-in 'Freesat' tuner. The Freesat service currently offers over 80 subscription free channels which includes all the major terrestrial stations (BBC1, ITV etc) apart from 'Five'. You also get the BBC HD and ITV HD (exclusive to Freesat) channels. Unlike Sky or Virgin, there are no subscription charges, but it is worth remembering that access to the 'Freesat' service requires a satellite dish.

Panasonic's V-real Picture Processing Engine now comes in the shape of V-real 4. Tweaks to the screens main picture processing circuitry have been designed to clean the incoming Standard Definition source as well as improving High Definition presentation.

The TX-L37G10 boasts a dynamic contrast system in the shape of 'Eco' mode. Through Eco mode, the panel responds to the ambient light surrounding the screen, brightening or dimming the picture to optimize the screen for the current lighting conditions.

Panasonic's Intelligent Frame Creation (IFC) technology doubles the number of frames shown every second from 50 frames/sec to 100 frames/sec. This increase in frame count has been designed to allow more natural frame-to-frame transitions. IFC can be set to 'High', 'Medium' or switched off alltogether.

There are four HDMIs, a D-Sub PC port, and an SD card slot through which the TV can play JPEG stills. Viera Image Viewer is a new function for easy viewing of digital still photos. The G10 also features an Ethernet port for broadband connection via your router or future online Freesat-related services.

Like most Panasonic TV's these days the TX-L37G10 hosts 'Viera Link', which uses the high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connections to automatically control similarly enabled devices using a single remote. Panasonic have now added support for their LUMIX range of digital cameras to Viera link.

V-audio surround is a virtual surround system which has been designed to replicate the effect of a complete multi- channel system (numerous speakers) from just two speakers.

Performance

The addition of 100Hz technology as a feature of LCD TV's is something that a number of manufacturers have toyed with for a number of years. In the eyes of many it has never really fulfilled its promise for delivering smoother motion. The implementation of 100Hz technology differs across manufacturers with the benefits remaining a matter for some strong debate. Set to 'High', Panasonics 100Hz implementation, IFC (Intelligent Frame Creation) in our opinion gives an over processed look, with noticeable picture artifacts with fast motion sequences. Set to 'Medium' the effects are more palatable but on the whole we prefer the picture with IFC turned off.

Surprisingly low key is the introduction of Panasonic's latest V-real picture processing engine which now appears as V-real 4. Despite having to upscale a poorer quality Freeview signal onto a Full HD screen the TX-L37G10 produces a picture which is largely free of any intrusive influences and is as clean and sharp as anything in this price bracket. High Definition (HD) material on the Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution screen looks quite stunning. Almost impossibly sharp, the picture presents every nuance of detail for an engrossing home cinema experience.

Unfortunately, the black level ability of Panasonic's TX-L37G10 cannot quite match the high standards set by the core V-real 4 picture processing engine. Competition among LCD TV manufacturers has been hotting up recently with the addition a number of screens which are approaching plasma levels of black level ability. Admittedly, the very best 'LED' based LCD TV's are high end offerings, but there are now some mid range screens from other manufacturers which are better. Black levels on the TX-L37G10 are reasonably good, but there is just a hint of greyness in darker scenes with the lack of that very subtle fine detail that the best LCD TV's can produce across darker scenes.

Helped by an good black level response and testament once again to the processing abilities of V-real 4, colour on the L37G10 is a minor revelation. Tricky areas such as facial tones are presented with a realism that few LCD TV's can match. Colours display a glorious vibrancy which make colourful scenes come alive while at the same time never appearing over saturated.

As with virtually every other LCD TV we have come across, the acoustic performance of the TX-L37G10 fails to deliver a really convincing performance. The sound will never become a problem for day to day use but push it to the limit and its shortcomings are quickly revealed. Again, as with most TV's these days the lack of a really strong deep Bass sound is where the problem lies.

Conclusion

If it wasn't for an average black level response, Panasonic's TX-L37G10 could claim to be one of the best mid level LCD TV's around. As it is, excellent picture quality and dynamic realistic colours make this screen a very good all round performer.

Panasonic TX-L37G10