Panasonic TX-37LZD70 Review

37in LCD

Picture
Sound
Features
Usability
Value

One of the best sub 40in LCD TV currently available.

HD Ready:

yes

Resolution:

1920 x 1080

Rating:

88%

Reviewed: 29 October 2007

Design

With speakers either side of its frame, the Panasonic TX-37LZD70 is a large unit, looking as big as many a 40in screen. Otherwise, there is no great departure in style from other LCD and Plasma TV's in the Panasonic range, combining a glossy black frame with matte black pedestal and lower frame edge.

Features

The TX-37LZD70 sports a Full HD native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels which allows this panel to resolve every detail of 1080i and 1080p sources, rather than scaling these pictures to fit.

Screen: 37in 16:9

Tuner: Digital

Sound System: Nicam

Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Contrast Ratio: 8500:1

Brightness: 550cd/m2

Other Features: Vreal2 picture processing, Full HD.

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

The beating heart of the TX-37LZD70 is the latest incarnation of Panasonic's picture processing technology, Vreal2. Vreal2 brings together an impressive range of technological picture processing wizardry adapted for the 10th generation screens.

A Digital Optimiser has been designed to reduce digital noise originating from the video source itself, and also motion pattern noise which produces false contouring during motion.

With all the on board technology, it comes as a slight disappointment that the TX-37LZD70 is equipped with just 2 HDMI inputs and 2 Scart sockets. The usual Component, Composite and S-Video inputs are also present along with PC input, SD Memory Card Slot and built-in digital freeview tuner.

The TX-37LZD70 also uses Panasonic's 'Viera Link' technology which employs high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connections to automatically control similarly enabled devices using a single remote.

Performance

Combine Vreal2 processing with Full HD and in the TX-37LZD70 you have what is possibly the best High Definition (HD) performance from a medium sized flat screen TV. The level of sharpness and detail is absolutely stunning, with a level of detail which is unsurpassed on a sub 40in LCD.

Colour reproduction further highlights the ability of Panasonic's picture processing wizardry. Colours are never less than faithfully and accurately reproduced, showing bench mark skin tones as realistically as any flat panel LCD TV we have seen.

Given that the TX-37LZD70 has a 1920 x 1080 resolution, it handles Standard Definition sources surprisingly well (having to do a significant amount of up scaling). With terrestrial Freeview, this is due in no small part to Panasonic's excellent built-in Freeview tuner. We are not talking plasma levels of performance, but the TX-37LZD is certainly one of the best Standard Definition LCD performers.

The main problems with SD material include traces of motion blurring with fast motion action and stutter on fast pans. The intrusion is minimal however, and never encroaches too much on viewing enjoyment. Switch to a better source such as Sky 1080i SD and there is a noticeable improvement.

In most respects the TX-37LZD70 is nipping at the heels of the best Plasmas, but in one area, which is the Achilles heel of LCD TV, this panel falls a little short. You only have to look at the new 'Kuro' range of plasmas from Pioneer where the glossy black frame merges almost seamlessly with darker scenes to see the problem. The black levels are good, and compare favourably with any other LCD TV, but look closely and where you would like to see a deep rich black colour, a little greyness encroaches.

Conclusion

The Panasonic TX-37LZD70 raises the bar for LCD performance, and if High Definition sources were prevalent we would say that this screen would quite possibly be the best money could buy. As it is, for most of us, the majority of our viewing is in Standard Definition, and in this respect, the TX-37LZD70 gets close to the best plasmas but can't quite match them.