Panasonic TX32LZD80 Review

32in LCD

Picture
Sound
Features
Usability
Value

Good performance in virtually every area, off the pace of the best.

HD Ready:

yes

Resolution:

1920 x 1080

Rating:

90%

Reviewed: 10 September 2008

Design

Panasonic's LZD80 range of LCD's feature a slim profile, glossy black finish and a frame that curves subtly backwards along the full length of its sides. A feature which looks destined to become synonymous with flat panel TV's from Panasonic, an elliptical silver trim at the base of the screen actually houses a full length single speaker.

While not as subtle as some, there is no denying that all of Panasonic's recently released LCD TV's have visual impact. The various elements of the LZD80 do actually come together to produce a rather stylish piece of kit.

Features

As a step down model from the LZD85 range, the LZD80 loses Motion Picture Pro 2 which is Panasonic's latest take on 100Hz processing technology. Also absent is 'Motion Focus' processing which improves the detail of moving images.

Screen: 32in 16:9

Tuner: Digital

Sound System: Nicam

Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Contrast Ratio: 10,000:1

Brightness: 550cd/m2

Other Features: V-real 3 picture processing, 1080p/24fps .

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

What the TX-32LZD80 does retain is the latest incarnation of Panasonic's picture processing engine 'V-real 3'. V-real 3 detects on-screen motion and activates backlight blinking to maintain resolution in those areas. Of course there is much more to the technology - Panasonic have apparently re-engineered almost every element of their picture processing engine 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.

The TX32LZD80 features 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.

The 32LZD80 sports 3 HDMI (v1.3) inputs, PC input and SD card slot. HDMI v1.3 can utilize the Deep Colour (x.v.YCC) format. Deep Colour produces almost twice the range of available colours, but you will need a source that produces this level of detail (A few HD camcorders offer the feature and possibly in the future, Blu-ray discs played through a Deep Colour enabled player such as Panasonic's DMP-BD30).

Performance

Given that Panasonics latest plasma screens display some of the most sublime black levels we have seen, the 32LZD80's ability in this respect was a little disappointing. Its not that the 32LZD80 performs badly, but alongside fierce competition some shortcomings are revealed. While the black level achieved is pretty good in all situations, unlike the best LCD's, there is just a hint of greyness to darker scenes.

The 32LZD80 quickly redeems itself with one of the better Standard Definition (SD) performances we have seen. That the LZD80 is virtually free from video noise is quite remarkable given that the screen has a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution and has to work hard to present the 576 or so lines of Freeview. A better quality SD source from Sky (1080i) benefits from the LZD80's ability to display the picture on a pixel for pixel basis, producing one of the most accomplished SD performances we have seen. With a fluid look to fast on-screen action, the TX-32LZD80 seems to loose little by not implementing any form of 100Hz processing.

Colours may not have the vibrancy of some flat panels, but what is not in doubt is the accuracy and subtlety with which the TX-32LZD80 can present those colours. Tricky areas such as skin tones are never less than wholly realistic in their appearance.

Although High Definition (HD) pictures are very good, we did not feel that they were exceptional in any way. Once again questioning the usefulness of a Full HD resolution on such a small screen, the TX-32LZD80 loses that ultra fine detail that produces such a sublime HD performance in Panasonic's large plasma screens.

With concessions to screen design, we have come to expect a rather lackluster acoustic performance from modern flat panel TV's. It comes as a pleasant surprise that that the TX-32LZD80 delivers a more powerful performance in this respect than most. Still slightly underpowered in our opinion but not to the degree where viewing pleasure is compromised.

Conclusion

Good all round performance makes the TX-32LZD80 an interesting budget proposition. Lacklustre black levels prevent the screen from achieving greatness.

Panasonic TX-32LZD80


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