HDTV Guide
HDTV Screens
HDTV DVD
HDTV Technology
Panasonic TH37PX70 Review |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reviewed: 05 April 2007
Design
The Panasonic TH37PX70 like its predecessor comes either on a pedestal, with wall-mounting brackets, or on a Panasonic cabinet. Depending on where you shop, the cabinet version will cost another £200 or so and the wall mounted version around £50 more than the pedestal version. The panel itself is stylish Panasonic minimalist glossy black finish which will add a touch of class to any living space. For real impact and presence go for the Panasonic cabinet which is perfectly matched to the panel.
Features
2 HDMI and 2 Scarts along with a PC/vga input and component input form a standard rather than a dazzling connectivity set. There are no multimedia, s-video or usb connections, but there is an integrated Freeview tuner.
Screen size & shape: 37in 16:9 Tuner: Digital Sound system: Stereo Resolution: 1024 x 720 HD Ready: Yes Contrast Ratio: 10,000:1 Brightness: 450cd/m2 OTHER FEATURES: V-real picture processing, Integrated Freeview. SOCKETS: 2 HDMI, 2 Scart, component video, PC input.
The TH37PX70 is Panasonic's 10th generation plasma and as such has a completely new panel, the G10.
The TH37PX70 forms part of the base range of new plasmas from Panasonic and as such does not have the full HD 1080p capability that higher spec models, which are due out later in the year, come equipped with.
Improvements in the performance of this latest plasma offering from Panasonic will be due in the main to the introduction of this new panel. There are no major advances to the V-Real Picture Processing Engine although it has been tweaked in a number of ways, and now sports a 16-bit processor.
Another feature of the TH37PX70, Viera Link, uses high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connections to automatically switch between different devices, put them in standby and take control of them with full menu access using a single remote.
Performance
Panasonic have gained a legendary reputation for their black level performance over the years and the TH37PX70 carries on this strong tradition. You could make a good argument for buying the TH37PX70 on the strength of its capabilities in this area alone. You really need to sit this screen alongside any LCD to really appreciate its strength in producing stunning black level performance. Ironically, Panasonic's TX32LX700 is one of the few screens around at the moment that comes close to reproducing comparable black levels. Unfortunately Panasonic do not make LCD and Plasma TVs of the same size as we would love to be able to compare the both approaches.
Panasonic's TH37PX70, with its 1024x720 (slightly different to it older brother, the TH42PX70s 1024x768) resolution will downscale 1080i content (such as Sky) and will inevitably lose a degree of clarity as a result. The results of this downscaling however are hardly noticeable, even less so than on the 42in model. Put this screen next to a full HD 1080p enabled alternative and on close inspection you will notice a difference, but are you prepared to pay a substantial amount more for the improvement? Panasonic's higher spec 1080p screens are out this year, and it will be interesting to compare the two setups when they do.
Colour on the TH37PX70 is superb, with a level of accuracy and saturation that is class leading for a Plasma screen costing around £800. Colours appear deep and natural, and skin tones are always subtle and believable.
As expected motion handling is one of the TH37PX70s strengths, with no evidence of smearing at anytime, even with the quickest movie action sequences or sporting action.
High Definition (HD) on the TH37PX70 is almost faultless, and for a screen in this price bracket this is quite an achievement. Worthy again of particular mention are the superb black levels and the greyscale graduation which seems to pick up every subtlety of shadowy scenes in any situation.
Standard Definition (SD) performance is where the capabilities of the TH-37PX70 differs somewhat from its older brother the TH42PX70. Pictures are sharper than the 42in model, without the degree of softness in pictures, and slight blurriness from which the bigger panel suffers.
Many consumers will have already ruled out Panasonics new TX series LCDs simply because they are no larger than 32in. If you are flexible in this area however, its going to be a tough choice between the TH37PX70 and Panasonic's LCD range.
Conclusion
Stunning all round performance places the TH37PX70 at the top of its class. Handling standard as well as high definition content superbly, this is the best 37in Plasma out there at the time of writing.
