Product face-offs
Panasonic Viera TX-32LXD85F
| Screen size | 32 inches (81 cm) |
| Resolution | 1366 x 768 pixels |
| HD compatibility (1080i/720p) | Oui |
| HD Ready certification | Oui |
| Brightness | NC |
| Contrast ratio | 10000 : 1 |
| Viewing angles (H+V) | 178 ° / 178 ° |
| Response time | NC |
| Sound level | 2 x 10 Watt RMS |
| Connectivity |
VGA • HDMI (x3) • Péritel (x2) YUV • S-Vidéo • Composite |
| Dimensions (LxHxW) | 820 x 572 x 250 mm |
| Weight | 17.00 Kg |
With a PC
Even if the display when using a PC is well framed, we noted some degradation of text fonts. None of the different display modes enable resolving this problem. We therefore cannot really recommend this TV for use with your computer.
Vincent Lheur
Updated: 2008-08-06 - Test date: 2008-08-04
Updated: 2008-08-06 - Test date: 2008-08-04
After having focused on the plasma market for some time, Panasonic now offers a complete line of LCD televisions. Moreover, the latest models that we tested always proved to be well into the average. So is this TX-32LXD85F of similar quality? It’s a question we will try and answer in this article.
To briefly sum up the TX-32LXD85F line, it is comprised of HD Ready (1366x768 points) models without an HD compatible TV tuner. Therefore, this more involves the entry level.
Measurements
We come right to the “nitty-gritty” with a few measurements from our color sensor. We noted real contrast that was a bit weak in Movie mode. This was due to black which was barely deep enough (0.23 cd/m²) and a white at 188 cd/m². At any rate, contrast climbs to around 3000:1 on the condition you move into Normal mode which deactivates dynamic contrast. It goes without saying that the gamma curve then varies enormously depending on the average brightness of the sequences displayed. Moreover, many TVs are capable of attaining high levels of contrast thanks to this function.
To briefly sum up the TX-32LXD85F line, it is comprised of HD Ready (1366x768 points) models without an HD compatible TV tuner. Therefore, this more involves the entry level.
Measurements
We come right to the “nitty-gritty” with a few measurements from our color sensor. We noted real contrast that was a bit weak in Movie mode. This was due to black which was barely deep enough (0.23 cd/m²) and a white at 188 cd/m². At any rate, contrast climbs to around 3000:1 on the condition you move into Normal mode which deactivates dynamic contrast. It goes without saying that the gamma curve then varies enormously depending on the average brightness of the sequences displayed. Moreover, many TVs are capable of attaining high levels of contrast thanks to this function.
The ''Normal'' mode (on top) has defects in its gamma curve. The ''Movie'' mode (bottom) comes close to perfection.
Finally, colors looked excellent under our sensor.
In practice
And this is a measurement that is confirmed when watching movies. Skin tones appear very natural and pleasant. We did however notice a slight lack of contrast with blacks appearing a bit gray. Otherwise, fluidity is very good and is something reinforced by very little afterglow. Moreover, it is rare to see a panel with such high performance in this area.
Even if this television is 100 Hz and offers nice fluid sequences, there is no system that recreates additional images in movies as some of its rivals do (which in the process can add artifacts around objects in movement). We also noted excellent viewing angles which enable 6 viewers from 2 meters to see the panel in excellent conditions. Finally, sound quality is above the usual mediocre average of what many flat screens offer.
Defects
The 32LXD85F’s main defect is in the rescaling of SD sources which isn’t as good as we could expect from an HD Ready panel. Another disappointment was a PC mode that isn't really worthy of this name (see box).
It goes without saying that with the upcoming arrival of HD on French digital TV, this model should be found at an attractive price. Currently at around 800 Euros, it is much too expensive compared to other TVs with similar characteristics.
In practice
And this is a measurement that is confirmed when watching movies. Skin tones appear very natural and pleasant. We did however notice a slight lack of contrast with blacks appearing a bit gray. Otherwise, fluidity is very good and is something reinforced by very little afterglow. Moreover, it is rare to see a panel with such high performance in this area.
Even if this television is 100 Hz and offers nice fluid sequences, there is no system that recreates additional images in movies as some of its rivals do (which in the process can add artifacts around objects in movement). We also noted excellent viewing angles which enable 6 viewers from 2 meters to see the panel in excellent conditions. Finally, sound quality is above the usual mediocre average of what many flat screens offer.
Defects
The 32LXD85F’s main defect is in the rescaling of SD sources which isn’t as good as we could expect from an HD Ready panel. Another disappointment was a PC mode that isn't really worthy of this name (see box).
It goes without saying that with the upcoming arrival of HD on French digital TV, this model should be found at an attractive price. Currently at around 800 Euros, it is much too expensive compared to other TVs with similar characteristics.
- Very little afterglow
- Nice colors
- Digital tuner isn’t HD compatible
- Disappointing rescaling
- Contrast is a bit weak
- A PC mode which clouds text
With satisfactory performances for the entry level, the LXD85F is actually too expensive at the moment.
