Panasonic TX32LXD700

[Blade Runner]

Hello everyone.

I want to buy this TV and I plan to connect all my consoles to it. I was wondering for starters is this a good TV for gaming? It won various awards, is it still the 'best' Panasonic 32" LCD? How does it compare to it's rivals with a similar specification?

Also there's one slight problem.

This is the back of the TV:



I can't see a PC audio input socket. I plan to connect my Dreamcast by VGA. Does the PC audio work through the Left and Right phono sockets where to Component section is? Or do I have to use separate speakers?

Thank you.

[Papercut]

It probably shares audio in with component.

[Morph]

the pc audio input looks like its on the right side of the connector, component audio input is below the RGB pins

[koenshaku]

I have this tv and it is great for gaming, the wii and ps3 look fantastic through it.
As papercut says, the audio in (phono wise) is paired up with the component ins. This will give you audio through the tv speakers.

I have one recommendation to make if you do get it, the backlight level should be turned down through the service menu. All you need to do is hold down the -/v button on top of the TV and press 0 on the remote three times. Then drop the default backlight setting of 276 down to 220.
This will give you better blacks and keep the automatic backlight control in check.

I'm extremely happy with this set.

[EvilBoris]

The TV always got very good write ups, but I'm sure someone here said that it had one of those rubbish 100hz/motion smoothing things that you can't turn off.

[belmondo]

The review at hdtvtest says that 100Hz cannot be turned off:

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Panasonic-TX32LXD700/

I guess the OP has read this as that is where the image has come from.

There is a new Pana 32" that has 1080P resolution:

http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk/reviews/lcd/panasonic_tx32lzd85.htm

[Atticus]

I have this set and it's brilliant apart from a little backlight bleed in the lower right-hand corner.

I have one recommendation to make if you do get it, the backlight level should be turned down through the service menu. All you need to do is hold down the -/v button on top of the TV and press 0 on the remote three times. Then drop the default backlight setting of 276 down to 220.

Might this solve the issue koenshaku?

Anyone else noticed backlight bleed on darker screens?

[rossman]

maybe worth checking out the new bravia range too?

http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProduct.action?product=KDL-32E4000&site=odw_en_GB&imageType=Main&category=TVP+32-40+Sony+BRAVIA+TV

no 100hz but 33,000:1 contrast

btw i bought the Panasonic 26lxd70 last year and its proven to be a great tv.

[EvilBoris]

I'm still really really pleased with my Toshiba set, loads of people here also went for one off mine and others reccomendations on it also and seem to be pleased with their ones too.
A friend went for one of the newer models than mine and they also feature the 1 thing I'm lacking from my own version, 1:1 pixel mapping.
I'd happily reccomend one to anybody wanting a set for gaming, I've been really pleased with mine for the 18 months I've had it.

Nice thing is because they aren't a brand in the same league Sony or Panasonic the Tvs are REALLY reasonably priced.

You can get the 37Z3030D for £750 from empire direct
http://www.empiredirect.co.uk/content/products/details/index~modelcode~TOS-37Z3030DB~dept~ctv~subdept~LCDTV~brand~toshiba.htm

1080p
3X HDMI
Excellent scaling (Faroudja DCDi) which is good for DVD/TV/SD gaming,
'true' 24FPS outpute (5:5 pulldown) which is designed for Blu Ray/HD-DVD
1:1 Pixel Mapping for HD Sources (A must for gaming)

It also has the very unobtrusive ActiveM100 100/120hz processing WHICH YOU CAN TURN OFF! If you want to.

There is also the X series version, which is the same but without the 120hz and 24FPS support and is £100 cheaper, then if 37" is too big they do a 32inch X model also.

[Blade Runner]

Thanks for the replies. I was planning on getting the Panasonic or another TV from John Lewis as they come with 5 years free warranty. I will check out the mentioned models to see if they are available from John Lewis, and also a little more about them.

By the way, what is the disadvantage of not being able to switch off 100hz?

Thank you.

[PrayforMojo]

I've got an earlier model to the Panny 700. I think it was the 600 but could be wrong. Nice TV but to echo the post above, I wasn't happy with it till I adjusted the backlight in the service menu. I always kinda regret not going for a bigger tele as well, but the missus said it would be too big for the room. *sigh*

I don't think you can get Panny LCDs bigger than 32 though, so if you wanted a bigger Panny you'd have to go down the plasma route. But if you have the space - go for it and whatever you do don't listen to the other half.

[EvilBoris]

By the way, what is the disadvantage of not being able to switch off 100hz?

Thank you.

the 100hz modes on many TVs create additional frames in the video displayed. Whilst this can give the appearance of a much more fluid motion it also makes lots of things look very strange.

Watching an episode of Lost will suddenly look like you are watching that reality TV show Shipwrecked.

Watching a film will often lose it's native filmy look caused partially by the framerate it was filmed at and end up looking like a CBBC drama.
Basically everything will look like it was filmed on the cameras used for your local news, it is a very strange sensation and not a desirable one.

My Toshiba's one is fairly subtle and I don't often noticing it interfering, sometimes in adverts that use slow motion or watching clips of very old black and white films they look like some kind of weird amateur parody.
I've seen plenty of Tvs on demo which make all sources look like that and it is a very undesirable thing to not be able to turn off.

I wouldn't buy ANY TV that wouldn't let me turn it off personally.

[koenshaku]

I have this set and it's brilliant apart from a little backlight bleed in the lower right-hand corner.



Might this solve the issue koenshaku?

Anyone else noticed backlight bleed on darker screens?

Unfortunately I cannot comment on backlight bleed as my set doesn't show any signs of it.
Turning down the backlight solves the problem of the over zealous dynamic contrast control which can be very irritating in night scenes etc.
It might be worth a try though mate, see if it helps. You can always change it back.

As for the 100hz issues, I've had no problems with blurring of any kind and agree with most reviews of this set saying Panasonics motion control system is spot on.

Panny also do a 37 inch lcd. Last years model let me down when I saw it in the flesh, which is why I bought the 32 inch, but the 08 model is supposed to be a blinder.
Here's a review....

http://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/review/2008/04/23/Panasonic-Viera-TX-37LZD800-37in-LCD-TV/p1

Looks well worth a bag of sand!

[EvilBoris]

As for the 100hz issues, I've had no problems with blurring of any kind and agree with most reviews of this set saying Panasonics motion control system is spot on.

It doesn't blur it though, it just makes it look weird.

[Lyris]

I have a Panasonic TX-37LXD85 sitting here for review right now, and while the motion estimation system is an improvement on last year's model (which I forget the name of), it's still pretty damaging to some animated content.

It also has a really nasty problem: undefeatable edge enhancement on 1080p sources, so even although the TV has a 1920x1080p panel, you don't get all of the detail.