Panasonic continues to declare to anyone who cares to listen that no matter what the LCD-loving likes of Sony and Toshiba might say, when it comes to home cinema entertainment, plasma rather than LCD is the only technology to use.
So it comes as something of a relief to find that this stance does not seem to have stopped the company's own LCD models from being really rather good. The 32LXD700A model is available for around AU$2000.
Design and Features
Probably the most useful way to start this section is by uncovering what differentiates the flagship 32LXD700A from the LXD70A models lower down Panasonic's range. Firstly, there's an SD card slot built into the TV, via which you can play back your digital photos. Secondly, the TV employs a considerably more powerful audio system, dubbed 'Smart Sound', which uses separate tweeters and woofers to boost — very effectively, as it happens — the dynamic range and sense of openness in the soundstage. However, unlike overseas versions of this TV, there are only two, and not three, HDMI ports.
The 32LXD700A also shares plenty of other intriguing features with the LXD70As, including Panasonic's V-Real 2 image processing engine. Among the many tricks up this engine's sleeves are 1080p processing, 3D colour management, automatic backlight adjustment, to help produce better black levels during dark scenes, and last but certainly not least, 100Hz processing to double the TV's frame rate in a bid to improve the clarity with which moving objects are shown.
Performance
Happily the Panasonic's 100Hz engine really works, helping the TV reproduce a good action scene — such as the truck/motorbike chase on the HD DVD of Terminator 2 — with much greater clarity than is common in the LCD world. Even better, the extra clarity and fluidity of motion is not accompanied by any significant unpleasant side effects, as can happen with rival 100Hz systems.
The set also excels with its colours, which combine rich, solid saturations with some of the most natural LCD tones around. And in terms of fine detail reproduction and sheer sharpness, the 32LXD700A is tough to beat.
On the performance side, there's only one downpoint to mention: some slightly iffy black levels. Dark scenes definitely suffer the tell-tale greyness over the blackest corners — not to a shockingly bad or even especially distracting degree, but certainly more so than with the best of the TV's rivals.
Our other 'complaint' is that while the added features of the LXD700A over the LXD70A range are all worthwhile to the right person, it's entirely possible that many of you might not actually need them. If you're not into viewing digital photos on your TV or you're happy just using the AV lead supplied with your camera, you don't need the LXD700A's SD card slot. And finally, if you've got some sort of external home cinema audio system, you don't need the LXD700A's more powerful speakers.
In other words, it's entirely possible that for some of you at least, saving a few bob and getting the LXD70A instead might be the sensible option.
Conclusion
Panasonic's flagship 32-inch LCD TV proves that while the brand might openly prefer plasma technology, it's certainly no mug with LCD. In fact, there are few 32-inch rivals out there to touch it, at AU$2,000. But we urge you to think carefully before you buy a 32LXD700A nonetheless, for it might just be that a cheaper 32LXD70A will serve you just as well.
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ShaneP
04/12/2008, 12:18 PM
rating
6/10
We bought one of these last December, the reviews on this site were part of why.
Pros: love the picture BUT
Cons: it has really bad motion flow, didn't realise that it was so bad until I saw other brands recently. I think the 100Hz processor isn't working.
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BlueDog
29/04/2008, 07:14 AM
rating
7/10
If you want one of theses TV's shop watch out for cheap prices. I just purchased a new one for $998.
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SprooseMoose
11/03/2008, 04:54 PM
rating
9/10
the review is incorrect; The 700 has 100hz, whilst the 70 is 50hz. three different salesmen confirmed this to me on the weekend.
fantastic t.v! regarded as the best 32 inch lcd.
Pros: - 100 Hz
- excellent picture quality
Cons: - (slightly) dodgy black-levels
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tonto
17/02/2008, 11:59 AM
rating
9/10
Bought yesterday... From GoodGuys for $1320 to beat a quote of $1330 from Clive Peters. Great value for a great TV
Pros: great picture and sound. Lots of features
Cons: None worth mentioning
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chike
16/02/2008, 05:40 AM
rating
9/10
outstanding picture of HD,the best 32" LCD TV,hard to beat,.
Pros: superb picture and sound
Cons: none
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hamilton
08/02/2008, 11:17 AM
rating
8/10
Alex Jennings review of 2/11/07 suggests that both the 700 and the 70 have 100 Hz technology.Panasonic says the 70 model is 50 Hz.Can he please confirm .Thanks
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melkins
19/12/2007, 11:48 AM
rating
9/10
This model was also Choice Magazine's winner in their 80cm LCD Televisions test, with the 70A version coming in second place, and it is Australian Smarthouse magazine's "Best LCD TV Under 36" in their "Best of the Best Awards 2008". Bing Lee is quoting $1,599 over the phone with many units in stock, which is lower than shopbot.com.au is finding.
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Pez
16/12/2007, 07:41 PM
rating
10/10
Bought it a week ago, very happy so far. Good sound, good picture (motion flow!) and solid build quality. Paid $1320.
Pros: Many features.
Cons: Not full HD.
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ashley_forde
08/12/2007, 08:44 PM
rating
9/10
Upgraded from a 32cm CRT that is 15 years old. Ha!
Pros: Very clear crisp picture.
Cons: Backlight changing is noticible in dark rooms.
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robertrobert
23/11/2007, 05:38 PM
rating
8/10
Rating LX700 version which sounds identical to the 700A version in other countries.
Pros: Great detail in picture quality with both SD and HD content.
Cons: I notice blacks and grays are hard to produce as was noted in reviews. It almost seems a little blotchy at times since the LCD has a hard time producing the darker shades.
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