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Panasonic TX-L32G10B June 2010
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n www.panasonic.co.uk n £900 approx n www.techradar.co/591776
Dollhouse, courtesy Sci Fi
Tech Data Freesat only scan: 0m 16s 0
Test satellite
5 mins
Full scan, Astra 2/Eurobird: 20m 0s 0
20 mins
Common interface supports: Irdeto, Viaccess, Conax, Seca, Cryptoworks, Nagravision Power consumption: In use: 138W, in standby: 28W
Features Model: TX-L32G10B Screen size: 32in Resolution: : 1,920 x 1,080 Contrast ratio: 50,000:1 EPG: Freeview/Guideplus+ 7-day/ Freesat 7-day Tuners: 1x Freesat (SD/HD), 1x analogue UHF, DVB-T, DVB-S2 CI slot: Yes Teletext: Yes Software update: OTA HD in: 4 x HDMI, component video SD out/in: TV Scart (RGB and composite in) VCR Scart (RGB, composite), Composite, S-video AV out: 1x phonos, digital optical audio output, headphone jack AV in: 1x stereo phonos Data: D-Sub PC, SD card slot, Ethernet
Ratings PLUS
n DTT/analogue/Freesat in one TV n Good all-round pictures n Decent connectivity
Minus
n Not great for multi-satellite n No Viera Cast
Build Setup Searching Navigation Performance Features Value
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80%
Panasonic TX-L32G10B Panasonic gets further behind Freesat with this Freesat HD/ Freeview equipped LCD IDTV for under £1,000 The relatively small-screen G10 LCD range (a 37in set is also available) sits at the lower end of an extensive new Panasonic Freesat TV line-up but still has much to offer. The design doesn’t deviate that much from mid-range Panasonic TVs of recent years. It’s not especially thin and has a mostly black surround save for a fetching silver lining underneath the screen, where you’ll also find an SD card slot supporting AVC HD and JPEG playback. A row of operating buttons runs down the right side of the set; down the left sits a CI slot suitable for adding satellite or DTT (Setanta) CAMs and a row of AV sockets including HDMI. Three more HDMIs on the rear are joined by component video together with twin Scarts, both with RGB support. There are also stereo phonos and a digital audio optical output. The LNB connectors and aerial are spaced well apart but there’s no loopthrough for either. Also present are a 15-pin D-Sub input and an Ethernet port, making it compatible with future Freesat on-demand services but not the Viera Cast web TV services offered by other new Panasonic Freesat TVs. The remote sensibly has the most-used buttons (such as a large Guide button) around the central pad. Viera Link support allows you to control other HDMIconnected Panasonic devices such as recorders for synced recordings. A TV button is used to jump between analogue terrestrial, DVB (Freeview), Freesat and other satellite channels. Tuning in Freesat channels took a brisk 16 seconds and you can use the ‘other sat channels’ menu to do slower or FTA-only scans of Astra 2/Eurobird, Hot Bird, Astra 1 or ‘Any Satellite’. You can manually enter a frequency, and choose polarisation and three symbol rates: 22000, 27500 or 29500. DiSEqC isn’t supported.
2 What Satellite & Digital TV June 2009
The Freesat EPG lets you view a grid of data for channels or one at a time with programmes listed beneath. Channels can be organised by type and shows highlighted by genre and you can create a favourites list. Freeview channels get a Guideplus+ enhanced guide, allowing you to set up timed recordings, again displayed as a full-screen grid of channels that isn’t as colourful as the Freesat offering. Non-satellite channels don’t get an EPG but can be selected from a list that’s short on sorting options, although four favourites can be created. Programme info banners for all tuner sources show now-and-next data (where available) which can be toggled to show synopses. Pictures are solid, if not exceptional. Initially, colour reproduction appeared a little bright and black levels a tad dark, but switching on the Cool palette option made everything look more natural. The TV’s adjustable motion, smoothing Intelligent Frame Creation Technology, is very effective in reducing blur in fast-moving scenes. With BBC HD on Freesat HD, results were agreeably crisp, allowing us to admire details like the twig-strewn forest floor in Robin Hood. Standard-def Freesat looks a cut above Freeview, but the latter is still reasonably sharp and clear. Audio performance is punchy both from the 10W speakers and via our external system n Grant Rennell
Verdict If it’s HD satellite you’re after, you might want to go for something larger to get the full benefit. However, being easy to operate and delivering good pictures and sound, the TX-L32G10B is a fine package for the money even if it’s not all that multi-satellite viewers might have hoped for.