6
48 HOME CINEMA CHOICE OCTOBER 2007 Grouptest... 42in TVs J VC has put a lot of store behind its D-ILA technology rear-pros, but it still knows a thing or to about LCD flatpanels. How does this £1,000 42in model rate against the competition? Design and connections Aesthetically the 42DA8BJ is… okay. The gloss black screen frame is pretty enough, but I’m not so sure about the slightly untidy and plasticky silver outer frame. Connections are a similarly-mixed bag. Two HDMIs get the JVC off to a good start, and these are backed up by a component video input, and two RGB Scarts. Plus there’s a digital audio output. However, there’s no four-pin S-Video option, and worse, no D-Sub PC input. You can use the HDMIs as PC ports, but only if you set your PC to match the screen’s 1366 x 768 resolution. Distinguishing features The most important of these is definitely DynaPix, JVC’s latest proprietary picture processing system. Elements of this system include Digital Image Scaling Technology (DIST), a sophisticated scaling system that adds in extra fine detail, especially with standard-definition sources; black level correction; noise reduction; and contrast and colour management. There’s also Digipure, which automatically ups/down contrast settings to compensate for any under/over contrast there may be in the source. Yet aside from DynaPix, the 42DA8BJ is pretty feature-light. In fact, the only final point worth mentioning is something the 42DA8BJ lacks: 1080p support. Performance Although capable of sporadically excellent pictures, the 42DA8BJ has enough problems to ultimately seem rather outclassed by much of its competition today. Where the JVC’s image is good is with bright, colour-rich material that doesn’t contain many dark areas. HD coverage of football, for instance, looks really vibrant and engaging. This is down to some well- saturated colours and lots of the brightness that so defines the LCD experience. HD images are also likeably sharp, with solid presentation of the extra fine- detailing that’s HD’s trademark. You can pick out individual coins in the vast pile of Barbosa’s gold on the Pirates of the Caribbean Blu-ray, for instance. JVC’s DIST system also helps the 42DA8BJ deliver crisper, cleaner standard- definition pictures than is common. So what are the problems? The main one is black level response. The scenes where The Bride is buried alive in Kill Bill take place behind a really quite obvious pall of greyness, to the extent that it’s often difficult to see what’s going on. Motion can also look a touch blurred, especially versus the plasma contenders SPECIFICATIONS ITEM SUPPORT DETAILS HD Ready 720p and 1080i, but no 1080p Progressive Scan Compatible with 480p and 720p Digital TV Tuner With 7-day EPG Composite video 1 phono input S-video Only via Scart Scart 2 connections (both RGB) Component video 1 input HDMI/DVI 2 HDMI PC input But only via HDMI Headphone 1 output Sound: Nicam Stereo (2 x 6W) Resolution: 1366 x 768 Brightness: 500ANSI Lumens; Contrast: 1000:1 (claimed) Dimensions: 1030(w) x 672(h) x 108(d)mm; Weight: 22.1kg Also featuring DynaPix processing; backlight brightness adjust; Digipure processing; sleep timer; child lock; Hyper sound; 3D Cinema Sound; RF attenuator Excellent Good Average Poor Colour Black Level Contrast Resolution LAB REPORT in this grouptest, and the tone of colours during dark scenes can look slightly unnatural. The 42DA8BJ’s audio performance is fine. There isn’t the same raw power and frequency range heard on higher-end JVC sets, but you can still enjoy even something as histrionic as the Con Air soundtrack without fear of distortion or tinniness. Conclusion We applaud JVC for delivering a perfectly affable 42in LCD TV bearing DynaPix processing for less than a grand. But at the same time there’s no denying – thanks in particular to a lack of black level – that it’s far from the best TV in this group test. JVC LT-42DA8BJ £1,000 (approx) 0870 3305000 0870 3305000 Overall Rating ★★★ JVC’s silver remote is easy to get used to A pair of HDMI inputs lurk above RGB Scart and component inputs HCC147.group Sec1:48 HCC147.group Sec1:48 13/8/07 16:04:46 13/8/07 16:04:46

42in TV grouptest

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Page 1: 42in TV grouptest

4 8 H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E O C T O B E R 2 0 0 7

Grouptest... 42in TVs

JVC has put a lot of store behind its

D-ILA technology rear-pros, but it still

knows a thing or to about LCD

flatpanels. How does this £1,000 42in

model rate against the competition?

Design and connectionsAesthetically the 42DA8BJ is… okay. The

gloss black screen frame is pretty enough,

but I’m not so sure about the slightly

untidy and plasticky silver outer frame.

Connections are a similarly-mixed bag.

Two HDMIs get the JVC off to a good

start, and these are backed up by a

component video input, and two RGB

Scarts. Plus there’s a digital audio output.

However, there’s no four-pin S-Video

option, and worse, no D-Sub PC input.

You can use the HDMIs as PC ports, but

only if you set your PC to match the

screen’s 1366 x 768 resolution.

Distinguishing featuresThe most important of these is definitely

DynaPix, JVC’s latest proprietary picture

processing system. Elements of this system

include Digital Image Scaling Technology

(DIST), a sophisticated scaling system

that adds in extra fine detail, especially

with standard-definition sources; black

level correction; noise reduction; and

contrast and colour management.

There’s also Digipure, which automatically

ups/down contrast settings to compensate

for any under/over contrast there may be

in the source.

Yet aside from DynaPix, the 42DA8BJ is

pretty feature-light. In fact, the only final

point worth mentioning is something the

42DA8BJ lacks: 1080p support.

PerformanceAlthough capable of sporadically excellent

pictures, the 42DA8BJ has enough problems

to ultimately seem rather outclassed by

much of its competition today.

Where the JVC’s image is good is with

bright, colour-rich material that doesn’t

contain many dark areas. HD coverage of

football, for instance, looks really vibrant

and engaging. This is down to some well-

saturated colours and lots of the brightness

that so defines the LCD experience.

HD images are also likeably sharp, with

solid presentation of the extra fine-

detailing that’s HD’s trademark. You can

pick out individual coins in the vast pile of

Barbosa’s gold on the Pirates of the

Caribbean Blu-ray, for instance.

JVC’s DIST system also helps the

42DA8BJ deliver crisper, cleaner standard-

definition pictures than is common.

So what are the problems? The main

one is black level response. The scenes

where The Bride is buried alive in Kill Bill

take place behind a really quite obvious

pall of greyness, to the extent that it’s

often difficult to see what’s going on.

Motion can also look a touch blurred,

especially versus the plasma contenders

SPECIFICATIONSITEM SUPPORT DETAILSHD Ready ●● 720p and 1080i, but no 1080pProgressive Scan ●● Compatible with 480p and 720pDigital TV Tuner ●● With 7-day EPGComposite video ●● 1 phono inputS-video ✕ Only via ScartScart ●● 2 connections (both RGB)Component video ●● 1 inputHDMI/DVI ●● 2 HDMIPC input ●● But only via HDMIHeadphone ●● 1 output

Sound: Nicam Stereo (2 x 6W)Resolution: 1366 x 768Brightness: 500ANSI Lumens; Contrast: 1000:1 (claimed)Dimensions: 1030(w) x 672(h) x 108(d)mm; Weight: 22.1kgAlso featuringDynaPix processing; backlight brightness adjust; Digipure processing;sleep timer; child lock; Hyper sound; 3D Cinema Sound; RF attenuator

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Colour ✓

Black Level ✓

Contrast ✓

Resolution ✓

LAB REPORT

in this grouptest, and the tone of

colours during dark scenes can look

slightly unnatural.

The 42DA8BJ’s audio performance

is fine. There isn’t the same raw power

and frequency range heard on higher-end

JVC sets, but you can still enjoy even

something as histrionic as the Con Air

soundtrack without fear of distortion

or tinniness.

ConclusionWe applaud JVC for delivering a perfectly

affable 42in LCD TV bearing DynaPix

processing for less than a grand. But

at the same time there’s no denying

– thanks in particular to a lack of black

level – that it’s far from the best TV in this

group test.

JVC LT-42DA8BJ£1,000 (approx) ◆ 0870 3305000 ◆ 0870 3305000 ◆

Overall Rating ★★★

JVC’s silver remote is easy to getused to

A pair of HDMI inputs lurk aboveRGB Scart and component inputs

HCC147.group Sec1:48HCC147.group Sec1:48 13/8/07 16:04:4613/8/07 16:04:46

Page 2: 42in TV grouptest

H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E 4 9

Tried&Tested...

O C T O B E R 2 0 0 7

LG’s new LCD screen is the only

TV in our group test with a Full HD

1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. But

that doesn’t automatically make it the best

of the bunch.

Design and connectionsThe 42LF66’s design is great; a really sleek

combination of high-gloss finish and

unusually slender chassis.

It’s also very well connected. Two HDMIs

lead the way, with the usual support from

component video, D-Sub PC and Scart jacks.

Then there’s a digital audio output, and the

discovery that the HDMIs will take in

1080p signals.

Distinguishing featuresThe 42LF66’s 1920 x 1080 Full HD pixel

count is, as I’ve said, unique within this

group test. And I’m pleased to say LG

backs it up with a 1:1 pixel mapping mode,

for showing HD sources without any

overscanning processing.

There certainly is some picture

processing going on, though, namely LG’s

venerable XD Engine system. The version

here is optimised for Full HD performance,

and is out to deliver its customary

improvements to colour, black level,

detailing, motion-handling and contrast.

The screen also offers separate MPEG and

standard noise reduction routines; a good-

looking claimed contrast ratio of 5000:1;

and ‘Simplink’ control via the TV’s remote of

other LG gear attached to the HDMIs.

PerformanceTo the untrained eye, the 42LF66’s

pictures probably look amazing. Colours,

for instance, are blasted out with more

vibrancy and intensity than I can recall

seeing on any flat TV before. Animated

movies like Shrek can thus frequently

look quite breathtaking, while more

‘naturalistic’ sources like The Prestige

on HD DVD also look remarkably rich

and solid.

What’s more, the intensity of the LG’s

colours doesn’t preclude either natural

skintones or some pleasing subtlety with

colour blends.

The 42LF66 scores an instant hit with its

fine-detailing, too, reproducing sharp HD

sequences like the opening space battle in

The Revenge of the Sith (recorded from

Sky HD) with exceptional ‘snap’. The sense

of sharpness is enhanced by the panel’s

crisp handling of motion.

It’s mostly downhill from here, though.

The biggest problem is that old LCD

chestnut of black level response. The

infamous ‘buried alive’ sequence in Kill

Bill catches the LG out almost as badly as

the JVC, with clear evidence of greyness

where things should look nearly totally

black. What’s more, dark areas also look

hollow thanks to a lack of shadow detail.

Elsewhere, quite a lot of noise slips into

standard-definition playback (even though

this does also look sharper than is

common with Full HD LCD TVs), and edges

occasionally looking over-stressed.

Although the 42LF66’s chassis is slender,

it still produces good volume and range

with the full-on Con Air soundtrack

– though a little more bass extension

would have sealed the deal.

ConclusionThe 42LF66 is remarkably cheap for

a 42in Full HD LCD TV, and has a flare

for the dramatic that will win it many

shallow friends. But more discerning

eyes will find all the sharpness/colour

aggression and bluster hiding a definite

flaw or two.

LG 42LF66£1,150 (approx) ◆ 0870 6075544 ◆ www.lge.co.uk ◆

Overall Rating ★★★½

SPECIFICATIONSITEM SUPPORT DETAILSHD Ready ●● 720p, 1080i, and 1080pProgressive Scan ●● 480p, 720p and 1080pDigital TV Tuner ●● with 7-day EPGComposite video ●● 1 phono inputS-video ●● 1 inputScart ●● 2 connections (1 RGB)Component video ●● 1 inputHDMI/DVI ●● 2 HDMIPC input ●● 1 D-Sub connectionHeadphone ●● 1 output

Sound: Nicam stereo (2 x 10W)Resolution: 1920 x 1080Brightness: 450ANSI Lumens (claimed); Contrast: 5000:1 (claimed)Dimensions: 1033(w) x 687(h) x 88.5(d)mm; Weight: 23kgAlso featuringXD Engine processing, 1:1 pixel mapping, TruV panel wide angle viewing,MPEG NR, standard noise reduction, black level booster, cinema mode,XD Colour processing, MAX surround sound mode, digital audio output

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Colour ✓

Black Level ✓

Contrast ✓

Resolution ✓

LAB REPORT

A dedicated PC input is a welcometouch from LG

The handset is a vast improvementover previous LG models

HCC147.group Sec1:49HCC147.group Sec1:49 13/8/07 16:04:5013/8/07 16:04:50

Page 3: 42in TV grouptest

5 0 H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E O C T O B E R 2 0 0 7

Grouptest... 42in TVs

Arguably the most consistent name

in plasma makes its traditional

talents available at by far the

cheapest price it’s ever managed. So is

there anything not to like?

Design and connectionsPanasonic has ditched the rather

uninspiring plasticky grey seen on its

previous plasma generation in favour of a

much more sophisticated all-over black.

The 42PX70’s connections unusually

exclude the two lowest-quality connection

options around, composite RCA and four-

pin S-video. But you do get two 1080p-

capable HDMIs and a component jack for

HD applications, not to mention Scarts and

a D-Sub PC port for computer use.

Distinguishing featuresAfter the relatively low contrast ratio

figures of our two LCD contenders,

it’s nice to find the 42PX70 claiming

a more reassuring 10000:1. Naturally this

is delivered with the help of Panasonic’s

tried and trusted Real Black Drive

technology, along with a new Deep

Black Filter.

Probably the 42PX70’s main feature,

though, is its V-Real 2 video processing

engine. Elements of this include digital

re-mastering for upscaling non-1080p

sources to 1080p for playback; a Digital

Optimiser that detects and removes noise

types common to digital video feeds; and

motion pattern noise reduction which

reduces false contouring during motion.

Otherwise the only thing really worth

adding is that while the 42PX70’s 1080p

talents do extend to accepting the

1080p/24Hz format, 1080p/24 pictures

oddly appear without any audio.

PerformanceAfter the slightly uninspiring efforts of our

two LCD efforts, the 42PX70’s pictures are

a breath of fresh air. Particularly gratifying

is its black level, which looks both much

deeper and much more natural than those

of the JVC and LG contenders. This

immediately helps dark scenes, like those

on the crashed alien ship in Alien, look

much more cinematic and immersive

– especially as there’s loads of subtle

shadow detailing on show.

The 42PX70’s colours aren’t as vibrant

as those of the LCD models, but they more

than compensate for this with generally

good toning and loads of expressive

subtlety. Similarly, although HD images

don’t look as ultra-sharp as with the LCDs,

they also appear less noisy and forced.

Football coverage, meanwhile, shows

the 42PX70 to be free of motion blur, and

a little daytime TV viewing soon convinces

me that the 42PX70 is unusually good

at handling standard-definition sources.

Normally I could just leave the review

here, with the 42PX70’s strengths

speaking for themselves. But today is not

a normal day, for the simple reason that

elsewhere in this grouptest is the

astounding new plasma TV from Pioneer...

SPECIFICATIONSITEM SUPPORT DETAILSHD Ready ●● 720p, 1080i, and 1080pProgressive Scan ●● Compatible with 480p, 720p, 1080pDigital TV Tuner ●● With 7-day EPGComposite video ✕ RIPS-video ✕ DittoScart ●● 2 connections (both RGB)Component video ●● 1 inputHDMI/DVI ●● 2 HDMIPC input ●● 1 D-Sub connectionHeadphone ●● 1 output

Sound: Nicam Stereo (2x10W)Resolution: 1024 x 768Brightness: No claim made; Contrast: 10000:1 (claimed)Dimensions: 1020(w) x 680(h) x 97(d)mm; Weight: 35kgAlso featuringVreal2 processing, 1080p playback, Deep Black Filter, Viera HDMIcompatibility, Sub-pixel controller, 3D colour management, Noisereduction, Owner ID security, Pseudo surround audio option

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Colour ✓

Black Level ✓

Contrast ✓

Resolution ✓

LAB REPORT

And so now I must acknowledge minor

flaws in the 42PX70’s make up. For

instance, rich reds sporadically look a touch

orangey. Also, I noticed traces of dithering

over skintones during our footy viewing

and camera pans can judder a little. Finally

there’s a visible ‘ghost’ image if you watch

off-axis caused by the Panny’s thick front

glass arrangement.

The 42PX70’s speakers, meanwhile, are

an improvement over those of the screen’s

predecessors, delivering enough power

and clarity to handle our explosive

Con Air DVD well.

ConclusionThe advances of a rival in this grouptest

have finally shown a Panasonic plasma

TV to be less than perfect. But the 42PX70

does have one last saving ace up its

sleeve: its price. At a grand it really

is one heck of a bargain, and as such

remains easy to recommend ■

PANASONIC TH-42PX70£1,000 (approx) ◆ 08705 357357 ◆ www.panasonic.co.uk ◆

Overall Rating ★★★★½

The death knell has sounded forS-video and composite here

Panasonic’s remote has had a stylebypass, but it’s easy to use

HCC147.group 50HCC147.group 50 13/8/07 16:04:5313/8/07 16:04:53

Page 4: 42in TV grouptest

O C T O B E R 2 0 0 7 H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E 5 3

Tried&Tested...

Can the first 42in model from

Pioneer’s ‘KURO’ range make the

same level of impact the brand’s

50in model did in our last issue? Somehow,

I suspect it might…

Design and connectionsThe ultra-minimal and high-gloss black

design of the PDP-428XD is an exercise in

opulent elegance.

Its connectivity is also fittingly

prodigious for what is after all a premium-

priced TV. Three HDMIs lead the charge,

receiving support from a D-Sub PC input,

component video jacks, all the usual

analogue, standard-def suspects, an RS232

input, and even a USB2 port for direct

playback of digital photos.

Distinguishing featuresThe Pioneer claims a contrast ratio of

16000:1 – the highest I’ve seen on a

plasma TV (hence the ‘KURO’ side name,

since Kuro is Japanese for black).

Delivering this black level is a quartet

of technologies. Pioneer’s unique Ultra

Black Crystal Layer ups the response

efficiency of the plasma cells; a Deep

Waffle Rib pixel structure uses unusually

high walls between cells to reduce light

seepage; Pioneer’s Direct Colour Filter

replaces the traditional thick glass front

panel with a reflection-absorbing film

alternative; and special image processing

treats dark and light scenes in completely

different ways.

Other key facts about Pioneer’s 428XD

are that it can be professionally calibrated

to your room environment by an

Imaging Science Foundation-approved

engineer, and can receive 1080p signals

in their 50, 60 and 24Hz formats. Even

better, the set can show the 1080p/24Hz

format using a 72Hz playback system

that should reduce artefacting and

image judder.

PerformanceThe 428XD produces the best picture I’ve

seen on a 42in flat TV. And here’s why.

The black level it produces really is

genuinely revolutionary (helped by an

impressive real world contrast ratio of

1700:1 after calibration). The night-time

assault on a Berlin factory in Mission:

Impossible III enjoys absolutely

immaculate blackness, with a perfectly

natural tone, bags of shadow detail, and

not a trace of the greyness that

characterises so many flat TV rivals.

Colours are also the best I’ve seen

on a flat TV, enjoying jaw-dropping

vibrancy and total naturalism. Comparing

the rich reds of the Sky News channel

logo as shown by this Pioneer with how

they look even on a screen as good as the

Panasonic 42PX70 shows the rivals’

efforts to be looking decidedly orange.

There’s also remarkable subtlety in

the screen’s colour blends, motion is

handled with complete clarity and

smoothness (especially watching

1080p/24Hz in the TV’s 72Hz mode) and

Pioneer’s processing does a regal job of

suppressing noise.

Interestingly, all of the strengths just

described combine to make the 428XD

produce remarkably sharp, detailed

pictures too – pictures that look so sharp

from the screen’s 1024 x 768 pixels that

they actually give many Full HD LCDs

a run for their money, especially when

there’s motion.

The speakers supplied with the 428XD,

meanwhile, are typical Pioneer. Which is to

say they’re really very good indeed.

ConclusionPioneer’s 428XD is frankly so clearly

ahead of the rest of the pack that if it

wasn’t for its premium price tag,

everybody else might as well just pack

up and go home ■

PIONEER PDP-428XD£1,800 (approx) ◆ 01753 789500 ◆ www.pioneer.co.uk ◆

Overall Rating ★★★★★

SPECIFICATIONSITEM SUPPORT DETAILSHD Ready ●● 720p, 1080i, and 1080pProgressive Scan ●● Compatible with 480p, 720p, 1080pDigital TV Tuner ●● With 7-day EPGComposite video ●● 1 phono inputS-video ●● 1 inputScart ●● 3 connections (2 RGB)Component video ●● 1 inputsHDMI/DVI ●● 3 HDMIPC input ●● 1 D-Sub connectionHeadphone ●● 1 output

Sound: Nicam stereo (2 x 17W)Resolution: 1024 x 768Brightness: No claimed made; Contrast: 16000:1 (claimed)Dimensions: 115(d) x 679(h) x 1040(w)mm; Weight: 29.6kgAlso featuringHD Digital Film Direct mode (24fps); HDMI CEC control; ISF C3 Ready; Ultrablack crystal layer; Direct Colour Filter 3; Active; Home gallery by USB 2.0;I-Clear Drive; Various noise reduction systems; subwoofer output

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Colour ✓

Black Level ✓

Contrast ✓

Resolution ✓

LAB REPORT

Three HDMIs and three Scarts makethis plasma connection-tastic

Obviously, the KURO remote wasgoing to be black

HCC147.group 53HCC147.group 53 13/8/07 16:04:5613/8/07 16:04:56

Page 5: 42in TV grouptest

5 4 H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E O C T O B E R 2 0 0 7

Grouptest... 42in TVs

As the cheapest contender in this

grouptest – it’s barely half the

price of the stellar Pioneer PDP-

428XD – is this Samsung also the worst?

Design and connectionsSamsung TVs are consistently among the

prettiest around, and the PS42Q97HD is a

chip off the uber-stylish old block.

Its connections will set your pulse racing

too, since they include three HDMIs. What’s

more, a dedicated D-Sub PC input means

you don’t have to sacrifice one of these

precious HDMIs to computer use, and you

get all the component/Scart/S-Video/

composite video standards.

Distinguishing featuresThe PS42Q97HD boasts a 15000:1 contrast

ratio – just 1000:1 short of the figure

quoted by Pioneer’s revolutionary KURO

screens. Helping Samsung achieve this is

the brand’s Ultra FilterBright technology,

reckoned to remove up to 90 per cent of

ambient light reflections. Plus there’s a

new Optimal Light Filter element, which

reduces light diffusion as the picture

emerges through the screen.

Next of note is a Movie Plus Mode,

which interpolates extra frames of image

to make moving objects look smoother

and sharper. Plus there’s a ‘Silhouette

Editor’ that smoothes out the PS42Q97HD’s

contour reproduction and reduces motion

noise, and a Natural True Colour system

that optimises colour tones even during

action scenes.

Finally on the processing front you get

Samsung’s Digital Natural Image engine

for further tweaking colours, contrast,

motion and sharpness.

On the negative side, the PS42Q97HD’s

HDMIs don’t take 1080p feeds – but they

are CEC-enabled for one-remote control of

any connected CEC-capable sources.

PerformanceThe PS42Q97HD is a more likeable

performer than you’ve a right to expect

for its money.

For starters, while its black level doesn’t

live up to the 15,000:1 promise (our real

world measurement rates it at 700:1), it is

nonetheless very good for a 42in TV

retailing for £950. The space backdrop to

the opening battle of Revenge of the Sith,

for instance, looks inkier and more star-

packed than I often see at this price point.

The Samsung’s pictures are also bright

despite their black level accomplishments,

and colours are vibrant, solid and mostly

naturally toned.

The pristine BD transfer of Casino Royale,

meanwhile, is reproduced with good

sharpness and solid detailing, ensuring

plenty of impact from such HD delights as

the shot of St Mark’s Square that

establishes the Venice sequence.

The PS42Q97HD is also less prone

to video noise than most budget screens,

SPECIFICATIONSITEM SUPPORT DETAILSHD Ready ●● 720p, 1080i, but no 1080pProgressive Scan ●● Compatible with 480p, 720pDigital TV Tuner ●● With 7-day EPGComposite video ●● 1 phono inputS-video ●● 1 inputScart ●● 2 connections (1 x RGB)Component video ●● 1 inputHDMI/DVI ●● 3 HDMIPC input ●● 1 D-Sub connectionHeadphone ●● 1 output

Sound: Nicam Stereo (2x10W)Resolution: 1024 x 768Brightness: 1300cd/m2 (claimed); Contrast: 15000:1 (claimed)Dimensions: 104(d) x 700(h) x 1055(w)mm; Weight: 30.6kgAlso featuringUltra FilterBright system; Silhouette Editor processing; Natural TrueColour system; black, gamma, white balance and colour space adjust;DNIe, SRS XT audio processing, game mode, home theatre PC setting

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Colour ✓

Black Level ✓

Contrast ✓

Resolution ✓

LAB REPORT

with even plasma’s common

problem with dithering over skintones

largely eradicated.

My only caveat with this TV is that you

can mess its pictures up if you’re not

careful with the settings. For instance, the

Dynamic image preset option is far too

aggressive, bringing forth otherwise

dormant noise. The Movie Plus mode

introduces a distracting shimmering effect

at the edges of moving objects, too.

The PS42Q97HD’s speakers prove more

potent and clear than those of Samsung’s

previous flat TV range.

ConclusionA typically appealing all-rounder from

Samsung that treads just the right line

between performance, design, features

and price.

SAMSUNG PS42Q97HD£950 (approx) ◆ 0870 2420303 ◆ www.samsung.co.uk ◆

Overall Rating ★★★★

Connectivity is good: there is athird side-mounted HDMI input

Samsung’s minimalist handset isvery user-friendly

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Page 6: 42in TV grouptest

O C T O B E R 2 0 0 7

Tried&Tested...

CONCLUSIONLCD technology has scored some notable successes in recent bigscreen shoot outs. But

today is just not its day, as we find both the LCD entrants occupying the bottom two

slots of our league table.

Bringing up the rear is JVC’s 42DA8BJ. We should say that under certain conditions

– ie, with really bright, colourful sources – this screen can look outstanding.

But we ultimately can’t forgive it for its fairly serious black level shortcomings.

The same problem plagues the LG 42LF66, albeit to a slightly lesser extent, meaning

that even the extreme HD sharpness delivered by its Full HD pixel count can’t lift it into our

medal positions today.

In third I’ve placed Samsung’s PS42Q97HD. This plasma TV is yet another

masterclass from the Korean brand in how to give the mass market exactly what

it wants: loads of features, good performance standards and sumptuous looks

– all for a truly budget price.

In fact, the Samsung model got dangerously close to achieving what would

before today have been unthinkable, and edging ahead of a Panasonic plasma.

But in the end Panasonic’s new aggressive pricing, together with its still very

impressive picture quality, does just enough to give the popular Japanese brand the

silver medal slot.

Cruising home to take the gold medal by a good furlong or two is Pioneer’s

PDP-428XD. When this TV arrived I had genuine concerns that it just wouldn’t be able

to justify its self-consciously premium price point. But its performance really is in a

whole different league to even that of the Panasonic, meaning that quality-obsessives

will have no hesitation whatsoever in declaring it worth every penny of its asking

price – and more ■

RATINGS1. Pioneer PDP-428XD £1,800 (approx)

Highs: Revolutionarily good pictures, lovely build quality, great features and connectionsLows: All the splendour on offer will cost you

Picture Sound Features Overall★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★

2. Panasonic TH-42PX70 £1,000 (approx)Highs: Generally excellent pictures, especially with black level; nice design great priceLows: Slightly orangey reds, can see offset image if you watch from an angle

Picture Sound Features Overall★★★★½ ★★★★ ★★★★½ ★★★★½

3. Samsung PS42Q97HD £950 (approx)Highs: Gorgeous design, outstanding value, good all-round performerLows: You need to be careful during setup, otherwise you can mess its pictures around

Picture Sound Features Overall★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★

4. LG 42LF66 £1,150 (approx)Highs: Well designed, affordable for a Full HD panel, really vivid colours, good feature setLows: Noisy standard definition pictures, tepid black level

Picture Sound Features Overall★★★½ ★★★★½ ★★★★½ ★★★½

5. JVC LT-42DA8BJ £1,000 (approx)Highs: Decent price, bright colours, good picture detailLows: No 1080p support, average black level, occasional colour tone issues

Picture Sound Features Overall★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★

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Home Cinema Choice Installer of the Year 2002, 2004, 2006

PanasonicPlasma & LCD Specialists

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