In what has turned out to be our most productive month yet this year, we have reviewed the Panasonic TX37LZD85 LCD HDTV which boasts a full high definition native screen resolution of 1920 x 1080, and 100Hz Motion Picture Pro MCFI (motion-compensated frame interpolation) technology.
You may be surprised by our not-entirely-positive review, especially when the Panasonic TX-37LZD85 has received 5-star awards and rave reviews almost everywhere else. The reason is simple.
Here at HDTVTest we review flat screen televisions using objective tests rather than in a subjective manner. Instead of just saying “the blacks look deep”, we measure the actual calibrated black level. Instead of just writing “rich natural colours”, we plot colour points on a CIE diagram. Instead of just noting down that there’s some motion blur, we record the motion resolution. Instead of just mentioning how good SD content looks, we run a battery of tests (including but not limited to scaling, video mode and film mode deinterlacing) to quantify the video processing capabilities of each HDTV we review. You get the idea.
However, when performing objective tests there should be a standard/ yardstick by which to judge the parameter we’re measuring. In the field of HDTVs, SMPTE (Society Of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) continues to set the industry standard, and so a number of SMPTE specifications form the basis of our calibration and picture quality assessment.
What we’re essentially saying is that the Panasonic TX-37LZD85 doesn’t quite measure up to some of our review criteria which demands an accurate image true to source without undesirable processing. To many the picture looks good; to us it may appear artificially enhanced.
And we’re honest about it, without any sugar coating. Perhaps that’s why rogue review sites can get a link from manufacturers whereas HDTVTest will never get a mention…
Quality review, damn that forced nr!
Nice comprehensive review David and your intro about staying independent from a manufacturers influence is so true. We appreciate it and will continue to support this site.
After reading this review I would interpret you conclusion as meaning this model gets a “QUALIFIED RECOMMENDATION”.
We really need a final score or phrase for comparison sake with other brands/models that have already been reviewed.
Also, do you David or Vincent have access to reviewing low tier brands of hdtv like Conia, TCL, Acer or Hisense etc?
I wouldn’t buy one myself but there are many people out there on a restricted budget who want to enter the hdtv market with one of these cheaper units.
cheers.
I agree with Geforce that a final score or a ranking would be great for all people that try to decide between different HDTVs. There a small ranking at the bottom of the main page but you only see a small amount of all tested TVs. I think it is very difficult to introduce a score or a comparison too. The way it is at the moment everyone has to judge for himself if one TV is better as another. Different people have different likes and so some prefer black levels over motion resolution and vice versa. If you give a final score you force your opinion on all readers.
Nevertheless, a great review with some improvements (bigger calibration images). I hope for the Samsung A656 as the next review.
I found this model horrendous on Freeview. The picture was like a watercolour painting with faces like “cybermen”. I tried retuning at two other friends houses, with the same results. Luckily, i managed to get a refund and may consider the Samsung A656
The freeview pic makes me feel ill !! I’m complaining to Panasonic ! I don’t expect to pay £750+ for a bit of kit that does not work properly ! However, it is only the internal Freeview tuner setup that is at fault, a signal sent from the Freeview tuner in the excellent Panasonic DMR-EX98V combi recorder via HDMI can be stunning ! The Tv handles Blu-Ray brilliantly too – however, the blacks are just not quite black enough… :-{
I bought a Panasonic 37LZD85 several months ago. What is wrong with some of you guys and calibrating a TV properly? The Freeview, expecially via the Virgin+ box, is superb, almost with the best broadcasts, up to HD. Contrast/brightness needs very careful calibration. Pictures from my Sony top end HD camcorder are like looking through a window. Colours (I am an artist) superb, flesh tones excellent. Something is wrong with some of the above reviews!
we bought this and we were very happy with it- agree the colour could ahve been better with freeview, but 7 months in and it develeoped a rattle, buzz and high sqeal noise intermittantly, after 2 engineers assessing it and changing the screen and a 4 week stay in comets lab- it was sent back to us and guess what- yep still ahve all the alwful noises heard weel above normal sound. gives me a headache trying to watch the news. I got a bit hormonal on the phone with them and finally thay have agreed to exhange it