Panasonic's 37PX80 HDMI connections are in fact v1.3.

This info comes from Panasonic themselves who say that ALL Pana T.V's this year are v1.3.

Please correct your article. 

As a matter of fact, the situation regarding the PX80 range's HDMI connections is rather more complicated than you think.

For while the 37PX80's HDMIs are indeed, technically, v1.3s, they cannot actually handle the majority of features associated with normal v1.3 HDMIs.

As a result, as you will see from the email below that I received from Panasonic on April 17th (in answer to a question I addressed to them before I wrote this article), they actually didn't feel comfortable with the HDMIs being called HDMI v1.3s, as they thought it would be misleading to consumers. 

"Hi John

The HDMI's are v1.3 but at the same time we do not support all features so we cannot actually say that it is v1.3.

Sorry for the confusion, do let me know if you have any queries.

Kind Regards

Stephanie Jell
PR Assistant"

Hope this clears this one up!

Hello John

Thanks for a great review.

 I am so glad that you think the sound is fine as I have read a few people say the sound isn't good? Are these just techies who want full surround sound do you think?

I have a Panasonic 32LXD700 and, for me, the sound is great and I am worried that the 37PX80 sound won't be as good?

Would appreciate your thoughts on this please? I just want good, clear and 'full' sound so I won't need the expense and faff of a separate sound system.

Liz 

Hi Liz

Although the 37PX80's sound is considerably better than last year's PX70 range, and so can be considered adequate for most living room, it certainly does not sound as good as the 32LXD700 that you've been used to.

This is because the LXD700s use Panasonic's Advanced Smart Sound system, which separates out the tweeters and woofers to deliver a markedly bigger, richer and more dynamic sound.

As a result of your ears having been 'spoiled' by how good your 32LZD700 sounds, if you can afford it you might be better going for Panasonic's new 37LZD800 37in LCD TV, which has just been launched. I've seen - and heard! - this TV, and it's very good.

 Strangely Panasonic has decided not to release a 'PX800' range of plasma TVs with Advanced Smart Sound. The only plasma models to feature this sound system are the 'full HD' PZ800 range, and these are only available in 42in and 50in sizes.

 Hope this helps.

 John

Thanks John but I don't really want another LCD as I have problems with the backlight on the one I have. Also I won't have room for it as it much wider than the Plasma.

Can you recommend a sound system which would improve the sound on the PX80 and make it as good as the 32LXD700?

I actually turned off the SRSTrusurround on the LCD and didn't notice a huge difference so does this mean I may actually like the sound on the PX80?

Thanks!

Liz 

I personally always turn SRSTruSurround off on any TV I test, as 99 times out of 100 I find it sounds worse than plain stereo on a TV.

 There are definitely some good quality '2.1' sound systems available (although these aren't really in my area of expertise), that would mean you just having left, right and subwoofer speakers in your room, without rear speakers. There are also some good 'soundbar' audio systems whereby a single bar you fix beneath your TV takes over sound duties.

 On the sound bar front, Yamaha's Sound Projectors are pretty good value options - though you're probably looking at around £300 even for the low-end YSP-500.

 So for me your best bet is to actually try a 37PX80's sound in a shop to see if you find it good enough. My suspicion is that you probably will, but I'd hate to say that for sure given that you're clearly more on the ball in audio terms than most people!

John

Ok thanks ever so much for your help John.

Here's hoping the sound on the PX80 will be fine as it would save a lot of hassle.

Liz 

I am planning to build a home theatre PC and will need to make the move from our current Sony CRT TV to a flat screen.  I'm torn between Panasonic's LCD 37LZD80, which has full HD and the PX80.  I'll be using a separate sound system, so the main issue is the picture.  As well as using it as a TV, via the PC's TV card, we will also be using it for web surfing etc and to display our holiday pics - would an LCD screen be better for this?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Peter