Group test: HDTV-ready LCD screens

Overview: Price: £2,000 Website: www.jvc.co.uk Screen size: 32in Aspect ratio: 16:9 Widescreen Panel: W-XGA Resolution: 1366x768 Video connections: HDMI, component, 2x Scart, S-Video, composite, PC Progressive scan: PAL/NTSC Audio connections: 2x phono in, phono out Additional features: IDTV, CAM card slot, PIP, 3D sound Size: 611x808x225mm Weight: 20kg Plus points: Well equipped; attractive design; easy to use Minus points: Overpriced; images universally affected by digital disturbances

JVC 32DS6BJ

As the most expensive TV in the test, JVC's 32DS6BJ is already under pressure to produce a peerless performance that proves it's worthy of its inflated price tag.

An attractive design featuring a familiar glossed black frame underscored by a four-speaker system that frees space around the screen certainly gives the JVC an aesthetic edge. And, there's no shortage of features with all the HDTV requisites - high resolution panel and HDMI digital input - in attendance and accompanied by both analogue and digital terrestrial TV tuners to help bide your time before Hi-Def broadcasts arrive. Impressive, but the remaining screens share similar specifications - so what more do you get for your extra outlay?

Well, menus are beautifully presented, easy-to-use and boast a variety of advanced picture and sound settings that are absent in other screens. And the remote is stylized, not just a piece of indistinct plastic. But, surely that doesn't account for such a massive price difference. So it must be the performance, right?

Sadly, no. While the JVC performs on a par with most of its peers, it doesn't embarrass them in a way the price suggests it should. Digital broadcasts are bold and brightly coloured, but a bit blocky too. Watching DVDs using HDMI gives you an idea of the image quality on its way, featuring imposing detail and almost tangible contrast. But, complex scenes are also affected by a smattering of noise and occasionally staggered movement that stumbles further when using enabling analogue connections.

So, the JVC 32DS6BJ is a fully fitted, user-friendly TV that comes close to class-leading performance but costs £500 more than it has a right to.

Overview: Price: £1,500 Website: www.loewe-uk.com Screen size: 32in Aspect ratio: 16:9 Widescreen Panel: W-XGA Resolution: 1366x768 Video connections: HDMI, component, 2x Scart, S-Video, composite, PC Progressive scan: PAL/NTSC Audio connections: 2x phono in, phono out, coaxial digital in/out Additional features: CRX Speaker System, PIP Size: 480x810x230mm Weight: 18.5kg Plus points: Beautiful build quality and design; equipped to the eyeballs; premier picture performance Minus points: Fussy functionality

Loewe Concept L32

Loewe screens usually guarantee two things - ultimate aesthetics attached to an elevated price. But, while this design of the Concept L32 is seriously stylish, the price isn't unreasonable - especially when you see the picture performance.

Build quality is something special, featuring a platinum-finished surround flanked by a superior CRX speaker system and a true metal stand that stares at you through Loewe's trademark 'infrared eye'. Like the others the specification is HDTV-ready and digitally connected for both sound and vision. And UK models will now be equipped with an integrated digital tuner that was previously an optional extra.

Loewe prefer to do things differently and the L32's linear menu guide may be easy on the eye but it favours flair above user-friendly functionality. And the tall, tapered remote also takes a little getting used to. But picture quality means you'll happily ignore such complaints.

Video images, especially using HDMI, are immediately striking with wonderfully vivid colours, outstanding detail, depth and density that take the prize for pure performance. A few digital artifacts are occasionally unearthed but that's more a criticism of the technology than the screen. Analogue broadcasts are subject to reception and can appear coarse but digital performance improves dramatically with naturally balanced colours and solidly defined edges. And sound quality is also a cut above what you'd expect from typical TV speakers.

The Concept L32 is a style product that's also capable of an all round performance that puts other screens to shame.

Overview: Price: £1,200 Website: www.samsung.com/uk Screen size: 32in Aspect ratio: 16:9 Widescreen Panel: W-XGA Resolution: 1366x768 Video connections: HDMI, component, 2x Scart, S-Video, composite, PC Progressive scan: PAL/NTSC Audio connections: 2x phono in, phono out Additional features: SRS TruSurround XT, PIP, brightness sensor Size: 650x797x249mm Weight: 17.7kg Plus points: Competitive price; impressive specification on paper Minus points: Can't match class-leading performance in practice

Samsung's LE32R41B occupies a place at the other end of the price spectrum but the difference separating the screens in price is greater than the marginal difference in performance and features - making it great value for money.

In fact, the on-paper specification even eclipses some of the more expensive screens in this test. You get the same high-resolution panel, equipped for HDTV with a complete set of connections including HDMI and component inputs that support progressive scan video. And, terrestrial TV broadcasts can be watched from a pair of integrated analogue and Freeview digital tuners. But there are also a few additional features that you won't find as standard elsewhere - such as a brightness sensor that automatically adjusts picture settings according to ambient light and an SRS (Sound Retrieval System) sound system that attempts to recreate surround sound from two speakers.

Small features perhaps but, along with a striking design and some stunning menus featuring all sorts of advanced adjustments, the Samsung belies its cut-price beginnings. But can it perform in practice as well as it does on paper?

In TV terms, it can. Digital broadcasts outperform their analogue understudies and, aside from occasional speckling, images are strongly defined and stable with evenly balanced colours. However, there's a greater divide in DVD performance compared to class leading screens. HDMI images are impressive with plenty of detail and perspective but natural colours lack a little lustre while slow panning movement sometimes stutters. And using analogue connections softens detail and sees the emergence of more picture noise.

There are better performing screens around than the Samsung but not many with the same performance to price ratio making it a bargain if budget is an issue (and isn't it always?).

Overview: Price: £1,400 Website: www.sony.co.uk Screen size: 32in Aspect ratio: 16:9 Widescreen Panel: W-XGA Resolution: 1366x768 Video connections: HDMI, component, 2x Scart, S-Video, composite, PC Progressive scan: PAL/NTSC Audio connections: 2x phono in, phono out Additional features: IDTV, CAM card slot, Virtual Dolby Surround, Picture Freeze Size: 608x792x309mm Weight: 20kg Plus points: Attractive; easy to use; enviable performance Minus points: Basic specification

Sony has a sixth sense for style and its latest entry-level LCD TV has it in understated abundance, but the performance proves it's more than just a pretty panel.

As part of Sony's inexpensive S range, the KDL-S32A12U supposedly offers an ideal introduction for anyone switching from CRT to a slim screen. Traditional TV users may still find performance flaws but can take solace in the set's future-proof functionality. Like the other screens, the Sony features a W-XGA panel that's HDTV-ready and equipped with a HDMI digital video connection. And there's also a pair of analogue and digital tuners, especially important as plans to switch over to entirely digital broadcasting begin next year.

Usability is another Sony hallmark and the relatively standard range of settings makes it even simpler. On screen menus are beautifully presented, channels automatically tuned and the uncluttered, style-conscious remote won't confuse. So there's points for appearance and attributes but proof of performance lies in the picture.

Analogue TV performance is initially unsettling, appearing behind a blur of picture noise. But doing things digitally promotes a vast improvement by producing sharp, solid images with comparatively less shimmer than most LCD sets. When HDTV arrives performance will improve again, especially if HDMI images are anything to go by. The picture is immaculately clean with deep blacks deploying an incredible amount of detail and three-dimensional contrast while neutrally balanced colours are exciting if they need to be. And there's less of a decline in picture quality than you might expect using progressive scan analogue connections.

Simple specification but attractive styling, fuss-free functions and excellent digital performance make the Sony a serious class-leading contender.