Super test: 37in LCD TVs

With 32in LCD TVs just starting to look too small in many people's living rooms these days, especially as their slimness allows them to be pushed back right against the wall, there's a real rush of consumers looking to the next size up: 37in. As a result, manufacturers are pretty much falling over themselves to serve up 37in TVs to satisfy the new demand - so much so that we had no problems at all rounding up eight current models to pitch against each other for a king-sized group test. The other good news is that as 37in increasingly becomes the biggest TV battleground, the prices for 37in TVs are getting more competitive almost by the day, to the point where in our opinion they're now offering consistently better value for what you're getting than 32in models. In fact, the only bad thing about all the 37in competition out there is that with so many models available, picking the best one can be tricky. Which is, of course, where we come in… Overview Price: £600 More info: Acer Size (on stand): 944(w) x 692(h) x 261(d)mm Weight (inc stand): 24kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Claimed max contrast ratio: 1200:1 Claimed max brightness: 450cd/m2 Connections: Two HDMI inputs, component video input, two Scarts (both RGB), composite video input, VGA PC input, stereo audio input, analogue tuner input, PC audio input Acer AT3720 As immediate proof of the point we raised in the introduction about 37in TVs being great value, Acer kicks off this group test with a model costing the astonishingly small sum of £600. Perhaps inevitably the AT3720 is hardly the most glamorous TV in town, looking pretty cheap in its flimsy, plastic body work. But connectivity puts a smile back on our face by impressively including two HDMIs and a dedicated PC port alongside the typical component video and Scart options. In terms of features, the AT3720 is the proverbial mixed bag. On the plus side it's HD Ready (with a native resolution of 1366x768) and can even take high-end 1080p HD feeds via its component jacks. On the downside it only has an analogue tuner, and strangely the HDMI sockets can't take 1080p - just the usual 1080i/720p. Still, having any 1080p compatibility at all is remarkable at this price point. The AT3720's lowly price sadly requires you to swallow some bitter performance pills. First, the set really isn't very good at all with standard definition tuner pictures, making them look mushy and unclear, especially where motion is involved. Colours, too, aren't as natural in tone as we'd like, even during HD viewing, and they also look a touch muted during dark scenes. Dark scenes reveal another flaw too: very average black level response that sees dark areas being rather flattened and lost under a grey veil. Pictures are at least sharp and detailed with high definition sources, and during bright scenes colours throw off their shackles and actually look endearingly vibrant. But with the TV's speakers also failing to inspire us thanks to an occasionally almost painful lack of frequency range, the AT3720 is ultimately a perfect example of only getting what you pay for. Verdict Plus points Startlingly cheap, good connectivity, bright HD scenes look okay Minus points No digital tuner, colour and black level issues, poor standard definition performance, average audio

Overview Price: £800 More info: Hitachi Size: 934(w) x 647(h) x 106(d)mm Weight (inc stand): 27kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Claimed max contrast ratio: 800:1 Claimed max brightness: 500cd/m2 Connections: One HDMI input, Two Scarts (1 RGB), Component video input, Composite video input, S-Video input, stereo audio inputs, RF input, PC D-Sub input, stereo audio output; Subwoofer line out; headphone jack Hitachi 37LD8600 Although still a strong supporter of plasma technology for screen sizes of 42in or more, Hitachi has frequently proved anything but half-hearted about using LCD for smaller screens. So we have high hopes for the 37LD8600 - especially as it's a potential bargain at £800. Unlike the Acer contender, this Hitachi certainly doesn't look cheap thanks to its cool black and grey finish. But it does slightly blot its copy book by only providing a single HDMI socket. This is at least supported, though, by a PC jack, component video jack, subwoofer line out, and all the other basic TV essentials. But the rollercoaster ride takes another downturn with the discovery that the 37LD8600 doesn't have a built-in digital tuner, or any version of Hitachi's acclaimed Picture Master technology for improving picture quality. And its claimed contrast ratio is worryingly low at 800:1. Thankfully the 37LD8600's pictures turn out better than we might have expected. Particularly surprising is how sharp and detailed they look, especially while showing high definition but also to some extent with strong standard definition sources like a DVD player. What's more, this sharpness isn't besmirched by either grain or motion smearing noise.Colours are bright and appealing too, as well as containing some decently subtle blending, and the TV's sonics are robust. There are two cracks where the £800 price tag shines through however. First, black levels are a touch shallow, and second, while good quality standard definition pictures bear up well on the 37LD8600, some images from its analogue tuner can push the set out of its comfort zone and into some odd colour decisions and motion blur.

Verdict Plus points Attractive price, decent pictures overall, attractive design Minus points No digital tuner, black level issues, only one HDMI socket

Overview Price: £1,000 More info: JVC Size: 800(w) x 591(h) x 244(d)mm Weight (inc stand): 17.9kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Claimed max contrast ratio: 800:1 Claimed max brightness: 500cd/m2 Connections: Two Scarts (both RGB); HDMI input; Component video input; S-Video input; Composite video input; Stereo audio inputs; Stereo audio output; RF jack; D-Sub PC port; Common interface slot; PC audio input; Headphone jack JVC LT-37DR7 JVC has very much positioned the 37DR7 as a budget model. Which is great except for the fact that at £1,000 it's £200 more expensive than our Hitachi contender, and £400 more than the Acer. Still, with neither of those screens performing particularly well, there's still room for the 37DR7 to make its mark. It certainly doesn't look very special though, pretty much epitomising drabness with its plasticky silver finish. And it let's itself down too by only supplying one HDMI socket. Other connections brighten our mood, however, as we find a PC input, a component video input and a CI slot that indicates the presence of a digital tuner. Yee and, indeed, ha. Also raising a smile is the provision of JVC's DynaPix image processing engine, which includes elements targeted at automatic colour management; MPEG noise reduction to clean up grubby digital broadcasts; and the addition of extra image detail. Happily, thanks to DynaPix the 37DR7's pictures are generally superior to those of our previous two TVs. Colours are the JVC's greatest claim to fame, as they achieve superb levels of intensity and brightness without losing their grip on naturalism while showing subtler colours like skin tones. DynaPix is also evident in the picture's outstanding sharpness, with every pixel of HD sources getting the full treatment, and even good quality standard definition pictures looking crisp. We're definitely not talking picture perfection, though. Dark parts of the picture tend to suffer a distracting blue overtone, and the otherwise very good DynaPix system does break down rather with very poor quality standard definition sources. You have to be careful with some of the TV's settings, too - especially a contrast booster called 'Super Digipure' - or else the picture suddenly becomes quite rough. The JVC's sound, meanwhile, is solid - which is more than acceptable for £1,000.

Verdict Plus points Attractive price, excellent sharpness and colours, digital tuner Minus points Blue tones to black level; only one HDMI

Overview Price: £1,000 More info: Yamaha Size: 1046(w) x 594(h) x 125(d)mm Weight (inc stand): 30kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Claimed max contrast ratio: 1600:1 Claimed max brightness: 500cd/m2 Connections: 2 HDMI inputs, Component video input, Composite video input, Stereo audio inputs, Stereo audio output, Digital audio output, CAM slot, RF input, Three Scarts (one RGB, one DTV out), D-Sub PC input, PC audio input, Remote control jacks, RS-232C jack, S-Video input, remote control in/out LG 37LB1BD This LG proves that you don't have to be ugly if you're cheap. For although at £1,000 it can justifiably be considered a budget model, it's actually one of the prettiest TVs around thanks to its glossy black finish, unusual cubic pedestal mount, and really quite delicious trick of showing which input you're watching via a row of white LEDs along the 'cube's' top. Sweet.It's also well connected, with twin HDMIs and three Scarts leading the way, backed up by all the usual PC/component/S-Video stalwarts. More good news comes with the discovery of a built in digital tuner, and LG's XD Engine image processor. This comprises multiple elements focused on improving colour tone and saturation, fine detail, motion handling, and black levels. Although not perfect, the 37LB1BD's pictures are arguably the best in this group test so far. With high definition, in fact, there's really nothing majorly bad to report at all. Colours get things off to an eye-catchingly good start, combining (at times almost scarily) extreme vibrancy with a solid appreciation of the subtler things in the colour palette. Fine detail and sharpness levels are also very high with HD, and black levels are deeper and richer than with any of our previous three contenders. This all adds up to an HD picture with plenty of dynamism and solidity - especially as there's less smearing during motion than we'd expect to see on such an affordable 37in LCD. With a potent, reasonably rich sound performance to join the lovely HD pictures, there's only one thing about the 37LB1BD that stops us giving it an unreserved recommendation - its standard definition performance. With all but the most pristine standard def images the picture can become soft, smeary and generally rather unnatural.

Verdict Plus points Good price, great design, excellent connections and features, very good HD pictures Minus points Not the best with standard definition

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