Group test: 32in LCD TVs

The 32in TV marketplace currently finds itself in the unusual position of catering for two very different types of consumer - those who want an all-singing, all-dancing set as their main household gogglebox, and those who just want something unfancy to serve as a second-room monitor. This latter 32in market is particularly on the rise right now thanks to the appearance of fewer and fewer 26in models. The result of this twin-pronged demand is that if you're looking for sheer AV variety, 32in LCD TV is the place to be, as there's never been a more extreme gap between the top and bottom of the 32in pile. To try and give you a flavour of what we're getting at here, we've rounded up four new 32in models from each extreme of the pricing spectrum: two high-end models from Philips and Sony, and two low-end models from Panasonic and Sanyo. And over the course of the article we'll be finding out which model wins its respective 'head to head', as well as trying to figure out if the supposed gap between the top and bottom of the 32in market is really as big as the PR spin-merchants would have us believe. Overview Price: £600 More info: Panasonic Size: 117(d) x 563(h) x 791(w)mm Weight (inc stand): 16kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Claimed max contrast ratio: 7000:1 Claimed max brightness: N/A Connections: Two HDMI inputs, two Scarts (both RGB), component video input, composite video input, S-Video input, D-Sub PC input, Stereo audio output, headphone jack, stereo audio inputs, CAM slot, RF input Panasonic 32LMD70 Deliberately designed to fill a gap at the bottom of Panasonic's current LCD range, it's inevitable that the 32LMD70 isn't as fearsomely well specified as the LXD70 and LXD700 models further up the brand's pecking order. But actually, considering how cheap this set now is, the specification sacrifices you have to make to save a few bob aren't nearly as severe as you might imagine. In fact, so far as we can tell the only significant 'step down' from the 32LXD70 is the 32LMD70's lack of a 100Hz processing engine, meaning that we've got to expect it not to be as assured when showing moving objects as its costlier sibling. In other ways the 32LMD70 seems reassuringly well specified, not least in its employment of the same V-Real 2 image processing engine with its focus on handling 1080p sources and upscaling lower-resolution sources to 1080p for playback; its dynamic backlight for better black level response during dark scenes; an automated colour management system; and its various noise suppression routines. Connectivity is fair, too, with two HDMIs and a PC input particularly catching our eye. In most ways the 32LMD70's picture performance comfortably outperforms the TV's relatively budget market positioning. Familiar traits of the V-Real 2 processing engine such as extremely high fine detail levels, a crisp but unforced finish to HD material, bright, vivid colours and a remarkable lack of pretty much all types of video noise all shine through in a way that shames the fuzzy efforts of many of its similarly priced rivals. Black levels, meanwhile, may not quite hit the heights of our more expensive duo in this group test, but again they comfortably pummel those of most budget models. With some clean, reasonably potent audio to accompany the generally very likeable pictures, the only negative point we found was that the lack of 100Hz processing does indeed mean that moving objects look rather blurry at times. Verdict Plus points Generally good pictures, exceptional value, plenty of features for the money Minus points We missed the 100Hz system

Overview Price: £500 More info: Sanyo Size (on stand): 210(d) x 825(w) x 622(h) Weight (inc stand): 20kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Claimed max contrast ratio: 1200:1 Claimed max brightness: 500cd/m2 Connections: Two HDMI inputs, two Scarts ( RGB), component video input, composite video input, S-Video input, D-Sub PC input, stereo audio output, headphone jack, stereo audio inputs, RF input, Digital audio output, CI slot Sanyo CE32LD81-B Our second budget contender comes from a more typically 'affordable' brand than Panasonic - but just because it has more experience in the cut-price market certainly doesn't make it the better TV. It starts off passably well, mind you, thanks to a reasonably robust finish and neat black colour scheme - plus, of course, it costs £100 less than the Panasonic. Its connections impress, too, with their inclusion of two HDMIs and a PC jack. Unlike the Panasonic model, the CE32LD81-B's HDMIs can't take 1080p feeds of the sort output by some HD disc players, but this is arguably no great shakes at this sort of size level anyway. Some concern is raised, though, by the set's claimed contrast ratio of 1200:1, which looks pretty lame versus the extravagant figures being bandied around elsewhere in this group test. And we're afraid that these concerns are entirely borne out by the CE32LD81's performance, as dark scenes in films and games are made at times quite hard to watch thanks to the way a low-contrast grey mist hangs over anything that should look black. Also slightly troubling is the lack of crispness evident while watching high definition pictures, which can leave the images more like enhanced standard definition than true HD. Sadly we're not done with our moaning yet, either, for we also have to report that colours quite often don't look entirely credible, particularly during dark scenes. In the interest of fairness we should say that the CE32LD81's performance isn't unremittingly bad by any means. Its images are quite bright for its price point, standard definition pictures look surprisingly watchable given how uncomfortable the set is with the usually easier HD, and sonically it's as good as the Panasonic, if not marginally better. But none of these positives make the CE32LD81 more than average at best. And average just isn't good enough given the company the CE32LD81 finds itself in today.

Verdict Plus points Affordable, decent build quality and connections, acceptable standard def performer Minus points General problems with black levels, HD pictures don't look sharp, colours can look peculiar

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