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Panasonic TC-37LZ800: Review

Posted to Televisions 2009-05-02

The Panasonic TC-37LZ800 TV is a really solid flat-panel. The LCD television provides full 1080p (progressive) High Definition capabilities so don't worry about whatever resolution your TV broadcast provider sends you. With 178 degree viewing angle of the of the IPS Alpha Panel, everyone will have the best seat in the house. The Improved Scene Controller (I.S.C.) and the panel contrast provide a high contrast ratio (10,000:1) and deep, rich blacks.

Three HDMI connections plus tons of input options are great for those who plan to connect several different devices to this LCD television. Feel free to connect your Xbox360, satellite receiver, Blu-ray DVD player and TiVo (plus lots more) all at once and switch easily between them.

Rating:

4.0 out of 5

Value

This Panasonic is a bit more expensive than its competitors, but most in the know believe it is worth the cost. At 37 inches it's a medium size LCD TV and while the size is not massive enough for a big media room, it would work nicely in any bedroom or medium living room. This panel is 1080p resolution and while more competitors now also provide the same, many similar sized LCD TVs are still 720p.

The screen can be a bit reflective depending on the ambient lighting in the room and the less than remote control (buttons are close together) contribute to a slight lowering of the rating value on this television; however, both are minor. I really wish these companies would realize the remote control is important to many users.

Features

The 1920 x 1080 provides this television with stunning detail when the source is high definition. The SD memory card reader is an interesting addition that allows you to directly insert your card from your camera and see your images instantly. The three HDMI inputs allows for flexibility (the third HDMI input is available on the front although it can look a bit strange with wires being harder to hide from the side). The headphone jack is a great added feature for those who enjoy watching TV at night (when the spouse is trying to sleep). The built-in 20W audio system with BBE VIVA HD3D sound performs well with fairly decent sound for a flat panel.

Summary

Panasonic has a long history making great televisions and this one belongs in that category. As Panasonic is one of the only manufacturers that make both plasma and LCD, you can usually compare them directly side-by-side in many stores and choose the one that fits your needs the best.

Pros

Multitude of inputs makes multi-device connection easy
Reliability won't be a problem here.
Full-HD resolution will take the TV well into the future.
1080p/1080i/720p/480p display capabilities

Cons

Some reflection from ambient light.