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Although the TX-L32V10 isn't the best 32-inch Full HD set out there for dedicated HD movie viewing, it treats all sources with enough care to make it a worthy step-up from entry-level models.
Its 100Hz feature isn't much to get excited about and is probably best left switched off, but the TX-L32V10's keen price, delectable styling and multimedia features make this a good value high-end set that gamers, particularly, will love.
We liked
Our favourite aspect of the TX-L32V10 is its interface. Simple and well designed, Panasonic has always striven to make user-friendly sets that anyone can use.
That remains the case despite the inclusion on the TX-L32V10 of the Viera Cast internet portal; quite some achievement.
So too is the TX-L32V10's pictures, which hold up well across all sources despite a Full HD panel that can be unforgiving on similar sets. Blu-ray is well handled, as is HDTV and, in particular, HD gaming, while even DivX files are watchable.
We disliked
Performing a full calibration of the TX-L32V10 is tricky – it's just not well suited to endless tweaking, which does make it rather unsual even in the mass market.
Other slight annoyances revolve around a slight lack of contrast (blacks could be more profound, though with no LED backlighting that's no surprise), a 100Hz mode that just doesn't impress, and stingy media player capabilities that sees a lot of commonly used file types (chief among them is MP3) that are roundly ignored.
Lastly, it's speakers are on the poor side of average. Typical of the genre? Perhaps, but the rush to make ever-slimmer screens means a cable-hungry home cinema is now a must-have. So much for minimalism.
Final verdict
It may lack ultimate star quality, but this super-sharp, super value Full HD set is a worthy step-up from entry-level models.
The interfaces for Freesat and Freeview are rudimentary, perhaps, but the designers of the TX-L32V10 were obviously desperate not to over-complicate things. They've succeeded while delivering a versatile LCD TV that will suit gamers, Blu-ray owners and those wanting HDTV channel from Freesat. Roll on a Freeview HD version, which, if past experience is anything to go by, we expect Panasonic to deliver sometime in 2010.
This review was written in conjunction with:
What Video & Hi-Def TV magazine
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