Panasonic TH-37PE30B Review

Overall Rating

Looks; simple to set up and use; intuitive instructions; included Freeview digital and analogue tuners; picture quality; connectivity options as standard; sensible size for the average living room.

No indication provided how to access encrypted channels; apparently doesn't support HDTV; sound good but not the greatest; future of plasma?

My wife was sceptical when I bought this TV. "Waste of money" were the words on her lips, but it didn't take her long to adapt to the fine qualities of the Panasonic TH-37PE30B, not least the fact that I was able to set up the whole system from box to viewing in less than an hour, and that included reading up about all the buttons on the remote! Auto setup works well and quickly.

Must admit to being a little uncertain about the long-term future of plasma as a format. They say a plasma screen lasts 10 years in average usage, so when HDTV becomes common currency my set may well be ready for replacement anyway.

There are disadvantages - the screen doesn't cope with rapid movement as well as CRT, for example, but for most purposes the clarity and resolution are more than ample. Indeed, the Panasonic Viera system is hugely impressive, with truly stunning contrast, brilliant lifelike colours and superb rendition, especially in progressive scan mode. The screen has plenty of options for fine-tuning the image and screen mode, most of which can be managed automatically with minimum fuss.

At present, I haven't got a surround sound system, but the integrated speakers work well in Nicam mode, albeit with the sort of limitations you would expect. Suffice it to say my wife prefers to use it at about 5% of potential volume!

The integrated Freeview tuner is splendid, though it would be nice to have an on-line process for gaining access to encrypted channels such as E4. Since I also have an NTL cable box, I was able to compare the two digital sources. Both are subject to occasional blips in transmission but the screen undoubtedly brought out the best in both options.

All in all, a terrific purchase. Just one word of caution: a 2-year warranty extension is expensive. The Panasonic option costs £550. I shopped around and saved £100, but even then it's probably a price worth paying given the cost of buying a replacement.