Panasonic TUCT20 Review

Good Points
Its nice looking and compact, the power supply is separate and if this fails it's easily replaced. The setup and guide menus are clear and it has an RF modulator as well as scart output. A scart lead is included in the box. Channel change is immediate.

Bad Points
My major complaint is that my Panasonic TUCT20 squeezes certain pictures side to side, eg E4, though they sometimes alter themselves during the adverts, suggesting the box isn't recognising the aspect ratio ID codes from the program provider. Calling up teletext can be hit and miss, sometimes not appearing or appearing later on in the day! The remote has a narrow operating angle. Lipsync goes out at the slightest interference from eg moped. Box locks up completely every month or so and needs the mains plug pulling. Tuner is not particularly sensitive and needs a better aerial than my other boxes. The on screen EPG guide can also be very sluggish indeed to load and sometimes bobs out altogether.

General Comments
The Panasonic TUCT20 is a very expensive box. I paid nearly £100 from a discount store. My first box, I didn't know what to expect. I'm disappointed with freeview in general compared to analogue, the cheaper Tesco box in the kitchen doesn't lock up so much, though the remote is more sluggish. I think the Panasonic price warrants a better engineered product!