Tv Led Panasonic Tx 65fx740e Test

The Panasonic Threescore-L42ET5 is part of the brand's new ET5 range of 'affordable' 3D LED TVs which uses Passive rather than Agile Shutter 3D tech

It'due south expert to see a 42-inch Freeview Hd 3D TV that's unapologetically populist. Embracing a Primark aesthetic (affordable but on trend) and keeping a hat on avant-garde panel tech, information technology's priced to appeal to anybody looking for a big brand thinscreen with net-connectivity.

Affordable even so edgy, the 42-inch Panasonic LX-L42ET5 is clearly looking to put the squeeze on rivals like the LG 42LM640T and the 40-inch Samsung D6510. Need more or less drinking glass? The ET5 also comes in 32-, 37-, 47- and 55-inch guises. Just while value appears high, compromises take been made on performance.

Panasonic TX-L42ET5: Features

Those groovy to jump aboard the streaming Tv set bandwagon will find the ET5 a comfortable set of wheels. Take the set online integrated Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet and you'll shortly accept access to Netflix, Acetrax, BBC iPlayer, BBC News, YouTube, Fetch Tv and Dailymotion, amongst other services.

The set up will also socialise via Skype, Picasa, Facebook and Twitter (the latter while you watch the box), there's even an HTML5 browser for basic web wandering. Those that still accept spare fourth dimension tin can download games from the connected apps store (bizarrely, priced in Euros).

The Television receiver's resident USB media thespian handles virtually everything without quibble. All popular AV file formats play from USB, including FLAC and MKV. Across a network from a NAS, MKV support goes AWOL though.

Panasonic TX-L42ET5: Blueprint

Not quite as svelte as its Lx-42DT50 stablemate, the ET5 still scrubs upward well. The sleeky grey frame, edged with translucent plastic (optimistically described past Panasonic as crystal), is smart just casual, although the bezel is a relatively deep 25mm.

Panasonic TX-L42ET5: Specs

A full cadre of connections are on offer, including 4 HDMIs (one of which is ARC compliant), component & SCART via shared adaptor, Ethernet, optical digital audio out, PC and phono AV. There are also three USB ports and an SD bill of fare reader, then there's no shortage of ingress into the set.

Panasonic TX-L42ET5: Operation

Economies in applied science are clearly visible when this screen is powered upwardly. Most plainly, the set up'south movement resolution is express. Fifty-fifty with Panasonic's IFC (Intelligent Frame Creation) processor on Max image definition is limited to around 850 lines, and comes with a fair degree of smudgy move artefacts. This isn't a screen best suited to sports.

That said, the set's LED edge-lighting is actually rather proficient with just low levels of low-cal pooling close to the frame, even so blacks are more accurately dark grayness.

The TV's Passive 3D functioning also gets a thumbs-up – provided you lot view foursquare on. Mountain this TV higher up a fireplace (for instance) and its 3D images fall apart in spectacular fashion, as off-axis vertical viewing is non-real. Four pairs of polarising glasses are supplied in the box.

The screen's audio performance tin can be kindly described as functional. The 2 x 10w speakers try difficult not to offend, and largely succeed.

Panasonic TX-L42ET5: Verdict

While this ET5 may not offering of this globe performance, as a mainstream internet-enabled proffer is does a laudable job. Image quality is decent, caveats about movement clarity and black levels not withstanding, and its Passive 3D implementation works a treat.

Panasonic TX-L42ET5 availability: Available now

Panasonic TX-L42ET5 price £998 (Panasonic e-shop, £800-ish everywhere else)