Panasonic CT-32HX40 32 inch TV

In todays fast paced technology age, its impossible to keep up with all the new technology that appears, especially in the PC world. However, rapid evolving technology can be a good thing, because as equipment is mass produced price can plummet. This is where items like the Panasonic 32HX40 come in. You too can own a high performance HDTV-ready monitor at an affordable price. The list price for this set is $1899 (which is already a good deal for a digital monitor), but it can be had for as little as $1300 with some hunting (like at www.jandr.com).

Enough with the price and on with the features. This set features display capabilities like 480i(which it upconverts to 480p), native 480p, and HD 1080i. This are very important things to look for when spending over $1000 on a 32-inch set. It basically protects your investment, by insuring that it will display two of the DTV formats natively. This set has been compared to Sony's Wegas numerous times, and with good reason, it almost is a perfect clone of Sony's design ( which several other manufacturers have copied), but is still cheaper than Sony's XBR400, and outperforms any model below the XBR400. The main difference is that the Tau (aka the 32HX40) has the scan rate necessary to display DTV, and any Wega below the XBR400 does not. The other huge difference is price. 32-inch Wegas range from $1000 for the standard bare bones model, all the way up to $2000 for the XBR400. Out of all the Wegas in the 4:3 shape, only the XBR400 is in the same league as the 32HX40. That's because both set are nearly identical. Both can display 480i, 480p, and 1080i. And both sets have 3 S-video inputs, 3 composites, and 2 wideband component video inputs that can accept a progressive scan DVD player. The difference between wideband and standard found on any non-DTV set is the resolution capability and scan rates. Standard NTSC sets have a scan rate of approximately 15 Khz, as where DTVs have a scan rate of approximately 33 Khz (more than double the scan rate eliminates unsightly scan lines). I should also point out that if you ever plan on buying a superior progressive scan DVD player you'll need a set with at least 33 Khz.

The set also features a line doubler which upconverts any standard input to 480p. This works great for Satellite, DVDs, Videogames, etc. It makes the picture smooth and seamless. And to all you videogame fans out there, I should point out the the upcoming Nintendo Gamecube supports 480p (which was displayed on this set at E3 last week) that means you can actually see all 60fps of Gamecube and X-box games instead of 30fps on regular sets. 480p on games will make them much clearer, and look like what you would get off a computer monitor.

Now we move on to what you all want to know, how does the set look with HDTV? In a word, excellent. when you couple this set with a compatible DTV box, you will be treated to some stunning images. Imagine watching some HBO and Showtime movies with a picture double that of DVD and full 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. The set doesn't waste any of its resolution on Widescreen anamorphic DVDs, or HD broadcasts on black bars either because it incorporates squeeze technology like the Sony XBR400, so that all the resolution is concentrated on the picture. Very good feature to exploit DVD's full resolution (just set your player to 16:9, and let the Tau do the rest).


Ok on with some minor flaws. Flat screens like these are prone geometric distortions, in which some straight lines are not completely straight, this set is no different. This set also exibits a red push in which flesh tones are slightly too red. Fortunently, these minor flaws can be corrected via the service menu. So if you have the cash, wait a few months after you get the set, and call an ISF certified technician to optimize the picture of the set. I must also point out that, to the average buyers that these slight flaws may be unimportant because they may not be visible to them, so don't let this discourage you from buying the set.