As plasma TVs' most
vocal advocate, with enormous plasma production facilities to back up
its beliefs, it's no surprise that Panasonic has been slower than most -
well, everyone, really - when it comes to fully embracing LCD as a
worthwhile TV technology.
Sure, there have been LCD models in
Panasonic's TV range for a few years now. But they've invariably been
limited in size and scope, with plasmas making up the entirety of
Panasonic's big screen, home cinema enthusiast offering.
This
year, though, it's all change. Panasonic's 2012 LCD television range is
not only as expansive in terms of numbers as its plasma one, but it also
includes screen sizes all the way up to 55 inches, and some genuinely
flagship-status offerings full of high-level features, design flourishes
and picture technology.
The
42-inch Panasonic L42WT50 is one such flagship proposition - a status
it wears right out there on its sleeve, thanks to a gorgeous glass and
metal design and a bezel so slender it wouldn't look out of place on one
of the LG or Samsung's high-fashion models.
This is a big
aesthetic leap for a brand that as recently as last year generally
resided in the 'slightly bland' category for its TV designs.
Inside
the Panasonic TX-L42WT50, meanwhile, is a dual-core processor system
used to both drive Panasonic's most powerful picture processing engine
yet - complete with local dimming for the Edge LED lighting system - and
deliver some extra convenience features, including some welcome
multitasking when using the set's expansive multimedia features.
The
L42WT50's UK price is £2,195 (around $3,460) and is partnered in
Panasonic's range by bigger brothers the 47-inch L47WT50 and 55-inch L55WT50.
Just below the Panasonic WT50 TVs you can find the DT50 televisions - including the Panasonic L42DT50 and L47DT50
- available in the same sizes, but lacking the dual-core processing and
thus getting neither Panasonic's top-level picture processing nor the
L42WT50's multitasking features.
The WT50 TVs also ship with two pairs of 3D glasses included, while you don't get any with the DT50 series.
In terms of the Panasonic TX-L42WT50's competition, the obvious candidates are the Samsung ES8000 series and Sony HX853 series - both of which have already reviewed well, and so could present the Panasonic TX-L42WT50 with some pretty stiff competition.
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