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Panasonic Pure Line TX-L37D28

Panasonic Pure Line TX-L37D28 37in LCD TV

Looks a picture

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Review Panasonic has been banging on about 3D TV for most of the last year, but has turned its attention to old good old-fashioned 2D telly once more with the Pure Line range. The company describes these models as ‘designer TVs’, which suggests they’ll be rather expensive. In fact, it seems more like an attempt to inject a little bit of designer style into the lower end of Panasonic’s product portfolio.

Panasonic Pure Line TX-L37D28

Panasonic's Pure Line TX-L37D28

Starting at around £350 for the smallest 19in model, the largest screen size available is 37in – the TX-L37D28, which is the set on test here. Panasonic doesn’t like to discuss anything as vulgar as pricing, but we found typical online prices to be around £850-£950.

At first glance, the TX-L37D28 looks as sleek and shiny as some of Panasonic’s more expensive models. However, a closer look at the silvery-grey casing – and a quick rap of the knuckles – reveals that it’s actually constructed out of rather lightweight plastic, rather than the metal and glass that we had expected. The rather chunky remote also looks like a cheap plastic toy, although I did like the large buttons, which made it easy to quickly punch in commands.

To be fair, the TX-L37D28 does still look good when you’re viewing it from a few feet away, and even if the build quality is somewhat underwhelming, Panasonic hasn’t cut corners in terms of the features on offer. Tucked around the back of the unit you’ll find tuners for both Freesat and Freeview HD, as well as four HDMI ports, two Scarts, composite and component video input, digital and analogue audio output, a CI slot, two USB ports, SD card reader and Ethernet port for Internet connectivity.

Panasonic Pure Line TX-L37D28

Interfacing options abound

Setting up is easy, as the TX-L37D28 automatically scans for both Freeview and Freesat channels when you turn it on for the first time, while the ‘Input’ button on the remote control allows you to quickly switch between the two.

Deception

Could it be argued that if shop mode omits the ads, it is intentionally deceptive?

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What?

So let me get this straight, it's cheaply built, has an annoying UI (asking for conformation when you tell it to change channel? Sounds like a deal-breaker to me) and costs £900?! That sounds like a lot of wedge for a 37", and then when you've given them the best part of a grand for a TV they have the temerity to display adverts in the UI as well? What happened Panasonic, you used to be good.

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Argh

The most annoying thing about Panasonic TVs is that it cuts off picture, sound - EVERYTHING - when you go into the EPG. Why??????????????????

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Guide Plus Adverts

Nope 0% Do not want.

If they want to advertise in my house they can pay me.

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Yes, it probably does do iPlayer

I have just bought a TX-L37D25, and that does do iPlayer, via the red button, so I am assuming that the D28 does too. I wanted a Panny as they are the only maker that builds in Freesat, and the reviews give them good marks for picture quality. I compared specs of various Panny models, and I cannot for the life of me work out what the difference is between the D25 and the D28, except the D28 comes in various strange colours (white?, purple??!). I'm very pleased with the D25 so far.

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