Panasonic TC-L32X2 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV with iPod Dock Review

Great picture out of the box, even from extreme angles; so far I’ve only upped the brightness. When I get some time, I’ll use “Video Essentials” to set everything correctly. My wife claimed that the previous TV looked fine to her; after two days with this TV she commented that the picture was really clear. She was watching “Sex and the City” on Showtime HD and said it was so clear that she could see all the details in one of Carrie’s jackets, when before she thought it was all black. She also commented on the detail in A Bug’s Life on DVD.

For me the test was Breaking Bad on AMCHD, and although the show’s palette tends toward dark and greenish, it’s far better than the Sylvania I replaced. After having watched an episode of Cougar Town, however, I’m beginning to believe that broadcast TV is a crapshoot in terms of proper color balance. DVDs are far more consistent. Speaking of which, I want to revisit a lot of my favorite movies now that I can watch them on a bigger, wider, clearer screen than I’ve ever had before.

My wife absolutely loves the iPod dock and the ability to control the iPod with the TV remote; I’d love it if my album artwork showed up on the screen. Sound levels from the built-in speakers seem anemic, but since this TV will eventually go into the bedroom, I’ll live with it. That brings me to my one major beef about the set: Although it has three HDMI inputs and various other component/composite inputs, it has no external RCA output (only optical and Viera Link, whatever that is), so I can’t hook it up to either my non-optical receiver or my wireless headphone transmitter.

Overall, though, I’m very happy with this purchase, and will definitely consider a Panasonic Viera for our next (bigger, higher-resolution) HDTV. What blows my mind is that this TV cost about the same as my 25″ RCA did back in 1992. For what it’s worth, I took the RCA to Goodwill; as far as I know it’s still alive and kicking.

Panasonic TC-L32X2 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV with iPod Dock Feature

• Universal Dock for iPod
• Viera Image viewer for Photo viewing
• IPS LCD Panel

Panasonic TC-L32X2 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV with iPod Dock Overview

Panasonic TC-L32X2 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV with iPod Dock

Panasonic TC-L32X2 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV with iPod Dock Specifications

Offering excellent picture performance, Panasonic’s 32-inch VIERA TC-L32X2 LCD HDTV provides 720p high-definition imagery and includes a Universal Dock for Apple iPod, which enables you to control and play music and video directly from your iPod or iPhone through your VIERA HDTV. This X2 series model also features 24P Playback function for superb imagery from 24-frame movies on DVD and Blu-ray Disc, Game Mode for faster image response while playing immersive 3D games, a 20,000:1 contrast ratio, and an improved panel with In Plane Switching (IPS) for an ultra-wide viewing angle and higher moving picture resolution that results in clear, bright images.

This and other models in the X2 line offer Panasonic’s VIERA Image Viewer feature, which enables you to play slideshows of JPEG images stored on SD memory cards, as well as the VIERA Link feature for controlling a variety of compatible components–from Blu-ray Disc players to digital cameras–through a single remote.

Adhering to Panasonic’s commitment to the environment, this VIERA model–as well as all 2010 models–features improved power consumption and meets the new, more stringent Energy Star 4.0 requirements.

Key Features

In Plane Switching (IPS): The latest iteration of Panasonics IPS LCD panel features excellent light transmittance and a wide viewing angle. The wide 178-degree viewing angle–both horizontally and vertically–ensures clear images even when viewed from an angle. And the panel backlight’s wide transmission aperture enhances the contrast between light and dark, improving motion-image response.   Game Mode: With Game Mode, quicker image response increases the enjoyment of video games when a game console is connected to the TV. What’s more, VIERA produces the dark images in video games more clearly. This mode works with the anti-image retention (wobbling) function, too.   VIERA Link: Allows the interlinked operation of various AV devices–from DVD and Blu-ray Disc players to home theater sound systems to digital cameras and camcorders–using only the VIERA remote control by simply connecting the devices to each other by an HDMI cable (see pop-up illustration).

Panasonic’s VIERA X2 series LCD HDTV. iPod Entertainment Kit: With the included Universal Dock for iPod, you can control playback of the music and video stored on your Apple iPod or iPhone directly through your VIERA HDTV via the remote control and intuitive onscreen menu system (see more about iPod/iPhone compatibility).   VIERA Image Viewer: View full-HD images with the integrated SD card slot, enabling you to view JPEG photos captured from your digital camera or camcorder on the big screen. Navigate your images via an easy-to-use thumbnail display.

Key Specifications

What’s in the Box

Panasonic X2 series LCD HDTV, removable stand, remote control (with batteries), operating instructions

Panasonic 2010 VIERA Plasma and LCD Comparison

Series:	G25 Plasma	S2 Plasma	U2 Plasma	C2 Plasma	U22 LCD	X2 LCD	C22 LCD
Models:	TC-P54G25 54″ TC-P50G25 50″ TC-P46G25 46″ TC-P42G25 42″	TC-P65S2 65″ TC-P58S2 58″ TC-P54S2 54″ TC-P50S2 50″ TC-P46S2 46″ TC-P42S2 42″	TC-P50U2 50″ TC-P42U2 42″	TC-P50C2 50″ TC-P46C2 46″ TC-P42C2 42″	TC-L42U22 42″ TC-L37U22 37″ TC-L32U22 32″	TC-L37X2 37″ TC-L32X2 32″ TC-L22X2 22″	TC-L37C22 37″ TC-L32C22 32″
VIERA Cast		—	—	—	—	—	—
VIERA Image Viewer	(AVCHD, MPEG2, JPEG)	(JPEG)	(JPEG)	(JPEG)	(JPEG)	(JPEG)	(JPEG)
VIERA Link	webcam capable
NeoPDP Panel			—	—	—	—	—
THX Display		—	—	—	—	—	—
Contrast Ratio	Infinite Black	Dynamic: 2,000,000:1	Dynamic: 2,000,000:1	Dynamic: 2,000,000:1	Dynamic: 20,000:1	Dynamic: 20,000:1 22″: 15,000:1	Dynamic: 18,000:1
Moving Picture Resolution	1080 lines	1080 lines	900 lines	720 lines	—	—	—
Anti-Reflective Filter			—	—	—	—	—
Display Capabilities	1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p	1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p	1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p	720p, 480p	1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p	720p, 480p	720p, 480p
600Hz Sub-field Drive					—	—	—
120Hz	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Game Mode				—	—		—
Speakers	2; 20W total	2; 20W total	2; 20W total	2; 20W total	2; 20W total	2; 20W total 22″: 6W	2; 20W total
Surround Sound
HDMI input	3 (1 side)	3 (1 side)	3 (1 side)	2	3 (1 side)	3 (1 side) 22″: 1	2
Component input (Y, PB, PR)	2	2	2	2	1	1	1
Composite input	2 (1 side)	2 (1 side)	2 (1 side)	2 (1 side)	2 (1 side)	2 (1 side) 22″: 1	2
PC input	1 (side)	—	—	—	1	1	1
USB	2	—	—	—	—	—	—
Ethernet LAN input	1	—	—	—	—	—	—
Digital Audio output	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
iPod Universal Dock	—	—	—	—	—		—
Energy Star
Series:	G25 Plasma	S2 Plasma	U2 Plasma	C2 Plasma	U22 LCD	X2 LCD	C22 LCD

Learn More

Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

With standard-definition TVs, the rule used to be that viewers would feel comfortable watching a set from a distance of 3 to 6 times the screen size in inches. With HDTV, the resolution is so much better that you can sit closer to a larger TV without noticing the pixels. So with HDTVs, the rule tends to be you can sit anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times the screen size (in inches) for the best experience. If you know the size of the room you have already, where you want to sit, and where your new HDTV should go once you get it, you can figure out the size HDTV you should get. Minimum size = Viewing distance/3 Maximum size=Viewing distance/1.5

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Customer Reviews

Nice little TV – PENNAME – VA, USA
Got it for my sunroom. Picture looks great in almost direct sunlight. The controls are pretty basic and the picture controls are too. Not a fan of the matte/glossy finish. Mounted on a white wall so its pretty ugly (from my POV). Cable picture looks great. Feel like I got a great deal. <0

Review – Hector D. Iglesias –
I have no major complains about this TV, just praise in general. It is ergonomically pleasing, its remote control and operations are extremely friendly (as with most other Panasonic products I buy). The image produced in HD is really good. Initially the sound was much different to what I was used to in regular TV’s but eventually I got used to it. If I would have the necessary space I’d have bought a set of speakers and base, as this would surely make a huge improvement in sound.
For what it costs is a great deal.

Well worth the price, Nice features. – T. lindquist – north carolina
I ordered this tv to replace a 20 year old one that I was playing xbox on. I love it not just for the gaming but the other features also. the sd card reader and the ipod dock are a great couple of add ons for a tv. its very easy to use and the menus are very user friendly. I ordered it from abt electronics and received it in 4 days. The picture is excellent. I just had to tone down the picture a little while gaming cause it was a little too sharp. but the adjustments were easy to do. I recommend it to anyone.

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jun 08, 2010 10:46:20