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Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37in Plasma TV Review

Author	John Archer
Published	11th Mar 2008
Manufacturer	Panasonic
Price	£593.26 (Exc VAT)
as reviewed	£682.25 (Inc VAT)
Latest Price	Click here

Design
Features
Image Quality
Sound Quality
Value
Overall

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In our review of Panasonic's 32LZD80 last week, we said we were looking forwards to getting our hands on one of the brand's new plasma TVs. Well, we didn't expect that moment to arrive quite so soon as it has. But as we place the 37in TH-37PX80B plasma model carefully onto our test benches, we're certainly not complaining.

Considering that it's relatively affordable by flat TV standards, the first thing to note about the 37PX80B is that it feels surprisingly robust and substantial - even though its bezel is actually unusually slender compared with Panasonic plasmas of the past.

It's nice to find, too, that the TV helpfully sports three HDMI inputs that can all receive the trendy 1080p/24 fps HD format currently enjoying so much popularity since it became the de facto standard for mastering films on to Blu-ray discs. Please note, though, that the HDMIs are v1.2 in nature, and so can't cope with the Deep Colour format now viewable via new JVC and Panasonic camcorders.

Other notable connections include a component video input for analogue progressive scan and HD sources, a dedicated PC input and unusually, considering the 37PX80 is actually Panasonic's new entry-level plasma, a built-in SD card slot that you can use to play digital photos directly onto the TV's screen.

One thing that does live down to expectation, given that the set resides toward the bottom of Panasonic's new range, is its native resolution. At 1,024 x 720 it's only an HD Ready model rather than a full HD one. Mind you, since no manufacturer has yet managed to fit 1,920 x 1,080 plasma cells into a screen as small as 37in, we guess it wouldn't have been fair to expect full HD on the 37PX80B even if it had been a flagship model.

The set's claimed contrast ratio is up a little from Panasonic's previous plasma range, peaking now at a figure of 15,000:1. This bodes well for a continuation of the near-legendary black level prowess that has served Panasonic so well with plasma technology over the years. That said, we should add that the 15,000:1 figure pales rather when compared to the one million to one figure being bandied around for Panasonic's flagship PZ85 plasma range, due to launch in the not too distant future.

Latest 4 of 12 Comments

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kinveredge said on 6th September 2008

If you have SKY Digital and like sports & movies, this is the definitive TV to buy.You won't need to upgrade to SKY HD because the picture is truly stunning. The picture q... more

Harry said on 23rd December 2008

Can you play avi movies via an SD card?

Toby Jugg said on 21st March 2009

I have the 42px80b and my girlfriend has just got the 37px8ba, which I believe is the same as the 80b but a couple of connections less. We have experience of a number of LCD and a couple of Plasma screens which we can compare the Panas to.

The 37 is a stunning piece of equipment for the price and the picture for none-hd sources is actually better than my 42, almost certainly as it is the same resolution and physically smaller. Pictures and refresh are nothing short of excellent and the sound is far better than adequate.

I see many different views regarding none hd channel picture quality. I have both a VM cable box + a none-hd sky box, both connected via scart. The picture quality from the sky box is vastly superior to the same channels from the VM cable box. This could explain the variability of folks perceived SD channel quality. The on-board tuner on my pana is less than impressive, but I don't use that anyway.

We have noted that in many cases a superficial view is highly deceptive and only normal usage can really show the strengths (more accurately weaknesses) of units.
With only Sony and recent Samsungs as the exceptions, these 8 series Panasonic Plasma's are head and shoulders above all LCD's we have compared them with including LG's, and Toshiba's. We consider the Panasonics to equal or exceed most of the Samsungs and Sony's in all but but HD performance and then only with some of the more expensive LCD's possibly looking better (Far more expensive than the Pana's).
I have not heard any buzzing from either Panasonic unit, although admittedly my hearing is no longer acute

I would recommend these 8 series Panasonics to anyone. In my opinion, the prices they are now available at make the purchase of budget or mid-range LCD units a complete waste of money.

Regarding size, the 42 is actually too big for my 12 * 12 room and is overpowering. The 37 is the perfect size for the 12 * 12 room with viewing distances from 6 - 10 feet, the 42" is really only suitable for 10' + viewing distances.

Hope these comments from a normal user help others in their choices

I have the 42px80b and my girlfriend has just got the 37px8ba, which I believe is the same as the 80b but a couple of connections less. We have experience of a number of LCD and a ... more

Ben H said on 27th May 2009

I've had our TH-37PX80B for about a year now, and have been really impressed, particularly with the picture quality. It is worth spending a little bit of time setting up to g... more

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