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However, as with any high-level processing system, the Perfect Pixel HD Engine is all about how much the positive benefits outweigh the negative side effects. And in my opinion the 32PFL9603 positives outweigh its negatives by the proverbial country mile.

Provided, at least, that you set the TV up correctly. For more than with any other TV I've ever tested, you really do have to dedicate some quality time to perfecting the 32PFL9603's images for all your different sources. Leave noise reduction set too high, for instance, and the whole picture processing house of cards can come tumbling down.

As I suggested earlier, the 32PFL9603 has systems that can take some of the settings burden off you. But for my money there's just no substitute for playing with things manually. I won't go into every detail of the set up levels I used for my various sources, partly because this would take too long and partly because I want to give you freedom to find settings that best suit your personal tastes.

But I would certainly urge you to ensure the following: have absolutely no noise reduction systems running while watching high definition pictures; leave the HD Natural Motion tool set to minimum rather than off or maximum; set the contrast level to no higher than 75 and possibly lower if you can stomach it; leave Advanced Sharpness on; don't set the Dynamic Contrast higher than medium, and probably stick with minimum; and don't set the Colour Enhancement feature higher than minimum. Follow this and you should be well on your way to enjoying the best the 32PFL9603 has to offer.

Turning, finally, to the 32PFL9603's audio, it once again blows the competition out of the water. The amount of volume it can shunt out is remarkable given its relatively diminutive size, especially when you consider that this volume is delivered without causing distortion. It also arrives in the company of a truly expansive dynamic range that picks out peak trebles effortlessly, always leaves vocals sounding clear, and best of all underpins proceedings with levels of bass (thanks to the two subwoofers) that most LCD TVs simply cannot reach.

Verdict

The 32PFL9603's extravagant looks are merely the start of a love affair that grows with every hour you spend in this TV's company. There are elements of its picture performance - its motion resolution and general levels of HD detail - that attain genuine benchmark level, it's got more features than I've ever seen before, and even the sound is awesome. Needless to say, all this has got us positively gagging to see how the set's bigger brothers will shape up in the coming weeks…

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