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Another potentially key development for the 42DV1 is its use of a completely revamped dynamic backlight arrangement which, according to JVC's own measurements, can produce a remarkable contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1.

While we're used to seeing figures like that being bandied around by plasma and LED screens, I can't recall seeing anything nearly so vast quoted by a 'normal' LCD TV. Even the mighty fine Sony 40WE5 only claimed 100,000:1. Here's hoping that the 42DV1's contrast ratio claims don't just prove to be more evidence that you should never trust manufacturers' quoted contrast ratios…

More potentially significant stuff finds the 42DV1 featuring the very latest generation of JVC's usually commendable DynaPix HD video processing engine, as well as a selection of optional automated picture optimisation tools.

With a Full HD resolution, dedicated 24P Blu-ray film mode, 100Hz processing and USB 2.0 jack with MP3/JPEG playback support wrapping up a really healthy spec sheet, it's ironic that the 42DV1 feature likely to cause the biggest stir is actually its most gimmicky one: the prosaically titled HandClap function.

For yes, with this TV it really is possible to turn the set on or off with three handclaps, or mute it with two handclaps. And by God, this feature really works, right out of the box, with no need for mucking about with calibration systems where the TV has to get used to the acoustic properties of your hand clapping!

To be honest, aside from testing the feature out for this review, I never actually felt inclined to use it even once during my time with the 42DV1. Especially since the TV throws up a highly distracting 'Nix' icon on the screen if it decides there's too much noise around (including stuff like gunfire or an explosion in a film you're watching) for the HandClap function to work. Having said all that, I'm sure I'd have succumbed to temptation and proudly shown the happy clappy feature off if I'd happened to have a dinner party while the TV was still set up!

Firing the 42DV1 into action quickly reveals that it's a much better performer than its 42DS9 predecessor. Particularly pleasing is how much sharper moving images look. Panning around the dingy environments that make up the majority of under-rated Xbox 360 classic Dead Space, for instance, results in far less blurring and edge lag than we experienced when playing games on the 42DS9.

And the same holds true for films and TV shows too, as the 42DV1 suffers pleasingly little with the classic LCD motion problems of judder and resolution loss. Even camera pans with movement within them hold up well.

To be fair, we're not talking about levels of fluidity or motion clarity to rival that delivered by, for instance, Philips' HD Natural Motion or Panasonic's Intelligent Frame Creation systems. But the JVC's efforts are nonetheless good enough to ensure that you're seldom really distracted by motion issues - especially as the processing that achieves this doesn't throw up any significant side effects.

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