Currently one of the best-selling 32-inch LCD HDTV on Amazon is the Panasonic TC-L32U22. A surprising number of people still have the old "picture tube" type of TV. The ones with the huge bulge out the back. Of course those TVs aren't even made anymore.
Everything's flat-screen & LCD. Another big change is that now, the TVs are all high definition. This means that the picture is much, much sharper and clearer than the old tube TVs. As you've no doubt seen in the electronics section at Walmart, the picture on HDTVs is just beautiful. But even just a few years ago, the prices were sky-high.
It has only been in the past year or so that the prices have really started to come down dramatically. This Panasonic TC-L32U22 LCD HDTV, for example, gives you an incredible array of features that until recently would have cost you an arm and a leg. Let's take an in-depth look at why this particular model is so popular for those looking to buy their first LCD 1080p HDTV.
What to Look for When Buying an HDTV
These are the most important features in choosing an HDTV:
Total Dimensions
The Resolution
The Screen Type
The Contrast Ratio
The Inputs and Special FeaturesIf you just buy based on price alone, you're going to be very disappointed. There are too many variables with something this complex. Even if it's just a second TV for the basement or den, you really need to be careful and pay attention to the nitty-gritty details. So let's explore each feature carefully as we go over the many details in regards to the Panasonic TC-L32U22 LCD HDTV.
A lot of people don't realize that the size of an HDTV is more than just its screen size. They think if it's 32 inch, then it'll fit in a certain space. And if it's 42", it won't. But that's over-simplifying things. You really have to look at total dimensions, including base. Some HDTVs will be wall-mounted, where space is obviously less of an overall factor in the decision-making process; and others will be attached to a stand. That stand takes up volume too. So if you're going to put it in a home entertainment center, for example, be sure to measure the entire volume of the space. That's width, height and depth. Very important. This Panasonic LCD HDTV has total dimensions including stand of 31.5" x 21.7" x 8.6".
Resolution is the key...
This television displays images in "Full HD" which means full high-definition. Your old tube tvs display 640 lines across and 480 lines up-and-down. 640×480 lines of resolution. This set displays 1920 lines horizontally and 1080 lines vertically. 1920×1080. The difference is dramatic. Not only that, but it's 1080p. Which means "progressive." The image is displayed all at once, instead of half the image first and the other half a split-second later. So what? It's a huge difference in picture quality.
Screen Type
The Panasonic TC-L32U22 HDTV has an LCD screen. Regular LCDs have "ghosting" if you aren't right in front of them. This one has an IPS LCD, so you can view it from an angle and the picture stays crystal-clear.
Contrast Ratio
Contrast ratio is the difference between the whitest whites and the blackest blacks. The larger that ratio, the more realistic and sharp the picture will be. This Panasonic HDTV has a contrast ratio of 20,000:1. That's extremely high. So high that your eye can't see it, it seems. Let's just say that anything over 1,000:1 is very good. With this HDTV, you are assured that you are getting beyond the maximum that the human eye can perceive in terms of light to dark ratios.
Inputs and Special Features
A common complaint we found among HDTV purchasers was a lack of input jacks. You want to be able to hook-up your various devices to your HDTV. This set has 3 HDMI, 1 component, and 2 composite inputs. Plenty to hook up all your gadgets. Also, this has "Viera Link", meaning you can take a photo with your digital camera, and slide in the SD memory card and voila! your high definition photos are on the tv! Also your camcorder, DVD player etc with it. Nice. Finally, there is the Automatic Picture Adjustment. If the room is dark and someone turns on a light, it automatically adjusts to maintain the same picture quality, a feature lacking in most models.
What Kind of Prices Can You Expect To Find?
We've seen the Panasonic TC-L32U22 LCD HDTV listed for as much as 9.99 at one of the "big box" retailers. But you really shouldn't pay more than 0 for this tv. The best price we've seen is at Amazon, which always has it listed for under 0.
What's Included:
LCD HDTV
Remote Control (with batteries)
Power Cables
Removable Stand
Operating InstructionsDo You Get a Warranty?
Yes, the Panasonic TC-L32U22 comes with a 1 year warranty. You can extend it to 3 years for .99 thru Square Trade, a warranty company that works with Panasonic.
Customer Comments and Ratings
This television is rated 4.7 out of 5 from customer-reviewers on Amazon, and 4.2 out of 5 from customer-reviewers on Panasonic's website.
Here's a sample of current reviewer comments:
"Awesome TV for the price, great picture and sound plus 2 HDMI's"
"Easy to set up"
"Love how easy it was to add the stand"
"Typical excellent product from Panasonic"
"The colors are magnificent"
"This is a high-quality television with a low-budget price"Has Anyone Complained After Purchase?
There are very few negative comments on this TV. The only one that comes up more than once or twice is the lack of internet connectivity. But as one reviewer pointed out, most Blu-Ray players have internet connectivity. So if you want to stream Netflix, Youtube etc, you can run it thru that. Only one (TV or Blu-Ray player) needs to be online.
Where Can You Buy the Panasonic TC-L32U22 LCD HDTV?
You can buy this Panasonic LCD HDTV at Amazon. Right now, they have shipping free. Amazon has the best price of anyplace we checked.
Can You Read Other Reviews on the Panasonic 32 inch LCD HDTV?
The largest number of reviews written by actual buyers of this TV is on Amazon.
