What's new?
2006 is a big year for local sport, with the Commonwealth Games, gold at the Winter Olympics, and the first time in elephants years that Australia has made the Soccer World Cup. So, now is a great time to upgrade your old CRT for a high-definition screen. The sweet spot for price versus size is at 32in, and so we have compiled a monster list of the best TVs to watch all the sport you need. But it's not just about sport, HD TV is coming with a vengeance as Blu-ray and HD-DVD get ready to make a splash.
What do you get for your money?
You get more than ever: all these sets sport the requisite connectivity and resolution needed to qualify as HD Ready, while some add a digital TV tuner to the list. Of course, if you are replacing a CRT telly, you free up space in your living room: on the floor or on the wall, these TVs are far less intrusive than your fat old CRT, and that's not forgetting their seriously sexy styling. Even better, these future-proof TVs are simple to use and, with or without High-Def pictures, look far better than their flatscreen forebears.
Mounting magic
If you want to hang your sexy new 32in LCD television on the wall, check it's not one of those sets that takes the concept of ‘flat screen' to its limit – some are deeper and heavier than others. Also, if you shop around you can often find cheaper mounting kits than manufacturers' own ‘optional extras'. And if you are wall-mounting one of these TVs, it's not a bad idea to allow for a degree of swivel. Remember, the deeper the TV, the further out from the wall it must hang.
Ratings explained
Five stars indicates a strong performance from a TV that should give you many hours of viewing pleasure. Four stars signifies a performer that's definitely worth a look, even if it doesn't offer such value for money. As the stars fall away, so does the level of performance – if you can't afford a three-star, then think about buying a smaller screen. Don't bother with the rest.
Baumann Meyer 3220 | $2599 | 
For: Enhanced contrast and viewing angles; excellent edge definition
Against: Dated styling, no digital tuner, minor colour issues
Verdict: A very good set from locals Baumann Meyer at a great price
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Upstarts to the local market in the form of Acer and BenQ have seen the prices of LCD crash in the past six months. The last time we visited Baumann Meyer their set was worth $3600, and now six months later, their new model has been slashed by a whole grand. So the price is better, but what about the picture?
Edges are sharpened to a keen point thanks to BM's Quantum Interpolation Algorithm technology, with none of the ‘jaggies' associated with other LCD's. But it's not at the expense of detail, for example the beads of sweat on Marky Mark's -- oops Mark Wahlberg's -- face during intense scenes in Planet of the Apes are clearly defined.
Both colour and contrast are noticeably improved on its predecessor, as is movement. The 3200 had a quirk in that horizontal lines would show on moving textures, but no such habits show themselves here. However, colour isn't quite yet perfect – blacks aren't quite black but more purple-black.
Connectivity is economical with DVI, PC, two component, two Scart, and S-Video and composite connections. HDMI is the only omission here.
Sound quality is acceptable, but there is very little bass weight there. Detail levels are high, and the sound never gets nasty at extreme volumes.
The only disappointment is that while digital TV broadcasts are readily available, manufacturers seem steadfastly opposed to providing digital tuners. And so the tuner onboard the Baumann Meyer is analogue only, unfortunately.
The price is one of the most reasonable here, but the lack of a true black and some of LCD's tell-tale ghosting on occasion hold this back from being a true cinematic bargain.
LG 32LX2D | $3099 |
For: Good off-axis performance; big sound; well laid out remote control
Against: Picture, regardless of tweaking, doesn't match the best; touch of sibilance from the speakers; it's bulkier than some on test
Verdict: LG's feature-laden set is a bold move, but its picture is less so. One possibly best for fans of digital photography
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Just when we thought – due to the typical lightness of LCDs – that it was safe to start lifting TV boxes, this LG swims ashore. From the front, it's a stylish number, but take a peak at its rear and you get a better idea of this set's comparative bulk.
In defence of the 32LX2D, there is a lot going on within this TV. The LG is supplied with a plentiful number of video inputs. HDMI is present and correct – as you'd expect from an HD-ready set – while, for more basic connectivity, the LG includes AV and S-Video ports. And let's not forget the meaningful looking remote: working in tandem with the screen's display – there's a LED read-out situated below the logo – it ensures swift and simple navigation. Considering all those extra features, that's no bad thing.
What's not quite such a good thing, however, is the LG's picture. The company promises and delivers a superior off-axis image, but overall results contain too much noise and lack stability. Even from a High-Definition source, and regardless of the set's High-Def ‘XD function', you notice a layer of shimmer. Switch to either the analogue or digital tuner and results continue to underwhelm: dark scenes lack definition, while colours lack the verve of many similarly priced rivals.
Sound delivery is better, though: the detachable speakers deliver an authoritative performance and, but for a touch of sibilance, the sound is perfectly fine.
However, neither that sonic delivery nor the bellyful of features can save this LG from being swallowed by its rivals.
