Panasonic TC-22LT1 22-Inch LCD Flat-Panel TV

Resolution
The unit's 854 x 480-pixel resolution is enhanced by a 3D Y/C digital comb filter (which improves resolution by removing blurred edges between colors and reducing dot crawl), a high (400:1) contrast ratio, high peak brightness of 400 candles/square meter, and wide (120-degrees horizontal x 100-degrees vertical) viewing angles.

Picture Technology
Active Light Control circuitry automatically detects the brightness levels of the input signal and adjusts the backlight accordingly, enhancing brightness levels for both light and dark scenes. The result is an expanded dynamic range from black to white peak, with crisp, natural pictures that assure dynamic viewing. Active System Control works in tandem with active light control to adjust the video signal according to the image contrast, adding greater brightness to bright scenes and more depth to darker ones. Super DSC (Dynamic Sharpness Control) analyzes each image and minimizes noise in areas of low detail (such as a cloudless sky), while enhancing areas that have greater detail.

Connections
You get two high-resolution component-video inputs (D2/YPBPR conversion cable supplied), two S-video inputs, and two composite-video input with stereo RCA analog audio jacks. A stereo headphone jack fosters private listening, and the monitor also offers internal stereo speakers with reflex bass ports and 9 watts per channel (at 10 percent THD). The monitor includes a standard, 181-channel NTSC tuner.

What's in the Box
LDC TV, card-sized remote control, battery, D2/YPBPR conversion cable, user's manual, warranty info.

What I like about this TV is it seems to work. The large number of inputs is extremely useful, two S-video and two component video, I think there is the traditional 75 ohm cable connection as well. Switching the input also switches the audio output. So if you are like me and run the sound system using a separate amplifier and speakers this simplifies life enormously for wiring, the number of inputs required on the amplifier and for choosing the sound source on the amplifier.

Picture quality is reasonable. I used to use a Sony 20 inch Wega which has the best picture quality I could find. The LCD picture quality is comparable and certainly watchable.

For two people watching it had some very interesting side effects. Because it was so slim we were able to throw out the old TV table. Move the TV back closer to the wall. Move the sofa a bit closer and reclaim enough room behind to put in another book case. It doesn't seem to dominate the room as the old television did.

The 16:9 aspect ratio is very nice when you have 16:9 material available. DVDs seem to come in native 16:9 and wide screen stripe across the middle to show on a normal TV. This TV set allows you to resize the picture within some limitations. There are more options for resizing on the s-video connection.

Although this machine supports 480p subjectively the picture was not much different from a DVD source.

Wish list, at this price and with this much flexibility it would be nice to play my Zone 2 PAL DVDs back in PAL.

Note that LCD screens are not as delicate as the Plasma displays and are considerably cheaper. This one is one of the largest LCD screens available.