With the Panasonic TC-L42D30, the combination of its Cinema picture mode with its Warm color-temperature preset delivered the most accurate grayscale performance, although its balance weighed toward the warm (reddish) side. Before calibration, color temperature averaged out to 6,222 kelvins. After calibration in Custom mode, color temperature averaged 6,464 K.
Color-decoder error measured 0% for red, –10% for green, and 0% for blue. Primary color points measured well off from the HD standard, with red showing a significant level of undersaturation and green showing a distinct yellow bias. Magenta and cyan secondary color points were also off-target.
Gamma in the Cinema mode’s default setting measured close to the 2.2 target and remained very linear throughout the set’s full brightness range. It measured slightly worse after calibration in Custom mode, becoming nonlinear above 80 IRE. After calibration with AI Picture switched off, the set’s black level measured 0.026 ftL and brightness maxed out at 37.27 ftL, for a contrast ratio of 1,433:1. With AI Picture on, the set’s black level measured 0.003 ftL and brightness maxed out at 34.15 ftL, for a contrast ratio of 11,383:1. Although those numbers are respectable, backlight uniformity issues resulted in the set’s dynamic contrast coming across as less than impressive.
The set displayed full picture resolution for most signal formats delivered via HDMI and component-video inputs. The one exception was 480i signals over component, which looked soft. Motion-resolution tests revealed 1,200 lines with the Strong Motion Picture Pro 4 setting mode enabled, and 1,000 lines in Weak mode. The set’s performance on film and video deinterlacing tests were mostly excellent, with the one exception of the 2:2 pulldown test from the HQV evaluation DVD. Its various noise-reduction settings proved effective, with only the Video NR mode introducing any degree of picture softening, and only when it was applied to standard-def signals.
Panasonic’s TC-L42D30 has some good stuff going for it: sleek looks, excellent off-axis viewing capability, a satisfying menu of streaming options, and the ability to accommodate a video camera accessory for Skype usage. It also sells for around $950 or less — not shabby for an LED-backlit LCD model with network capability. Where the L42D30 comes up short is on parameters like color accuracy, contrast, and blackfield uniformity — things that videophiles care intensely about but the vast majority of other folks tend to shrug off. So if you, or someone you know, can count yourself among that other 99%, count the L42D30 as a pretty good deal.
(Cinema/Warm mode before, Custom/Warm mode after):
20-IRE: 6,354 K/6,722 K
30-IRE: 6,224 K/6,682 K
40-IRE: 6,193 K/6,620 K
50-IRE: 6,270 K/6,579 K
60-IRE: 6,220 K/6,491 K
70-IRE: 6,245 K/6,471 K
80-IRE: 6,250 K/6,392 K
90-IRE: 6,213 K/6,251 K
100-IRE: 6,158 K/6,225 K
Primary Color Point Accuracy vs. SMPTE HD Standard
|
Color |
Target X |
Measured X |
Target Y |
Measured Y |
|
Red |
0.64 |
0.59 |
0.33 |
0.33 |
|
Green |
0.30 |
0.34 |
0.60 |
0.58 |
|
Blue |
0.15 |
0.16 |
0.06 |
0.08 |
* Spectracal’s CalMan Professional monitor calibration software (spectracal.com) was used during the calibration and measurement process. See PDF link for a complete report with detailed pre- and post-calibration results.
