Panasonic Viera TC-L37X1

Display Size & Technology
The TC-L37X1 is a 37-inch LCD. LCD TVs, especially at the lower end, often have challenges with viewing angle and poor black level. We'll have to get the TC-L37X1 into our testing labs before we can see if these issues apply to  it.

The contrast ratio on the TC-L37X1 seemed good for an LCD.

Format & Resolution
The TC-L37X1 runs 720p, which means it has a 1280x720 resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio. This also means it's a notch below the typical HD resolution, 1080p. We were not able to ascertain whether it supports downscaling for higher quality 1080i and 1080p content.

Brightness, Blacks & Contrast Ratio
The manufacturer-stated contrast ratio is 12,000:1. While this isn't as unrealistic as the 2,000,000:1 figure we've seen floating around, it's still likely inflated. Typically with LCDs, manufacturers turn off the back light to measure the black level, then boost every possible setting to get the best white level. As such, manufacturer-stated contrast values are often unreliable. For a more standardized contrast ratio of the TC-L37X1, check back here after we've gotten it into our testing lab.

Refresh Rate & Motion
The refresh rate of this TV wasn't stated in the specs, which means it's likely 60Hz. This is the standard refresh rate. Higher end LCD TVs will have 120 or 240Hz refresh rates. We didn't notice any jitteriness, although we did see some motion blur. Of course, this could be a preproduction unit, but it's not surprising to see motion blur on a lower-end LCD with a standard refresh rate like this.

Viewing Angle
The viewing angle of the TC-L37X1 wasn't particularly good. Once you stepped away from dead center, the blacks lighten up noticeably. It doesn't get much worse as your viewing angle increases, however.

Color
The TC-L37X1's color seemed to be a little washed out. We're not sure if it was the demo video not showcasing the color depth well or if the screen just isn't vibrant. Color looked washed out slightly from any angle that wasn't dead on. Overall, we weren't very impressed with the TC-L37X1's color representation. Again, this was a floor unit, and it could have been pre-production, or the video could have been a bit less saturated than what was showing on the surrounding TVs.