Panasonic TX-L42E3B

Panasonic TX-L42E3B review

Panasonic has got more serious about LCD technology this year than ever before, having shifted over to edge LED lighting. But it's also introduced a couple of 42-inch models that have the potential to threaten its own plasma market, which also start at 42-inches. Can the Panasonic TX-L42E3B LCD TV come close to the impressive standards set by its plasma siblings? There's nothing very original about it aesthetically, but its slender bezel and glossy finish are a step up from the brand's former affordable LCDs. Its connections are a bit of a downer, though; it only has three HDMIs when some rivals at this price level manage four. But worse is its limited multimedia support. There's no USB port, and the provided LAN port is merely there to support a built-in Freeview HD tuner; it doesn't enable access to Panasonic's Viera Connect service or file streaming from a networked DLNA PC. Redeeming feature Thankfully, the L42E3B is saved from being a total multimedia washout by an SD card slot that enables you to play JPEG stills, video files or MP3s. As it's a reasonably expensive TV, the L42E3B's lack of multimedia prowess leaves us looking to its other features and picture quality to justify its relative expense.