Panasonic TX-L55ET5

Panasonic TX-L55ET5B review

The TX-L55ET5B is the cheapest of the 3D TVs in Panasonic's current line-up of Viera sets. Instead of the active 3D system used on all its other TVs, this one relies on passive technology.This means 3D glasses are cheap. Four are supplied in the box, but you can buy extra pairs for as little as £2 each.Does this make the 55-inch TX-L55ET5B -- which will set you back around £1,600 -- an ideal big-screen TV for families? Unfortunately, Panasonic hasn't redesigned the user interface to catch up with the likes of Samsung and LG, so you're left with pretty much the same system as 2011's models. These menus looked dated last year so now they're starting to appear really archaic. Long lists of white or yellow text are set against a blue background and the lush animations and 3D effects on many rival TVs are nowhere to be seen here. On the plus side, Panasonic has updated the electronic programme guide (EPG) slightly to remove the advert placeholders that plagued its older TVs. This has freed up some extra space on screen and allowed Panasonic to create a cleaner, more airy layout.