TVs

Samsung's SyncMaster TA950 aspires to being the upmarket screen for all users and we have to admit it does pretty well. A hybrid TV/monitor, this distinctive 27in display comes with a long list of additional features, including an inbuilt digital TV tuner, media streaming from a variety of devices, 3D conversion and some additional web functionality like social networking, YouTube playback and a variety of downloadable apps.

Panasonic's TH-L37DT30A aims to show you don’t have to compromise on features if you don’t want a big-screen TV. It features a very thin-framed, high-quality 37in IPS LCD panel with a 3D engine and a host of connectivity options. The panel does as well as it can with the mixed state of Australian digital TV broadcasts, but it really needs true 1080p content to do its best. We tested its 3D capability using JVC’s new GS-TD1 3D video camera and it delivers good depth of field with Panasonic’s 3D glasses (none are supplied).

We rather liked Kogan’s first generation of LED-backlit TVs and the second generation, like this Kogan 32in Full HD LED TV, also has some features that are quite impressive. While the early models only offered USB playback, the new TVs give rudimentary PVR functionality once you plug in a USB hard drive or flash drive, and that’s the big selling point Kogan seems to be pitching these 100Hz-capable models. That’s a pity because the PVR functionality is very rudimentary and not that well implemented.