The PT-61LCX65 is a 61-inch LCD rear-projection HDTV from Panasonic that offers a built-in high-definition tuner, a CableCARD slot, PC compatibility and a memory card slot for viewing digital photos.

The wide-format screen is bordered in black to set off the picture, with a curved silver base that holds stereo speakers and a door concealing button controls and easy-access inputs.

The resolution is 1,280X720, with analog content automatically upgraded to progressive scan through line doubling. The picture is enhanced with horizontal and vertical edge correction and a motion-adaptive 3-D Y/C digital comb filter, ensuring crisp images with plenty of detail and lifelike colors. The screen is coated to reduce glare, which can be a handy feature when watching the PT-61LCX65 in a bright, sunlit room. Film content is adjusted using 3:2 pulldown to eliminate uneven motion produced during the film-to-video conversion process.

The four internal speakers produce a total output of 30 watts, with separate controls for bass, treble and balance. Audio options include simulated surround sound and automatic volume leveling.

Parents can lock out particular channels or inputs, and the PT-61LCX65 is also equipped with V-chip controls. Two tuners offer picture-in-picture and split-screen options. The convenience features extend to an adjustable sleep timer, automatic shutdown, memory for video input picture settings and closed captions.

In addition to the audio/video, S-video, and RGB PC inputs on the front panel, the PT-61LCX65 has one RF input, two audio/video inputs, two S-video inputs, three component video inputs, an HDMI digital-to-digital interface and audio/video outputs. The slender remote control is a universal model that has illuminated buttons and direct input access.

A separate stand is available to create a unified look, but the Panasonic PT-61LCX65 can just as easily perch on a counter or tabletop, as it is less than 19 inches deep and weighs only slightly over 100 pounds.

Warranty
1 year parts and labor