Relisys RLT32AB20 review

Features
While the RLT32AB20 has plenty of features, the missing link is one that is likely to turn most people off immediately. While the panel itself is high-definition compatible, and the component and DVI inputs can accept a high-definition signal, the DVI port isn't HDCP-compatible. This means that the TV lacks the all-important 'HD Ready' badge, as it will not support Sky HD.

It's also a shame, if not a catastrophic one, to see a 32-inch LCD that doesn't have an integrated Freeview tuner. Many manufacturers boast about their 'Picture in Picture' modes, but we think they spend far too much time in spreadsheets to understand that nobody uses it in real life. Regardless, the television supports PiP and 'Picture out of Picture' -- the latter splitting the screen exactly in half. It's also worth noting the screen has a very wide viewing angle -- only 6 degrees wider than normal, but bigger than any other LCD we've seen. The screen also has an anti-glare coating, meaning that it looked good even in our bright office lights and windows.

The panel sitting inside Relisys' slinky frame is made by LG-Philips, and damn fine it is too. It's a native 1,366x768-pixel resolution, meaning that 720p material is perfectly suited to the display, but 1080i can still be scaled down. And while the TV won't support Sky HD, you'll be able to plug in an Xbox 360 via component and VGA and enjoy a solid and colourful picture. The only problem is the response time -- Relisys' propaganda claims that it has a 'Super Quick' response time, but at 18ms we'd say that it was tardy.

The TV is devoid of any fancy names for its picture processing -- it seems that only the bigger manufacturers want trademarked technologies such as 'Active Vision' and 'Wega Engine'. Relisys' comb filter aims to give better colour reproduction and deeper blacks, while 'motion-adaptive deinterlacing' analyses signals from sources such as digiboxes and DVD players and aims to make any motion smoother. On the audio front, there are no such frills, though -- the speakers are Nicam Stereo but don't feature SRS WOW or Virtual Dolby technology.

Performance
Relisys' panel is capable of pictures that are very pleasing on the eye. Setting it up with our Dell XPS 600, loaded to the gunwales with high-definition video, it was sharp and detailed, and we can't wait to play Xbox 360 games on it. Even more impressive is the standard-definition video playback. We hooked up a Freeview box via RGB Scart, and even though the picture was interlaced, it was solid and artefact-free during movement. Relisys' motion-adaptive deinterlacing means some fancy post-processing goes on when the picture is received by the TV.

And even though the speakers are detachable, they are surprisingly capable of creating an impact. They produce a total of 20W power -- not enough to bring any real bass to Bad Boys 2, but they're responsive when it comes to treble, providing the ambience necessary for most dramas.

Edited by Nick Hide