BenQ VA371 LCD TV

Some scenes looked a bit redder than usual, but that is offset by a shift of the color setting to the negative. Couple this with skillful seams of clarity in the image, and you have a strong contender at hand. The menu system is decent without too much clutter, and provides basic setting adjustments.

On running test patterns we found that the black levels were not being passed to the fullest, and the TV needed a jolt in brightness to get that killer gleam in the image. This can be done via the remote settings, but the overall image is affected a bit if brightness is turned way up. Contrast settings were flat when we received the unit, but a little nudge to the right of the meter calibrated it just fine.

Noise was there in usual amounts and jaggie lines too in the acute edges. I’m learning to live with this, as no TV really surprises in this department. What was good in the TV, besides the color and static detail, was the dynamic detail: motion scenes looked very good in 720p via our PS3. We played some racing games, which went well.

Conclusion
Considering the price of Rs 56,000, it’s not a bad deal, as the good points of this LCD panel outweigh the negatives. I was pleasantly surprised by the performance, which surpassed my expectations. The VA371 is a decent looker too, so it could be a candidate worth considering when you're out shopping for Diwali.