In a recent 42in plasma TV roundup, we found ourselves impressed by LG's entry-level 42PX4D: an exceptionally affordable set that only let itself down by not having a high enough native resolution to claim HD Ready status.

So I'm only too happy to find atop my test bench this month a model from higher up LG's current range, the 42PX5D, which promises full highdefinition readiness while only adding around £400 to the price tag.

The 42PX5D is every bit as sumptuous-looking as its cheaper sibling, with its wide chassis positively imperious in its glossy black finish.

Connectivity includes HDMI and component video inputs, so it's good to go for HD. Other connectors are in plentiful supply too, and include a D-Sub PC input, three Scarts (though only one, annoyingly, is RGB-capable), memory card slots for direct playback of digital photos or MP3s, and even a slot for adding a Conditional Access Module. As usual, this latter jack provides external evidence of the 42PX5D's built-in terrestrial digital TV tuner.

The resolution boost that mostly differentiates the 42PX5D from the 42PX4D finds the newer screen sporting 1024 x 768 pixels (a 4:3 ratio made widescreen by the use of an asymmetrical pixel structure).

Another spec worth noting: a claimed contrast ratio of 5000:1. This is interesting on two counts. First, of course, it's ridiculously high (we measured real world contrast at 310:1 out of the box). Second, however, it's actually only half the figure quoted for the cheaper 42PX4D (VGA resolution screens are always brighter than WXGA screens). Given this difference in spec and glass, this model and its stablemate don't quite have as much in common with its stablemate as a cursory glance might at first suggest.

LG makes much of its proprietary driver electronics. The XD Engine picture processing system is a six-step application designed to boost image clarity, colour saturations/tone, contrast, brightness, colour gradation/greyscaling, and frame rate handling when watching movies.

The screen also offers individual adjustments for the fleshtone, greentone, bluetone, constituents of the picture; SRS TruSurround and BBE audio processing; four measures for fighting screenburn; a low power mode that reduces the picture's brightness; plus picture-in-picture system.

The only feature disappointment is that while the set supports the 7-day Freeview electronic programme guide, you can't set timer events from it, or employ any sort of genre filtering.

I was really impressed with this screen. Once calibrated, the 42PX5D proves more than a match for the majority of its £2k rivals, with its colour range being arguably its greatest strength. I'm used to most plasmas TVs being able to look exceptionally vibrant with the OTT computer graphics overwhelming so much of the UK's news coverage, but I'm certainly not used to a PDP - especially such an affordable one - that also makes subtler skin tones and textures look remarkably rich and solid.

It probably does no harm to the TV's colour response that its black levels are exemplary. While the screen's contrast ratio might not measure as high as that of the 42PX4D, for my money the realism of the 42PX5D's black levels and naturalism of its peak whites are actually even more film-friendly than those of the non-HD Ready model.

It's also impressive at this price to note that the deep blacks don't look forced; there's enough greyscale subtlety available to pick out subtle light shifts in even the darkest of corners. And motion looks clean and judder-free.