JVC LT-42DV1BJ review

This might be a bit of a looker and have an affordable price, but in reality there's little to get excited about here Tested at £750.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Despite the price and the looks, there’s very little for us to get excited about here

Pros

  • +

    Styling is decent

  • +

    price is competitive

  • +

    punchy whites and vibrant colours

Cons

  • -

    Blacks appear grey, only Freeview, when others give you Freeview HD

  • -

    motion can be a problem

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

JVC seems to have the magic touch when it comes to producing class-leading projectors. It's a shame that in recent times the same can't be said for the company's flatscreen televisions.

While rival manufacturers continue to flood the market with numerous different ranges, JVC makes do with a small handful.

Clap your hands, say ‘hmm'
First impressions are that the JVC should be taken seriously: the two-tone design of pearlescent white and black puts it above similarly priced rival for style.

A smattering of touch-sensitive control buttons on the bezel add an air of sophistication too, although some of this work is undone by the ‘Hand Clap Function.'

That's right, you can turn this TV on or off, or mute and unmute it, with a couple of quick claps. In reality, the function doesn't work especially well, and you feel like a Flamenco dancer every time you attempt it. We'll stick with a power button, thanks.

To picture performance, and the JVC produces a dynamic high-definition picture. Whites have plenty of punch, but there are issues with blacks, which lack the depth of the class leaders.

Having said that, the image presented with the Blu-ray disc of Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen is reasonably entertaining and vibrant, even if the actual film isn't.

Not as surefooted with motion
With TV and DVD, the set uses JVC's 100Hz Clear Motion Drive II technology, but this isn't as
surefooted as some of the other technologies on offer at this point in time.

Spin Return of the Jedi and as Boba Fett falls into the Sarlacc Pit, there's a noticeable shimmering and loss of definition – not what we'd expect here.

The JVC's Freeview picture is a little underwhelming too. There are no fatal flaws, but the top televisions around this pricepoint produce clearer, more composed and more desirable results, and some have Freeview HD, too. The built-in speakers aren't great either.

Even though its price is reasonable, the '42DV1 struggles to keep up here. We wouldn't call it a poor set by any means, but it's out of its depth.

See all our TV Best Buys

Follow whathifi.com on Twitter

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

Read more about how we test