NEC 42XR4

Exceptional image quality. Comprehensive display control options.

Remote lacks backlight. No extras bundled in. Pricey.

The NEC 42XR4 offers the best picture quality of any 42-inch plasma TV we have seen to date. But its premium price doesn't include many extras, the remote is near-useless in the dark, and to get the most out of it you'll need to have it professionally cal

Attractive design, Excellent calibration options

Image noise and pixel fluctuations across all modes, Mediocre interpolation performance

The 42 inch NEC PX-42XR4W is a feature-packed plasma television with excellent customisation controls let down by mediocre image quality.

We’ll come back to that later, but for now let’s go back to basics with how this NEC screen looks. And actually, it looks reassuringly glamorous in its sturdy dark fascia and metallic trim. Perhaps the 42XR4 does have one eye on the home user after all.

Good picture ; Future-proof

No Scarts ; Expensive optional extras

Not the bargain it seems at first. Leans towards high-definition material

Attractive design, Excellent calibration options.

Image noise and pixel fluctuations across all modes, Mediocre interpolation performance.

The 42 inch NEC PX-42XR4W is a feature-packed plasma television with excellent customisation controls let down by mediocre image quality.