LG Electronics 42LB5D Review

If you are only looking at the spec sheet, then you’ll feel that the LG 42LB5D is the perfect set, with 1080p capability, HDMI 1.3, and a fast response time. However, actually using the 42LB5D will more or less change your mind.

One of the features that a lot of users love on this set is the extremely fast 5ms pixel response time. However, image quality tests done to 42LB5D along with its contemporaries revealed that the 42LB5D fared poorly and in fact came in eight overall.

But still, the LG 42LB5D is still something to think about. The set features inputs such as 3 HDMI 1.3, 2 Component, 1 VGA, 1 Composite, 1 S-Video, and 1 RF connections. Also, you get to have an input panel that faces forward so that users will have an easy access to it.

Over the air signals can be processed by the onboard ATSC tuner connected to the RF input. Processed audio can then be output either through the TV’s speakers, or through either one of the optical or coaxial digital audio outputs. The VGA connection can receive a resolution up to 1920×1080 which is larger than many other sets, many of them max out at 1024×1024 resolution.

LG allows for a high level of adjustability compared to other sets in this range. The Intelligent Eye setting activates a light sensor on the set that automatically increases or decreases the brightness depending on the ambient room lighting. For the more advanced tweaker, individual color temperature settings can be changed either through one of the three presets or by modifying the red, green and blue values individually.

There are up to seven different picture quality settings, that include two customed defined values (User1, User2) that are independent for each input. This means that each input can have two different settings which is useful if two people like different kinds of pictures, or for different times during the day.

A USB port on the front of the 42LB5D allows you to attach an external media device so you can view photos or listen to music stored on it. The television supports HDMI’s CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) feature that LG calls “SimpLink” which allows one remote to control all CEC-compatible home theater devices, and allows the devices to control each other through the HDMI cable.

Sources:
http://reviews.cnet.com
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk
http://www.pcworld.ca