LG 42LD450 - quick look mini review

LG 42LD450 LCD TV, 1080p, 60hz, 2 hdmi ports, 1 component, 2 composite
____
Good

+ well priced (I paid $699 Canadian at Futureshop but it was $599 during earlier VIP sale and even cheaper in USA) - update feb 2011...WOW its Sub $500 now tv prices sure have dropped
+ very clean and clear image, text is very easy to read
+ moving or panning images are handled well even for a 60hz set, no ghosting with the IPS version of this TV
+ plenty of onscreen menu options to adjust image like 10 Step IRE in expert mode, individual color tint and picture wizards
+ Speakers are not bad, make sure Cinema mode is chosen in audio for best sound

____
Bad

- LG lottery panel, never know what you're going to get inside (LG Super IPS, AUO VA and now Panasonic IPS Alpha)
- only 2 hdmi ports
- missing natural picture mode found in 2009 LG TVs, hope LG releases a firmware update to add this back as it displayed colors differently from other picture modes (this picture mode is missing from ALL 2010 LG tvs made in Q1-Q3)
- black levels aren't that great on IPS version of this tv


settings i use but try running picture wizard and compare to what your eyes like best
_____________________
Xbox 360 HDMI - reference level: STANDARD
PS3 HDMI - set video options RGB: LIMITED + Super White: On

Picture Mode = Game
Backlight = 70-100
Contrast = 100
Brightness = 50
Sharpness = 50
color = 70-100 for video games, 50-60 for movies
tint = 0
color temperature = medium or centered
dynamic contrast = off
dynamic color = off
clear white = off (try changing to low/high see what you like best)
skin color = 0 (negative gives skin pink red tones positive is yellow)
noise reductions = off
Gamma = low
Black level = LOW
eye care = off
color gamut = wide
edge enhancement = off

_____________________
Xbox 360 HDMI & Component - reference level: EXPANDED
PS3 HDMI - set video options RGB: FULL + Super White: On

Input Label = PC (might help get 4:4:4 chroma)
Picture Mode = Game
Backlight = 70-100
Contrast = 100
Brightness = 50
Sharpness = 50
color = 70-100 for video games, 50-60 for movies
tint = 0
color temperature = medium or centered
dynamic contrast = off
dynamic color = off
clear white = off (try changing to low/high see what you like best)
skin color = 0 (negative gives skin pink red tones positive is yellow)
noise reductions = off
Gamma = low
Black level = HIGH
eye care = off
color gamut = wide
edge enhancement = off

_____________________
OTHER or TV Basic Cable

Picture Mode = Vivid
Backlight = 70-100
Contrast = 100
Brightness = 50
Sharpness = 50
color = 50
Tint = 0
Color Temperature = medium or center
Dynamic Contrast = off
Dynamic Color = off
skin color = 0 (negative gives skin more pink red tones positive is yellow)
Noise reduction = off
Gamma = low
Black level = low
eye care = off
color gamut = wide
edge enhancement = off


Tricks hacks to enable mkv, mpg, divx, xvid playback via usb found on this page USE AT YOUR OWN RISK http://openlgtv.org.ru/wiki/index.php/LG_USB_Port_Hack or http://www.lg-hack.info

DISCUSS MORE ABOUT THIS TV: XXLD450 THREAD ON AVS FORUM: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1257131

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[Lemon77UG]

Of course the blacks are bad, you have backlight set at 60 in a pitch black room!

[NervousNerdReview]

@Lemon77UG its the ips technology, all ips lcd tvs and lcd monitors i've used have the weird issue with black levels

i've tried VA panels and plasma panels and they do a much better job with the black levels

I ended up selling my 42ld450 and getting a Sony EX400 instead which does a much better job with black levels

[gearsgamer1]

How do u get an IPS version?

[NervousNerdReview]

@gearsgamer1 check the avs forums xxld450 thread its linked at bottom when you click Show More.

There's advantages/disadvantages depending on panel you get. LG IPS panel for this model tv has poor black levels which makes movie watching somewhat annoying as black levels are too bright but no ghosting and very clear text and objects onscreen. AUO VA has minor ghosting in dark scenes and text and objects might not have the definition the IPS panel BUT black levels much better.

[RetroHunter06]

just wondering, how is this on sports (soccer, basketball whatever). any blurring or something?

[NervousNerdReview]

@RetroHunter06 it does blur but doesn't ghost

blurring, hard to see picture clearly when frame moves, this happens but not as bad as other 60hz sets i've seen. I think all 60hz LCD/LED blur thats why 120hz/240hz technologies were added to alleviate that.

ghosting, objects within picture especially dark scenes have a trail effect around them, the IPS version of this tv does NOT do this

check avs forums, I linked it to bottom of details, theres more info on IPS panels and input lag of this tv

[Lemon77UG]

@NervousNerdReview: I ended up exchanging mine for a Sony CX520.

[Jangaboo]

@hades1234567 those will be the 2 main ones with LG in that size range

[hades1234567]

@NervousNerdReview are there any other panels to watch out for? or is it just the ips and auo va? im thinking geting this tv in 37 inch

[hades1234567]

i dont know much about tvs, do weak black levels ruin a movie? i was gonna make this my first hdtv for 360 and movies

[qinfuyao]

hey. how can i watch a movie by using a usb pen drive?

[M1eX]

This TV + PC + SSF4 Arcade Edition = ownage ;p