LG LCD TV Lineup for 2010
Product Review Part 2: 120Hz and 240Hz HDTVs

The LD550 series introduces the new 2010 LG LCD TV line to Internet TV entertainment through NetCast entertainment access platform. This is also the CCFL LCD TV series that comprises the largest number of screen sizes - five in total ranging from medium size 32-inch LCDs to massive 60-inch LCD TVs, namely the 32-inch 32LD550 ($580), 42-inch 42LD550 ($750), 46-inch 46LD550 ($900), 52-inch 52LD550 ($1,300), and the 60-inch 60LD550 ($2,000.)

LG 42LD550 42-inch 1080p LCD TV with NetCast Internet TV access

Design takes the typical black clone appearance with a full glossy black panel complemented by a 'Nobel Titan' trim.

As stated, the main upgrade over the less expensive 120Hz LG LCD TV series is Internet TV access through LG's NetCast. NetCast was originally pioneered by LG in 2009 and was the first to include Netflix. So far it has proved to be one of the best Internet TV experiences ever. The new implementation is much faster - though not as fast as Samsung's new web-connected TV platform - Samsung Apps.

With NetCast, the user can stream movies, TV shows and videos with Netflix, giving you access to a library of thousands of titles. You can also view YouTube videos, and stream Vudu movies in full 1080p HD resolution and 5.1 surround; at present, there are more than 2,000 HD titles to choose from. You also get direct access to Yahoo TV Widgets for up-to-the-minute news, stock information, weather updates, Flickr and much more, without the need for a computer.

For 2010, this NetCast platform has been further improved and includes access to Napster™ to enjoy unlimited on-demand streaming of music, and Roxio CinemaNow™ for instant access to pay-per-view movies from major studios directly on the TV screen.

Other enhancements over the LD520 series include an additional HDMI port for a total of four, an improved 2-way-4-speaker sound system over the 1-way-2-speaker setup of the LD520, an extra USB2.0 port with JPEG, MP3, MPEG-4 and DivX HD support, an extra component video input for a total of two, and an Ethernet port for network connectivity and Internet access. In this respect, LG connectivity suite is one of the most complete.

Included is DLNA support but that according to LG can handle only JPEG files. Not much but still better than most of the equally priced competition; note however that most reports on LG's DLNA functionality show that the LG DLNA interface is rather slow especially when browsing folders with a large number of photos on your network connected PC.

These LG LCD TVs also come as wireless-ready when fitted with the optional LG’s AN-WF100 Wi-Fi USB adapter, and wireless 1080p ready to reduce the cable clutter around your TV when fitted with the optional LG AN-WL100W Wireless Media Kit.

LG says that the wireless media kit supports streaming of 1080p full HD content to your TV from up to 50 feet away, even through walls and doors. But the LG media kit gets mixed consumer reviews - with some complaining of communication problems between the media kit and the LG TV even at 12 ft away when the media kit was enclosed in an AV closet.

One final but less important enhancement is a higher dynamic contrast ratio of 150,000:1 instead of the 100,000:1 of the LD520 series. The difference in absolute terms may appear significant but as already expressed earlier on, it is impossible for the eye to perceive any difference in picture quality at these contrast levels.

The LD650 Series of Premium 1080p 240Hz LG LCD TVs

LG 47LD650 47-inch 1080p 240Hz LCD TV with NetCast Internet TV access

LG's premium series of CCFL backlit LCD TVs is the LD650. It comprises just two models, the 47-inch 47LD650 and the 55-inch 55LD650. The LD650 series main upgrade is LG's 240Hz refresh rate TruMotion technology with its separate 'judder' and 'blur' reduction sliders as further explained earlier on in this LG LCD TV review for the LD550 series 120Hz HDTVs.

Design takes the typical black clone appearance with its full glossy black frame, one that is easily mislead with that of the less expensive series. What differentiate the LG premium series from the other models is the trim color round the set bezel which in the case of the LD650 LG LCD TV series is what is being referred to as opera rose.

Jumping onto LG's 240Hz premium LCD TV series costs approximately $300 more than the LD550 equivalents, with prices ranging from $1,180 for the 47-inch to $1,580 for the larger 55-inch HDTVs.

We say equivalents because both LG's 120Hz TruMotion and 240Hz TruMotion systems share the same strengths and weaknesses as further explained under the LD550 series. In addition, the benefit of 240Hz refresh rate over 120Hz systems is extremely difficult to perceive. It is true that 240Hz refresh rate systems support a higher motion resolution but the difference in motion resolution between 120Hz and 240Hz HDTVs is such that you would need special test patterns to be able to perceive the difference. This also explains why marketing of the more expensive 240Hz refresh rate technology relies heavily on test patterns.

Apart from 240Hz refresh rate technology, other enhancements are insignificant in that they would not impact picture performance. These include a 2 msec pixel response time necessary for 240Hz refresh technology instead of the 2.4 msec found on the LD550 series, and a somewhat higher dynamic contrast ratio rating of 200,000:1 for the premium series over the 150,000:1 for the LD550.

Some may say that in absolute terms, this represents more than 30% increase over that of the LD550 series. But as further explained under part 1 of this LG LCD TV review, it would be practically impossible to perceive the difference in picture quality between the two series as a result of the higher contrast rating.

This means that in terms of picture performance, one should expect very similar picture quality to that supported by the LD550. In other words, the extra $300 one has to spend to jump onto LG's 240Hz bandwagon would not yield any added benefit to those looking for the best picture. This also explains why it is the LD550 series of CCFL backlit LG LCD TVs that is performing better in HDTV sales.

Mind you, consumer reviews posted online show that customers are extremely satisfied with their LD650 series LG LCD TVs - achieving close to 4.7 stars out of 5 in reviews posted by over 33 customers at amazon at the time of this review. In particular, the 47-inch 47LD650 managed to get five stars out of five in the posted reviews at amazon. This is truly amazing. In fact, the only few issues which cropped up in customer feedback relate either to problems with shipping - including a damaged set most probably during shipping, and the relative poor sound quality, something which is typical of all flat-panel TVs - not just these LG HDTVs.

Concluding Remarks

As stated, LG's CCFL-backlit LCD TV lineup is one of the smallest for 2010 from a major TV maker; but it is one that represents various valid HDTV options - from cheap entry-level LCD TVs - to affordable premium LCD TVs that are capable of solid picture performance. It is true that these are not the type of LCD HDTVs that get reviewed by most major professional review site; you see, the push by both TV makers and retailers is often towards the more expensive LED TVs. But the lack of professional reviews is more than made up for by the numerous positive consumer feedback posted online at major retail stores.

And while these CCFL backlit LG LCD TVs miss on the thinness and energy efficiency of the much touted edge-lit LED TVs, these conventional LG LCD TVs deliver plenty of features and yes, a great overall picture performance once calibrated with solid blacks and accurate colors, for significantly less than their LED TV counterparts

Not only, in certain aspects of picture performance, namely screen brightness uniformity and off-axis viewing, these CCFL LG LCDs even outperform LED TVs.

But LED TV competition apart, these LG CCFL backlit LCD TVs also perform well against the CCFL competition from other major brands - offering numerous picture settings and conveniences, and a picture performance that is very much in line with that of similar priced competition from Samsung and Sony. This is something which the few professional LG LCD TV reviews and the numerous customer feedback posted online all agree about.