LG 42LV5500 Review
42" 1080p LED TV with SmartTV
Model: LG 42LV5500
Description: 42" LED Edge Lit LCD TV with 120Hz Processing 1080p resolution
Includes: Swivel table top stand, Wifi Dongle, Breakout cables for 2nd Component and Composite inputs, 2 Remote Controls including the LG Magic Wand
Reviewers: Robert Wiley
Date: Summer 2011
Strengths
- Value Price Point for Extra Features
- Magic Wand Remote Control is excellent
- Off Center Viewing Angle is very good for LED TV
- Full Web Browser
- Calibration Contols Excellent
- Menu System Features and ease of use
Weaknesses
- TruMotion 120Hz with Film Based Content
- Limited Internet Apps
- Standard Definition Picture Quality Dimmer than normal
- Glare from Present Room Light/ Non-Clear Coat Screen
- Extraordinary Judder in side to side panning images
Picture Quality Rating (HD): 8/10
This shot from the Blu Ray of The Transporter shows good detail and flesh tone rendition despite the slight glare from the screen.
As reported in past models, first turn off the TruMotion 120Hz feature when viewing film based material (or follow our recommendation below). It's easy enough to find and turn off. Just go to the picture menu and scroll down to the bottom of the menu. For HD broadcast programming especially sports you might choose to leave it on as it does eliminate some judder and motion blur. The HD picture on the LV5500 LED-LCD is very good with deep blacks, decent dark shadow detail, and excellent color production. We found it difficult to take out the blue push in the TV and ended up with a shove in the reds and greens instead, but we found a solution we liked and very near D6500K. The picture is a little soft around the edges and we left the Sharpness settings higher than normal to compensate for this.
Picture Quality Rating (Non-HD): 7.5/10
Features Rating: 8/10
A colorful lively shot from this years NBA finals accessed through the Internet suite options on the LV5500.
Internet Options: LG NetCast Internet Connected Internet Feature Options: There are a few Internet options that appear to have been dropped from last years offering including Yahoo! Widgets and Skype. But other options have been expanded from the premium services Netflix, Youtube, VUDU, AP, Google Maps, Cinema Now, NBA, Facebook, and Twitter. There are currently 49 Apps in the LG Internet Apps store – not nearly as many as some competitors but the list is growing. A few we noticed include Yoga trainer, Horoscope, H&M Fashion, Color Blind, and a Paint App. It appears LG is concertedly playing catchup in this area and doing a reasonably good job at it. We are happy to report that the TruMotion feature and Picture Menu options can be accessed on the LV5500 with Internet options.
Value Rating: 7.5/10
For those that plan on viewing lots of Internet functions on a TV and do not care about 3D readiness this could be the perfect TV for you. The extra Magic Wand motion controller remote makes Internet browsing and using the supplied Internet suite easy and fun. Other extras include a Wifi dongle. At $1249 at most authorized Internet retailers this 42" TV presents a compelling value with competition coming from the Samsung UN40D6300 and UN40D6000, though they are both 2 inches smaller than the 42LV5500.
Overall Rating: 7.75/10
See the full, calibrated picture settings for the 42LV5500
Specifications
- 42.0" diagonal screen size (42" screen class)
- 16:9 native aspect ratio with 5 correction modes
- ENERGY STAR certified
- 4 HDMI ports
- 2 composite AV inputs, 2 component video + audio inputs, 1 RF input, 2 USB inputs, PC input + audio input
- Digital optical audio output
- 1-way 10W + 10W built-in Infinite Sound speaker system with Auto Volume Leveler, Clear Voice II, and 5 sound modes
- ±20° swivel stand included; 200mm x 200mm VESA compliant
- Magic Motion and standard backlit remote controls included; LAN, RS-232c, and wireless control ports
- Wi-Fi adapter included
- Smart TV streaming from top content providers
- DLNA certified
- Intelligent sensor adjusts picture to room lighting level
- XD engine
- THX Certified Display (with Bright Room Mode)
- Picture Wizard II (Easy Picture Calibration); ISFccc
- 24p input capable
- LED backlighting
- TruMotion 120Hz refresh rate
- Full HD 1920 x 1080p resolution
- 3 color temperature correction modes, 7 picture modes, and 3 AV modes
- On/Off Timer and Sleep Timer
- Auto Off/Auto Sleep (when no signal is present)
- Input labeling
- Bass/treble/balance controls
- Dolby Digital decoding
- Dimensions (without/with stand): 39.8"/39.8" W x 24.3"/26.9" H x 1.2"/10.0" D
- Weight (without/with stand): 29.1 lbs/34.2 lbs
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