LG 42″ LCD TV Reviews

Two of the most popular TVs on the market are two LG 42” LCD TV models – the 42LD520 and 42LD550. What sets them apart from other makes and models? Also what sets these two LG 42” LCD televisions apart from each other?

LG 42LD520 – this is an LG 42” full HD LCD TV, that is it conforms to the 1080p specification which means it has a resolution of 1920×1080 and uses the progressive scanning method. It has a dynamic contrast ratio of 100,000:1 which delivers outstanding colors and levels of blackness.

Features -

• TruMotion 120 Hz technology – this is the rate at which the images on screen are refreshed (commonly called the refresh rate). The higher the refresh rate the less flicker that is visible, the benefits of which are more noticeable when watching fast moving action such as sports, movies, or playing video games because the images appear smoother without any blurring.
• AV mode – When using your TV for different viewing applications such as movies, sports or video games, to get the best experience ‘AV mode’ uses customized settings for picture and sound to give optimized results.
• Smart Energy Saving – this is not a gimmick, it means that this LG 42 inch LCD is energy efficient, saving you money on your electricity bills. Considering the life span of this TV is 60,000 hours and the fact that in the average household the TV is probably the most used electrical appliance, over the life of this TV the money savings will be considerable.
• Intelligent Sensor – this clever feature automatically adjusts and optimizes the display to suit the light conditions of the room that it is situated in. This feature further enhances the viewing experience without you even being aware and keeps your eyes from straining.
• Clear Voice II – another intelligent feature that recognizes and amplifies the sound frequency of the dialogue so that voices are more clearly audible. Once again this may seem like a gimmick, but how many times have you been watching a football game or some other event and the background noise has drowned out the commentary.

LG 42LD550 – once again this an LG 42” LCD Full HD TV, however this time the primary difference with the display capability is that it has a dynamic contrast ratio of 150,000:1, making it even better in terms of brightness, colours and detail especially when viewing dark scenes.

This model has all the feature that the LG 42LD520 has plus the following additional features which are all related to connectivity, in particular internet connectivity.

Additional Features –

• First it has 4 HDMI ports rather than 3, 2 component connections rather than 1, a LAN connector and wireless connectivity (using a wireless adaptor). This LG 42 inch LCD TV is smaller by 1 inch in height and width and half an inch in thickness. It also weighs over 7 lbs less.
• NetCast Entertainment Access – this is the big difference with the LG 42LD550. This is the feature that brings a multitude of internet services to the TV without the need for a PC. It brings instant entertainment and information services to the viewer. Access movies, TV shows, music, weather and news from the internet on your TV. This is a feature that bridges the gap between the internet and television.

For these extra features the difference is price is $200 between these two LG LCD 42” TV models (the LG 42LD520-$950, LG 42LD550-$1150). The decision you have to make is a simple one, do you require internet features or not?

If it’s a definite ‘no’ and you don’t ever imagine you’ll use the features then go for the LG 42LD520. If you’re unsure, check out the features of NetCast for yourself before making the decision. If you decide it might be something that you will be interested in the future, then it might be worth the extra outlay. After all you will still get the benefits of the improved contrast ratio that comes with the LG 42LD550. Either way whichever you choose both LG 42” LCD HDTV models are a quality piece of kit.