Looking At The LG 42LH3000

The LG 42LH3000 TV

The LG 42LH3000 flat panel LCD provides a forty-two inch diagonal screen with a couple of differentiating features such as enhanced energy saving technology and a superior speaker system design. The HD ready LCD comes with a 1920 x 1080 progressive scan screen resolution.

The 42LH3000's image quality is on par with most other comparable models. Although most product reviews on the web are fairly positive on picture quality, the LG 42LH3000's dynamic contrast ratio and frame processing rate are nothing to boast about. At 50,000:1, the LCD's dynamic contrast ratio is below most plasma screens. Furthermore, this model's frequency stands at 50-Hz which is average at best especially when viewing action packed movie scenes. The LG 42LH3000, however, does possess additional functionality to enhance its existing picture signal. A control guide program allows the viewer to modify the picture quality to enhance the viewing experience.

This television's most unique attribute is probably its sound system. LG has strategically placed their speakers into the front bezel in order to enhance the audio to increase the sweet spot providing a richer and wider sound field. This 'Invisible Speaker System.. ' has the added benefit of being fine tuned by Mark Levinson.

For the avid audio aficionado, the LG 42LH3000 provides the listener five sound settings to select from: Music, Cinema, Sport, Standard, and Game. Another sound enhancement in this model is the 'Clear Voice 2'. This technology, as the name suggests, clarifies the voice audio while reducing background sounds so that the viewer can clearly hear the words over any clamor in the backdrop. The LH3000 flat panel also includes 20W audio ports for mounting surround sound components.

The 42LH3000 panel sports a couple of Scart sockets for connecting to components other than high definition, such as DVD players. For high definition connections, there are three HDMI ports. The LCD also possesses a PC interface for computers.

The second noteworthy accomplishment is its enhanced energy saving technology which has allowed this model to easily meet the criteria established by the Energy Saving Trust. Among the energy saving enhancements are a standby mode, screen-off function, and an 'Intelligent Sensor'. The standby mode allows the viewer to put the screen in a mode that utilizes zero electricity. The screen off function keeps the audio on for picture free listening. The 'Intelligent Sensor', perhaps the most unique feature of them all, adjusts the brightness of the LCD screen depending on the ambient light in the viewing room.

One relatively universal feature that is lacking in the LG 42LH3000 is the picture in picture (PIP) functionality. Additionally, in place of a Freesat tuner, is the Freeview feature which relays land based digital signal to the LCD screen versus satellite based transmissions.

Overall, the LG 42LH3000 is a fairly accommodating LCD flat screen. The flat panel weighs slightly in excess of 17 kilograms with a swivel stand and allows for 178 degree viewing angle. Depending on the source, the cost for a new one ranges from slightly under 500 British pounds up to 700 British pounds.