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Reviewer: Robert Wiley
November 2008
INTRODUCTION TO LG 47LGX
The LG 47LGX is a winter 2008 TV model. The LCD has some of the "scarlet" design accents – red trim visible on sides, top and around the stand of the TV. It has the exceptionally deep bottom portion cabinet where many of the electronic components must be stored to enable its stunning 1.8" in depth. The other big upgrade over the LG60 series is the 120Hz processing capability. The LG 47LGX has 1080p resolution and all of the new LG technologies including processing enhancements. It contains 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and 4 HDMI inputs (3 in back, 1 on side).
PICTURE QUALITY RATING: 87/100
Prior to viewing we performed some fine calibration on this the LG 47LGX. See calibration settings at the bottom of the review to calibrate your TV if you own one.
Test and Optimum Viewing Distance: 12 feet
The Fresh Contrast features improved depth but notice
a little haziness in top right section of picture
720p/1080i/1080p Picture Quality: One feature we found to increase depth in HD film content is the Fresh Contrast function. Turning on this feature takes out the distracting hazy appearance from the anti glare screen and improves contrast considerably. A further piece of advice to follow prior to DVD and film content viewing is to turn off the True Motion 120Hz processing. This will help give the user a much more realistic picture without so much focus on the background picture set information. See "Remote/Menu Functionality" section below for instructions on turning this feature on and off. It seems difficult to produce a bright enough picture sometimes with the Blu Ray version of Master and Commander. However, the LG 47LGX did so while fighting any incoming glare effectively as well. The anti glare screen is amazing. Ambient light just gets lost in the screen. Overall, the picture with HD content was slightly hazy, crisp, clean, with some motion lag and side to side jerkiness. Color information displayed admirably once the TV was calibrated (click here for calibrations).
Upconversion processing is so good in this TV that
an upconverting DVD player is unncessary.
Up conversion from 480i and 480p: Processing hardware contained in the LGX did a magnificent job up converting from 480i to native resolution. Images from Braveheart and Tomorrow Never Dies were crisp and background noise is nearly eliminated. Indeed the LGX's upconversion processing prowess is so good that a consumer doesnt even need an upconverting DVD player. Let the TV do the work. I would even be hesitant about purchasing a Blu Ray player. There was, however motion lag present throughout the test material, more notably with the True Motion 120Hz turned off, however we felt it a necessary trade off to keep this feature off and preserve the realism of the films.
The 47LGX passed our HQV testing with most results excellent. The processor got a little confused at intervals during the Film Resolution Loss Test, but corrected itself quickly. There was little to no moire' pattern during the stadium seating section of the FRLT. There was also some flicking background noise appearing in our HD Noise Test. Overall the TV's processing chip sets passed our tests easily.
Black Level: Black levels were sufficient despite being highly constrained by the anti glare screen. At times, the top and bottom bars looked a little washed out and I would not describe the blacks as deep. This was also proved out in our contrast ratio measurement checkerboard testing with the 47LGX rendering less than stellar results. Much of this results from the anti glare screen.
Dark Shadow Detail: During scenes from Master and Commander there was decent detail in the inner cabin scenes. Clothing wrinkles showed up but again were hurt by the anti glare screen. Dark material sometimes becomes lumped together and produces losses in depth perception.
Color information appears slightly muted due to the anti glare screen. Post calibration flesh tones duringBraveheart were not rich appearing slightly green.
Off angle viewing was adversely affected by the anti glare screen on the LCD. Contrast and black levels start to degrade at just 35 degrees off center. There is also a significant amount of light bleed present at angles in dark material.
Motion Lag: There was certainly motion lag occurring with this LCD, much the same as other high end (or low end) LCDs. While it is evident with all programming, turning On the True Motion 120Hz processing reduces motion lag considerably. Images moving horizontally across the screen, were especially vulnerable.
There is a trade-off between picture realism and motion lag
with True Motion on or off. We preferred it off.
False Contouring/ Mapping: There was no false contouring or mapping noted. The LCD processing in this area was excellent.
Exceptions: The anti glare screen plays a significant role with this LCD in reducing contrast and black level as well as decreasing dark matter detailing. The anti glare function itself works flawlessly as we did not note any background light disturbance.
This TV will be excellent for high ambient light rooms.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS RATING FOR LG 47LGX: 88/100
Video Aspect Ratio Sizing: Again, processing was spot on – sizing looks natural and undistorted on any viewed source. During scenes from Master and Commander Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin's features look as normal as if they were sitting in the room with you. There was no side to side "stretch".
Inputs: 4 HDMI Inputs, USB port (side entry), 2 Component, RGB 15 pin computer input.
Appearance: Well, there is a lot to say here! The 47LGX has a gloss black cabinet with a large bottom portion at 6.75" from the bottom of the TV to the bottom of the picture element. A large pendant sized LG light centers this base which presumably houses the video boards and chip set engines of the TV. The LCD is only 1.8" in depth which is awesome! with red accents around the top, sides, and around the chrome colored base. The piece is distinctively art deco and will look great in a modern environment. One strange contradiction is the use of a gloss black cabinet with a stringent anti glare screen – not sure I get that one.
The matte black non backlit remote control is easy to use
Functionality: The menu functionality is one of the easiest to understand and navigate that we have come across. The ten point white balance scale makes calibration more exacting and as mentioned, the Clear Voice technology not only works but is necessary. The matte black non backlit remote is also ease to use, but lacks an aspect ratio button.
Audio: First and foremost, you will want to turn on the Clear Voice technology with any TV programming or film content. Not having to strain to hear verbiage is a huge plus. You will also want to initiate the SRX True Surround XT feature as it adds depth and needed warmth to the audio output.
Extra Features: The touch sensor on/off button (in LG light) is cool. Anti glare screen is great for bright back lighting. True Motion processing best used only during sports and fast motion programming.
