LG LH90 Series LED LCD Full HD (1080p) HDTV Review

LG’s LH90 LED LCD Full HD (1080p) HDTV series includes the 42 inch 42LH90, 47 inch 47LH90 and 55 inch 55LH90 all of which have a very thin side profile. The LH90 models bring all the advantages of their LED backlighting. Importantly, they are have full array LED backlighting allowing the use of local dimming whereby LED lamps individually control brightness across the display to match the pattern of brightness required by the image being displayed. As a consequence, these models have an high 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, excellent black levels and picture quality. Cnet have called it “the best-performing LG TV we’ve tested”.

LG LH90 1080p LED LCD HDTV

Being THX certified provides the assurance that these HDTVs have passed independent testing to published criteria. Along with the THX mode (THX calibration), the LH90 models notably have extensive picture adjustment features especially with regard to color management options.

Local Dimming

LG’s LH90 models are blessed with local dimming technology which, through the ability to control sections of the LED backlighting to match the lighting required by the image being displayed. Local dimming significantly improves black levels and the contrast ratios – a natural weakness of LCD display technology compared to plasma.

Response Time

For clear action images without motion blurring an LCD display needs a fast response time (minimal latency). Response time is more critical for motion-intensive applications such as gaming. Only a short time ago a 4ms response time was a market leading response time for an LCD HDTV. The LG LH90 models 2.4ms response time is bettered (only slightly) by the Samsung B8500 LED LCD HDTV.

TruMotion Drive (240Hz)

To combat motion blur, an inherent weakness of LCD displays, LG has included 240Hz capability which is only available in premium LCD HDTVs at the moment. It both smooths out fast moving on-screen motion and combats any smearing or blurring of fast moving picture elements as common to sports broadcasts and games. The video processing power to interpolate the extra frames for 240Hz is truly impressive. TruMotion processing also smooths judder in slow moving camera pans.

ISFccc Ready

ISFccc (Imaging Science Foundation Certified Calibration Configuration) calibration options allows professional calibration technicians to calibrate a HDTV to deliver the best picture quality for the home theater environment and ambient lighting conditions. Technicians can store their calibration settings as ISF Day and ISF Night modes, for best image quality in different lighting conditions.

24p Real Cinema

If you have a 24p output capable device, such as a Blu-ray Disc player, you can watch films on a LG60 LCD HDTV at the 24 fps they were shot at. If video deriving from film is not viewed at 24p, inserted frames can cause some lack of smoothness (judder).

Intelligent Sensor

Ambient light and reflections in the viewing environment affect picture quality. The included intelligent light sensor automatically optimizes the picture to the lighting conditions. It’s not just a backlight control as the LG video processor optimizes picture quality elements including brightness, contrast, color, sharpness and white balance. LG promote the the Intelligent Sensor’s operation as significantly reducing power usage however, this didn’t show up in or recent LED LCD HDTV Comparison article which found that the Sharp LE700 LED LCD HDTV came in with the lowest power draw by a large margin (energy star program testing).

THX Display Certification and THX Cinema Mode

The LG LH90 models have gained THX Certification which is a rigorous process and a significant accomplishment for any manufacturer. THX certification should give a consumer confidence that the display product they are purchasing has achieved a high performance benchmark.

Picture Wizard

Picture Wizard in and interesting new LG technology enabling easier owner calibration using on-screen reference points for key picture quality elements such as black level, color, tint, sharpness and backlight levels. It’s a technique common to calibration DVDs available.

AV Mode II

Three AV modes are available to optimize picture and sound settings based on video content genre; cinema, sports and game. For the 2009 LG range, the Cinema Mode has been calibrated using ISFccc standards for a more natural, film-like appearance.

AUDIO

Output Power: 10W x 2
Invisible Speaker System
Clear Voice II
SRS TruSurround XT
Dolby Digital 5.1 Decoder

Clear Voice II

Clear Voice technology automatically enhances dialogue when rising background sounds (eg. action films) threatens to overwhelm clarity. New enhancements now allow viewers to customize their personal preferences based on their home environment through a 12-step adjustment process.