LG LH20 LCD 720P HDTV Review

LG’s LH20 720p LCD HDTV models are the entry level LCD series HDTV for LG. They are very price competitive and offer good value for an entry level model. There is a wide range of screen sizes including the 42 inch 42LH20, 37 inch 37LH20, 32 inch 32LH20, 26 inch 26LH20, 22 inch 22LH20 and 19 inch 19LH20. It should be noted however, that this review applies only to the 32 inch and above models, as the smaller screen models have lower contrast ratios and miss out on features such as LG’s Core Technologies (Picture Wizard, Invisible Speaker System, Clear Voice II and AV Mode II).

LG LH20 LCD 720P HDTV

The LH20′s have a Super In Plane Switching (S-IPS) display which produces good response times (5ms) and improved color and contrast (30,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio). Cnet have referred to the LG as the most color accurate they have tested. LG has given these HDTV the largest range of picture adjustment options available at the moment – a picture tweakers delight. Power use is excellent and exceed the requirements of Energy Star 3.0 standards. A couple of detractions for these models are black levels lighter than competitors such as Samsung and Sony and the lack of an S-video connetion.

ISFccc Ready

LG’s LH20 models come with ISFccc (Imaging Science Foundation Certified Calibration Configuration) calibration options allowing professional calibration technicians to calibrate them 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 LG20 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).

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.

Picture Wizard

Picture Wizard is and interesting new LG technology enabling easy calibration by non-experts using built-in test patterns and on-screen reference points for key picture quality elements such as; contrast, black level, color, tint, sharpness and backlight levels. The calibrations can be made and saved for different inputs. It’s a technique common to calibration DVDs available. Other picture controls available include; color temperature presets, dynamic contrast and color, noise reduction, gamma level, edge enhancement and a fairly unique 10-point white balance system for more accurate grayscale.

Audio

LG offer a good sound system for an entry level model including SRS TruSurround XT virtual surround sound. To produce a wider sound field that appears to radiate from the entire HDTV, LG embeds ‘invisible speakers’ at strategic points behind the front of the cabinet

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

Clear Voice II

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