LG LX6500 Series 3D 1080p 240 Hz LED LCD HDTV with Local Dimming Review

The LG LX6500 series of 3D ready, LED LCD, Full HD HDTVs is a close sibling of LG’s flagship LX9500 series which was a Cnet Best of CES 2010 nomoniee. All LX6500 models have a remarkable dynamic contrast ratio of 8 million:1 thanks for features like LED backlighting and local dimming. Other highlight features for this series are Wireless 1080p readiness, rear elimination of blur by TruMotion 240Hz and the Internet sourced entertainment opportunities presented by an Ethernet connection and NetCast Entertainment Access.

LG LX6500 3D LED LCD 1080P HDTV

The LG LX6500 series includes three models; the 55 inch 55LX6500, 47 inch 47LX6500 and 42 inch 42LX6500.

240 Hz Refresh Rate and 2 ms Response Time

For minimization of any motion blurring the LX6500 models have the double advantage of a high refresh rate of 240 Hz and a very low (for and LCD display) response time of 2 ms. 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. A higher refresh rate 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.

Broadband Internet Connectivity

LG’s LX6500 models are more than just a HDTV, they are a media hub with an Ethernet connection for broadband access to network and Internet sourced entertainment. Broadband sourced entainment options include Lgs NetCast Entertainment Access, Yahoo! TV Widgets, Netflix, Vudu, YouTube, Picasa. If running a cable for network access is a problem, the LX9500 models are Wi-Fi ready with an optional LG AN-WF100 Wi-Fi USB Adaptor.

Full Array Backlighting with Local Dimming

LG’s LX6500 models have full array LED backlighting which provides superior backlighting uniformity compared to edge-lit LED backlighting which relies on a light diffusing panel to provide uniform backlighting for the LED panel. The full array backlighting facilitates the application of local dimming whereby LED lamps individually control brightness across the display to match the pattern of brightness required by the image being displayed. Local dimming improves contrast ratios, black levels and also white levels.

3D by LG

As mentioned, the LX6500 series is 3D ready and as with other brands utilizes frame sequential 3D technology. Sequential 3D technology requires viewers to wear LG AG-S100 3D Active Shutter Glasses which must be purchased separately. Read our 3D HDTV technology guide for more information on 3D for HDTVs.

Wireless 1080p Connectivity

The LG LX6500 models are compatible with the LG AN-WL100W Wireless Media Kit. The kit is capable of sending an uncompressed, Full HD (1080p) video signal to your HDTV from up to 50 feet away. The LG Wireless Media Kit has 4 HMDI inputs for connecting plenty of devices including Blu Ray players and game consoles. It’s a convenient option for installing your HDTV and ancillary AV devices exactly where you want them without worrying about how to run a multitude of cables. Read our HD Wireless technology guide for more background information.

NetCast Entertainment Access

Content sources available through LG’s NetCast Entertainment Access include:

VUDU

VUDU is an on-demand streaming service for movies in Full HD 1080p resolution and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound. Movies are sourced from all Hollywood studios and over 30 independent studios. Movies and TV titles can be instantly bought or rented and there are no monthly fees.

Netflix

Netflix is a subscription based instant streaming providing access to a library of over 15,000 movie and TV episode titles. A lot of the content is standard definition and the Netflix subscription is not included with the LG HDTV.

YouTube

Watch everything from YouTube on your HDTV with unlimited direct access to the millions of Web videos available through
YouTube.

Yahoo Widgets

Yahoo Widgets can provide information feeds such as weather forecasts, stock prices and news in a format similar to the Gadgets which can be placed on the desktop of Microsoft Windows.

Picasa

Re-live all your family vacation memories with your Picasa photos on the big screen for everyone to enjoy, create galleries and slideshows for easy organization.

24p Real Cinema

If you have a 24p output capable device, such as a Blu-ray Disc player, you can watch films on a LX6500 HDTV at the 24 fps they were shot at (5:5/2:2 Pulldown). If film shot at 24fps is not viewed at a whole multiple frame rate (eg. 3:2 pulldown), inserted frames can cause some lack of smoothness (judder). To gain a good understanding of movie playback options read or technical guide comparing 24p and 3:2 playback.

Intelligent Sensor

Ambient light and reflections from the viewing environment have an affect (sometimes severe) on picture quality. As well as having a matte finish display to minimize reflections, the LG LX6500 models have an intelligent light sensor automatically optimizes brightness and other picture quality elements such as contrast, color, sharpness and white balance. Power consumption reductions of up to 50 percent are possible according to LG.

My Media Multimedia Playback

Prompted by their ever growing digital media assets such as images, video and music customers are looking for consumer electronics which make them easier to share. For multimedia playback the My Media menu can be accessed by choosing My Media in the user menu or by simply inserting a USB drive. The media type (movie list, photo list and music list) is selected first then the device to open files from. As well as USB one can choose DLNA.

MyPhoto List

Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) provides consumers with easy sharing of digital media through a wired or wireless network in the home. Sharing is possible with DLNA compliant consumer electronics as well as PCs running DLNA server software. LG supply Nero MediaHome 4 Essentials customized software edition for sharing files and folders with the LX6500.

Files can be navigated onscreen and JPEG images viewed as a slideshow which can even have background music from one of your MP3 files. A wide range of video file extensions are compatible including .asf, .wmv, .divx, .avi, .mp4, .mkv, .ts, .trp, .tp, .mpg as well as a suitably wide range of associated codecs.

Expert Picture Controls

The LX6500 has a wide range of expert picture controls including Dynamic Contrast, Dynamic Color, Skin Color, Noise Reduction, Digital Noise Reduction (caused by compressing video), Gamma, Black Level, Clear White (brightens white areas of screen), Eye Care (dims extremely bright pictures), Real Cinema or Film Mode (for eliminating judder effect in movies), Edge Enhancer, xvYCC (for richer colors) and Expert Pattern (built-in expert pattern for expert calibration).

ISFccc Ready

LG LX6500 models have ISFccc (Imaging Science Foundation Certified Calibration Configuration) calibration options which allow professional calibration technicians to calibrate a HDTV to deliver the best picture quality for the home theater environment and ambient lighting conditions. Read our ISFccc technology guide for more details.

Picture Wizard

Picture Wizard is an 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.

LX6500 as a PC Monitor

Those considering using the LG LX6500 as a PC monitor should note that the HDTV comes with Just Scan which is a 1:1 pixel matching facility for removing overscan. For other monitor use factors that need to be considered read our technical guide on using a HDTV as a PC monitor.

Sound

LG’s LX6500 models have twin 10W speakers and can produce a virtual surround sound experience thanks to the included SRS TruSurround XT technology. Speaker performance is enhanced though what LC call an invisible speaker system where speakers are strategically placed behind the front cabinet and use minute vibrations to turn the entire front bezel into the speaker system. The result is an increased increasing sweet spot giving a wider and richer sound field. The included Clear Voice technology automatically enhances dialogue when rising background sounds (eg. action films) threatens to overwhelm clarity.