LG Electronics 42PC1DA

Setting up the LG 42PC1DA is a piece of cake, much easier than the setup of budget models such as the Maxent MX-42HPM20. Ports are horizontally placed, clearly labeled, and spaced widely apart. Accessing them to plug in components is quick and easy, and the set has copious input options for all types of devices. My only complaint concerned the set's lack of a DVI input: When inputting video through HDMI (without audio), you have to use a miniplug audio jack to bring in the audio track, the same type used by your computer. This means that if you're bringing in audio from a set-top box, you'll need an RCA-to-miniplug converter cable. I would much rather use standard RCA cables to attach to one of the four other RCA audio jacks, which I can't imagine by a typical user would normally fill with stereo gear.

Still, that's a minor quibble about an otherwise excellent set. You can quickly and efficiently manage the TV through its menus, and the sophisticated menu setup allows for deep configuration options. The adaptive picture mode splits the screen into four panes, each showing how the video looks through a different video setting. This makes testing different video modes much more intuitive: You can see side by side how a different color or brightness setting will impact the picture, without lots of trial and error.

LG doesn't skimp on its speakers either--they offer rich sound. Even the remote control is well organized and easy to navigate. The manual spends a bit too much space outlining the integrated TV Guide system rather than explaining basic features, but that's a minor quibble. If you can get over the sticker shock, you'll find the 42PC1DA as impressive as they come.

Christopher Null