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More…Despite its extremely fast (5ms) pixel response time, the LG42LB5D LCD television came in eighth in our image quality tests among the twelve HDTVs in our November issue's roundup. Still, it outperformed our other 5ms contestant, the Philips 42PFL7432D/37.
LG Electronics 42LB5
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- Spec Navigator
- Screen Specs
- Broadcast Standards & Resolutions
- Dimensions and Weight
- Interface Connections
- Other Features
- Adjustments
- Aesthetics
- Included Hardware
Screen Specs
| Diagonal screen size | 42 inches |
| Display type | LCD |
| Maximum resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Contrast ratio | 10,000 |
| Brightness | 500 cd/m^2 |
| Horizontal viewing angle | 178 ° |
| Vertical viewing angle | 178 ° |
| Response time | 5 ms |
| Pixel Response Type | Gray-to-gray |
Dimensions and Weight
| Width | 40.7 inches |
| Depth | 3.5 inches |
| Height | 11.1 inches |
| Weight | 60.6 pounds |
| Wall-Mountable | Yes |
Interface Connections
| Other Interfaces | USB Media Host |
| Input |
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| Output |
|
3
6 User Reviews Add your own »
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- Lab Tested
- How We Test HDTVs »
Pros
Very fast pixel response time
Easy to access inputs
Cons
Difficult menus
Lackluster picture
Bottom Line
Promising specs--including 1080p, a fast pixel response time, and HDMI 1.3--don't add up to a superb picture.
LG Electronics 42LB5D
42LB5 Review, by Lincoln Spector September 20, 2007
On the other hand, by the time you've finished with LG's on-screen menus, you may be too tired to care about the image quality. The small, centered, transparent menus are reasonably legible, but no one seems to have thought out the organization. The Set Up menu, for instance, covers setting up channels--and nothing else. If you want to set up, say, input labels, you have to go hunting through the other menus for the appropriate command (hint: it's under Options).
Speaking of input options, switching from your DVR to your DVD player entails scrolling through every input in between those two, including those that are empty. The set knows which ones are connected to something--they're highlighted--but it makes you scroll through them all anyway.
At least the input ports face outward (most of them on the back and a few on the side), so it's easy to plug items into them.
The 42LB5D comes with an unusually brief (32 pages) manual. But that doesn't mean everything is simple. You also get a CD-ROM containing a second manual in PDF form, this one running 110 pages. The electronic manual is so exhaustive it even mentions a picture-in-picture feature that the TV doesn't actually have.
A USB port on the front of the 42LB5D allows you to attach an external media device so you can view photos or listen to music stored on it. The television supports HDMI's CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) feature--though LG calls it SimpLink--which allows one remote to control all CEC-compatible home theater devices, and allows the devices to control each other through the HDMI cable. For instance, the act of placing a DVD in a CEC-compatible player might cause your TV to switch on and set itself to the correct input.
The LG's programmable remote feels a bit heavy, but it's reasonably well laid-out and the important buttons are easy to get to.
Lincoln Spector
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PCWorld Lab Results
- Rating Breakdown
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74
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82
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71
- See Complete Lab Results »
74
83
79
86Performance
| Brightness and Contrast | Good |
| Color Quality | Good |
| Detail | Good |
| DVD Image Quality | Good |
| High-Definition Image Quality | Good |
| Interface Tested | HDMI |
| Overall Quality | Good |
| Standard-TV Image Quality | Good |
User Reviews
Average User Reviews for LG Electronics 42LB5
1 Review Add your own »
- Latest User Reviews 1 review
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Reviewed by: seachem
Duration of ownership: 8 Days
Strengths: HD Picture, Inputs
Weaknesses: SD Picture, Quality/Reliability
Overall: Had similar technical problems as kenkai. Would have difficulty with video displaying and at times had difficulty getting the unit to turn off. Was within retailer return window so i returned vs dealing with LG customer service so can't comment on their helpfulness.
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by: kenkai
Strengths: Not determinable
Weaknesses: Customer support at LG
Overall: Ordered this TV off of NBC promotion at a great price and financing. The unit arrived within 3 days. The unit did not display a video picture but did have sound. Numerous attempts at adjusting the cable with different configurations did not help. The disturbing part of this experience was the telephone support at LG who said that the problem was due to the cable supplier. I found this hard to believe since there was a TV connected to this cable just hours before. She was not at all supportive and I felt that I was blown off. Fortunately, the gentle man at NBC was helpful and said that he would arrange pick up at their cost and a full refund. I would have been happy with a replacement but all units were sold out because of the attractive price.
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Reviewed by: justddd
Strengths: picture quality, specs, inputs
Weaknesses: not tillable stand
Overall: After long research I bought this model and so far I have no complaints at all, except that stand is not tillable and the screen looks not vertical so I had to put couple of washers to level it
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Reviewed by: xdr4gon
Strengths: 1080P3 HDMI Ports among othersPicture DisplayPrice
Weaknesses: Menu could have more options
Overall: This is my first flat panel display and I am glad I went with this LG. The viewing angle is phenomenal and the picture quality is stunning and vivid. The 3 HDMI inputs make connections easy as I have my computer connected to watch DVDs and other HD Content (divx) and I still have 2 more ports for a Blu-Ray Player, PS3, and or HD-DVD player (guess they are dead now huh?). It was really easy to setup and connecting it to cable was a snap. While I was watching the tuner find the channels, it was just displaying static and I have to say it was the prettiest static I have ever seen. There's just not enough great things to say about this TV. 1080P content and DVDs (upconverted) look superb as well as HDTV (From my computer's HD tuner) upconverted to 1080p from 1080i. If you are unsure of which 40-42" LCD 1080p/i set to get, get this one!Life IS good with LG!
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Reviewed by: poman007
Strengths: I
Weaknesses: Standard definition tv was disappointing, but paying $600 more for a Sony was just ridiculous. The 480p upconvert from the cable box made it more tolerable. After 72 hours of burn in, the picture quality was much improved.
Overall: Overall- I highly recommend this TV. Expect a decline in quality of standard programming (most non-major network shows). The trade-up to HD programs will leave you dreaming in HD.
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Reviewed by: icefish
Strengths: built-in QAM cable TV tuner
Weaknesses: no fancy feature, ex. picture-in-picture
Overall: I would highly recommend this TV to any one, but it?s the worse purchase experience. Got it from Sears. Waited for more than a month for the Sears store to be able to order from the warehouse. Paid the whole amount of money for the TV after Sears could order, but never received the TV after the delivery date which was another month later. Went back to Sears, the only excuse I got was ?the order was lost in the system?. They reordered it. The TV was still not delivered after another month. It took 3 months. Sears merchandise department never picked up the phone, had to keep calling and calling. Information was misinformed all the time. Sears salesperson just put the phone calls on hold, till another salesperson picked up the phone, and this one put it on hold too, again, again and again????. How precious is this TV?
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