PLAYBACK 23: LG 55LH90 LCD HDTV with LED Backlighting

THX Certified & Feature Packed

Interestingly, the THX mode bars access to the basic picture adjustments—they can only be accessed with that mode through the Picture Wizard. If adjustments are made, then they’re saved to the ISF Expert 1 mode, which provides an extensive set of additional adjustments best left to a professional calibrator. There’s also an ambient room light sensor that can adjust the overall backlighting level automatically.

Connectivity

Four HDMI inputs should be enough for most, and two HD-capable component inputs and two composite inputs should be enough to handle additional HD and SD sources. There’s an RGB PC input along with a USB port for picture viewing, MP3 listening and video viewing. An optical digital audio output is also provided. One of the HDMI inputs, the USB port, and one of the composite inputs are tucked away on an inset side panel.

User Interface

On Screen Display

With big, bold graphics and highly legible text, the LG’s OSD is one of the best designed interfaces out there. When making picture adjustments, the slider bars stay on screen until the user decides they’re no longer needed, which is a major plus. Accessing pictures, audio and video clips from the USB port is somewhat slow and clunky however, but the set handles even 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 high resolution video stored on a thumb drive. A secondary Quick Menu provides access to picture modes, inputs and the like.

 Remote Control

An overall good design, the remote features the preferred amber backlighting, compared to the typical red or blue, for better contrast in low ambient light conditions. The number keypad features large buttons with clearly legible numerals, and the cursor keys and central enter button are spaced sufficiently far apart. No direct input buttons are provided, however.

RECOMMENDED SETTINGS

While the THX Cinema mode provides good overall color and contrast, the default backlight level for that mode is somewhat dim, so use the Picture Wizard to up the backlighting level a few notches.

• Color: 42
  
• Tint: 0
  
• Sharpness: 50 Horizontal/50 Vertical
  
• Picture Mode: THX Cinema/ISF Expert 1
  
• HD size (pixel-to-pixel): Just Scan
  
• Color Temperature: Warm
  
• Color Gamut: Wide
  
• Backlight: 50
  
• Gamma: Medium (2.2 result)
  
• Black Level: Low
  
• Edge Enhancement: Off
  
• Color Filter: Off
  
• Eye Care: On
  
• Real Cinema: On (5:5 pulldown for 24p Blu-ray movie input)
  
• 240 Hz: Low
  
• Dynamic Contrast: Off
  
• Dynamic Color: Off
  
• NR: Off
  
• Intelligent Sensor: Your call

PERFORMANCE

Blu-ray Evaluation: The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008)