The Perfect Vision
LG 42PC5D Additional Notes and Technical Ratings
Under the Hood | Adjustment Notes | Test Discs | Technical Ratings
Under the Hood
Although the LG 42PC5D accepts 1080i/p signals, it does a poor job of scaling them to its 1024x768 native resolution; 720p signals look fine, however. LG touts its XD image processing, which includes automatic contrast, color, and noise reduction, but only noise reduction is effective at improving the picture.
Adjustment Notes
The 42PC5D does not crush whites, even with Contrast cranked to max. This is fortunate, because you must adjust the Contrast control to 80 or above or certain levels of gray become obviously tinted with red. I found a setting of 96 to be ideal. Be sure to turn XD Contrast off, or it will cause the white level to float, again introducing a reddish tint at some levels of gray.
Switch the Black Level control to its Low setting for best performance.
Some ringing was apparent even with Sharpness at zero, and there wasn’t much difference to be seen from 50 on down. I left it at 40.
Test Discs
The HQV Benchmark DVD revealed exceptional processor performance at 480i. Jaggies were practically non-existent. The picture was slightly noisy overall, but enabling the XD Noise function reduced random noise without softening the picture appreciably. The set’s processor picked up 3:2 pulldown almost instantly.
Switching to the HQV Benchmark HD DVD, the video resolution loss test showed flickering in the highest frequencies at 1080i. The flicker disappeared at 720p, but the high-frequency bursts were rolled off and banded. In the film resolution loss test, there was some flickering and aliasing in the mid frequencies at 1080i. The flickering disappeared at 720p, but there was still some aliasing visible on the horizontal and vertical high-frequency patches. The pan across the stadium bleachers looked great. Jaggies were invisible.
Microsoft engineer Stacey Spears’ test HD DVD looked fine except for the luma burst, which was marred by lots of artifacts. The processor picked up 3:2 pulldown almost instantly. The gently curving yellow trim on the sailing ship showed hardly any jaggies.
Technical Ratings
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