New Lg 1080p Lcd's Due End Mar

[Sea Kitten!]

Lol.

After coming from 2 panels with clouding issues, i was turned off both the x series and the m81 samsung.

I pick up my 47" LG on saturday. Also, the LG has subs in the back for better sound.

Will let you know how it goes

$4424.

How are the blacks? I notice the LG only has 5000:1 C.R compared to the 15000:1 on the Samsung m81

[Gazzz]

Jason, running 7.1 surround. More than adequate, especially on friday nights

Problem is finding an and that will go loud enough before cutting out. 110rms x7 doesn't go loud enough to distort the speakers.

Big picture, Big sound............... Small unit

Annoying neighbours though, so I don't limit the noise emmitting from my place.

Picture below. Only the panel is now on an mdf racing cockpit i made. 42" 1080P looks great from 750mm away =D

[dave2069]

Is anyone sure that the inbuilt HDD can record DTV shows from a second stand-alone DTV set-top box?

I have a LG 42LB2DE and have my Foxtel Digital STB connected via Component Input 1. I record from that input onto the internal DVR without problems.

Also, in another posting there was a query about the three year warranty...yes, it comes with a three year in-home warranty. But Samsung offer this too.

The built-in DVR is a key reason for why I purchased it. It's handy and works well. I especially like the "pause live TV" function - kinda of handy (if not a bit gimmicky).

I'm happy with the picture quality, HD tuner works great, although dual HD tuners would be nice (I've got my old external HD tuner I could use, if I wanted via component).

I hooked up my laptop and managed to get the display up at 1920x1080i @ 60 via RGB D-Sub connector - it looked reasonable/passable (but not perfect or ideal for viewing for long periods)...I am yet to try it out via HDMI/DVI input connector yet.

My Sony Handycam which outputs 1440x1080i via HDMI or Component looks great on this display.

FYI. Both the LG and Samsung manuals can be downloaded from the Australian support websites. It's worth checking them out if you're keen on either of them.

I loved the way LG had packaged this unit...so easy to install..the stand was already connected to the panel and all you had to do was snip the plastic ties on the box (the unit is shipped in an upright position)...and lift on to your TV unit.

Issues so far:

- glossy finish on the panel surround/stand AND unfortunately the remote conrol (not really to my taste and attracts finger prints - comes with a cleaning cloth though!)

- you can't cycle through all the video inputs and analogue/digital channels using the channel/programme keys. You need to "swap" modes between input sources (digital, analogue, component, hdmi, etc).

Still "learning" about all the features...

[Gazzz]

Thanks Dave, quality post. I'm expecting my 47" model either today (monday) or tomorrow. I'll try and write a full review on the panel when i test it in all it's HDMI goodness... any lcd as a tv is going to suffer. I also saw the DVR as a vantage point on purchase. Tested in store and worked flawlessly. Can't wait to record some fancy counterstirke:source gameplay and upload it should be great viewing.

[The Beastie]

Thanks Dave, quality post. I'm expecting my 47" model either today (monday) or tomorrow. I'll try and write a full review on the panel when i test it in all it's HDMI goodness... any lcd as a tv is going to suffer. I also saw the DVR as a vantage point on purchase. Tested in store and worked flawlessly. Can't wait to record some fancy counterstirke:source gameplay and upload it should be great viewing.

Ahh Gazzz, you are doing exactly what I want to do.

I want a true 1080P LCD/PVR that I can use the computer through mainly to play BF2 and on top record my games at the same time.

This will be really interesting as I have bought in the past 2 analog PVRs (first a Conia then a Pioneer) and tried recording video out on a Nvidia 7800GTX which never works properly on SVideo as recording above 1024x768 only work properly on component out.

Using S-Video doesn't really work you get just a 'chunk' of the screen which as far as I can tell from my analog PVR recordings is about 1/2 of the true screen at 1280x1024

Regular set top analog PVRs only do S-Video in so it’s going to be interesting to see how well a high quality component video in can record at under high resolution modes from the PC.

In case you have never tried this stuff before let me tell you a few things...

If you have a Nvidia card you will need to grab the special VIVO WMD drivers to enable VIVO mode in Nvidia for just about any card (except the 8800 series)

Also last time I checked VIVO doesn't work AT ALL in Vista for NVidia cards. NVidia kind of claim its Microsofts fault because of their new Windows Vista Display Driver Model (WDDM)

As far as I have read over the net the ATI cards for VIVO are better.

When you get this screen I also am interested knowing the general text quality of the screen for web browsing and if you suffer from any weird 1080p drop out problems PC based HDMI input that some people having been complaining about on the new Samsung 1080p LCDs

Then it would be great if you can tell us how well the HD tuner works for free to air TV.

Also where you bought it from would be nice to know.

The brightness/reflection information would be good to know as well as I plan to have it next to a wall along side a full sized ceiling to floor window at my apartment.

Also if there are any other new 2007 model TVs out it would be good to start a new thread (I cant start threads for some reason) so that everyone can be in the know for the new models that are just starting to come out.

Cheers.

[dave2069]

Ahh Gazzz, you are doing exactly what I want to do.

I want a true 1080P LCD/PVR that I can use the computer through mainly to play BF2 and on top record my games at the same time.

When you get this screen I also am interested knowing the general text quality of the screen for web browsing and if you suffer from any weird 1080p drop out problems PC based HDMI input that some people having been complaining about on the new Samsung 1080p LCDs

Then it would be great if you can tell us how well the HD tuner works for free to air TV.

The brightness/reflection information would be good to know as well as I plan to have it next to a wall along side a full sized ceiling to floor window at my apartment.

Cheers.

I believe you'd have to use HDMI input and your video card would have to support the exact frequency that LG specifies to get 1980x1080p to work. The manual implies that 1080p unavailable via the RGB input. I'm not sure if that's true, as 1080p "appears" to be working via my MacBook Pro via a DVI-to-RGB cable.

Interestingly, on my MacBook Pro, I got these results using the RGB input using MacOSX and Windows XP Pro. This is a Intel CPU Mac laptop with an ATI X1600 card with 256MB of dedicated RAM. I've downloaded the latest ATI drivers for this can for the Windows XP mode (fully supported by ATI/AMD, I should add)

- MacOSX - I had to change the RGB input type to "RGB(PC)", from the default "RGB(DTV)", before it would display without some bad overscanning to the left (which couldn't be adjusted via the LG menus or the MacOSX utility). The MacOS display preferences wouldn't allow me to select 30Hz interlaced or even 60Hz. Nor will the 42LB2DE tell me (the INFO button doesn't work in Component, HDMI or RGB modes).

Text display looks good - of course, don't sit too close this screen.

- Windows XP (Boot camp - native OS mode) - I could only get 1080i (30Hz interlace) to work (via RGB). The display was acceptable. But forget running anything requiring a fast refresh rate (eg. most games) as it's simply too slow to update. Web browsing and the like is fine. Quicktime HD movie previews look great. I haven't finished looking at this yet...still work in progress. Oh, I had to change the RGB Input type *back* to the default of "RGB(DTV) to get 30Hz interlace to work...I couldn't 1080p to work at all. But then again, I didn't spend too much time trying.

Text display looks OK (this is 1080i I'm talking about).

I've still got to find my DVI-to-HDMI cable before I can try the HDMI/DVI input.

NB: this is what I've found so far, with my setup...I'm not saying you can't do more...I've only spent 2 hours max "fiddling" (researching) on this topic to date. Check page 32 of the manual for a list of the supported display resolutions and under what "mode of operation" (along with the vertical/horizontal frequencies).

I haven't tried recording the 1080i or 1080p via RGB or HDMI yet. I read in the manual that Timeshift mode won't work via these inputs...wonder why.

In general...I'm finding new things (good and bad) about this LCD panel. So far, so good!

There is lots of good things to say about this panel, but as always, there is still...

Room for improvement:

- the "Programme +/-" key won't cycle through all the channels and video inputs (Component, HDMI and RGB). You need to press "Input" to view these. Really annoying, but I guess you need to whip out your programmable Universal remote and that'll solve that (I hope).

- the "Fav" (Favourites) button/function won't store Component, HDMI or RGB inputs...ah, I suppose you can't have everything...

- LG should dump the glossy finish black plastic finish. Finger marks everywhere! Luckily, they supply a cleaning cloth. It also reflects light, as the display surround is glossy. In a brightly light room the display looks fantastic, hopefully this will distract you away from this!

- a lower stand would be slightly better...the panel is propped-up a little to high for my liking

- DVR should have the option to copy the "Timeshitfted" recorded video to "Recorded TV" (hard disk)

- the 'INFO' button doesn't work in Component, HDMI or RGB modes

- HD tuner works well, no problems so far. But integration of the EPG with the DVR Scheduler could be better....as you cannot "click" on a programme and "nominate" for recording from the EPG. Now, I find this annoying, as you have to go to "Schedule" and do it...not too hard, but a little tedious when/if you're in a rush.

Happy viewing...

Dave

[dave2069]

Update...

1080p via RGB PC or DTV model from my MacBook Pro is working well. At least from MacOSX. Still work in progress for Windows XP Pro (still only getting 1080i).

You can't use the DVR to record anything from HDMI or RGB inputs. Very disappointing! Maybe in read this in the manual, before I bought, but didn't think it was important at the time. Now this would've nice to have feature, same it isn't there. At least my Sony Handycam with HDMI output (1440x1080i) can also output video via component (albeit with analog audio, not Dolby 5.1) -- at the same resolution.

Ah, you can easily find out what video mode the LCD is displaying, at any time, by pressing "OK" button. This will tell you aspect ratio, resolution (480i, 576i/p, 720i/p, 1080i/p, etc). The fresh rate (especially, the 'Invalid Format') doesn't seem to be able to be displayed.

[Gazzz]

Thanks Dave.

It is a shame about no recording from HDMI or D-Sub. It might be down to the HDD not being fast enough to record 1080p? thus stating that the highest external A/V source it will record from is Component at 1080i... however there are ways around this, (providing the unit will record one source while displaying another)

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/6FT-DVI-I-TO-3-RCA-...1QQcmdZViewItem

DVI to Component cable =) Most cards these days have dual DVI, so all you have to do is tell windows (XP PEOPLE!!!) to 'clone' two monitors, and set the panel to record component while you play on hdmi. Even still, if the panel won't allow you to record one source while you watch another, component will still allow you to play games / record tutorials at a very respectable 1080i.

For $20, it's a simple way around the issue.

The Beastie,

"

When you get this screen I also am interested knowing the general text quality of the screen for web browsing and if you suffer from any weird 1080p drop out problems PC based HDMI input that some people having been complaining about on the new Samsung 1080p LCDs

"

Thats one of the reasons I chose against the samsung... It will be a monitor! I don't wanna go make a coffee and come back to a blank screen i'm sure firmware updates will fix that, but theres still the clouding issue on the samsung panels... ugh.

I had a look at the small dislaimer text on the panel from a ps3 demo disc and could read it quite clearly (1080p) I'm positive that the PC will surpass this.

I bought it from 'The Electrical Discounter' Delivered in melbourne for $4444 (47") Click the banner at the top of this page.

100% Happy with the service thus far.

Newish panels:

I received a call today from Jason from the Big Picture People in Bundoora, Melbourne. Apparently he has just recently got in stock a new Sanyo 1080p 47" panel. First i've heard from the brand in this category and was a bit of a suprise, but I had paid for the LG in full earlier last week so unfortunately thats not an avenue I would go down with intention to buy, and didn't want to waste anyones time =)

Also, if you have $10,000 laying around, in their showroom they have the most gorgeous plasma panel i've ever seen... Pioneer 50" 1080p (don't know model number sorry) Simply gorgeous, comes with the pioneer warranty, installation, calibration after 6ish weeks, and a $2,000 bluray player. *Drool*

Keep ears peeled on the sanyo though, he seemed to be pretty into it. Expect the price to be anywhere from $3700 to $4100.

My eyes are really struggling after backing down to a 15" CRT till my new panel arrives, and of course i forgot to back the resolution down to something the CRT could do before i removed the dodgy schaub panel... ugh fun and games. Bed.

[The Beastie]

Thanks Dave.

It is a shame about no recording from HDMI or D-Sub. It might be down to the HDD not being fast enough to record 1080p? thus stating that the highest external A/V source it will record from is Component at 1080i... however there are ways around this, (providing the unit will record one source while displaying another)

Yeah a good NVidia card (mines a ASUS 7800GTX) have a component breakout box/adapter, I have tried it and it does work and allows you to output to some high resolution modes.

I have actually searched the Analog PVR market long and hard for a component/digital in analog PVR they are almost non existent.

There is a conia that has component in on its Analog PVR and I bought it but it doesn't really work properly, it wont accept a single above 480p which makes it just the same as S-Video.

Even the latest $1,000 400G Pioneer Analog PVR only has S-Video as its best analog in, its pretty easy to check just walk around JB and look at the back of all the analog PVRs and you wont see a single video in above S-Video (this also holds true for digital PVRs)

A digital input from a external source for video would be a dream come true, this LG is already big news to me just for a proper component in.

I received a call today from Jason from the Big Picture People in Bundoora, Melbourne. Apparently he has just recently got in stock a new Sanyo 1080p 47" panel. First i've heard from the brand in this category and was a bit of a suprise, but I had paid for the LG in full earlier last week so unfortunately thats not an avenue I would go down with intention to buy, and didn't want to waste anyones time =)

Keep ears peeled on the sanyo though, he seemed to be pretty into it. Expect the price to be anywhere from $3700 to $4100.

My eyes are really struggling after backing down to a 15" CRT till my new panel arrives, and of course i forgot to back the resolution down to something the CRT could do before i removed the dodgy schaub panel... ugh fun and games. Bed.

I just checked the Sanyo web site and they do list a full HD 47inch LCD but it doesn't appear to be that good.

http://www.sanyo.com.au/spec/consumer/LCD47XR2.pdf

Has only 1 HDMI input and a 1000:1 contrast ratio, it does appear to be full 1080p though.

Cheers.

[Gazzz]

It just arrived!!!!! can't wait for 5pm to take her home

Nice big box!

[Gazzz]

ohhhh it's so shiney!!!!

I hesitated to post on the panel till i got it running 1080p PC input without any overscan..... found the 1:1 pixel mapping option in the menu and

OH MY GOD!!!!

Sensational =D

Will have more after some gaming

[supernewb]

Hello,

I'm a complete newb in the market and am considering buying LG full HD 47" versus Samsung full HD M8 46" versus Sony Bravia Full HD X-series 46". Any help making this decision would be greatly appreciated. I mainly use TV for watching normal free-to-air TV. Occasionally DVDs and occasionally Xbox 360. Love my sport so less blur is essential.

Thanks

[Shik1503561304]

Hello,

I'm a complete newb in the market and am considering buying LG full HD 47" versus Samsung full HD M8 46" versus Sony Bravia Full HD X-series 46". Any help making this decision would be greatly appreciated. I mainly use TV for watching normal free-to-air TV. Occasionally DVDs and occasionally Xbox 360. Love my sport so less blur is essential.

Thanks

i'm in the exact same boat - after a 46" 1080p tv...can't decide between the samsung, sony or lg..

not interested in the DVR capability, it just comes down to best picture / least problems for me. Need 1080p on component (as well as HDMI) so that kind of rules the Sony out.

[supernewb]

i'm in the exact same boat - after a 46" 1080p tv...can't decide between the samsung, sony or lg..

not interested in the DVR capability, it just comes down to best picture / least problems for me. Need 1080p on component (as well as HDMI) so that kind of rules the Sony out.

I dont mind the HDD plus features. LG has best brightness, response time and speakers but worst contrast. With Samsung having the best and Sony second. LG has biggest screen by a whole 2.3cm. I think collectively Contrast is more important than all those other things combined. In saying that i'm probably gonna still buy the LG. Though i think the Samsung has the best picture marginally.

[Gazzz]

supernew, best contrast based on the figures they tell us, based on their own measuring techniques.. don't take it as gospel.

the LG performs flawlessly as a monitor, exceptional on HD FTA, and amazing on ps3. haven't got the foxtel on it yet as the higher inputs on the lg are too tall for the foxtel cable =) must redesign the lounge.

As for the brightness... it hurts. i turn it down to 40%

[Thunderlips]

the LG performs flawlessly as a monitor

I'm not that surprised as my older 37" LG is also excellent as a monitor while using the VGA connection. I suppose DVI would be better again but the DVD player uses that input.

As it is right now I'm leaning heavily towards the 47" LG that you bought.

[Gazzz]

the unit doesn't have DVI in... just HDMI, and Component for 1080p

I'm running a DVI -> HDMI cable from ebay ($22)

[Gazzz]

sorry, 2 by hdmi and 2 by component, so 4 1080p inputs

[dave2069]

I dont mind the HDD plus features. LG has best brightness, response time and speakers but worst contrast. With Samsung having the best and Sony second. LG has biggest screen by a whole 2.3cm. I think collectively Contrast is more important than all those other things combined. In saying that i'm probably gonna still buy the LG. Though i think the Samsung has the best picture marginally.

I'd have to soundly agree - brightness is great - contrast it somewhat disappointing. I've had my LG for just over a week now. But, it's all about compromises, no?

See which of them has faults/features which you find the least annoying or doesn't compromise your specific requirements.

I've being playing back in glorious 1920x1080p - Quicktime HD trailers - they look great! I've just got to do some more tweaking of the laptop graphics card-driver/LG display to fill the whole screen properly though...slight alignment problems in an otherwise rock solid display.

DVR is the thing that you didn't really think you needed, until you get it. Then you wouldn't want to go back. Exactly like broadband (ok, not quite!). The "pause Live TV" function is great (it won't work on HDMI or D-Sub/RGB inputs though).

Interestingly enough, "Live TV recording" will record copy protected video content, but the programmed Recording won't (you get "Recoding paused due to copy protection" or some such thing). Go figure that one! Oops, I guess the next version will be fixing that "bug"!

Dave

[dave2069]

sorry, 2 by hdmi and 2 by component, so 4 1080p inputs

The D-Sub/RGB input does let you do 1080p too (I've been using that)...so that makes a total of 5 1080p capable inputs...cool, eh?!

[Gazzz]

ah yes, silly me.

I agree on the DVR... i thought it was cool at the start, but didn't think i'd use it too much as i have foxtel IQ... but rewinding the footy on demand is just fantastic... frame advance, slow mo... etc etc. awesome.

you can even record a program that you're halfway through watching, - from the start!

Sweet =)

The next step for LG i reckon should be a USB interface to transfer recorded A/V to a PC or Laptop, or even better, remotely upload it to a server like youtube =)

[supernewb]

After all yesterdays discussion I was finally swayed by price. I ended up getting the Samsung for $4100. The best price i was offered for the LG was $4700. I couldn't justify the extra 600 on the HDD. Which i could easily spend buying a DVD/Burner/HDD.

[Gazzz]

supernew, i got mine for $4400 from the electrical discounter... click the banner at the top of this page.

great guy to deal with, no problems whatsoever.

[Guest Bullaburra]

ah yes, silly me.

I agree on the DVR... i thought it was cool at the start, but didn't think i'd use it too much as i have foxtel IQ... but rewinding the footy on demand is just fantastic... frame advance, slow mo... etc etc. awesome.

you can even record a program that you're halfway through watching, - from the start!

Sweet =)

The next step for LG i reckon should be a USB interface to transfer recorded A/V to a PC or Laptop, or even better, remotely upload it to a server like youtube =)

G'Day all,

I have finally decided to dip my toe in the HD TV pool. I've gone out and purchased a LG 42LB2DE.

However I'm finding out I can't even wade, let alone swim.

My 2 immediate problems (I'm sure I'll find more later) are:

1) I cannot get my pay TV (AUSTAR) to work. I looked at the manual and used the auto programming option and it loaded up the free to air channels (looks great) but I can't figure out how to load the pay TV channels. Cry for help number 1.

2) I tried to hook up the PS3. Worked fine with the red, yellow & white connection thingos (you're not going to mistake me for a tech head, are you) but I can't get the PS3 to work with the HDMI cable. I'm pretty sure I followed the manual in connecting it up properly so I'm at a loss. Cry for help number 2.

[Gazzz]

g'day BB

Number 1, what cables are you using? The foxtel channels will not appear as you scroll through the free to air channels, they will in fact appear under 'av 1, av2, s-video, component 1 or component 2' so whatever cables you're using will determine which input you need to select to view the images. Are you getting sound? Also, I suggest you buy some component cables for the foxtel from ebay... They're the red, blue, green, black, white, yellow and red set.

Number 2, You can follow the tv manual all you like for connecting a HDMI cable, but firstly you have to set the ps3 to send images out via HDMI. Now I don't own a PS3, so I might be wrong here, but you may have to use the red white and yellow thingo's (composite cable) to view the ps3, then when you select HDMI, the screen should go blank and you'll need to swap the cables over. A restart of the ps3 might be necessary. Mabye someone with a PS3 can elaborate further

Hope I've Helped.