Review of LG 50PG60: 50” 1080p Plasma TV

The all new 50″ 50PG60 plasma HDTV from LG guarantees to take your home video experience to the next level. LG50PG60 has surpassed the standards for a variety of picture quality areas, including color accuracy, contrast ratio, video processing and others.

Six manual-aspect ratio modes are included in LG50PG60 which helps detecting the incoming content and attempts to adjust aspect automatically. This stunning 50” plasma HDTV has clear voice technology for enhanced audio performance and dual XD image processing engines for maximum picture quality. Dual XD engine processors maximize picture quality & fluid motion for 180 Hz effect ensures that action scenes look smooth and natural. Price range of this high end TV is between $1,999.36 and $2,999.95.

LG50PG60 is one of the first Plasma HDTV in the United States to be THX certified for display quality. If you are a video aficionado, you are not going to be disappointed. This high-end television has non-reflective internal cell structure to minimize any excessive glare caused by harsh ambient light. If this much doesn’t impress you, LG 50PG60 has also won ‘Best of Innovations’ award at CES 2008.

LG 50PG60 Features & Specifications Review:

General
Product Type 50 inch Plasma TV
Digital Television Certification HDTV
TV Tuner 1x digital, 1x analog
Video Interface HDMI, Component, S-Video, Composite
PC Interface VGA (HD-15)
HDCP Compatible Yes
Dimensions Without stand
Width 48.8 in
Depth 3.1 in
Height 31.2 in
Weight 87.5 lbs
Enclosure Color Gloss piano black

Display
Diagonal Size 50 in – Widescreen
Technology Plasma (PDP)
Resolution 1920 x 1080
Display Format 1080p (FullHD)
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9
Dynamic Contrast Ratio 30000:1
Brightness (cd/m2) 1000 cd/m2
Progressive Scan Progressive scanning (line doubling)
Display Menu Language Spanish, English, French
Backlight Life 100,000 hour(s)
Comb Filter 3D digital
V-Chip Control Yes
Color Temperature Control Yes (Warm/Medium/Cool)
Picture Adjustment Cinema/Sports/Game
Additional Features XD Engine technology, MP3 playback, Parental control, On-screen menu, 3:2 pull down compensation, JPEG photo playback, V-Chip, Channel labeling, Video noise reduction, Digital MPEG Noise Reduction Circuit

TV Tuner
Analog TV Tuner NTSC
Reception System NTSC-M
Stereo Reception System MTS
Channel Coverage Cable:1-135, VHF:2-13, DTV:2-69, UHF:14- 69, DTV:1-135
Secondary Audio Program (SAP) Yes

Digital TV Tuner
Digital TV Tuner QAM, ATSC

Video Features
HDTV Ready Yes
Input Video Formats 1080p, 1080i, 720p
Supported Computer
Resolutions 1360 x 768, 1280 x 768 (WXGA), 1280 x 1024 (SXGA), 640 x 350, 800 x 600 (SVGA), 640 x 480 (VGA), 1600 x 1200 (UXGA), 1024 x 768 (XGA), 1920 x 1080, 720 x 400
Parental Channel Lock Yes
Closed Caption Capability Yes

Audio System
Sound Output Mode Stereo
Surround Mode Yes
Sound Effects SRS TruSurround XT
Audio Controls Treble, Bass, Balance, Sound mode
Speakers Included 2 speakers
Output Power / Total 20 Watt
Additional Features Auto volume adjustment
Speaker(s) 2 x Right/left channel speaker – Built-in – 10 Watt

Connections:
Connector Type 1 x Audio line-out ( RCA phonox 2 ) – Rear, 1 x Audio line-in ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ) – Rear, 2 xAudio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ) -Rear, 1 x USB ( 4 pin USB Type A ) – Side, 1 x Serial ( 9 pin D-Sub ) -Rear, 1 x Remote control ( Mini-phone 3.5 mm ) – Rear, 1 x Digital audio output (optical) ( TOSLINK )- Rear, 1 x HDMI input ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) – Side, 1 x Composite video/audio input (RCA phono x 3 ) – Rear, 2 x Component video input ( RCA phono x 3 ) – Rear, 1 x RGB input (15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) ) – Rear, 1 x Digital audio output (coaxial) (RCA phono ) – Rear, 3 x HDMI input ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) – Rear, 1 x Composite video/audio input ( RCA phono x 3 ) – Side, 1 x S-Video input (4 pin mini-DIN ) – Rear

Stands & Mounts
Stand Included Yes
Stand Design Tabletop
Stand Features Swivel
Flat Panel Mount Interface 400 x 400 mm

Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support 2 years warranty
Service & Support Details Limited warranty – Parts and labor - 1 year, Limited warranty – Plasma display – 2 years

Dimensions & Weight Details
Dimensions & Weight Details Panel with stand 48.8 in x 14.3 in x 33.4 in x 96.3 lbs,
Panel without stand 48.8 in x 3.1 in x 31.2 in x 87.5 lbs


LG 50PG60 has its own share of advantages as well as a few flaws. The good points of LG 50PG60 are namely the beautiful single layer design, invisible speakers, highly accurate primary colors in THX mode, solid video processing, numerous picture control mode, fine connectivity with four HDMI and one PC input. To combat potential burn-in, such as an all-white screen, an inversion mode, and a pixel orbiter, LG 50PG60 has incorporated a variety of settings.

On the negative side, LG 50PG60 is a bit overpriced, has less accurate color decoding and grayscale in THX mode and has some false contouring. LG 50PG60 just doesn’t quite measure up to the impressive standard of the first THX-certified Panasonic TH-50PZ800U TV. Its blacks are a bit less black and its color a bit less accurate. But even though its THX mode isn’t as accurate as it’s expected, the LG 50PG60 50-inch plasma TV still delivers a commendable picture quality. Those who like to twist beyond a single picture preset, it certainly has plenty of settings.

YouReviewElectronics.com gives LG 50PG60 8/10 stars!