Cheap Digital Cameras For Sale: LG 42LD550 42-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV with Internet Applications Review

Average Reviews:
4.7 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)I bought this TV a few weeks ago after reading many nice reviews about it, and while it's nice, I found its features disappointing.

To start with the good part, this TV indeed looks great both on and off: its no-frills design is very elegant and will make it look good in every living room, its picture quality is amazing. I can't really comment on the sound since I don't have good speakers, but I'm not even missing them with the built-in speakers. Its TV-related functionalities and interface is also nice, with zillions of options to set the picture and sound to your liking.

However, the selling point of this TV is supposed to be the built-in software for online applications (called Netcast), and Netcast on the 42LD550 is a major letdown. At the time of this review LG doesn't have model-specific information on the Netcast features available, only a generic all-promises page with the fine print "features vary by model and product category". Now, Netcast in principle has at least three different video-on-demand services built-in, as well as internet radio, and many other great features -- but this TV has almost none of these included! (I'm using the latest software version, as it updates itself automatically.)

Netflix is included (that's the one extra star), and there is a dumbed-down version of Vudu, which only includes the movie rental features, but nothing else. (For example, there is no Pandora, even though it is included in the "real" Vudu application, it's only left out of the LG version). The rest are useless "apps" and a few selected Yahoo Widgets (all the good ones are missing, the best is probably Weather), Flickr, Picasa, Youtube and Twitter (twitter on a TV??), and that's pretty much it. But there is no Amazon On-demand, no TV On-demand, no internet radios, and I am listing only missing features that are available in some TVs with Netcast or Yahoo Widgets, but are not on this one.

Another (minor) quirk is that this "wireless-ready" TV requires an extra USB wi-fi adapter (LG AN-WF100) to actually go wireless. This is also made pretty clear in the specifications; the only problem is that it's not easy to find this adapter anywhere! (At the time I bought the TV it was only available from a third-party vendor through Amazon marketplace, and it wasn't cheap.) So if you want wireless, check first if this adapter is available.

At the end I'm not sure why would most buyers get this model. If you just want a sleek TV with great picture and sound, then there's no use paying for the internet-related features, and you can get a better or larger TV for much less money. It's perfect if you are considering buying a great TV with no internet features and a Netflix box - it may or may not save you money, but you get everything in one package, saving you the set-up or cable issues. But you may have cheaper options using a Netflix box, or if you already have a video game console, or by connecting your PC to your TV and using some media center software. If you expect all the bells-and-whistles from your internet-connected TV, then you have to get another model, because this one is really just a beautiful TV with a built-in Netflix box.

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Product Description:

This HDTV is Internet-ready. To view Internet apps on this TV, you may also need:

To learn more about Internet-ready HDTVs, visit Internet-Ready TV 101. Great for sports and fast action, the 42-inch LG 42LD550 LCD HDTV offers 1080p Full HD resolution for crystal-clear detail, TruMotion 120Hz technology for virtually no motion blur, and a super-quick response time of 2.4ms (milliseconds). With LG's NetCast, you get access to TV shows, movies and more, streamed directly from the Internet to your television screen. And the LD550 series also provides compatibility with Wireless 1080p Connectivity (wireless media kit required and sold separately).
Other features include an amazing 150,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for more stunning colors and deeper blacks, two USB ports for connecting external drives for playing back MP3 audio, JPEG photo and DivX HD video files, stereo speakers with 20 watts of power and Dolby Digital decoding, and four HDMI inputs.

NetCast Entertainment Access

NetCast Entertainment Access brings the best Internet services direct to your TV--no computer required. Instantly access movies and TV shows, news and weather and the world's largest library of HD movies in 1080p. (Note: Internet connection & subscriptions required and sold separately.)
Get your HD film fix
If you like movies and want major studio releases in Full HD 1080p and Dolby Digital Plus sound, you'll love Vudu, the on-demand movie service with more hi-def titles than anyone else. Over 3,000 and counting. Plus, there's no subscription. So you only pay for what you watch.
Access your queue from the couch
Make the most of the extensive offerings on Netflix. Now you can watch your favorite movies and shows--from new releases to classics to everything in between--without your PC. Sit back and enjoy unlimited instant access to thousands of movies and TV episodes streamed directly to your TV set. It's YouTube on your tube
No more crowding around your PC to watch web videos. NetCast instantly streams videos and TV shows from YouTube for unlimited, direct access to the millions of Web videos whenever you want them. All you need is an active Internet connection. Watch that one fellow making a fool of himself over and over again.
Stay up to speed
Sometimes you want to see what's going on in the world, but without changing the channel. Yahoo! TV Widgets delivers everything you need including news, scores, stocks and even photos from Flickr.
Your pictures on the big screen
Re-live all your family vacation memories with your Picasa photos on the big screen for everyone to enjoy, create galleries and slideshows for easy organization.

Key Features

Full HD 1080p resolution
This stunning picture is the reason you wanted HDTV in the first place. With almost double the pixel resolution, Full HD 1080p gives it superior picture quality over standard HDTV. You'll see details and colors like never before.
TruMotion 120Hz
TruMotion 120Hz technology lets you see sports, video games and high-speed action with virtually no motion blur. Now your TV can keep up with your fast-moving entertainment.
150,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
No more worrying about dark scenes or dull colors. The dynamic contrast ratio of 150,000:1 delivers more stunning colors and deeper blacks than you can imagine.
Intelligent Sensor
Don't strain your eyes. Let your TV do the adjustments for you. Intelligent Sensor automatically optimizes the picture to the lighting and color conditions in the room for a more enjoyable viewing experience.
Wireless 1080p Ready
The best place for your TV isn't always near the cable. Wireless 1080p Connectivity lets you cut loose from messy wires, hang your TV where you want and still get a stunning Full HD picture. All those cords and cables are completely out of sight. And the only thing attached to your TV is you. (Note: Wireless media kit required and sold separately.) AV Mode
Sports, movies and video games are best enjoyed with customized settings. With AV Mode, you can easily select from one of three picture modes for "Cinema", Sports" or "Games" to enjoy an optimized picture and sound experience. Picture Wizard
Get easy self-calibration with on-screen reference points for key picture quality elements such as black level, color, tint, sharpness and backlight levels. Take the guesswork out of picture adjustments with this simple-to-use feature. It's not actually magic, but it will sure seem that way. 24P Real Cinema
Stay in for the theater. Enjoy a true cinema-like experience in your own home with movies the way they are meant to be seen. LG's Real Cinema technology precisely displays 24p source frames on your screen, the same as on a movie screen. If you love movies, you'll love Real Cinema. ISFccc Calibration Ready
LG's ISFccc Ready HDTVs contain the detailed standards necessary for professional calibration of brightness, contrast, tint, sharpness, color levels and much more to meet local lighting conditions for both day and nighttime viewing. Settings are added to preset modes for easy access from your LG remote. Clear Voice II
Get audio the way it was meant to be heard. Clear Voice II enhances and amplifies the frequency range of the human voice to help keep dialogue audible when background noise swells.
Infinite Sound
What's a great picture without great sounds to match? Infinite Sound delivers an amazing listening experience with deep, rich bass to make the most of your entertainment. Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital lets you experience compelling 5.1-channel surround sound. And you can trust that you'll get the same great Dolby Digital audio quality no matter what you're watching--a DVD or Blu-Ray Disc, TV programming or downloaded content. Best of all, you can be confident that you'll hear the audio exactly as it was intended, because Dolby Digital is also used to create the soundtracks for movies and games. USB 2.0
Now reliving that fantastic family vacation can happen in the comfort of your living room. Easily connect your external USB devices to enjoy JPEG photos or listen to MP3 files. This HDTV is also compatible with playing back DivX HD video files from a USB drive. HDMI V.1.3 with Deep Color
Make installation of any enabled device a snap. Get 10.2Gbps of bandwidth for deeper colors and more to take advantage of the best Full HD experience. HDMI V.1.3 connectivity lets you prepare yourself for tomorrow's technology today. SimpLink
Having a hard time keeping track of your remotes? With SimpLink, all your LG devices can be controlled with just one remote. Smart Energy Saving
With LG's Smart Energy Saving Features, you can conserve money and energy.

Key Specifications

Screen size:

Resolution:

Dynamic contrast ratio:

Viewing angle:

Response time:

Built-in tuner:

Audio output:

Speaker system:

Dolby Digital decoder:

Surround system:

Input labeling:

Swivel stand:

VESA compliance:

Warranty:

Connections

HDMI (version 1.3, HDCP):

Component:

Composite A/V:

RF:

PC input (15-pin, D-Sub):

PC audio input:

Digital audio output:

USB:

Ethernet LAN:

Headphone out:

RS-232c input:

Dimensions

LG 2010 HDTV Comparison

Series: LD350 LD450 LD520 LD550 LD650 LE5300 LE5400 LE8500 LX6500 PJ350 PK550 PK750 Models: 22-inch
26-inch
32-inch 32-inch
37-inch
42-inch
47-inch 32-inch
42-inch
47-inch
55-inch 32-inch
42-inch
46-inch
52-inch 47-inch
55-inch 22-inch
26-inch
32-inch
37-inch 32-inch
42-inch
47-inch
55-inch 47-inch
55-inch 47-inch
55-inch 42-inch
50-inch 50-inch
60-inch 50-inch
60-inch Panel type LCD LCD LCD LCD LCD LED LCD LED LCD LED LCD 3D LED Plasma Plasma Plasma LED Local Dimming -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 3D Ready -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Resolution 720p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 720p 1080p 1080p Contrast ratio 50k:1
dynamic 100k:1
dynamic 100k:1
dynamic 150k:1
dynamic 200k:1
dynamic 3mil:1
dynamic 4mil:1
dynamic 9mil:1
dynamic 8mil:1
dynamic 3mil:1
dynamic 3mil:1
dynamic 3mil:1
dynamic Refresh rate 60Hz 60Hz 120Hz 120Hz 240Hz 60Hz 120Hz 120Hz 240Hz 600Hz 600Hz 600Hz Response time 5ms 4ms 2.4 2.4 2 2.4ms 2.6ms 1ms 2ms -- -- -- Netcast Entertainment -- -- -- -- -- -- HDMI input 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 Component input
(Y, PB, PR) 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 2 2 2 Composite input 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 PC input USB port 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 MP3 and JPEG
playback -- DivX video
playback -- -- -- -- -- Ethernet -- -- -- -- -- -- Wireless 1080p Ready -- -- -- -- -- -- Energy Star -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Series: LD350 LCD LD450 LCD LD520 LCD LD550 LCD LD650 LCD LE5300 LED LE5400 LED LE8500 LED LX6500
3D LED PJ350 Plasma PK550 Plasma PK750 Plasma

Learn More

Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

With standard-definition TVs, the rule used to be that viewers would feel comfortable watching a set from a distance of 3 to 6 times the screen size in inches. With HDTV, the resolution is so much better that you can sit closer to a larger TV without noticing the pixels. So with HDTVs, the rule tends to be you can sit anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times the screen size (in inches) for the best experience.
If you know the size of the room you have already, where you want to sit, and where your new HDTV should go once you get it, you can figure out the size HDTV you should get.