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Reviewed: 28 April 2011
Overall
3D performance, colour reproduction, black levels
Some
3D crosstalk, motion trailing
LG's LW550 'Cinema' range of 3D enabled TVs arrives as an alternative to the established 'Active Shutter' based screens produced by the likes of Samsung, Sony and in fact LG themselves who have a foothold in both camps.
The 'Cinema' range is so called because it shares the same technology that is in use at your local Multiplex.
Design
While the LW550 cannot claim to be as slender as Samsung's ultra svelte D9000/8000/7000 series of 3D enabled LCD TVs, it is slim enough to grace even the most stylish of living areas.
Adding to what is undoubtedly an attractive overall package is a nicely finished gloss black bezel with a hint of blue.
3D
With their FPR (film patterned retarder) passive 3D system, LG have simplified the process of watching 3D in the home. The technology uses a screen filter instead of battery powered active shutter glasses to procure a separate image for the left and right eye.
Along with reduced production costs, LG are citing other advantages associated with their passive 3D system. LG claim a reduction in the impact of current bug bears related to active shutter implementations, 'crosstalk' and 'flicker' along with lighter, cheaper glasses and a wider viewing angle. Perhaps most controversially, LG have reopened the debate over health concerns related to active shutter glasses.
Reflecting the reduced production costs, LG are bundling in seven pairs of Passive 3D glasses with every W550 sold. Should you require more, they will be offered at a very reasonable £2 a pair.
The likes of Samsung, who have invested heavily in active shutter 3D technology, have not been slow to defend their corner. They point to the fact that their preferred format provides full 1080p resolution to each eye, while passive only realises half this resolution.
If you would like to find out more about 3D TV you might like to read our 3D TV, Cinema & Gaming Guide.
Features
Focus too closely on the 3D aspect of the LW550 and you will miss a whole host of exciting high end features.
Screen: 47in 16:9 Tuner: Digital Sound System: Nicam Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Contrast Ratio: 8,000,000:1 Other Features: Cinema (Passive) 3D, 100Hz TruMotion, Smart TV, Freeview HD. Sockets: 4 HDMI (v1.4), SCART (RGB), 2 USB, Component Video, Composite Video, PC input, Ethernet.
The 47LW550 is illuminated by an edge based LED backlight with a form of local dimming LG calls 'LED plus with Spot Control'.
LED Spot Control adjusts the dimming level of on screen images to balance the contrast ratio and improve the all round picture quality.
Along with other manufacturers, LG are becoming aware of a growing band of AV enthusiasts who enjoy tweaking the picture controls of their TV beyond the usual 'Standard', 'Cinema' and 'Game' presets (or at least want to get an expert in to do it for them). As such, the LW550 gets two ISF expert options which expose, amongst other things, a full colour management system.
Where LG have been quite clever is in the provision of various picture adjustment wizards which give you the opportunity to do some quite complex tweaking yourself. LG, along with a number of other manufacturers are heavily promoting the 'Smart' features of their 2011 TVs.
Via the LW550's 'Smart Dasboard' viewers can access a range of interactive services.
Along with established services such as YouTube and the BBC's iPlayer, the LW550 offers unrestricted web access via a built in browser.
A growing collection of apps within a dedicated online store gives you access to some useful and not so useful programmes. These can be downloaded quickly and easily via the dashboard.
The 'Smart Share' function allows you to stream files from your TV or NAS drive directly to the TV. An optional wi-fi dongle gives you the ability to do this wirelessly.
With so many interactive functions, the magic remote has been designed to bridge the gap between TV remote and computer mouse. With simple gestures, you can drag, flick, and make selections without the hassle of using multiple buttons and arrow keys.
Elsewhere, the 47LW 550 gets 100Hz TruMotion frame interpolation technology for smoother pictures, a useful built-in Freeview HD tuner, 4 HDMI inputs (v1.4) 2 USB inputs, Ethernet, PC input, Digital Audio Output and the option to buy LG 'magic motion' remote control.
Performance
Whatever the merits LG's 3D Passive technology, it is worth remembering that for most of us, good old 2D will form the majority of our viewing schedule. The all new LED backlighting system on the LW550 will have a big impact on the effectiveness of this 2D performance.
Slipping quietly under the radar, LG's new edge based LED system, which comes with a form of local dimming, turns out to be a minor revelation.
The Black Level ability of LED based LCD TVs has been demonstrated over the last couple of years with most high end implementations capable of producing the sort of deep rich blacks we usually associate with Plasma. What has not been so convincing is the subtlety with which contrasting dark and light tones have blended.
With a complete absence of 'light pooling', so often the Achilles heal of LED TVs, the LW550 has the ability to present richly dark scenes right alongside brighter areas of screen detail.
Results are just as impressive in brightly lit rooms. Unlike a number of other screens we have come across, ambient light does not seep through the screen to produce those tell tale grey areas.
Taking full advantage of the deep black backdrop, the LW550 puts in a supremely accomplished Colour performance. There are not many screens as vibrant, while at the same time avoiding the trap of producing an over saturated palette. The accuracy of colours is also apparent along with the subtlety with which these colours are blended, creating wholly realistic complex scenes.
Passive 3D in the home is something of an unknown quantity in the UK. If various reports circulating around the globe are anything to go by however, we are in for something of a 3D treat.
With levels of anticipation raised, it came as a slight disappointment that the bug bear of 3D LCD implementations 'Crosstalk' (the undesirable 'ghosting' effect of a 3D image frame destined for either the right or left eye lingering to interfere with the next frame to the opposite eye) has not been totally eradicated.
On balance, the effect is not as pronounced as you get from active 3D systems, but it is there nonetheless.
Where the LW550 definitely scores points over its active shutter rivals is with the complete absence of the intrusive effect of flickering (an unfortunate side effect experienced with active shutter glasses). This one benefit could in our opinion be the deciding factor in favour of passive systems.
In fact, the more 3D we watch on the LW550, the more we like it. The viewing angle is better than the active shutter systems we have looked at with seven pairs of glasses, you can get in a decent sized crowd to enjoy the experience without any degradation in quality for those on the edge.
Move around a bit while watching 3D TV and active shutter glasses can lose sync; not so with passive, who's glasses remain steadfastly focused on the 3D action.
The passive 3D system cannot match actives 1080p resolution for each eye, but the lack of detail is not that noticeable unless you get right up close to the screen.
As demonstrated by other 3D enabled LCD TVs, the LG's pseudo 2D to 3D conversion is at best a little hit and miss and if we are honest, rather pointless. LG along with other manufacturers have given us a glimpse of what 2D-3D conversion is all about. On this evidence however, it will need further refinement before it approaches a level of sophistication which will see viewers using the function on a regular basis.
No one is under the illusion that 3D TV is the finished article and if we are honest, most of us are waiting for the day when glasses free 3D becomes practicable; what almost everyone concludes however after experiencing 3D on the LW550 is that this is a genuine and worthwhile implementation of the technology and at this moment in time, a step ahead of its extra dimensional rivals.
The Standard Definition picture of LG's LW550 demonstrates the great strides LCD TV technology has made in shoehorning a signal made for TVs our grandads used to watch into a modern TV.
A commendable achievement of the 47LW550 is that it manages to get round the limitations imposed by such a slim screen and produce an accomplished all round SD performance. Pictures are largely noise free, detailed, sharp and benefiting from the excellent ability to produce subtle on screen colours in the most demanding situations.
As we expected, High Definition performance from the Full HD resolution screen is excellent.
We are now used to the kind of jaw dropping HD picture that provides that fully immersive experience. Close up shots reveal the true ability of this screen with every nuance of detail pin sharp and presented in gloriously vibrant colour.
With such a composed performance in all areas up to this point, it comes as quite a disappointment that the LW550 is not one of the better screens we have come across in terms of Motion Handling ability.
With so many LCD TVs from rival manufacturers now getting to grips with motion handling performance, LG in this instance find themselves as part of the chasing pack. Fast action images are actually not that bad, it is the progress the likes of Sony and Panasonic have made in this respect that highlights the LW550's shortcomings.
Loss of detail is the main problem, although the effect is not severe enough to gives us cause not to recommend the TV.
Once again we are left a little under whelmed by the Acoustic performance of a flat panel TV.
Most manufacturers offer a dizzying array of sound presets, but none can mask the fact that hidden speakers don't have the power to create a truly convincing sound stage.
Most other manufacturers have adopted the same approach i.e. the sacrifice of some acoustic ability for the sake of style. As with most screens, top end bass is the main complaint although this lack of power does not impinge on the everyday enjoyment of the TV.
Conclusion
As the first 3D alternative to the established active shutter set, LG's 47LW550 makes a convincing argument for Passive extra dimensional technology. Apart from a few minor niggles it also makes a pretty good day to day 2D screen as well.
Overall
3D performance, colour reproduction, black levels
Some 3D
crosstalk, motion trailing
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