LG 42SL9000 Review

42in LCD

Picture
Sound
Features
Usability
Value

A decent TV but does not really gain that much from LED technology.

Rating:

90%

Reviewed: 04 February 2009

Stunning colour and excellent Standard Definition pictures

Disappointing Black levels

Design

With the 'edge lighting' implementation of LED technology removing the bulky backlight components of this TV, the LG 42SL900 presents an incredibly svelte 29mm profile.

With a glossy black bezel and screen which both share a single sheet of glass, the SL9000's ultra slim profile is accentuated. Add to the mix an infusion of grey along the bottom edge of the bezel and the SL9000 presents a supremely stylish piece of audio visual kit.

Features

Set to become a must have feature on higher end LCD TV's, LED TV technology replaces the traditional 'always on' backlight required to illuminate the screen with hundreds of LED's (light emitting diodes). These diodes can be individually dimmed for greater control. LG's 42SL9000 uses the more affordable 'edge' based implementation of a technology which employs 'banks' of LED's around the edge of the screen.

While the more sophisticated implementation of LED backlighting, 'local dimming', adds 'banks', or LED 'clusters' across the whole screen, more bulk is added to the profile. TV's employing this variation of LED technology are not much slimmer than a traditionally backlit LCD TV.

Screen: 42in 16:9

Tuner: Digital

Sound System: Nicam

Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Contrast Ratio: 3,000,000:1

Other Features: XD Engine, Intelligent Sensor 2, TruMotion 100Hz processing, Edge-based LED lighting, Bluetooth.

Sockets: 4 HDMI, 2 SCART, 1 USB 2.0, Component Video, Composite Video, PC input, CAM slot, optical digital audio.

LED backlight technology in whichever implementation offers the potential for far greater contrast ratios (the difference between the blackest black and the whitest white), improved colour performance and up to 40% reduction in running costs.

Equally as important for overall on screen performance, the 42SL9000 sports the latest incarnation of LG's highly regarded core picture processing technology, 'XD Engine'.

XD Engine employs separate processing to optimize the images from RF signals (the TV's aerial) and from any other External inputs. In both cases LG's core processing technology aims to improve contrast, picture sharpness and detail.

Aimed at improving viewer perception of fast on screen action, TruMotion 100Hz increases the number of frames (the still pictures which shown in quick succession form a moving picture) from 50 frames per second to 100. LG's system does not simply display the same frame twice however, but introduces complicated algorithms to 'build' a unique frame (which it slots in between two 'real' ones) to create a smoother transition.

Although the SL9000 has not followed the crowd by adding a host of web connectivity features, we don't think that this is such a bad thing. Clunky at best, many implementations of web and TV integration need more time to mature and can become frustrating to use.

There are some nice features elsewhere however and we particularly like the Bluetooth connectivity for transferring files from your mobile phone for on screen display or hooking up a pair of suitable headphones.

By continually analyzing the brightness and colour temperature of the area surrounding the screen, LG's 'Intelligent Sensor 2' technology optimizes the brightness, contrast, colour, sharpness, and white balance to reduce unnecessary on-screen brightness. LG claim the technology can protect against eyestrain and reduce power consumption with potential savings of up to 62%.

Performance

Expecting another sublime Black Level performance courtesy of on board LED technology we were just a little bit disappointed to notice the occasional tinge of greyness to pictures on close inspection. Hardly perceptible, the 42SL9000 nevertheless failed to present the level of detail across darker scenes that we have become used to from the best LCD TV's and Plasmas.

Compared to most LCD TV's the 42SL9000 actually does a pretty good job with contrast levels (the difference between the blackest black and whitest white). We have just become used to something a little better, especially from those TV's equipped with LED backlighting technology.

What is not in doubt is the LG 42SL9000's ability to deliver a supremely good Colour performance. LG's from the not too distant past produced TV's that delivered a vibrant but rather over saturated or 'garish' representation of colour. Some of the more recent LG's we have looked at now retain the rich colour palette while introducing the subtlety required to make even tricky areas look supremely realistic.

For many of us, colour calibration is one of the most important elements of a TV set up and a very personal choice to boot. Although the manual calibration options of the 42SL9000 are not as sophisticated as some, everyone who came into contact with this TV ended up perfectly happy with, and highly impressed with the screens ability to handle on screen colour variation.

Despite the minor black level shortcomings, the 42SL9000 proved to be a better than average Standard Definition performer. Despite having to upscale the 576 or so lines of a Freeview source onto a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution screen, SD pictures were remarkably good.

The 42SL9000 does not deliver the best standard definition picture we have come across, but it does produce on screen action which is admirably sharp, largely noise free and as a result perfectly watchable.

We were underwhelmed however by the 42SL9000's High Definition performance. Producing a perfectly watchable HD picture (which we have come to expect from a Full HD screen), the LG failed to approach the pin sharp accuracy and intricate level of detail across darker scenes that Samsung's LED and Panasonic's Plasma technology can produce.

Again, the problem with HD pictures is the black level response, which cannot achieve the sense of depth and realism required to match the best. Not so noticeable with standard definition material, the LG's shortcomings in this respect are exposed with the greater expectation we have with HD material.

While we still remain unconvinced by the majority of 100Hz systems, the 42SL9000 was able to handle fast on screen action without any major difficulties. There is an element of blurring and the odd 'jerky' frame transition, but even the best LCD TV's suffer to some degree in that respect.

The invisible speaker set up on the 42SL9000 does as good a job as most LCD TV's with Sound, but there is still no substitute in our opinion for raw sonic power in the shape of bigger speakers or a dedicated set up. The main problem is the lack of top end 'Bass', a drawback that most flat panel owners will be familiar with. Not detrimental to the general viewing experience, we were left wanting more from dramatic film scores and the like.

Conclusion

LG have produced an LCD TV which delivers a stunning performance in some areas, notably colour reproduction and standard definition performance, but fails to deliver what we have come to expect from LED technology; a sublime black level performance.

The 42SL9000 is a good TV and it looks absolutely stunning, which is as a good a reason for some, to consider buying. If the looks are not as important for you, then consider the 8000 model which is just as good and cheaper.

Best Price: £915.00>

LG 42SL9000

LG 42SL8000