LG 42PT85 Review

42in Plasma

Picture
Features
Usability
Value

Excellent built-in PVR, but less than spectacular picture performance.

HD Ready:

yes

Resolution:

1365 x 768

Rating:

86%

Reviewed: 24 January 2008

Features

As a budget plasma screen, LG's 42PT85 comes with a nice surprise, a built-in PVR sporting a 160GB hard drive. It gives the 42PT85 the ability to store around 80 hours of Standard Definition TV, and with two tuners, you can watch one channel and record another. An 8-day EPG (Electronic Programming Guide) works alongside the PVR providing an easy to use recording/playback interface.

Screen: 42in 16:9

Tuner: Digital

Sound System: Nicam

Resolution: 1365 x 768

Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1

Other Features: 160Gb built-in PVR, XD Engine.

Sockets: 2 HDMI, 2 SCART, Component Video, Composite Video, S-Video, PC input.

The 42PT85 incorporates Dual Peaks technology, LG's take on 100Hz processing which aims to eliminate flicker by adding an extra frame to the picture, which moves the fps (frames per second) up from the usual 50 to 100.

With features such 'series link' (allowing you to record all episodes of a particular series) and accurate start times (which compensates for late start of programmes, the 50PT85 offers more than just basic PVR functionality.

Picture processing technology on the 50PT85 comes in the shape of LG's proprietary XD engine. The XD Engine brings together a range of picture processing enhancements under the XD umbrella, and amongst other things focuses on improving the input signal quality.

The 42PT85 is equipped with Clear Filter Pro, an advanced thin film filter designed to improve brightness, contrast, and more importantly to reduce screen reflections.

Also featuring a Digital Comb Filter, LG's 42PT85 separates TV signals into Brightness and Colour components, aiming to provide softer and cleaner images.

Performance

One of the most pleasing aspects of the PT85's built-in PVR is the intuitive on-screen interface. The Electronic Programming Guide could not be simpler to use and even the most ardent of technophobes will be recording and playing back programmes in no time.

There is some operational noise resulting from the spinning of the PVR's disc, but never to the degree that it compromises the viewing experience.

LG have made great strides with black level performance on all of their screens recently, and the 42PT85 is no exception. Once again we are struck by the quality of black levels achieved, which are the equal of any LCD TV. Turn the lights down and you will see just how good this performance is. The 42PT85 does not posses the subtlety of the best plasmas when it comes to graduation from the darkest to darker scenes, but you now have to look closely to notice.

Indicating how far LG have progressed technologically, we now expect a top notch performance from High definition (HD) sources with any large panel the Korean manufacturer produces. With the 42PT85 we are not disappointed in this respect, with superb detail and sharpness complemented by wonderfully deep and vibrant colours which have lost the garishness of earlier LG panels.

We have come to expect an element of degradation with Standard Definition (SD) sources on larger panels, but with the likes of Pioneer and Panasonic now producing large panels with wholly convincing SD performance we feel this is a weakness on the 42PT85. Placed alongside more accomplished SD performers, the 42PT85 displays just a little too much grain and video noise.

Conclusion

With its easy to use built-in PVR and good all round performance, the 42PT85 from LG is an interesting proposition. The 40in+ flat screen arena however is ultra competitive at the moment and in terms of picture quality the LG falls a little short.