LG Cinema 3D a reliable screen with rapid response time

THE screen may not be large, but LG's Cinema 3D set delivers crisp, bright images during films.

3d tv

THE screen may not be large but LG's Cinema 3D set delivers crisp, bright images, writes Maureen Shelley.

Television lovers looking for a reliable 3D screen without the bells, whistles and persistent squinting might want to look in LG's direction.

The company's 42-inch LED-backlit model is not flashy or huge, but it delivers crisp images, bright colours, no blur and 3D that won't hurt your eyes during the course of a feature film.

As panels go, 42 inches is not huge, but it is big enough to enjoy 3D movies or TV shows without dominating the lounge room. It offers a full high-definition resolution (1080p), a rapid response time (2.4 milliseconds) to eliminate blur and a 100Hz refresh rate. The higher the refresh rate the better when dealing with 3D and fast-moving 2D footage, placing this TV slightly below its 200Hz rivals.

Out of the box, this TV comes with four pairs of passive 3D glasses - the sunglasses-style spectacles you wear at the cinema. They weigh just 16g each, making them more comfortable than battery-powered models.

This television's passive 3D system also allows for a wider viewing angle and no noticeable flicker, though it does mean you're viewing 3D in less than full HD as the resolution is effectively halved.

This TV can also convert standard 2D vision into 3D to deliver a little extra depth to your favourite movies and television shows.

The screen's back is packed with two 10-watt speakers, offers four HDMI ports for high-def connections and, as it is a smart TV, two USB slots, DLNA connectivity and will connect to the internet with the purchase of an optional wi-fi adapter.

This could be a wise purchase, as the television arrives with one of LG's Magic Motion remote controls that shifts a cursor across the screen in sync with your movements. It makes features easier to access and control than standard remotes and is also less chunky to hold.

The television's dashboard menu offers access to applications, premium content and media devices, should you connect it to your home network. In that case, you can access content from other devices such as mobile phones, tablets, cameras and computers.

LG's TV content includes access to YouTube, Yahoo! TV Widgets, Vudu, Picasa, Pandora, CinemaNow and a weather channel.

Being a smaller LCD TV, it also weighs just 15.7kg and offers a six-star energy rating, making it a plausible option for a second, though no less important household TV.

In this 42-inch Cinema 3D set, LG has opted for a premium offering at a reasonable price that is sure to win customers from other brands.

LG Cinema 3D TV (42-inch)
LG, $1499
lg.com/au
Rating: 3.5 Stars