The LG 42LK520 has been selling in huge numbers for a while, and with good reason. This is an affordable model that puts picture quality above all else. Keep reading to find out whether this TV model could be the one for you.
Key Specs For The LG 42LK520
Average Price: 508-799 Released: 2010 3D-Ready? No Screen Sizes: 42, 47, 55 inches Screen Type: LCD Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels Aspect Ratio: 16:09 Contrast Ratio: 150,000:1 Refresh Rate: 120 Hz Viewing Angle: 178° /178° Horizontal/Vertical Response Time: 2.4 ms HDMI Inputs: 3 Dimensions: 52.3 x 3.8 x 31.3 inches (for 55″ model)
Benefits Of The LG 42LK520
Trumotion: The LG 42LK520 includes “Trumotion” technology as a way of combatting the motion blur that you’ll find on many LCD HD screens. What this means is that it has a refresh rate of 120Hz. This is faster than many other televisions (60Hz is average), and means you should be able to view action scenes or fast camera shots with a clearer picture.
Image: While Trumotion creates a crisp image, other benefits of the picture on this television set include the fact that it looks bright, with true to life color reflection. There are a number of image controls included for those who want complete control over the way the picture looks.
Price: Although not necessarily the cheapest LCD HD TV you’ll find on the market, the LG 42LK520 is still very affordably priced.
Screen Size: There are a good range of screen sizes available for this television. The smallest, at 42 inches, may be a little big for some bedrooms but is a good base size for your living room. The bigger screens also look great and will provide an excellent at-home cinema experience. Remember to get the biggest screen that’ll comfortably fit into your living room, as most people find that their biggest regret is not going bigger with a flat screen TV!
Design: The design of the LG 42LK520 is simple but will look stylish in your living room. It features a simple glossy black screen with a small light in the corner when the television is switched on. It weighs around 35lbs, which is light enough to move around if you need to, and makes setting up the television easier for one person.
The fact that the LG 42LK520 has a matte screen means that it’s good for viewing in bright conditions, and you won’t have to put in as much effort to darken your living room as you would with a glossy screen.
Multimedia: The LG 42LK520 comes with one USB port, which makes it useful for connecting up to external devices. This is especially popular for use with digital cameras: many people present their photos as a slideshow on their HD television screen. Aside from the USB port, there are also more than enough HDMI inputs for all of your external devices.
Energy Usage: The LG 42LK520 features an energy saving mode that’ll automatically detect the light level in the room. When the light level changes, the brightness of the screen automatically adjusts itself to save energy.
Drawbacks Of The LG 42LK520
Stand: Most buyers have commented on the fact that the stand included with the LG 42LK520 doesn’t look very sturdy. It’s made from plastic and looks a little cheap, which is a shame when you want the TV to look as stylish as possible in your living room.
Sound: As with a number of flat panel televisions, the sound on the LG 42LK520 is not the best. This means you’ll want to connect some external speakers to truly achieve the best at-home cinema experience.
Remote: The remote control is nothing remarkable. Some buyers have commented that it looks a little cheap considering the price of the television. However, it does do its job well and is very easy to use.
Lack Of Extra Features: Although some of the more expensive options may have apps that allow you to connect to social networking or video streaming sites, the LG 42LK520 puts price over extra features. Consequently, there’s also no option for connecting this set up to the internet. This isn’t so much of a drawback, as it means you’ll save a lot of cash, and you can always connect up an extra multimedia box should you wish.
That said, you do get the benefit of a USB port with the LG 42LK520, which means you can hook it up to external devices to play MP3s or watch photo slideshows with friends or family.
Should You Buy The LG 42LK520?
All in all, the LG 42LK520 is a solid television for the price. There have been no complaints about the picture, and the lack of extra features is rarely an issue for shoppers looking for a TV in this price range.