-
"Fantastic picture & you can fix the sync yourself w/PCM" on by PB G4
Pros: Fantastic, wonderful picture! I put in a standard DVD into a blu ray player and it was BREATH TAKING on this set. SO bright and crisp - the avalanche footage felt almost 3-D.
Cons: The lip sync problem can be fixed without the firmware update from LG, but it's ridiculous that it exists and that LG customer service don't know the relatively simple fix that I've come across - it caused me some angst.
Summary: This television is amazing in terms of picture. It's just beautiful. Turn dejudder off. It will annoy you - everything looks like home handicam footage and you can't watch a minute of a movie without it really getting on your nerves - there's no blur issue with it off. Dejudder is an evil across the flat panel world, so it's hard to blame anyone for having it, but the default should be "off" - you can set it to "off" (from the default "low") under the "Picture" setting in the menu.
UPDATE - the PCM audio fix worked for a lot of content but not all (HD NBC 30 Rock being an example); also the quality was a little dodgy - the gloss surround scratched with fine scratches very, very easily. So, it went back to the store and was replaced with a Sony XBR9 40", which has no sync problem and appears to have much better build quality.
Now for the lip sync problem. This is a problem that you'll see when you use an HDMI cable from at least certain HD cable boxes. Mine is a Motorola DCX3000 from Comcast. The sync problem is PRONOUNCED. It is less so with the component cables but there a bit. The FIX for this is to go into your cable box settings - for my DVR this is done by keeping the TV on, powering off the box with the button and then hitting menu on the box or remote. I then go into "other HDMI settings" (or something like that) and under Audio - SWITCH IT FROM AUTO OR DOLBY OR PASS THROUGH TO PCM AUDIO - THIS IS CALLED "L-PCM" ON MY BOX and that will fix the audio sync problem.
The other way to address it is to use a receiver / external speakers for your audio. If you call LG, they will ask you a bunch of questions and tell you that someone is going to call you to set up an appointment to come with a firmware upgrade and make adjustments that might fix it. Fine, but in the meantime you're getting gray hairs. I came across the PCM audio setting fix on a message board and after using it I wanted to post it here so that others could benefit from it.
By the way, if you have the same HD DVR as I noted above, I found the manual in pdf on-line with a quick Google search.
Updated on Dec 14, 2009
CNET, if you're listening, I think a nice addition to your TV reviews would be a paragraph on build quality. The LH90 is made in Mexico and feels like it's made out of Lunchable plastic. The LED brightness is great, but that needs to be weighed along with the package it's in - will this thing last 10 years? Given that the sync problem was never fully resolved and the dodgy build quality (but a bit better than the LG SL series, where the front is a film that easily peals off), I'd give it a three in my revised rating. -
"Finally a HDTV for my picky self!" on by MrFlankster
Pros: Perfect picture, perfect colors, awesome anti-blur and anti-judder. Better sound than most flat panels.
Cons: So far nothing given that I went through 3 other brands before finding this baby!
Summary: I went through 4 HDTVs before getting this one. I knew I wanted 1080p and 240 Hz. I went to a local furniture store and got the Sony 46Z5100. When i got it home, I loved it, until the sun went down. In darker rooms, the backlight shines through and creates uneven colors and bright spots in darker display scenes. I got online and found out this is a common problem with the Sony LCDs.
I took it back and the sales rep talked me into a toshiba 1080p, 240hz tv. JUNK! I hated it. It was too bright and the colors were saturated. I took it back and decided to go to BB.
When I first went into BB my eyes were drawn to this LG, but the sales guy talked me into the Samsung 850. I took the Samsung home and it kept powering off every 2 hours. I took the Samsung back to swap it out and another sales guy said, "oh yeah, we have that proble with these Samsungs."
So I went and spoke to the first BB sales guy and he told me to get the Sony 46ZX5100 again. He swore that I wouldn't have the backlight issue again. So, like and idiot, I got another Sony. Sure enough, I was getting the blotchy flashlighting effect. So I took it back and told them that I want the TV I was drawn to in the first place. Before I took the last Sony back, I kept it for a week and did research on the LG. I even took my XBOX 360 into the store and hooked it up to the store model. I loved it in the store. The 240hz, although not true 240HZ, looked just as good as the Sony. The thing I loved was the colors of the LG and the local dimming. B-E-A utiful!! Better color than the sony, the samsung, and the Toshiba combined. No joke.
The only concern I had from the reviews was the sound sync issue. I called LG before getting the TV and they said that it was a known issue and if I got one that had the problem, then I can call them and they will send me an update for free or I can download it from the internet and flash drive it to the TV. So far, I haven't had to do this.
Obviously, I am very picky. I LOVE this TV! I got it for $1399 on sale and in my opinion, that is a steal. LG continues to pump out quality products and this is the latest and greatest. I rated the sound high because it blows all 4 of the other TVs out of the water. Yeah, its perfect, but it rocks compared to the others. It's also LED so it uses less ower than my electric toothbrush!! -
"Great colors, awesome picture" on by randyjohnsonkc
Pros: Great picture, vivid colors, matte finish to screen, even color
Cons: thicker than some other LED's is the only thing, but thats what you get with a full panel LED
Summary: Sound: I originally bought the Samsung LED 8000 because of some of the negative reviews i have seen about the LH90, specifically concerning lip sync issues. I found out that the 8000 had those issues as well so i exchanged it for the LH90. I found that the lip sync was MUCH better with the LH90. I called LG and said that there was a little lip sync issue and they mailed me a USB memory stick with an upgrade of the firmware. fixed it perfectly.
Picture: In the store the Samsung 8000 looked better. Now that i have had both, the LH90 is much better. The colors are very true and the back light is much more consistent with the LG. A huge plus is that the LG has a matte finish to its screen and does not reflect light.
If you are looking at the Samsung LED and the LG, go with the LG. the sound has been fixed and the picture is better. -
"A Good HDTV" on by lionel-leon
Pros: Good connectivity, LED technology enables the deep black level, high resolution makes this LED TV great for gaming and movie. I recommend you to check out http://www.squidoo.com/best-hdtv for the information on what best HDTV to get for this year.
Cons: Off-angle viewing is not very good.
Summary: Overall it is a great LED HDTV.
-
"LG told me audio sync problem is fixed." on by theotherbud
Pros: Don't own it yet but was concerned about audio sync problem so I called LG. See full review.
Cons: Don't own it yet but was concerned about audio sync problem so I called LG. See full review.
Summary: I narrowed my search down to 2 TVs that were sitting side by side in BB. One was a Samsung LED(I am not sure of the model now, but it was on sale for about $1700) and the LG 47LH90(currently on sale for $1500). In the store both sets looked great, but I probably would have chose the Samsung except that it did not have as many input ports / methods as the LG. I have a few older Tivos which the Samsung could not handle. It also would be nice to occasionally connect a still or video camera. No Can do with the Samsung.
So I zeroed in on the LG and researched it on the net. Reviews were mostly positive with the exception of the audio sync problem. I almost gave up on the LG after tying to understand by the problem reading various success and failure stories. I went to LG's website to see if any official info was available on the problem. I found nothing there, but I did find their phone number. I figured it can't hurt to just ask them about it. I talked to a customer service rep there and explained my concerns about buying a TV with audio-sync problems. She acknowledged that there was indeed an "issue" with this set when used in conjunction with some cable boxes. They said that the problem has been fixed. I asked how I could tell if I was purchasing a set that had the fix in it. They said that I could not. But If I did have a problem, all I had to do is call them and the fix would be sent free of charge. I was concerned if the problem affected HD Tivos which used cable cards and they said no. I asked again if there was any way to identify whether a TV had the firmware update by displaying the firmware version and again she said no. (I found that hard to believe.)
But, I think they gave me the piece of mind I needed to just go ahead and buy the set tomorrow.
Please disregard my 5 star rating as I do not own the set yet. Probably not fair for the total rating averages, but giving it anything less might also be unfair.
Hope this helps. Maybe other people can call LG too and confirm my story.
Write a Review
Compare to other s
Compare Selected
