Customer Reviews

LG 42LH30 42-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV, Gloss Black

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've been researching 40-42" HD TVs for months, looking for the ideal match for my needs that fit my budget of under $1,000. I looked at plasmas, 120Hz LCDs, 40", 42", Sharp, Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Vizio, Westinghouse, and LG.

I finally found it - on sale for almost two-hundred off (exactly eight-hundred-and-nine dollars). Would still be a great value at a thousand dollars.

I'd rather have too much control than too little with my electronics. The 42LH30 delivers all the control I want and more, but it also provides several nice presets for the type of content I'm watching (movies, sports, games, standard). It also lets me build 2 presets myself for exactly what I want. I can be picky or I can be lazy and still get a great picture for any situation.

The 50,000 dynamic contract ratio and 5ms refresh speed make for a superb picture/performance combo.

I was very close to going with a 120Hz 42" Vizio. They have been getting decent reviews. When the LG 42lh30 went on sale, it was a deal I could not refuse.

Some things I really like.

1) Outstanding picture (no compromises with colors)
2) Great performance (sports and movies don't judder at all so far)
3) Energy Star (several low power modes - I love flexibility)
4) Lighter than most (easy to hang on wall - I use an articulating arm)
5) Anti-glare awesomeness (I have lots of windows in my 3-seasons room)
6) Outstanding PC screen (when I just have to surf on the 42")
7) Upconverting DVDs look phenomenal (blu-ray player is next purchase)
8) Sound is more than acceptable on TV (I usually output audio to my Home Theater system if I will be watching for more than a few minutes)

Things I would change:

1) Only 3 HDMI ports (Fine for me now with cable box, DVD player, and PC)
2) I'd prefer a matte black bezel instead of a gloss finish
3) Maybe add an SD-card reader (my DVD player has SD and USB reader, fortunately)

The TV is good at the price point I paid - $629+tax (Sears). LG is a respected brand in Asia and a 42" LCD 1080p at that price is a good deal. The picture when viewing true HD signals, just comes to life and is breath-taking. Fairly basic connectivity with 1 composite, 2 AV, 1PC and 3 HDMI ports. Would have been nice to have one more composite and HDMI ports and looks like the newer models have them. The speakers are well hidden and makes for a smooth clean finish on the outside. There are also numerous (more than you ever want) amount of controls to fine-tune the picture. Fairly easy hack available to turn on USB port to view pictures or play movies - great bonus.

That said, the sound quality seems a bit sub-par compared to other TVs in the market. I also noticed some light leakage on the far corners of the TV - other than for Sony or Samsung this seems a problem for all other big TVs. Also, for those of you watching TV with over the air signals, please note that this TV does not pick up the OTA Electronic Program Guide (EPG), which was a big surprise to me, since those dirt cheap TVs you buy at Walmart or during BF sales too have them. Big goof-up at LG design, I should say. Lastly do not expect a Samsung or Sony style processing of low-fidelity signals (SD, ED). Standard-Def signals look rather grainy and poor - I guess the processing chip is where LG cheaped out. Invest in a good quality up-converting player for your DVDs and change the channel if you run-into non-HD programming as a work-around.

Lastly the customer service is no-worser than that of Samsung or Sony. A bunch of air-heads, quite a bit of wait-time and frustrating responses. But do not discount the TV for that - like I said - this is how all TV manufacturers support their TVs (I have a Sony and Samsung), so no big deal. Wish the industry was overall better, thatz all.

Overall, a reasonable purchase if you dont pay too much. I am sure you will learn to like your purchase - if you are considering it, go on pull the trigger.

Overall a great TV. I had bought a samsung, but it was too thick for my taste. I did notice the "lip sync" problem when using the TV's speakers to watch TV. This is a problem with how the TV gets the digital input from the Dish DVR that I am using. The fix is to hold the MENU button on TV (on Left side of TV) at the same pushing the MENU button on the the remote control. Then enter "0000" for the code. This will access the system menu. Go down to "Lip Sync" and adjust the number up or down till the lip movements matches the sound coming out of the speakers.

I have had this TV for about four months now and I am very happy with my purchase.

I actually ordered the LG 42LG50 (through Amazon from TigerDirect) but they must have run out of them because they sent me the better LG 42LH30.

Excellent color, great response (for a 60Hz), SD signals (VCR) look surprisingly good, the menus are intuitive, the remote is laid out very well, and it has a great overall look.

The only down side that I wasn't expecting is that it has no analog audio out (no RCA L/R out) so you'll have to have a digital receiver if you want run the sound through external speakers.

Have been searching for a nice 42" LCD 1080 and ran across this one. Compared to the competition LG seems to more than hold it's own, plus the price point is excellent. Other reviews share the good points so I won't go into them only to mention that I found this to be the best 'bang for the buck' in 1080 LCD 42" TV. While LG is not yet considered a major brand in America, I purchased many LG products when I lived in Thailand in 2005.

I found them to be excellent products then and still do now. Overseas LG sells all sorts of products. One could almost say it's the GE of Asia - except LG TV's are superior to any GE product - by a huge margin.

I also have a 50" Panasonic Plasma that I purchased a couple years ago when that model was rated #1 by Consumer Reports. This LG has a superior picture and is perfect for what I need it for.

If you buy one - you'll be happy.

I am a woman, a gamer, and a movie fanatic. I asked my husband 6 months ago for my own lcd tv right after I got my xbox 360. I spent the weekend in awe. We have a 46 Sony Bravia (changed the inches since someone felt the need to correct it, LOL) in the family room and in my opinion it doesn't compare to my 42 LG. The features are user friendly and the HDMI cable just enhanced every feature about it. My movies were crisp and clear. I would recommend this tv above all else and the price was excellent. I wanted the 120hz because I thought I would have to worry about ghosting while gaming but this tv did not disappoint and I saved a couple hundred bucks. I searched and researched and searched again for a tv and I am happy with my choice. Extremely happy. I just need to wait patiently for Ghost Recon:The Future Soldier to come out and it would make it complete. For now, I'll just sit back and keep playing COD:MW2. Thanks LG.

Great set with very good picture quality. Lots of HDMI inputs but be aware there are no S video inputs. Only becomes an issue if you are trying to connect older components. There isn't any speaker outputs either. You can still run sound through your stereo by picking up sound output off your DVD or Bluray player directly.

I bought this TV for a little over $800 and it has been worth every penny. The picture is crisp and the response time for sports is superb. This TV also has great built-in sound. I was thinking about buying a surround sound system to go with this TV, but there's really no need.

The only CON I can think of is that sometimes I hear a buzzing sound when the TV has been on awhile and a lot of white is displayed. But it's hardly a problem, since it only occurs rarely.

I'd definitely recommend this for anyone.

First off, the chart with the specifics is a bit off, this tv does offer simplink, and I love it. Hook it up to the blu ray dvd with the hdmi cable, and turn the tv on, the blu ray goes on, or vice versa. Tv also recognize the input when it's on and it will go to that input for the most part.

Awesome picture, the color is amazing and bright. Audio is great too. I've had this for a few weeks and I have no complaints. I love the design on this as well. I'd recommend this to anyone. Even though, I got a great deal, I'd get this again if it was at regular price. When compared to other brands for this size and the 1080p, this came out the winner.

I'll have to say with comparing blu ray dvd and regular dvd, the detail is a bit more, along with audio, but playing a regular dvd is just as great.

More than enough inputs, so that's another plus. My only disappointment is that this does not offer a S video input, however it does have the old fashioned monitor 15 pn input. However, getting a blu-ray dvd player that plays divx was a good solution, so I'm happy either way.

I highly recommend this tv ;o)

Also, if you will be using a wall mount, i went with a tilt wall mount, I was happy to see that there is still room for me to move it so that I can reach the inputs if i need to add cables to it.

This is a great TV, and we are very pleased we chose to buy 2 LG LCD TV's from Amazon at the same time. While everything is nice about this TV, the SOUND QUALITY is what really surprised us. Coming from our experience with earlier flat panel TV's, we expected the "thin, thansistor" sound and fully expected to have to invest in some kind of external surreound sound system. Not so at all! If we go surround sound it will purley be for the subwoofer and the 3D effect. The sound on this TV is great!!!!