11/03/2012

LG's lower-mid level sets have earned a reputation

LG's lower-mid level sets have earned a reputation for having low gaming lag, great color accuracy, and the most extensive features and picture options of any sets at or even above their price level. The CS560 series still delivers in these regards, but to a lesser extent than earlier models. The styling and build quality of the set are fairly good overall. My panel is a S-IPS type, though LG may be conducting a panel lottery (randomly shipping VA and IPS panels for the same model) as they have in the past. The buttons are front mounted and touch sensitive, which seems like a nice feature at first but makes operating the set awkward and even frustrating in a dark room; don't lose the remote. Another complaint to make about the set is that it buzzes audibly unless the backlight is fully set to 100, which can be annoying when using the set quietly at night. The input lag for video gaming at 1080p seems to average around 1-2 frames, keeping with LG's standard for fast processing time. There is hardly any noticeable increase in lag when upscaling from 480p and I can play timing intensive games and online FPS with no problem. If you're buying this set for use with games, you'll probably be pleased with the lag performance. The color accuracy also seems to live up to LG's usual standards, although it's hard to know precisely how well without measuring with a meter. Every color is vivid and deep without appearing over saturated. The black levels are average at best, but the unbelievably bright white levels help to offset them and create contrast during bright scenes. The set is capable of 4:4:4 chroma sub sampling when used as a PC monitor over HDMI, but, as with other reviewers, it required me to perform the EDID override in my computer's registry. Regardless of the source used, the overall picture is extremely clear, vivid and detailed. The motion handling is mixed, but at least partly excellent with no visible streaking and only very light blur on moving objects during camera pans. There is, unfortunately, a large problem with juddering from most video sources, notably blu-rays at 24p. Almost any time the camera is panning the scenery and objects on screen will move in a jerky, strobe-like fashion. Past LG sets were able to handle 24p content smoothly, even models at much lower price points, so this obviously comes as a disappointment. If you intend to use the set mainly for watching blu-rays then you may want to buy the 2011 LK450 model instead. The feature set is another startling disappointment. The TV only has 4 inputs- 2 HDMI, 1 RF, 1 analog input, and no VGA or audio outputs whatsoever. To reiterate, there is no audio output, not even optical; once the audio goes into this set, the only way it can come out through the speakers. The analog video input functions as a joint component/composite input, meaning that you can't use both cable types at the same time. Users with more than two sources will find themselves having to use adapters or receivers to handle most of their connections. Some of the advanced picture options have also been cut, giving the CS560 the most limited menu of any recent LG (though it's worth noting that the range of options is still fuller than almost any competing set). The more pointless features such as "eye care" have been omitted, but some useful calibration tools have also been removed; there is no longer a color filter option, which means that color and tint calibration now require a pair of blue glasses to set. The 10-point IRE calibration has also been removed, leaving only the option for 2-point. The picture wizard seems to have defective patterns for brightness and contrast, yielding white and black levels that are wildly off target and impossible to match correctly. Fortunately, the color and tint patterns still seem to work accurately, but without internal black and white point calibration the feature is pointless.

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