The LG 50PS60 — Recommended By An Authority
Posted by hdtv buying guide on August 3, 2009 under HDTV Reviews, LG, Plasma HDTV | 
Be the First to Comment
When household goods like mops, storage supplies or cleaning agents are marketed, their manufacturers are sure to tout a Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval as one more reason why the product is superior.
In the electronics world, there are hundreds of “experts” offering reviews and analysis of the myriad products available. But there’s only one THX, the certification system founded by George Lucas, of “Star Wars” fame.
Earning THX certification means reaching specific standards for picture and sound reproduction. Most often, a movie theater is THX certified. But you can get that same quality at home with the LG 50PS60.
With a 50-inch plasma screen and full 1080p resolution, the 50PS60 offers a superior picture at a reasonably affordable price. LG recommends a price of $1,700, but the 50PS60 is available for $1,200 on Amazon.com.
And for that price, it’s a must-buy. Plasma offers a better picture than LCD, and with a THX picture (but not sound) certification, the 50PS60 is a great choice.
The 50PS60 earns the certification with a 600Hz panel, meaning the on-screen image is refreshed 600 times per second. The best LCD models, even those costing $3,000 and up, can only manage 240Hz refresh rates.
Out of the box, most HDTVs aren’t optimized for in-home use. The default setting is generally too bright and designed to catch attention in a big-box store. The Picture Wizard feature helps consumers fine-tune the picture of the 50PS60.
While most televisions have a barely intelligible navigation menu, the Picture Wizard is a step-by-step guide to getting the most out of your television. AV Mode II is an additional feature that utilizes built-in settings to optimize the picture depending upon the application: gaming, sports, movies and more.
Also included are the standard HDMI and component video inputs. With only two HDMI inputs, the 50PS60 is a little short compared to others in this price range, but it’s not an egregious omission.
For those looking for the ideal foundation for a home theater, the missing HDMI connectors could be an issue. There are still a pair of component video ports, which delivers the same-quality digital signal, but it’s not quite as easy as HDMI.
For those not bothered by such things, the 50PS60 is an excellent choice, both for price and picture. And if George Lucas says it’s a good TV, it’s hard to argue.
Add A Comment