LG 32LG40 LCD HDTV Review - Viewing Effects

Viewing Effects Summary
• Great viewing angle for an LCD. • Screen diffuses light well, but the resulting blur obfuscates most of the screen. • Some processing features, none of which are useful.
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Viewing Angle (7.33)

This test measures a TV's contrast ratio from various different viewing angles. We first measure the ratio from a dead center view, then gradually move our instruments in an arc around the TV, taking measurements every 5º until we reach 85º. Along the way, we're looking for the point at which the TV's initial contrast ratio falls below 50%. Once the contrast ratio gets below 50%, the picture starts looking significantly worse.

 Typically LCDs have a horrible time with this test, but the 32LG40 did well: its contrast ratio stayed about 50% until we got out to 55º from center, which means a total viewing angle of 110º. The 32LG40's performance is described in the graph below. 

Again, this was a remarkable performance for an LCD TV overall. The most you can typically squeeze out of an LCD is a total viewing angle of 60º. A 110º viewing angle just about assures a decent view from just about anywhere in front of the TV. The next time you and a dozen of your friends want to get together and watch Airplane! or Rocky Horror, you can cram everyone around the TV without those sitting towards the edges getting horrible picture quality.

Reflectance (6.75)

To test reflectance, we shine an array of LEDs at the screen. If we can see the individual LEDs, the screen is very reflective; if we see a blurred blotch of light, the screen is good at diffusing. The 32LG40 is very good at diffusing light. Typically this is a great thing, but since teh 32LG40s screen is a moderate size, the giant blurry blotch of light takes up a giant portion of the screen. We highly recommend keeping the TV away from any window, because the resulting glare will make the screen almost unwatchable.

If the light is above the TV, the resulting glare won't be bad. It's definitely something you'd get used to and not notice over time.

Video Processing (2.5)

The 32LG40 does have a few video processing options. Unfortunately, there's nothing anywhere that describes what they are supposed to do. The TV itself has no descriptions and the manual and web site simply mentions they exist.

While it's hard to dislike extra options, the ones included either had no real effect or a negative effect.