LG 50PZ950

Motion Performance

We checked, there were no extra processing features that helped the 50PZ950 perform on our motion tests. The settings “Edge Enhancer” and “Super Resolution” had no perceivable effect, so we left them off, but this TV did very well regardless.

With high frequency patterns in motion, we noticed minor jagged edges developing around the frame and within the patterns. High frequency images, like a series of tightly drawn lines, are the most difficult for a television to move smoothly. The LG 50PZ950 had modest difficulty here. Pictures of people retained excellent detail, faces were completely recognizable, and fine lines stayed strongly separate.

One thing to note is the nature of plasma cells. When viewed closely, plasma cells can look like snow from a bad signal. From a proper viewing distance, they blend together beautifully and you would never notice the fuzz. Yet, when we moved objects back and forth across the screen for our motion tests, the pixel fluctuation was noticeable, but not wholly impairing. It’s just that the picture rippled from plasma cell overactivity as it moved, but detail was retained. This fuzziness is much less noticeable with actual content. The occasional static object being pulled across the screen will have some mosquito crawl as it moves. All together, motion was well above average, especially in retention of detail.
More on how we test motion performance.

3:2 Pulldown & 24fps (8.50)

Film Mode reduced flicker to content produced at 24 frames per second, but it did not rid the picture of judder. A moving SMPTE pattern, or more roguishly referred to as an Indian Head Test Pattern (our pattern contains no such Native American head, but this is the most similar example we could find), wobbled slightly as it moved back and forth in 24fps with Film Mode on.

More likely, the Film Mode is a 3:2 pulldown mode, rather than a true 24fps mode. Instead of showing content at 24fps, the 50PZ950 is converting 24fps to 30fps by interpolating half frames together. It works, but not as smoothly as outputting content in the manner it was recorded. Most Blueray content is output at 24fps, where a true 24fps mode is ideal. More on how we test 3:2 pulldown and 24fps.

Resolution Scaling (9.77)

Resolution was one of the strongest points for the 50PZ950. Setting the aspect ratio to Just Scan made this TV versatile in every resolution we threw at it. Fine details are readily apparent. There was no overscan, except at 480p, where changing from 16:9 to 4:3 will cause some clipping no matter what. More on how we test resolution scaling.

480p

The 2% all around overscan did not affect any of the patterns we put on the screen. All the moire patterns were intricately displayed, the smallest fonts were clear, they would have been legible had they been smaller, and our highest frequency patterns were discernible with ease.

720p

Only the slightest banding was viewable in some of the moire patterns at this resolution. It was slight enough to lose only a quarter of a point. Everything else was beautiful: Fine detail, no problem; small text, a breeze.

1080p

Resolution testing at 1080p was stunning. The highest frequency patterns at this level are so intricate that most televisions have difficulty. It is why we do the test: An almost unfair challenge to see what the TV is really made of. We think our eyes were banding the highest frequency patterns more than the TV was. We took away a fraction of a point because we saw some of the motion of the plasma cells (described in the motion section above) in a couple of the moire patterns.

Other Models in the Series
For more information on other models in this series, check our Series Comparison Page.
LG 60PZ950 60 in.