AVS Forum Archive 2 - LG 50" Plasma HDTV (50PX1D)

Les Garrenton

09-30-05, 12:30 PM

[QUOTE=bimmer10]I just recently purchased one of these bad boys at Circuit City. I am very surprised to not find any discussion regarding this TV in this forum, is this not considered a good set?[/QUOTE]I was looking at that model but ended up springing for the 50PX4DR, the one with the built-in HDD and an additional HDMI input. Otherwise it's identical to yours, which I almost bought. I couldn't be happier with the LG and if I had it to do all over again I would go the same way.

After studying up here on AVS I was actually all set to go down and buy the 50" Panasonic. At Best Buy their store loop feed was so noisy I really couldn't make a good comparison between the Panasonic and the other 50" models. At one CC I thought the Panny looked better than everything else including the LG, but then I found out that the LG was being fed from a different source altogether (same programming) which made comparisons irrelevant. I went to another CC and found the LG side by side with the Panasonic and fed from the same source and thought that they looked very similar with the color on the LG looking slightly better to me.

Still the popularity of the Panasonic had me leaning that way, but then I discovered how limited it was on inputs compared to just about any other manufacturer's models. I was dumbfounded to learn that the Panasonic only had a single RF input. That took it completely out of the running for me. Of the other sets like the Samsungs and Hitachis, from what I was able to tell it appears that neither of them integrate both cable & OTA antenna channels on the same program guide the way the LG does. I just got a CableCard through Cox Cable, so with all the cable, OTA, analog/digital/HD tuning done inside the LG set I can customize and sort the listings in the EPG to default to the better looking source on a channel-by-channel basis. For the major broadcast networks I have the default listings set to the better looking OTA signals, and for HBO I have it default to the HD feed, etc. And I don't need to rent the $10/month box from Cox!

I'm also happy to say that with much better sources available the LG looks much better to me at home than in the store. I also bought the LG LDA-511 upconverting DVD player and run it into the 50PX4DR through HDMI and it looks spectacular.

bimmer10

09-30-05, 01:55 PM

[QUOTE=srw69]I purchased the same TV last weekend from Bestbuy along with the LG home theater in a box. Can wait to set this up. Waiting until I move into new apartment.

I was also suprised not to see this TV reviewed or barely mentioned. Looks solid to me though....

What type of break-in are you going to do? This is my first plasma so i'm new to all the procedures...

Thanks, Steve[/QUOTE]

Steve I think you are going to be very very happy with the LG. I must have been at the right place at the right time because I was able to purchase the TV at a very very good price,(funny story). In regards to the break in period? I just heard about it for the first time right here, WOOPS! I decided to use the component connection to reduce the amount of wiring going to the TV. I compared the HDMI and Component signal, they seemed equal in quality to my eyes.

RadYOacTve

09-30-05, 03:47 PM

How is the SD pq?

JKent

09-30-05, 05:55 PM

[QUOTE=bimmer10]I must have been at the right place at the right time because I was able to purchase the TV at a very very good price, (funny story). [/QUOTE]

How funny? I was in CC acouple days ago and the 50PX1D was on "sale"!?!?

bimmer10

10-02-05, 07:19 PM

[QUOTE=JKent]How funny? I was in CC acouple days ago and the 50PX1D was on "sale"!?!?[/QUOTE]

I walked into a Bestbuy and saw the LG, called the manager over and asked him if this was a miss print or if it was a floor model missing items. He told me that it was the correct price but they didnt have any in stock. So I drove to Circuit City and ask them to price match which they did. 1 week later I go back to BestBuy and the price of the TV is now $$$$. I spoke to the same manager and asked him about the price, he told me it was a miss print. HA!

MattNelson

10-03-05, 04:54 PM

Does this plasma allow HD (720P/1080i) 4:3 to be zoomed ? I know the Panasonic 50px50u does not and was looking for alternatives. Thanks.

cheridave

10-03-05, 04:58 PM

Mods Note:

Pricing talk is not allowed!

MSRP ONLY!

Thanks

Dave

Les Garrenton

10-03-05, 10:14 PM

[QUOTE=MattNelson]Does this plasma allow HD (720P/1080i) 4:3 to be zoomed ? I know the Panasonic 50px50u does not and was looking for alternatives. Thanks.[/QUOTE]I have the LG 50PX4DR and would assume that the 50PX1D functions identically. On my set HD (720P/1080i) 4:3 material with black bars on either side can't be stretched horizontally, but it can be zoomed with a parameter called "Cinema Zoom". Of course zooming fills the screen horizontally while cropping the top and bottom of the picture to maintain the correct width/height proportionality.

bimmer10

10-04-05, 10:09 AM

[QUOTE=cheridave]Mods Note:

Pricing talk is not allowed!

MSRP ONLY!

Thanks

Dave[/QUOTE]

Sorry about that.

B0N3

10-04-05, 10:13 AM

[QUOTE=Les Garrenton]I have the LG 50PX4DR and would assume that the 50PX1D functions identically. On my set HD (720P/1080i) 4:3 material with black bars on either side can't be stretched horizontally, but it can be zoomed with a parameter called "Cinema Zoom". Of course zooming fills the screen horizontally while cropping the top and bottom of the picture to maintain the correct width/height proportionality.[/QUOTE]

I believe all of the newer Zenith/LG plasmas have this option .. I love Cinema Zoom .. usually +12 fills the screen nicely

mfan

12-12-05, 06:10 PM

[QUOTE=B0N3]I believe all of the newer Zenith/LG plasmas have this option .. I love Cinema Zoom .. usually +12 fills the screen nicely[/QUOTE]

So, it sounds like the Cinema Zoom on the LG model can be adjusted, "+12 fills the screen"? I have the Zenith 50" with the Cinema Zoom, but I didn't see any way to adjust it. Where do you find the adjustment in the LG? TIA.

Nevermind, I figured it out... :rolleyes:

R-U-Q-R-U

12-17-05, 08:13 PM

I just ordered my 50PX1D from CC and it is coming Monday. I have read many positive comments on this unit and the low price made the deal.

Anyway, I have read that screen burn of static images is greatly reduced in the latest generation of plasma screens but not entirely.

My question is not about a full screen static image, but the screen bugs and streamers used by the cable news channels. We watch one or another cable news channel for hours each day. For example on CNBC they keep a box with market indexs up and also stream a news ticker along the bottom of the screen.

Will watching these channesl for hours each day result in burn in? On my old rear projection set from 1998 (we are dumping it!) all these screen bugs ARE burnt in. I would hate for this to happen to out beautiful new LG ;-)

mfan

12-18-05, 01:03 AM

[QUOTE=R-U-Q-R-U]I just ordered my 50PX1D from CC and it is coming Monday. I have read many positive comments on this unit and the low price made the deal.

Anyway, I have read that screen burn of static images is greatly reduced in the latest generation of plasma screens but not entirely.

My question is not about a full screen static image, but the screen bugs and streamers used by the cable news channels. We watch one or another cable news channel for hours each day. For example on CNBC they keep a box with market indexs up and also stream a news ticker along the bottom of the screen.

Will watching these channesl for hours each day result in burn in? On my old rear projection set from 1998 (we are dumping it!) all these screen bugs ARE burnt in. I would hate for this to happen to out beautiful new LG ;-)[/QUOTE]

Sorry to tell you, but yes they will... They are especially prone to it during the first 200-1000 hours.

lipcrkr

12-18-05, 02:26 AM

[QUOTE=Les Garrenton]I was looking at that model but ended up springing for the 50PX4DR, the one with the built-in HDD and an additional HDMI input. Otherwise it's identical to yours, which I almost bought. I couldn't be happier with the LG and if I had it to do all over again I would go the same way.

After studying up here on AVS I was actually all set to go down and buy the 50" Panasonic. At Best Buy their store loop feed was so noisy I really couldn't make a good comparison between the Panasonic and the other 50" models. At one CC I thought the Panny looked better than everything else including the LG, but then I found out that the LG was being fed from a different source altogether (same programming) which made comparisons irrelevant. I went to another CC and found the LG side by side with the Panasonic and fed from the same source and thought that they looked very similar with the color on the LG looking slightly better to me.

Still the popularity of the Panasonic had me leaning that way, but then I discovered how limited it was on inputs compared to just about any other manufacturer's models. I was dumbfounded to learn that the Panasonic only had a single RF input. That took it completely out of the running for me. Of the other sets like the Samsungs and Hitachis, from what I was able to tell it appears that neither of them integrate both cable & OTA antenna channels on the same program guide the way the LG does. I just got a CableCard through Cox Cable, so with all the cable, OTA, analog/digital/HD tuning done inside the LG set I can customize and sort the listings in the EPG to default to the better looking source on a channel-by-channel basis. For the major broadcast networks I have the default listings set to the better looking OTA signals, and for HBO I have it default to the HD feed, etc. And I don't need to rent the $10/month box from Cox!

I'm also happy to say that with much better sources available the LG looks much better to me at home than in the store. I also bought the LG LDA-511 upconverting DVD player and run it into the 50PX4DR through HDMI and it looks spectacular.[/QUOTE]

Another option would have been the Toshiba 50HP95, Uses Panny glass but has all those features and more.

jmallory

12-18-05, 07:14 AM

I have had that exact same model for about 3 months now. Beautiful set at a great price. I bought mine at a local hi-fi shop and the only set that looked better was a Pioneer Elite model at twice the price (and it didn't look twice as good).

So far no burn-in and I use it with an HTPC and play games with it.

The first thing you should buy is either DVE or Avia and do a quick calibration of the set. The default contrast and brightness settings are WAY WAY TOO HIGH. (Like at nearly 100%). I believe mine are currently set somewhere in the 40-50 range (depends on the input). Color and Tint did not need much adjusting.

SD quality through a direct cable connect (tuning Digital Cable QAM channels that are in the clear are excellent). SD through my HDMI connected 6412 Phase III is noisier but that is being caused by the internal scaler in the 6412/P3. I have not tried using it with a cable card yet. I was thinking of doing it between Christmas and New Years, but I still have not made up my mind.

-- Jim

robert123

12-18-05, 01:37 PM

[QUOTE=R-U-Q-R-U]My question is not about a full screen static image, but the screen bugs and streamers used by the cable news channels. We watch one or another cable news channel for hours each day. For example on CNBC they keep a box with market indexs up and also stream a news ticker along the bottom of the screen.

Will watching these channesl for hours each day result in burn in? On my old rear projection set from 1998 (we are dumping it!) all these screen bugs ARE burnt in. I would hate for this to happen to out beautiful new LG ;-)[/QUOTE]

If you are not watching the streamers, you can use the cinema zoom feature and zoom in just enough to get the streamers off the screen.

Robert

JOHNNY Z

12-18-05, 03:04 PM

If I can't get my Panasonic 50 inch, I am going to choose between this one (the LG 50PX1D) and the Samsung HPR5052.

Which is better?

I think the actual Samsung set looks a lot better than the LG, a lot more stylish and it is 1080i where the LG is only 720p.

But the Samsung picture does not looks as bright as the LG. Looks a bit dull.

Also, does this 50PX1D LG put grey or black bars in 4:3 mode - that is a BIG thing for me! I hate grey!

Thanks!

dtrell

12-18-05, 04:39 PM

do not get the samsung...one word...DNie...aaaggghhhhh

Rammitinski

12-18-05, 04:45 PM

......And clayface on SD, too.

R-U-Q-R-U

12-18-05, 07:08 PM

[QUOTE=JOHNNY Z]If I can't get my Panasonic 50 inch, I am going to choose between this one (the LG 50PX1D) and the Samsung HPR5052.

Which is better?

I think the actual Samsung set looks a lot better than the LG, a lot more stylish and it is 1080i where the LG is only 720p.

But the Samsung picture does not looks as bright as the LG. Looks a bit dull.

Also, does this 50PX1D LG put grey or black bars in 4:3 mode - that is a BIG thing for me! I hate grey!

Thanks![/QUOTE]

Specifications Attached

I think you are mistaken...as is the Best Buy website. The LG specifications clearly state this monitor is 1080i.

The attached table is from the LG Manual. The LG is 1080i.
Found at: http://us.lge.com/Product/proddetail.do?actCategory=tv&archivedYn=&actType=search&categoryId=0000000101&prodId=1000000649&parentId=0000000001&parent2levelId=0000000001&category_level=3&totalItem=11&currentPage=1&perPage=10

JOHNNY Z

12-18-05, 08:27 PM

[QUOTE=dtrell]do not get the samsung...one word...DNie...aaaggghhhhh[/QUOTE]

What is this? I've heard a bit about it? What problems does it cause? How does it make the picture look?

.....And clayface on SD, too.

What is this!!!???? Clayface? By SD you mean just regular digital cable channels right? Like CNN, MTV, TBS, USA etc right? Non HD channels?

Does these channels look shity of the Samsung?

R-U-Q-R-U

12-23-05, 06:45 PM

Recevied my LG from BB this morning. Excellent delivery and setup. I ran the Avia DVD to tune it up and am very impressed. I connected the SA8300HD with component input so that I could use the HDMI port on the LG for the Sony DVP-NS70H upconverting DVD player. Most importantly my wife loves it!

R-U-Q-R-U

12-24-05, 07:39 AM

The remote code that works on the AT8550 remote for the SA8300HD and the LG 50px1D is 1004.

victor73

12-25-05, 03:47 PM

I just got the LG 50PX1D and so far I love it. However, there are only two problems that are sort of bothering me. Does anyone else that has this unit notice a whirring sound coming from the TV when it's in standby mode? The whirring sound is loud enough to notice from the other side of a modestly sized living room. Is this normal? If so, what can be done to reduce this noise level, aside from completely cutting power to the unit, perhaps by using a concealed switch controlling the outlet...

In addition, does anyone have the remote code for controlling a motorola HD/DVR cable box with the LG remote? Motorola is not one of the brands listed under the CATV box section of the manual :( ...

R-U-Q-R-U

12-27-05, 08:30 PM

[QUOTE=victor73]I just got the LG 50PX1D and so far I love it. However, there are only two problems that are sort of bothering me. Does anyone else that has this unit notice a whirring sound coming from the TV when it's in standby mode? The whirring sound is loud enough to notice from the other side of a modestly sized living room. Is this normal? [/QUOTE]

In standby mode my set is silent. Are you sure it is not coming from another piece of equipment? What could be making that sound?

bobshute

12-28-05, 10:07 AM

I got that sound when I installed a cablecard. It seems that when you install a cablecard the TV turns on a fan that runs all the time. As the TV is in my bedroom it was too loud. I pulled the cablecard and all is silent again.

Bob

Timburriaquito

01-03-06, 01:56 PM

I just got this LG last week and have had it up and running the last five days. I am very satisfied with it so far. Combined with adding HDTV through my cable company, I must say I am very impressed! I've been watching a lot of college football bowl games in HD, and it's amazing. I also find myself watching nature shows on DiscoveryHD and PBS in HD that I wouldn't normally watch, but the picture is so amazing I just sit and look at it. I've got things hooked up through my Onkyo S780 home theatre system, and things are great. I would recommend the LG to anyone looking for a good 50 inch plasma.

When shopping for the LG I noticed in the store that it didn't have as deep black as the Panasonic, which I understand to be the leading maker of plasmas, but the salesperson also told me they had requests for 35 of the 50 inch Panasonic on order. The LG was the best price of the remaining 50 inch sets (except for the Zenith, which is the same as LG except I didn't care for the silver around the picture frame. the LG has a glossy black frame.) So we went with the LG. Of course, at home compared to our previous 27 inch CRT this looks amazing.

I'm now having to get used to adjusting the picture ratio when watching regular SD programming. I find myself watching HD almost exclusively, almost forgetting there are over a hundred other channels on my cable system that I could watch!

I've had no problems with fan noise, nor image retention issues. I did notice once that when I turned on the DVD player the brand of the player is in big red letters, and if left there for awhile you can see the shadow of those letters when turned off, but I don't see it when watching other programs. And the next day it was gone. I don't believe "burn-in" will be a problem with this set, but I will try to be careful, especially the first 100 hours as I've learned from reading this forum.

Overall, the LG is a great TV, and I would recommend it to anyone!

trmas

01-08-06, 04:14 AM

I just purchased the 42 inch LG tonight, and I've never had a plasma. I'd like to know others settings, and I've read everything should be lower for the first month or so of viewing. Any help would be appreciated - TV arrives Monday!

lipcrkr

01-08-06, 04:55 AM

gkoby

01-12-06, 08:07 PM

[QUOTE=lipcrkr]How about the Toshiba 50HP95?[/QUOTE]

I'm new here, and also considering the LG. I appreciate all of the first-hand information that is shared here, it really makes a difference.
This, however, is the second time you plugged the Toshiba, on an LG thread, without offering anything as evidence. Why the Toshiba? Either give a fact-based comparison, or please keep your brand preference to yourself. I don't think anyone here really cares that you are a Toshiba fan.
Thank you.

mooshoo

01-13-06, 04:21 PM

Quick question....

I just saw an LG at Costco. I believe it's the 50DUPK10. 50" panel, with DVI, but no HDMI, or Hard Drive. The size is what I'm looking for. The only thing stopping me from buying is that I think the panel supports 1080i, but does NOT display it. I'm assuming this means that whatever 1080i signals received are downconverted to 720p? Also, I've never bought LG products before, so I'm a bit hesitant. I tried tweaking the settings at Costco, but it was a little hard to do, because they had a DVD (the crappy transfer of Polar Express) playing through composite cables (the worst ones). The colors weren't as punchy as I would like (but again, it could be just the environment).

About the Toshiba panel, isn't that with Alias technology??

herojay

01-24-06, 07:28 PM

Hi All!

I purchased the 50" Panasonic Plasma along with the Yamaha RX4600 connected all with HDMI and have a BEAUTIFUL picture! I really love the Panasonic.

However, I am staying at a Hilton hotel in Texas and they have an LG 50PX1D on the wall here and can tell you the picture looks equivalent. Bright and sharp.

Note that when you look at a Plasma (and am sure an LCD) at the store (COSTCO, Bestbuy) they are over driving the brightness - excuse me, perhaps not overdriving but at the upper end. If possible have them show you the picture parameters and change the settings so you can see how they perform with lower settings that will save the long-term operation of your expensive investment.

I have the Panasonic at home and even with the settings lowered the picture is still magnificent. I think the LG is probably just as well although I have not the opportunity to make any adjustments.

I purchased the Panasonic after extensive research based upon both quality and price considerations. What finally swayed me to Panasonic was that Consumer Digest rated Panasonic best.

So, if you have any questions about Panasonic or the Yamaha receiver please let me know through here or my address.

dtrell

01-28-06, 12:56 PM

the panasonics are all set to "vivid" which if you look at it up close, the picture is a mess. try changing the panansonic settings to "normal" mode then see how a bunch of other sets match it in PQ....now ill sit back and wait to get flamed by the avs forum panny amen chorus...

BradClark

03-03-06, 05:12 PM

Ok so I am in need of some help as I am at the end of my rope. I am new to the forum but have read it for a while.

I got the 50px1d last week and I am on my 3rd set now in the same week.

The problem.. after I turn it off, it forgets random channels..meaning I have channel 2 to 30 but then the next channel is 50 to 80.. missing 31-49..

basic cable(no cable box) and antena..LG support has no answers for me.

no one has ever heard of this problem and I am finding it damn near imposible that its only me and that I got 3 tvs that do this as a problem.

Any ideas? Thank you.
Brad Clark.

p.s. I love every thing else abou the tv and really don't want to have to find another brand/tv that has the same features price etc.

agent2556

04-07-06, 05:23 PM

I've had the LG 50PX1D plasma for a little over 6 months or so now and it is an awesome tv. I have my HD DVR box connected through HDMI into the back with all regular channels upconverted so i dont have to worry about the whole zooming feature which is real irritating anyway. My 360 looks amazing on it and i never have ran any calibration on it but is it worth it? Do i need to?
Anyway i guess my problem lies in that the back right fan makes a really loud clicking noise almost as if one of the fan blades is hitting a wire because it gets louder the faster the fan spins.
I tried sticking something in there to stop the fan to make sure that was the problem and the noise went away, then the tv shut off of course.
Does anyone know how diffucult it is to get inside the TV or whether or not thats a bad idea.
It appears to just be like some 120MM fan in the back, it looks like if i could just get the back panel off i would be able to replace/fix it myself.

Any suggestions?

Other than that it's an amazing set, i have a klipsch 5.1 system hooked up to it, PC inputted with all optical running through my receiver (which will remain nameless because it's low end). If anyone is looking for a decent 50' plasma at a great price this tv has got a great amount of input options and nature shows in 720p are amazing. I got it at about half msrp at the time i bought it but the price of it now is definitly worth it.

madflava

04-11-06, 01:01 PM

Hi,

I am the proud owner of the LG 50PX1D. So far so great!

Quick question - when you use your normal TV speakers and the base is turned up to 50% and the surround sound is on, do you hear "crackling" or a raspiness coming from your subwoofers in the speakers? I hear a lot of it and it's annoying.

Does anybody else hear it??

Other than that, the picture is great!

Thanks!

1naylor

09-20-06, 09:16 AM

Hello everyone,

This is my first post here. I bought a display model LG 50PX1D last night. I got it home and hooked it up. I need a new DVD player I know and to rearrange some of the cabling in my home but for now it had to be hooked up as follows :

DVD player via S-video
Dish network via the coax cable.

On my old 32" tube TV these connections made everything look fine. But on the LG - DVD movies are awesome - but every now and then if you really, REALLY look for it you can see these blue "sparkler" effects on areas of black.

When watching cable TV channels this can get pretty bad. Sometimes there's even a slight blue ghost from time to time on cable TV.

Also on cable TV - the black bars on the scrreen have visible blue "sparklers" as well.

I have 30 days to return this thing for full price and get something else. I want it to work because I got an insane deal on it. I have a power conditioner on the way and I am going to bring the dish box downstairs and try to connect it with at least S-video (not sure what outputs it has).

Has anyone had a similar problem with this set? I've played with all the brightness /contrats settings for hours. I don't know if this is something I can fix or something that's beyond fixing... but I need to figure it out.

Thanks.
J.T.