PICTURE QUALITY. It did an excellent job displaying the finest detail. Color accuracy was very good, with flesh tones and other image content looking natural. Contrast—the difference between the darkest blacks and brightest whites—was good, so images had depth and dimension, typical of most models we test. The brightness level was good, making it a suitable choice for most rooms. Black levels are excellent, with help from LG's LED Local Dimming, a local dimming feature, delivering very deep blacks that enhances contrast in dark scenes. There was visible banding (unnatural contours) on scenes with subtly shaded light-to-dark areas, such as a sky during sunset, rather than smooth transitions. There was slight display non-uniformity that created brighter cloudy areas most noticeable on very dark scenes (or in the black bars of a letterboxed movie). We routinely see this issue with LCDs and severity can vary from model to model. Check your model and see if you find it a problem. The deinterlacing and film mode operations were excellent on HD content; there was little or no trace of jaggies on the edges of objects for video and film-based 1080i video content, such as from cable.
VIEWING ANGLE. This LG has a wide viewing angle overall, better than that of most TVs. It will provide the same picture quality, with fewer problems than most TVs, for typical viewing conditions—say, if your family is seated across a long sectional or in chairs off to the sides. With brighter scenes, this model did a fine job maintaining accurate colors and contrast as we viewed it from the sides. The picture did show some dimming from the sides but not to any point we found distracting. With dark scenes this model didn't fare quite as well. When viewed from the sides, the depth of black levels varied depending on the vertical position of the viewer's head. As we moved closer to the screen this limitation became even more apparent, especially if seated on the floor looking upward where black levels brightened significantly. This model's wide horizontal viewing angle is best appreciated when the TV's picture is viewed at eye level.
ULTRA HD PERFORMANCE. Overall, excellent. This LG UHD TV delivers 4K picture detail, along with very good HD-to-UHD upconversion. All native 4K content we played on this model, including movies and test videos was presented in full detail with excellent image fidelity when played back via the TV's HDMI input. This TV supports the playback of HDR (high dynamic range) content in both the HDR10 and Dolby Vision formats via its HDMI and USB inputs. The display's higher brightness capability helped enhance the realism of our 4K test videos mastered for high dynamic range. It also supports video streaming of 4K programs via both Netflix and YouTube (among other sources), and again, images were finely detailed. Using the TV's USB port, we were able to play back 4K videos stored on a flash drive encoded in the HEVC, MP4, and VP9 formats. High resolution photos were displayed in full 4K detail, taking full advantage of UHD's extra resolution. With regular HD content, the TV's HD-to-UHD up-conversion processing was very good, with edges along diagonals of image content showing slight jaggies, just short of the best we've seen. All three of the TV's HDMI inputs comply with the latest HDCP 2.2 and HDMI 2.0 specifications for both copy protection and 4K video play back at 60Hz, a requirement for compatibility with 4K movie play back devices such as a 4K Blu-ray player.
MOTION BLUR. This LG TV has good motion performance, with some blurring on our motion tests, thanks to LG's "TruMotion". This feature is designed to reduce motion blur, a shortcoming of most LCD displays.
SCREEN REFLECTIVITY. Though not as mirror-like as on some models, this screen surface is glossy and therefore susceptible to reflections from a nearby lamp or window. The screen is dark so it does a good job reducing glare from ambient light and maintains contrast even in a bright room.
SOUND QUALITY. This model has very good sound quality, better than most models we've tested. Whether you're watching a movie blockbuster, a concert, or TV show, it is able to deliver a satisfying listening experience. With movies, dialog was generally clear, though a bit muffled, and remained well balanced with respect to background music and other sounds. Bass was deep (but a tad boomy), providing satisfying fullness to the sound, and treble was nicely detailed, while the overall sound was a bit closed in. The speakers could play at a fairly loud volume level and without obvious distortion—a plus if you'll be using this model in a large room or noisy environment and slight cabinet resonance. Also, at higher volume, dynamic compression kept the sound from distorting, but also limited the clarity of peaks in loudness, which was a bit distracting on some audio content. Unlike most of our tested models, this model's sound should satisfy the more discerning listeners, so an external sound bar may not be necessary.
EASE OF USE. Overall, it was fairly easy to setup and very easy to do routine things. On first power up there is an on-screen guide that helps you through setting up the TV. The remote uses Bluetooth, so it doesn't need to be pointed at the TV to operate it. The remote's major function buttons were sufficiently large and have high-contrast labeling, making them easier to see and navigate. The remote has a dedicated button to access "3D" settings.
STAND ASSEMBLY. The TV's base does not come pre-attached, so some assembly is required. Mounting the support stand to the TV is straightforward, as the stand requires the assembly of two parts before mounting.
INTERNET FEATURES. This TV provides advanced Internet capabilities via its "WebOS 3.0" portal with access to a library of applications, and a full Web browser. Movie streaming services include: Netflix, Amazon, Hulu Plus, Vudu, YouTube. It also supports an optional Web cam for access to video conferencing applications such as Skype.
CONNECTIONS. This model has three HDMI inputs—one supports MHL (Mobile High-definition Link), one "component/composite shared" input (which means you can only use one type or the other at a time). It also has three USB ports, an optical digital audio out, an Ethernet port. WiFi wireless networking. DLNA, to access files within your home network. Casting, to control the TV from a smartphone that has the suitable app installed. Screen mirroring, where the image on your smartphone or other compatible device can also appear on the TV. Analog connections are made via special breakout cable adapters (included) that attach to the TV as single plugs. That means you plug your component, composite, or stereo cables into a dangling "pigtail" rather than the back of the TV itself. This is actually a more convenient way to make the connections on slim-profile models, but if you lose that adapter you'll have no way to connect your cables directly to the TV. Note: HDMI and other cable connections made to the rear-facing panel will protrude beyond the panel's slim depth.
INCLUDED IN THE BOX. A quick start guide. An electronic manual in the TV's menu. A remote control with batteries. Breakout cable adapters (one component, one composite with stereo audio). Two pairs of 3D eyeglasses. No printed manual is included.
