When checking out the picture quality of the LG, most users should give the built-in picture wizard a try. Picture wizard is an interactive feature that uses images to help you properly adjust your picture, and it works well. In fact the results I obtained with the picture wizard were very close to what I got using the Digital Video Essentials Blu-ray disc.

The LG offers very strong colors and decent blacks. There is some light leakage from the LEDs around the edge of the TV. I noticed small bright spots on both lower corners during test patterns and the opening credits of some movies, but in most real-world viewing you’ll rarely see it. On some bright and white scenes I noted video noise in the background, but it was easily ignorable. Black levels were considerably better than on the last Sharp and Toshiba sets I used, but not as good as any of the Panasonic or Samsung plasmas I’ve used recently. The LG includes ISF modes for professional calibration.

LG 3D LED TVs are all of the passive type. That means the 3D frame switching is happening on the screen rather than in your glasses, so you can use inexpensive passive 3D glasses such as you’ll get in most 3D theaters. LG gives you six pairs with the TV, which is more generous than any other maker.

While the passive 3D process does have some technical limitations—it reduces the resolution each eye sees—all of the passive LG sets I’ve used do the job well. On this TV I saw a minimal amount of crosstalk on onscreen text, but none in any other picture material. Overall, the 3D image was pretty amazing. You can personalize the level of 3D to make it more or less pronounced, depending on your taste. This TV, like most other 3D TVs, includes 2D-to-3D conversion, though I can’t understand why anyone would want that feature.

Overall, while this model doesn’t have the best picture quality I’ve seen, it does an above-average job few people will have any reason to complain about. That, and the innovative remote, large online content mix and impressive industrial design make this a TV that has something for almost everyone.

$2,899

You can find the complete specs here.

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