LG Infinia 47LX9500 HDTV

The LG INFINIA LX9500 series is LG’s flagship LED LCD Full HD (1080p) HDTV was a Cnet Best of CES 2010 nominee. The series is the only 3D ready (no 3D glasses included) one offered by LG and includes only two models; the 47 inch 47LX9500 and the 55 inch 55LX9500. Through local dimming these models are able to achieve a dynamic contrast ratio of 10 million:1 which is the highest quoted value we have seen in a specification to date and a fivefold improvement from last years excellent LH90 models which had a 2 million:1 ratio.



LX9500 480 Hz Refresh Rate and 1 ms Response Time

For minimization of any motion blurring the LX9500 models have the double advantage of the highest refresh rate (480 Hz) and the lowest response time (1 ms) for LCD HDTVs we have seen. For clear action images without motion blurring an LCD display needs a fast response time (minimal latency). Response time is more critical for motion-intensive applications such as gaming. Plasma HDTVs still have the best response time to the order of a thousand times faster. A higher refresh rate smooths out fast moving on-screen motion and combats any smearing or blurring of fast moving picture elements as common to sports broadcasts and games. The video processing/computing power to interpolate the extra frames for 480Hz on the fly is truly impressive. Whether a motion display performance improvement between a 240 Hz and 480 Hz refresh rate is noticeable by the average HDTV viewer is debatable.

Full Array Backlighting with Local Dimming

LG’s LX9500 models have full array LED backlighting which provides superior backlighting uniformity compared to edge-lit LED backlighting which relies on a light diffusing panel to provide uniform backlighting for the LED panel. The full array backlighting facilitates the application of local dimming whereby LED lamps individually control brightness across the display to match the pattern of brightness required by the image being displayed. Read our technical guide on Local Dimming to understand how it improves contrast ratios, black levels and also white levels.

3D by LG

As with other manufacturers, LG employs frame sequential 3D technology. Sequential 3D technology requires viewers to wear LG AG-S100 3D Active Shutter Glasses which must be purchased separately. Read our 3D technology guide for more information on 3D for HDTVs.

Broadband Internet Connectivity

Importantly for customers who are beginning to view HDTVs as another media hub, the LX9500 models have a LAN port for broadband access to network and Internet sourced entertainment. Broadband sourced entainment options include Lgs NetCast Entertainment Access, Yahoo! TV Widgets, Netflix, Vudu, YouTube, Picasa. If running a cable for network access is a problem, the LX9500 models are Wi-Fi ready with the addition of and optional LG AN-WF100 Wi-Fi USB Adaptor)..

Wireless 1080p Connectivity

All LG 2010 HDTV models including the LX9500 series are compatible with the LG AN-WL100 Wireless Media Kit. The kit will send an uncompressed, full HD 1080p video signal to your HDTV from up to 50 feet away. The LG Media Kit has 4 HMDI inputs for connecting plenty of devices such as Blu Ray players and game consoles. It’s a convenient option for avoiding cables if you are going to wall mount your HDTV. The only connection to the HDTV is the power supply cable if you are also using a WiFi adaptor.

THX Display Certification and THX Cinema Mode

Both LG LX9500 models have gained THX Certification which is a rigorous process and a significant accomplishment for any manufacturer. THX certification provides the consumer confidence that the display product they are purchasing has achieved a high performance benchmark having passed independent testing to published criteria.

NetCast Entertainment Access

Internet access using the LAN port or an optional WiFi USB adaptor. Content sources available include:
VUDU
VUDU is an on-demand streaming service for movies in Full HD 1080p resolution and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound. Movies are sourced from all Hollywood studios and over 30 independent studios. Movies and TV titles can be instantly bought or rented and there are no monthly fees.
Netflix
Netflix is a subscription based instant streaming providing access to a library of over 15,000 movie and TV episode titles. A lot of the content is standard definition and the Netflix subscription is not included with the LG HDTV.
YouTube
Watch everything from YouTube on your HDTV with unlimited direct access to the millions of Web videos available through
YouTube.
Yahoo Widgets
Yahoo Widgets can provide information feeds such as weather forecasts, stock prices and news in a format similar to the Gadgets which can be placed on the desktop of Microsoft Windows.
Picasa
Picasa allows you enjoy your pictures on a large HDTV display. The software allows you to create galleries and slideshows for easy organization.

24p Real Cinema

If you have a 24p output capable device, such as a Blu-ray Disc player, you can watch films on a LX9500 HDTV at the 24 fps they were shot at (5:5/2:2 Pulldown). If video deriving from film is not viewed at 24p (3:2 pulldown), inserted frames can cause some lack of smoothness (judder). To gain a good understanding of movie playback options read or technical guide comparing 24p and 3:2 playback.

LG Intelligent Sensor

Ambient light and reflections from the viewing environment have an affect (sometimes severe) on picture quality. As well as having a matte finish display to minimize reflections, the LG LX9500 models have an intelligent light sensor automatically optimizes not only brightness but other picture quality elements including contrast, color, sharpness and white balance. LG claim that the Intelligent Sensor can deliver power consumption reductions of up to 50 percent.

My Media Multimedia Playback

Prompted by their ever growing digital media assets such as images, video and music customers are looking for consumer electronics which make them easier to share. For multimedia playback the My Media menu can be accessed by choosing My Media in the user menu or by simply inserting a USB drive. The media type (movie list, photo list and music list) is selected first then the device to open files from. As well as USB one can choose DLNA.

Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) provides consumers with easy sharing of digital media through a wired or wireless network in the home. Sharing is possible with DLNA compliant consumer electronics as well as PCs running DLNA server software. LG supply Nero MediaHome 4 Essentials customized software edition for sharing files and folders with the LX9500.
Files can be navigated onscreen and JPEG images viewed as a slideshow which can even have background music from one of your MP3 files. A wide range of video file extensions are compatible including .asf, .wmv, .divx, .avi, .mp4, .mkv, .ts, .trp, .tp, .mpg as well as a suitably wide range of associated codecs.

Expert Picture Controls

The LX9500 has a wide range of expert picture controls including Dynamic Contrast, Dynamic Color, Skin Color, Noise Reduction, Digital Noise Reduction (caused by compressing video), Gamma, Black Level, Clear White (brightens white areas of screen), Eye Care (dims extremely bright pictures), Real Cinema or Film Mode (for eliminating judder effect in movies), Edge Enhancer, xvYCC (for richer colors) and Expert Pattern (built-in expert pattern for expert calibration).

ISFccc Ready

LG LX9500 models have ISFccc (Imaging Science Foundation Certified Calibration Configuration) calibration options which allow professional calibration technicians to store their settings as ISF Day and ISF Night modes. Read our ISFccc technology guide for more detailed information.

Picture Wizard

Picture Wizard is an interesting new LG technology enabling easier owner calibration using on-screen reference points for key picture quality elements such as black level, color, tint, sharpness and backlight levels. It’s a technique common to calibration DVDs.

LX9500 as a PC Monitor

Those considering using the LG LX9500 as a PC monitor should note that the HDTV comes with Just Scan which is a 1:1 pixel matching facility for removing overscan. For other monitor use factors that need to be considered read our technical guide on using a HDTV as a PC monitor.

Sound

LG’s LX9500 models have twin 10W speakers and can produce a virtual surround sound experience thanks to the included SRS TruSurround XT technology. Speaker performance is enhanced though what LC call an invisible speaker system where speakers are strategically placed behind the front cabinet and use minute vibrations to turn the entire front bezel into the speaker system. The result is an increased increasing sweet spot giving a wider and richer sound field. The included Clear Voice technology automatically enhances dialogue when rising background sounds (eg. action films) threatens to overwhelm clarity.

Connectivity

Side Inputs and Outputs

• AV In 1 (w/gender)
• Component Video In (Y, Pb, Pr) + Audio 1 (w/gender)
• HDMI/HDCP Input (V.1.3 w/Deep Color) 1
• USB 2.0 (JPEG/MPEG-4/DivX HD) 2
• Headphone Out 1

Rear Inputs and Outputs

• RF In (Antenna/Cable) 1 AV In 1
• Component Video In (Y, Pb, Pr) + Audio 2
• Digital Audio Out (Optical) 1
• HDMI/HDCP Input (V.1.3 w/Deep Color) 3
• RGB In (D-Sub 15pin) – PC 1
• PC Audio Input 1
• LAN 1
• RS-232c In (Service Only) 1
• Wireless Control 1