LG 32LP1D Reviewed
LG's 32" HDTV with Freeview Tuner.
This is my review of the LG 32LP1D 32"
HDTV.
The 32LP1D has a very comprehensive array of connections including HDMI, a
couple of SCART connections and DVI output for hooking up your PC or Mac. It's
also equipped with an aerial connection and pass-through which allows you to plug in
your TV aerial and connect the pass-through to another TV or Freeview box. This is
quite handy if you want to hook up a Freeview box to use as a secondary source
for your Picture In Picture (PIP). The back of the unit has a removable plastic
casing which hides all the connections and helps keep the dust out of the
connections which is a very nice idea and because it slots into the back there
are no screws to lose.
The front of the unit has two silver speakers on either
side making it look quite wide. At the base of the unit is what looks like a
silver tube which at first looks odd but once you know what it hides it grows on
you. Slide open the tube and there are the usual buttons for controlling the
unit if you cannot find the remote or are a fitness freak but also nicely hidden
away is a set of RCA and S-Video connections which allow you to quickly connect
an Xbox or PS2 or Video. Also hidden in the tube are two slots for reading
memory cards. I did wonder how useful these would be but after finding that the
memory card from my Nokia 6230 fitted and slide showed my photos you can see the
logic. Why bore your visitors with the baby album when you can display them on
screen. It will also play MP3 files but not at the same time as viewing images.
The front cover feels solid and glides back into place with a feel of quality.
The remote is a multi universal function device which allows you to control a
DVD and VCR from other manufacturers. It feels solid and well build and with a black finish like the iPod nano doesn't suffer that cheap
afterthought feel. The buttons look solid and are
very tactile. A nice touch is the light button on the right side that lights up
the main function buttons so if you are watching TV with the lights off you can
see the buttons. My one gripe is that the PIP function buttons and analogue
teletext buttons are hidden behind a slide down cover on the front. LG have done
well to hide these extra buttons to make the control look uncluttered but
because the onscreen menu has no functionality to control the PIP function this
cover is up and down like a yoyo.
Setting up the Freeview and analogue signals was quite simple as the menu
allows you to auto configure. One annoying feature is that you cannot re scan
for new Freeview channels. The picture quality is very much dependant on the
quality of the signal received and the type of action being viewed. Fortunately
for you but unfortunately for me the Freeview signal I get can be average to
poor. While editing DVD's there is no noticeable picture blocking but watching
Freeview some programs do suffer blocking on dark or light areas in the
background. Football matches also don't look crisp if the action is moving fast
and the camera is panning to follow the action. The grass tends to look blurred.
However watching the F1 racing and all looks fine.
Features LG need to fix
- Add PIP to the on screen menu
- Improve the manual so it covers everything the unit can do
Overall this is a very good purchase and despite the few niggles is well
worth the money compared to other units.