LG 47CS570 47-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV

Comments Actually Pertaining to this Specific TV Model, April 19, 2012

I decided to buy LG’s (well-reviewed) 42LK520 at the exact time it was discontinued and no longer available. That’s what I get for procrastinating. The replacement for 2011’s 42LK520 is 2012’s 42CS570. On paper, the basic specifications are almost the same as the 42LK520. Since new-model reviews aren’t available yet, I had no reason to not get the 42CS570 given the similarities.

The owner’s manual available from LG’s support website details the inputs, outputs, and menu options available on the TV. The manual appears to be accurate and only covers the 42CS570 and 47CS570 models (ie – not too much “depends on model” content). Specifications are finally up on LG’s product page, though they still have some errors. For instance, they only list one rear AV input. In fact, there is also a second, side AV input.

The 42CS570 is a 42-inch, 1080P, 120Hz, LCD TV listed for $699.99. The screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio and a 150,000:1 contrast ratio. On the rear panel, there are 2 HDMI, 2 Component, 1 AV (Composite), 1 RGB (PC), 1 Antenna / Cable (RF), and 1 Audio (RGB / DVI) inputs, with 1 Optical Audio output. On the side panel, there are: 1 USB, 1 HDMI, and 1 AV (Composite) inputs, with 1 Headphone Audio output. The channel, volume, and other controls are touch-sensitive areas on the front of the TV.

The TruMotion menu option has two components: De-Judder and De-Blur. Both components take a value between 0 and 10. There are three pre-set options: Off (0, 0), Low (3, 3), High (7, 7). A fourth option, User, allows for either component to be set to preference. The TV comes with a power-saving / screen-dimming feature turned On. At night, I actually thought this was sort of nice. During the day I turned the feature Off. Otherwise, I thought the picture settings out-of-the-box were actually pretty good. Setup was quick and easy.

According to an online source, the TV (like LG’s other 1080P models) has only IPS panels. My TV has the following product code: 42CS570-UD-AUSYLUR. Other online sources stated that the “Y” in the 4th-from-right position indicates an IPS panel.

The shipping dimensions (W x H x D) are roughly: 48 inches x 30 inches x 6 inches.

I replaced an old 32-inch Panasonic CRT TV. So, obviously this LG HD TV is a noticeable upgrade. That said, I can’t really comment on how the screen or engine compares to other HD TVs. I’m receiving over-the-air HD channels through a cheap, GE indoor antenna I’ve had for years, similar to the 24731. I have my Wii connected through a Monoprice Composite cable. Through a Monoprice HDMI cable, I’m running a Panasonic DMP-BDT220 Blu-ray player I purchased for Blu-ray content, streaming content, and miscellaneous content I have on my Synology DS211J NAS acting as a DLNA server. Just for giggles, I also ran a 25-foot Monoprice VGA cable (with audio) from my laptop to the TV. Everything works as well as expected. Picture is great for all uses. Sound is good as well. With realistic expectations, I haven’t run into anything to complain about yet.

If you have other hardware to handle “smart” services, or just don’t care for those services, and don’t care to be on the cutting edge of 3D and LED panels, this is an ideal TV. As a 1080P, 120Hz TV with a good set of inputs, this is a quality HD TV that lists for $100 less than last year’s nearly identical model.

Obviously, I can’t comment on the device’s longevity. I’ve run plenty of test scenarios, but I’ve only had it for a few days. Time will tell. Advertised warranty is 1 year parts, 1 year labor.

For the record, I wanted nothing to do with 3D. I had to consider screen glare. I felt a 42-inch TV best fit my living room layout and I had a budget to meet. For my budget, I preferred 120Hz LCD over 60Hz LED-LCD and I preferred 1080P LCD over 720P plasma. Compare to other 42-inch LG models for price and features.

42LM6200 = 42-inch, 3D, 1080P, 120Hz, Smart, LED-LCD TV listed for $1,299.99
42LM5800 = 42-inch, 3D, 1080P, 120Hz, LED-LCD (not yet available)…

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Excellent TV, June 22, 2012

Well, I finally broke down and bought an LCD tv. After studying LCDs for about a year. I decided against WIFI in a tv. The problem is keeping a wifi tv updated with current apps. It seems that due to models rapid changes that most TV companies do not wish to spend the resources to keep old models (probably discontinued) updated. So the best option is to save the money abd add a Roku to handle the wifi apps. Roku automatically updates as necessary. I have had a Roku for a few years and they are rock solid.

I have presently an old 37 tube type tv. It has been a good tv but it is hopelessly outdated. Now the only problem I have is getting someone to remove it (it weighs a ton) and dispose of it. It still works but it is not a digital tv (got to have the “box” for conversion) or in my case Direct TV..

I also, didn’t want a 3D TV. 1. I get headaches watching a neighbor’s 3D. 2. 3D movies (mostly cartoons)are hokey expensive refurbs (~30-50 bucks). 3. The glasses are expensive. Also, I didn’t want the super-duper “easy” controller. Most of these things are a pain. So why waste the money?

The LG 570 is very well designed and the menus are easy to navigate. Most are for fine tuning if that is your bag. Me, I plugged it in ran the basic setup time zone, picture, and etc. It works great. I plug in the Roku and wow,, beautiful picture. The remote is well laid out and logical. I dislike those “control” everything remotes as they are a major pain to set up and only halfway work.

Just a suggestion on unpacking. When messing with LCDs never touch the screen. I turned the box upside down edgewise. carefully cut the tape. Open the flaps tape them open if necessary. Turn the box top side up edgewise. Then simply left the box off while holding the TV. Now carefully study the stand installation in the included manual. There is an extra part (dust cover) which is installed when wall mounting the TV. It covers up the hole the table stand is installed in.

The screws are in the bag the manual was in. I wouldn’t use a power screw driver. Gently tighten each screw when all the other screws are installed. I propped the TV up by the backside. In my opinion it is not a good idea to lay it screen down even if the surface looks flat. The two table stand parts fit perfectly together. Attach four screws and snug them down. If you have to force the parts you have them wrong. Then drop the stand into the mount hole on TV. Of course the wide part of stand is to the front of TV. Install and snug four screws.

I downloaded the full manual (about 70 pages)from the LG tech support website. Note; When searching the model number leave off LG letters. There is a ton of features available explained in the big manual. The included manual is just a bare bones getting started type..

I got a handyman coming over take out the old TV (too heavy for me and my bad knee). Then I can hook up surround sound (fiber optic connection). There is no analog sound output. There is an input button on the top of the remote that brings up the input screen. Only those inputs that are active are selected. Also, you can create labels for the inputs

I tried out a USB dongle with a ton of pictures. The folder navigator works good. There is a Vista type picture player that pops up when you select a picture and then you can do a slide show. Works very smooth.

Ye Gods, 42 inches is HUGE. My first TV (cost about $1000 in today’s money) was a 19 inch Admiral (that was a big one in 1950). Hey, 20 yrs before I had a “cat whisker” crystal radio. Grandpa said I was crazy to spend that kind of money on a silly box that was just a “fad”. He sure enjoyed the old “Oprey” on the “fad”.

The local antenna input has an automatic scanner that picks out the “good”signal channels. It takes a bit of time in the Phoenix area. Just be patient. Geezz,I didn’t realize how many digital channels there are. You may have to go back and delete some. The Quick menu is fast for deletes and adding. Note: when local antenna is hooked up no signal will be present until the scan is completed.

I will do updates as time goes by. So far I LOVE IT!!!!

Update (next day): AUDIO

Well, hooking up the surround sound (7 speakers )was a learning experience. Hooking up the fiber optic cable is a lot easier if you remember to remove the dust covers on each end of the cable (Amazon has them cheap). The sound is incredibly crystal clear. I knew there was loss in the analog cables, but I had no idea it was that much! Wow!! The Bose speakers came alive. I could blow out the windows at half power. My ears would probably go first. So I was careful with the sound level.

A big problem with a audio optic output is that there is no volume control on the source. The sound level is controlled only by the speaker power amp. But the crystal clear sound is worth the inconvenience…

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