LG RZ-42PX11
My 42 inches Unleashed
LG RZ-42PX11
Member Name: marandina
Product:
LG RZ-42PX11
Date: 29/05/05, updated on 27/06/05 (3452 review reads)
Rating:
Advantages: Great picture quality, Looks great, Fab sound
Disadvantages: Technology still not perfect, You may prefer LCD
***Introduction***
Well, I’ve alluded to it, dropped hints and basically drawn your attention to my big one. Now seems the right time to help you draw a mental picture of it. Hmmm…that’s right….smile as you imagine the enormity of it. Yessiree, I’m a talkin’ about ma new 42” Plasma tel-e-vision. It’s an LG RZ42PX11 to be precise and very cool it is too. The thing is, last year wasn’t such a bad year on the financial front so I thought I’d go and buy me a new TV. The one we had was a 28” widescreen but my eyes aren’t what they used to be so I though it would be nice to able to watch the goggle box without having to don my glasses (much as I look darned good in them).
The world of Plasma TV is a large one these days with plenty of choice around. In fact, even 42” Plasma is out of date what with 50” now freely available and the size just keeps getting bigger! (stop sniggering at the back there)
The debate I had around the right TV to choose was around brand, price and whether to go for plasma or LCD. The first question I needed to answer was whether to go for LCD or plasma. Now there is some great information available on the Internet. Basically, these technologies differ as to how they process and display incoming video/computer signals.
***Plasma v LCD***
Plasma technology consists of hundreds of thousands of individual pixel cells, which allow electric pulses (stemming from electrodes) to excite rare natural gases, usually xenon and neon, causing them to glow and produce light. This light illuminates the proper balance of red, green, or blue phosphors contained in each cell to display the proper colour sequence from the light. Each pixel cell is essentially an individual microscopic florescent light bulb, receiving instruction from software contained on the back electrostatic silicon board. But, of course, you all knew that already.
Generally, all LCDs (Liquid Crystal Display) are pretty much the same. A matrix of thin-film transistors (TFTs) supplies voltage to liquid-crystal-filled cells sandwiched between two sheets of glass. When hit with an electrical charge, the crystals untwist to an exact degree to filter white light generated by a lamp behind the screen for flat-panel TVs. LCD monitors reproduce colours through a process of subtraction: They block out particular colour wavelengths from the spectrum of white light until they're left with just the right colour. It’s the intensity of light permitted to pass through this liquid-crystal matrix that enables LCD televisions to display images full of colours or gradations of them.
To be honest, in the end I dropped in on an electrical store and asked one of the salesmen which was the best option. Basically, he told me that whilst LCD was good quality and the issues around being able to view it from a wider angle other than simply head on had pretty much been sorted these days, the quality available for a 42” plasma simply wasn’t available in LCD with that size and at that price. So I concluded that 42” plasma was better value for money.
***Brand***
Next issue was brand. As far as plasma goes, the usual suspects dominate the market such as Phillips, Sony, Hitachi and the like. I’d bought an LG monitor a while ago and been pleased with it so after a number of Kelkoo/Google searches, I managed to find a great price for an LG. I was happy to go with them again on the TV front.
For anyone wanting to know a bit more about LG, they are an international Corporation with high aspirations to the future. LG has recently re-aligned its interests having been affected by Korean financial woes albeit this applies to the Far-Eastern financial basin as a whole. The company dates back to 1953 when Lucky Industry was established as an import/export speciality company within the Lucky Group. The company initially set up in Hwoi Koo. In 1976 the company went Public being designated as a general trading company and awarded the $100 Million Export Tower and the Order of Industrial Service Merit, Gold Tower. Today, LG is a major player in the electronics field and competes with the big corporations from Japan and the US.
***Features***
Right then, down to brass tacks and the good stuff.
-There is a 160-degree wide-angle range of vision, which means that the picture can be viewed from most directions without distortion. This is also the case for most LCD models, these days, so shouldn't be an issue that differentiates between a choice of plasma as against LCD.
-Eeeeeasy installation. Well, the TV arrived in a box with a couple of leads and a manual. I reckon it took me around 5 minutes, if that, to disconnect my existing TV and re-connect this one! There is a slim, remote-control unit that allows you to tune in the various channels. This is aaaaall pretty straight-forward by following the instructions in the guide.
-Clear picture. With the screen being 42”, the quality is close to cinematic/theatre, which has to be good! The best results I’ve had is whilst watching the cricket (very bright candella 1000/resolution 3000:1); you can actually see the individual blades of grass at times! It may take a wee while to adjust yer eyes to the enormity of your new screen but the end result is worth it.
-This model came in silver, which matched my existing DVD player and stuff. With 15W speakers at the sides and only around 2” thick, the TV looks slim and cool and, of course, can be wall-mounted if you so desire. I did measure the space available in the corner of the room that had been ear-marked as a 42" Plasma is a big beastie and your unit may not be big enough. Luckily, we had enough space on the existing wooden cabinet although only just.
- Picture In Picture means that I can watch a terrestrial channel and a cable channel at the same time. There are different modes for this e.g. split screen, picture-in-picture etc although I haven’t really used it to be honest. I can only really concentrate on one programme at a time but if you did want to watch, say, Liverpool in the Champeens League Final on Sky and Coronation Street on ITV (God forbid) then you can although you'll only get the sound for one of 'em, of course!
- Teletext is included in this model with options of SIMPLE text, TOP text and FASTEXT. Within the picture menu, there is the ability to adjust pictures status memory (PSM), adjust Auto Colour Control, Manual Colour Temperature Control, Fleshtone and Manual Picture Control.
- There are several Time Menu options including: clock setting, timer setting, auto sleep and sleep timer.
- A special menu includes: Child lock, ISM (Image Sticking Minimization) Method, Low Power and XD Demo.
- Screen Menu options include: Auto adjustment, Setting picture format, screen position, manual configuration, selecting wide VGA/XGA mode, screen adjustments, cinema setting, optional luminance noise reduction and initialising.
With a bag of tricks like this, it’s not easy explaining every single technical feature so the best thing to do is to have a read of the manual and play around with the settings until you get it exactly as you want.
***Drawbacks***
Plasma technology is developing all the time. As a result, future developments will get better. In the meantime, the display device of this and other similar TVs is based around a PDP which is composed of between 0.9 to 2.2 million cells, Cell defects can occur and a few coloured dots visible on screen is not deemed to be a fault. As the unit gets older, this becomes more of a possibility but it’s a risk you may have to take according to which make and brand you go for.
Also, the screen can get pretty hot. The PDP is equipped with cooling fans to counter this. This may result in a background noise although I haven’t noticed anything unduly myself.
There was a time when plasma TVs were said to have a finite shelf life. As far as I am aware, those days are gone now although, like any other product, the TV won’t last forever so whether that influences you as to whether to take out optional breakdown protection is another matter. Personally, I’ve always found this kind of cover expensive and managed to find an electrical repair shop willing to repair previous TVs at a reasonable cost.
***Recommendation***
I eventually bought this model from qed-uk.com. They gave me a great price at approx. £1350 including delivery and was the best deal I could get over the Net. I reckon I saved at least £200 by using an online retailer so I’d urge you to take advantage of Kelkoo/Google and any other search engines you can get your hands on. Qed were fine as far as service went although their site could have been a little easier to use as I ended up waiting a couple of weeks for delivery when I really wanted it straight away. I got a 24 month, manufacturer's guarantee with the set with service back-up provided by LG Electronics UK Ltd, 245 Buckingham Avenue, Slough (tel: 0870 607 5544)
Well, there you have it. My friends were impressed when they came round to watch England v USA on it and I have that kudos that I’ve been searching for all my life. All you need is a bigger one and you’ll soon be the talk of the town *grin*
Thanks for reading
Marandina
Spec:
XD Engine picture technology
Picture-in-Picture for dual screen
Digital comb filter for clearer colours
Nicam Stereo Sound
PC Connectivity
SILVER Colour
35 kg Weight
645 mm Height
1210 mm Width
96 mm Depth
42" Widescreen Plasma Display Panel
VGA852*480
Very Bright Candella 1000
Resolution 3000:1
Two Built In Speakers 15W Each
Scart and Component Inputs
Dual Tuner
Built In Table Stand
Well, I’ve alluded to it, dropped hints and basically drawn your attention to my big one. Now seems the right time to help you draw a mental picture of it. Hmmm…that’s right….smile as you imagine the enormity of it. Yessiree, I’m a talkin’ about ma new 42” Plasma tel-e-vision. It’s an LG RZ42PX11 to be precise and very cool it is too. The thing is, last year wasn’t such a bad year on the financial front so I thought I’d go and buy me a new TV. The one we had was a 28” widescreen but my eyes aren’t what they used to be so I though it would be nice to able to watch the goggle box without having to don my glasses (much as I look darned good in them).
The world of Plasma TV is a large one these days with plenty of choice around. In fact, even 42” Plasma is out of date what with 50” now freely available and the size just keeps getting bigger! (stop sniggering at the back there)
The debate I had around the right TV to choose was around brand, price and whether to go for plasma or LCD. The first question I needed to answer was whether to go for LCD or plasma. Now there is some great information available on the Internet. Basically, these technologies differ as to how they process and display incoming video/computer signals.
***Plasma v LCD***
Plasma technology consists of hundreds of thousands of individual pixel cells, which allow electric pulses (stemming from electrodes) to excite rare natural gases, usually xenon and neon, causing them to glow and produce light. This light illuminates the proper balance of red, green, or blue phosphors contained in each cell to display the proper colour sequence from the light. Each pixel cell is essentially an individual microscopic florescent light bulb, receiving instruction from software contained on the back electrostatic silicon board. But, of course, you all knew that already.
Generally, all LCDs (Liquid Crystal Display) are pretty much the same. A matrix of thin-film transistors (TFTs) supplies voltage to liquid-crystal-filled cells sandwiched between two sheets of glass. When hit with an electrical charge, the crystals untwist to an exact degree to filter white light generated by a lamp behind the screen for flat-panel TVs. LCD monitors reproduce colours through a process of subtraction: They block out particular colour wavelengths from the spectrum of white light until they're left with just the right colour. It’s the intensity of light permitted to pass through this liquid-crystal matrix that enables LCD televisions to display images full of colours or gradations of them.
To be honest, in the end I dropped in on an electrical store and asked one of the salesmen which was the best option. Basically, he told me that whilst LCD was good quality and the issues around being able to view it from a wider angle other than simply head on had pretty much been sorted these days, the quality available for a 42” plasma simply wasn’t available in LCD with that size and at that price. So I concluded that 42” plasma was better value for money.
***Brand***
Next issue was brand. As far as plasma goes, the usual suspects dominate the market such as Phillips, Sony, Hitachi and the like. I’d bought an LG monitor a while ago and been pleased with it so after a number of Kelkoo/Google searches, I managed to find a great price for an LG. I was happy to go with them again on the TV front.
For anyone wanting to know a bit more about LG, they are an international Corporation with high aspirations to the future. LG has recently re-aligned its interests having been affected by Korean financial woes albeit this applies to the Far-Eastern financial basin as a whole. The company dates back to 1953 when Lucky Industry was established as an import/export speciality company within the Lucky Group. The company initially set up in Hwoi Koo. In 1976 the company went Public being designated as a general trading company and awarded the $100 Million Export Tower and the Order of Industrial Service Merit, Gold Tower. Today, LG is a major player in the electronics field and competes with the big corporations from Japan and the US.
***Features***
Right then, down to brass tacks and the good stuff.
-There is a 160-degree wide-angle range of vision, which means that the picture can be viewed from most directions without distortion. This is also the case for most LCD models, these days, so shouldn't be an issue that differentiates between a choice of plasma as against LCD.
-Eeeeeasy installation. Well, the TV arrived in a box with a couple of leads and a manual. I reckon it took me around 5 minutes, if that, to disconnect my existing TV and re-connect this one! There is a slim, remote-control unit that allows you to tune in the various channels. This is aaaaall pretty straight-forward by following the instructions in the guide.
-Clear picture. With the screen being 42”, the quality is close to cinematic/theatre, which has to be good! The best results I’ve had is whilst watching the cricket (very bright candella 1000/resolution 3000:1); you can actually see the individual blades of grass at times! It may take a wee while to adjust yer eyes to the enormity of your new screen but the end result is worth it.
-This model came in silver, which matched my existing DVD player and stuff. With 15W speakers at the sides and only around 2” thick, the TV looks slim and cool and, of course, can be wall-mounted if you so desire. I did measure the space available in the corner of the room that had been ear-marked as a 42" Plasma is a big beastie and your unit may not be big enough. Luckily, we had enough space on the existing wooden cabinet although only just.
- Picture In Picture means that I can watch a terrestrial channel and a cable channel at the same time. There are different modes for this e.g. split screen, picture-in-picture etc although I haven’t really used it to be honest. I can only really concentrate on one programme at a time but if you did want to watch, say, Liverpool in the Champeens League Final on Sky and Coronation Street on ITV (God forbid) then you can although you'll only get the sound for one of 'em, of course!
- Teletext is included in this model with options of SIMPLE text, TOP text and FASTEXT. Within the picture menu, there is the ability to adjust pictures status memory (PSM), adjust Auto Colour Control, Manual Colour Temperature Control, Fleshtone and Manual Picture Control.
- There are several Time Menu options including: clock setting, timer setting, auto sleep and sleep timer.
- A special menu includes: Child lock, ISM (Image Sticking Minimization) Method, Low Power and XD Demo.
- Screen Menu options include: Auto adjustment, Setting picture format, screen position, manual configuration, selecting wide VGA/XGA mode, screen adjustments, cinema setting, optional luminance noise reduction and initialising.
With a bag of tricks like this, it’s not easy explaining every single technical feature so the best thing to do is to have a read of the manual and play around with the settings until you get it exactly as you want.
***Drawbacks***
Plasma technology is developing all the time. As a result, future developments will get better. In the meantime, the display device of this and other similar TVs is based around a PDP which is composed of between 0.9 to 2.2 million cells, Cell defects can occur and a few coloured dots visible on screen is not deemed to be a fault. As the unit gets older, this becomes more of a possibility but it’s a risk you may have to take according to which make and brand you go for.
Also, the screen can get pretty hot. The PDP is equipped with cooling fans to counter this. This may result in a background noise although I haven’t noticed anything unduly myself.
There was a time when plasma TVs were said to have a finite shelf life. As far as I am aware, those days are gone now although, like any other product, the TV won’t last forever so whether that influences you as to whether to take out optional breakdown protection is another matter. Personally, I’ve always found this kind of cover expensive and managed to find an electrical repair shop willing to repair previous TVs at a reasonable cost.
***Recommendation***
I eventually bought this model from qed-uk.com. They gave me a great price at approx. £1350 including delivery and was the best deal I could get over the Net. I reckon I saved at least £200 by using an online retailer so I’d urge you to take advantage of Kelkoo/Google and any other search engines you can get your hands on. Qed were fine as far as service went although their site could have been a little easier to use as I ended up waiting a couple of weeks for delivery when I really wanted it straight away. I got a 24 month, manufacturer's guarantee with the set with service back-up provided by LG Electronics UK Ltd, 245 Buckingham Avenue, Slough (tel: 0870 607 5544)
Well, there you have it. My friends were impressed when they came round to watch England v USA on it and I have that kudos that I’ve been searching for all my life. All you need is a bigger one and you’ll soon be the talk of the town *grin*
Thanks for reading
Marandina
Spec:
XD Engine picture technology
Picture-in-Picture for dual screen
Digital comb filter for clearer colours
Nicam Stereo Sound
PC Connectivity
SILVER Colour
35 kg Weight
645 mm Height
1210 mm Width
96 mm Depth
42" Widescreen Plasma Display Panel
VGA852*480
Very Bright Candella 1000
Resolution 3000:1
Two Built In Speakers 15W Each
Scart and Component Inputs
Dual Tuner
Built In Table Stand
Summary:
