lg Infinia

The good: Produces among the deepest shades of black of any TV; superb shadow detail; exceedingly accurate color; better off-angle viewing than many LCDs; controls local dimming "blooming" well; plenty of streaming and interactive features; extensive picture controls; sleek styling with single pane design and 1.4-inch-deep panel; energy efficient.

The bad: Expensive; uneven backlight uniformity; adjustable dejudder doesn't work well; subpar bright-room performance; benefits of 240Hz difficult to discern; some stray illumination and uniformity issues.

The bottom line: With the excellent picture quality of the local-dimming LE8500, LG challenges other LCD makers for videophile appeal.


In 2010 you can prepare to be confused by two familiar yet relatively complex TV technologies: 3D and LED backlights. Before you ask, no, 3D is not available on the LG LE8500 series reviewed here--that perk is reserved for the more expensive 9500 models--but an LED backlight is. More important, the LE8500 has a full-array backlight with local dimming, meaning hundreds of independent cells behind the screen can brighten or dim independently, which can really help improve picture quality. In contrast, most of other LED-backlit TVs available today have either no local dimming ability or attempt to mimic the dimming of a full array by creating zones from an edge-lit configuration. We know the former has little impact on picture quality, we haven't tested the latter (which we're calling "edge with local dimming" for now), but we can tell you after reviewing the LE8500 that full-array local dimming still works great, for the most part.

Unfortunately the 8500's picture has a flaw, absent on other local dimming displays, that will be difficult for some viewers to overlook: uneven uniformity across the screen. On the other hand, if you go by the most important ingredients of a good picture--black levels and color accuracy--the LG LE8500 is the new ruler of the LCD roost, and it sets a high bar for other 2010 TVs. If you don't give a hoot about 3D and are willing to pay more for an excellent-performing LCD, it belongs near the top of your wish list.

Series information: We performed a hands-on evaluation of the 47-inch member of LG LE8500 series, but this review also applies to the other screen size in the series. Both sizes have identical specs and according to the manufacturer should provide very similar picture quality.

LG's new clicker is a long, thin wand with decent button differentiation and friendly, rubberized keys. We liked the bulge in the middle that corresponds with a convenient notch on the underside for your index finger; we missed direct infrared control of other devices. The menus are basic and functional with plenty of ways to get around, including a nice Quick Menu of shortcuts. We would have liked to see explanations, however, especially for the more advanced picture setting functions.

LG threw everything but the kitchen sink at its next-to-flagship LCD for 2010, and with the exception of 3D and a fancy remote, the LE8500 sails competitively against the best-featured models on the market. Local dimming of its full array of LED elements is the big selling point, similar to the scheme used on some of the top LCD of 2009, like the LG LH90 and the Samsung 8500. LG tells us the 47-inch LE8500 has 216 independent, dimmable zones, while the 55-incher has 240 (Samsung doesn't divulge the number of its zones).

Other notables include the external "LG Wireless Media Box" option that enables you to connect HDMI and other gear wirelessly, which can really help custom installations. We'd like to see built-in Wi-Fi, given all of the LG's Internet options, but you'll have to either buy the dongle or get a third-party wireless bridge. We tested LG's dongle, which worked well, but we didn't test the media box by press time.

This TV really Impressed me with the good looks and the outstanding sharpness. This would be a good buy if you are looking for a good tv. Its a bit expensive but you have to shell out a good amount always to have the best.