Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #1546 in Home Theater
- Size: 42-Inch
- Brand: LG
- Model: 42CS560
- Dimensions: 27.50" h x
10.40" w x
40.10" l,
33.30 pounds
- Display size: 42
LG 42CS560 42-Inch 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV
Product Description
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
177 of 182 people found the following review helpful.
By jivetrain
LG's lower-mid level sets have earned a reputation for having low gaming lag, great color accuracy, and the most extensive features and picture options of any sets at or even above their price level. The CS560 series still delivers in these regards, but to a lesser extent than earlier models.The styling and build quality of the set are fairly good overall. My panel is a S-IPS type, though LG may be conducting a panel lottery (randomly shipping VA and IPS panels for the same model) as they have in the past. The buttons are front mounted and touch sensitive, which seems like a nice feature at first but makes operating the set awkward and even frustrating in a dark room; don't lose the remote. Another complaint to make about the set is that it buzzes audibly unless the backlight is fully set to 100, which can be annoying when using the set quietly at night.The input lag for video gaming keeps with LG's standard for fast processing time. In the lag tests I've done (in 1080p) the CS560 matched the response time of the Wii U's gamepad exactly, putting it in the 1-2 frames range. There is hardly any noticeable increase in lag when upscaling from 480p and I can play timing intensive games and online FPS with no problem. If you're buying this set for use with modern games, you'll be pleased with the lag performance.The color accuracy also seems to live up to LG's usual standards, although it's hard to know precisely how well without measuring with a meter. Every color is vivid and deep without appearing over saturated. The black levels are average at best, but the unbelievably bright white levels help to offset them and create contrast during bright scenes. The set is capable of 4:4:4 chroma sub sampling when used as a PC monitor over HDMI, but, as with other reviewers, it required me to perform the EDID override in my computer's registry. Regardless of the source used, the overall picture is extremely clear, vivid and detailed.The motion handling is mixed, but at least partly excellent with no visible streaking and only very light blur on moving objects during camera pans. There is, unfortunately, a large problem with juddering from most video sources, notably blu-rays at 24p. Almost any time the camera is panning the scenery and objects on screen will move in a jerky, strobe-like fashion. Past LG sets were able to handle 24p content smoothly, even models at much lower price points, so this obviously comes as a disappointment. If you intend to use the set mainly for watching blu-rays then you may want to buy the 2011 LK450 model instead.The feature set is another startling disappointment. The TV only has 4 inputs- 2 HDMI, 1 RF, 1 analog input, and no VGA or audio outputs whatsoever. To reiterate, there is no audio output, not even optical; once the audio goes into this set, the only way it can come out through the speakers. The analog video input functions as a joint component/composite input, meaning that you can't use both cable types at the same time. Users with more than two sources will find themselves having to use adapters or receivers to handle most of their connections.Some of the advanced picture options have also been cut, giving the CS560 the most limited menu of any recent LG (though it's worth noting that the range of options is still fuller than almost any competing set). The more pointless features such as "eye care" have been omitted, but some useful calibration tools have also been removed; there is no longer a color filter option, which means that color and tint calibration now require a pair of blue glasses to set. The 10-point IRE calibration has also been removed, leaving only the option for 2-point. The picture wizard seems to have defective patterns for brightness and contrast, yielding white and black levels that are wildly off target and impossible to match correctly (UPDATE: The Picture Wizard has been fixed through a firmware upgrade and now calibrates correctly).My own opinion of the 560 is that it's an excellent looking TV but one that grinds right along the border of "minimal" and "cheap". The set has been scaled back significantly compared to past models in response to the advance of LED, which seems poised to become the default backlight technology of LG's TV lineup. If you have simple tastes and just want a good looking set for gaming and occasional movie watching, the 560 is a great value and will perform well enough. If you're a more serious film enthusiast with a large blu-ray collection, then you may want to seek out an LK450 or choose a different brand to avoid the judder and limited inputs.
602 of 642 people found the following review helpful.
By finally_cool_in_ks
Review written by K.WatsonThey stripped a lot of features out for 2012 over the same 2011/2010 line/models. The reasons are unclear. I assume to just make more money and fleece their customers even more. They removed so many great features that really made this a great set but they kept the price the same, which I would like to point out is already high compared to other models in the size. There is just no sense or logic in the stripping of these features whatsoever.They removed a HDMI port. Now there are not enough ports to hook up everything you need. Deal breaker for most potential customers right there. With just 2 ports, I've already had to pull out my set away from the wall several times to juggle between consoles, or if I want to watch a bluray movie or if I want to watch cable. It's a hassle. God only knows why LG would remove a very much needed HDMI port from us. Even the guy at Best Buy told us that he does not recommend this set to anyone because it has the least amount of HDMI ports of all their sets. He seemed really shocked. So were we.Movie quality is now worse. They removed 5:5 / 2:2 pull down from movies. Actually, ANY video content you want to display. 480, 720 or 1080. This means there is a huge amount of video judder / jitter present in any movie you watch. Go google "judder" it's a bad thing and you don't want it. But, if you buy this set, you will have plenty of it. Judder makes objects on the screen herky jerky when panning left to right, right to left, any panning whatsoever. Up / down, you name it. Objects will skip along the screen. God only knows why LG took this very basic feature out. It basically ruined this set. Even my daughter noticed the judder in her Disney movies and asked if the game needed cleaning. She is still at that age where she doesn't understand fully about bluray or dvd discs and thought that if Daddy and Mommy cleaned her "game" the movie would display smoothly. Of course it wasn't a game but a Bluray disc.They took out many many features from the user menu. Gone are many features that could be changed in the 2010 and 2011 version of this set / product line. Basically, at the expense of picture quality. Dozens of features were removed. They absolutely sabotaged this set and mangled what it once was. I know, I own both the LG 32KD450 and LG 32LK450. I apologize if I am being so harsh but LG warrants such a response and I think potential LG customers deserve an in-depth review.The night I returned my set to Best Buy, the sales person looked at me, puzzled I might add and asked me, what is so bad about this set? He went on to say two other people had returned theirs as well over the weekend.What a shame that LG would ruin such a fantastic line of TV sets by removing so many features that made this such a stand out TV against other 32" sets from other manufactures. Let's just hope that LG discontinues this model next year instead of releasing this kind of garbage upon it's customers. What I really want to ask LG is, why did you not want my money? Why did you remove the HDMI port and all those very important hardware features and menu features that made this such a great TV? Why LG?Update: I had a chance to speak with the sales manager from Nebraska Furniture Mart in my area and he tells me LG purposely crippled, removed these features, both hardware and in the user menu to make it's newer LED based TV's stand out against this set. He tells me that sometimes manufactures will do this to artificially highlight a TV in it's product line as having more features , better value, when the truth is, it never did. This is to drive sells in that area.I can tell you this LG. You customers are both smart and savvy and will see through this gimmick. I would also like to point out that when your customers are treated with respect, they become "loyal" customers. Pulling these kind of stunts will only drive business and customers away. I returned my set and I will not be looking at LG as a brand I would consider for anything in the future.
100 of 107 people found the following review helpful.
By LivingFit365
First and foremost this TV is not for high-end videophiles, audiophiles with highly sensitive, discerning taste, or dedicated, scrutinizing gamers. If you want that type of TV, you'll need to step it up a notch and of course pay more money. This is a medium, entry level 1080P TV with a clear, crisp picture and enough features to satisfy the average TV and occasional movie viewer, mom, pop and the 'family' -- That type of consumer. Maybe, just maybe some higher-end users will enjoy this as a second TV to use when they're not watching blue-ray on the high-end, expensive TV.Some reviewers criticized this TV for not having features of previous models in this price range. Well, I never had those features and don't miss them, nor do I need them. So to a new buyer its most important that you remember if you don't need a certain feature and/or never had it to begin with and don't miss it, it's not a big deal.I consider myself a savvy shopper and critical when it comes to quality of a product. I was looking for a low-priced TV that had some decent picture and sound quality. I just purchased this TV today from a local, big-box store for well under $380 and I'm very pleased with the great picture quality and especially the low price and great value.The other thing I wanted to mention is that don't over-buy in size. Everyone seems to want to buy the biggest TV they can afford. Well let me tell you, that's not always the best thing to do. I bought this TV because it is eventually going into a bedroom. So I opted for the 32". Right now it is set up in the living room and to be honest, the size is perfect for the living room. I was considering a 40"-50" at one time, and that would have been overkill.Also, DO NOT go by the picture quality at the stores no matter how 'great' they try to make it look. It's not a true representation of the TV's picture quality, nor how it will look in 'your' home, in 'your' lighting. It is also very hard to decide on a size when all the other sizes are sitting next to one another. It's very overwhelming a one can get confused trying to figure out which size will be best.My advice is to look at your room and space and try to decide on a TV that is not too overpowering yet not too small where the room dwarfs the TV. Here is an idea ... tape together pieces of poster board the size of the TV and place it in the space intended to get a perspective on size. Actually I think a 32" is a great size for most medium-sized rooms. Once you decide the size you're looking for, go shopping. You may change your mind a little bit smaller or a little bit bigger, but at least you'll have a base line to start before you go.Okay, so now with all of that being said and out of the way, here is my review.------Pros------Esthetics (design) ---> Modern, clean lines. Thin profile, but not the thinnest and not like the older, thicker models either. This TV has about a 2" black frame around the screen. It seems these days people are interested in the paper-thin frames, or the frame-less TV's. Actually, I 'thought' that was going to be my preference, as it is more sleek, minimalist, etc. But actually, when I got this home I really liked the fact it has a wider black frame. It accents nicely against the white walls and gives it sort of a 'picture frame' type of appeal. It makes the T.V. more of a focal point in the room. If you already have one big piece of furniture or artwork that is the main focal point of the room, then maybe a thin-frame or frame-less TV would be better in your situation. So anyway my advice is, don't go by what is 'trendy' go by what will look good in your particular home and environment. In my home the wider frame looks very nice.There are no buttons on the front of the TV, which is nice. It has flat, flush, touch-sensitive selectors for volume, channel, menu, etc. This keeps the TV looking clean, and uncluttered. Some manufactures hide 'buttons' under the frame or on the side of the frame. The 'clicking' of buttons just seems old-fashioned to me, at least now with iPads and such, and everything going to touch panels. I actually like the touch-sensitive, flat selectors on the 'front' of this TV within clear view of what I am pressing.This TV is very lightweight. Really it is. I carried this with one hand out of the store, and easily lifted this up onto my mantel with no problem. This means if you wish to move it from one room to another it can be done by one person. This was a blessing because I can remember not too long ago the behemoth tube TV's needed 3 people to help carry and install. This TV is truly a do-it-yourself TV. Nice!Assembly---> Easy. Out of the box, all that needed to be done is screw on the base, plug in your video source and power cord and that's it! You're done. Oh and put the 'included' batteries in the remote.Picture and Audio Set Up ---> Simple and intuitive. Using the 'picture wizard' guides you step by step to calibrate the TV and adjust picture settings. There are advanced settings to fine tune the picture even more. The auto-tune feature pulls in all your cable stations into the built-in tuner fast, easy and automatically.Selecting the audio preference is just as easy. Faux surround sound, etc.. Just a few selections and you'll soon be listening to the TV to your liking.Picture Quality ---> Sharp, vivid, clear picture quality for the price. Now compare this to the 50" plasma the store had on display running Avatar on Blue-ray and this TV pales in comparison. (but so did most of the other TV's on the floor). The bigger TV was 5+ times the price of this one. So you get what you pay for. Watching ABC, CBS, NBC and other cable stations, this TV has an amazing picture that will not disappoint. Blue-ray and DVD are just as fine.Audio Quality ---> Pretty good actually. It has a faux surround mode that does a nice job of dynamically enhancing the sound. There is also a feature to enhance the voices too so they don't get lost in background music and such. This TV does not have the tinny, AM radio sound you may expect from a low priced TV. Nor does it have the booming sound of a higher-end TV. This TV has very acceptable and clear, crisp sound for the price. The sound easily fills the room. You won't be disappointed in the sound from built-in speakers.USB connector ---> This is a nice, added feature if friends or family come by and you'd like to watch a home video or pictures on your TV. Just plug in the USB drive and start watching.Remote Control ---> A very basic, simple, easy to use remote. You won't find a bunch of confusing bells and whistles on the remote. No it's not going to make your toast and start your car. Nope, it has just exactly what you need and nothing more. So, the reason I like that is because I don't have to worry about family or guests trying to figure out how in the heck to turn on or operate the TV with a confusing remote. It spares me the agony of conducting a 'TV 101' classroom session for family and friends. Ugh!----Cons----Not very many cons actually. I mean for under $380 dollars for a 32" 1080P TV, you're really getting great quality and value. Seriously, technology is advancing so rapidly that in 5 to 10 years most computers and TV's are behind the times and out of date anyway. So, at this price one could easily afford to buy another mid-level TV like this one every 5 years. On the other hand, spending $1,000+ on a TV to try to get a few more bells and whistles might extend the time a bit more until it's out of date, but probably not by much. In 5-10 years you're still stuck with an out-of-date TV.Hookups ---> No VGA connector to hook up to a computer. This is only a slight con, because you can use one of the HDMI connectors if your computer has an HDMI. Most newer computers have HDMI.Some people are complaining this TV only has 2 HDMI connections. This again is only a slight con, because you can buy an HDMI 1080P hub and expand the amount of HDMI connections if you really need more.For my needs, all I really need is one HDMI to hook it up to Apple TV and one for my blue-ray player That's it. The Apple TV pretty much does everything I need. It has digital audio out, so I can hook it up to a surround sound system If I choose (expanding the capability of the TV) And what is not available on NetFlix or my purchases, I can use my Blue-ray player. I can mirror my iPad through Apple TV to have internet on my TV. So, having only 2 HDMI connections is not such a drawback, for my needs anyway.----------Conclusion----------The LG 32" CS560 is an excellent TV at a very low price. It combines a clear, crisp 1080P picture quality with impressive, built-in sound quality. For well under $380 dollars, you can't go wrong buying this TV. This TV is not going to replace a high-end theater or gaming TV for your theater room, but it will make a good living room, bedroom or family room TV. Who knows, once you buy this TV, you may decide you don't really need to spend extra bucks on a bigger, home theater TV. At such a low price, it allows a person to purchase a newer TV in 5 or 10 years without feeling like you're constantly spending tons of money to always upgrade your TV. You'll be surprised how much quality is packed into a TV at such a low price.---------------------------------If you liked this review, you may enjoy other reviews by me. Just click on the 'see all my reviews' link at the top of this review. I have more than one page of reviews and can be accessed by clicking on the page number on the lower right corner of my total review page.
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