Official LG xxLH40 Owners Thread - Page 16

hi all, i'm thinking of buying this LG 37LH40. I have a few questions and keep in mind i'm sort of new to this new wave of LCD TVs. when did they start making these? i'm still using my 25" CRT.

1. has anyone enabled the movie option for the USB port tried watching a high resolution movie? if so, is it fast or choppy?

2. does the picture format change automatically when changing the channel from and HD to SD channel and visa versa? ie: when I go from an HD channel to an SD channel, i want the picture to automatically have the black bars on the sides so i see it as 4:3 and not stretched out. and is this possible if using an HD cable box?

3. this tv will be on the opposite wall of my windows and my couch is right under the windows. so will there be a glare on this tv? is the screen glossy or matte finish?

4. i read on the first page of this thread about the audio being out of sync. i can't read the entire thread as its to long. is there an official fix for this?

5. the specs don't mention anything about Picture in Picture. does this TV not have that?

6. how is SD on this TV?

Just got 55LH40 this morning. It looks awesome. got my media center PC connected on HDMI1 and saw some overscan. Read it in the forum that there is a "just scan" option; still have to try it out. Can i set the "just scan" on per port basis?

Just had my 47LH40, purchased on 12/26, upgraded to firmware 4.54. So far, audio sync looks much better. Using a Scientific Atlanta 8300.

Very satisfied with the service from LG. I opened an issue via a chat session on 12/28, they called me back on 1/12 and referred me to a reputable local dealer who sent a tech out today to load the firmware.

I guess I need to call them up. Some channels are HORRABLE while some are perfectly fine. I have firmware 4.30.0 I purchased on 12/22/09 I might just return this. this is crazy that they ship these TVs like this. I have always bought sonys.

I was reading this, I know it's a bit old but when I get home I'll test PAL with my DVD player. I have a Malata DVP-520 that I can set to PAL or NTSC and I have a few PAL Region 2 DVDs.

Just picked up the 55LH40 today for under $1100.00 new at a local retailer. Have not unboxed it, but looked inside at the build date... Dec 2009. So will I have any lip sync problems? Also, will I like this set? It's replacing a 3 1/2 year old 720p plasma.

FW 4.54

Ok, set the dvd player to output PAL and put in a region 2 DVD from the UK. Looks great. Looking at the resolution and it's at 576p thru component cables. So the 55LH40 works with PAL input.

hi all, i'm thinking of buying this LG 37LH40. I have a few questions and keep in mind i'm sort of new to this new wave of LCD TVs. when did they start making these? i'm still using my 25" CRT.

1. has anyone enabled the movie option for the USB port tried watching a high resolution movie? if so, is it fast or choppy?

2. does the picture format change automatically when changing the channel from and HD to SD channel and visa versa? ie: when I go from an HD channel to an SD channel, i want the picture to automatically have the black bars on the sides so i see it as 4:3 and not stretched out. and is this possible if using an HD cable box?

3. this tv will be on the opposite wall of my windows and my couch is right under the windows. so will there be a glare on this tv? is the screen glossy or matte finish?

4. i read on the first page of this thread about the audio being out of sync. i can't read the entire thread as its to long. is there an official fix for this?

5. the specs don't mention anything about Picture in Picture. does this TV not have that?

6. how is SD on this TV?

Since having the TV upgraded to FW 4.54 yesterday, I now notice similar symptoms with Dolby Digital as previously reported in this thread.

Specifically, when I set the audio on the Scientific Atlanta 8300HDC to "HDMI", I DO get audio to the TV. However, the output sent from the TV to my Denon receiver via the TV's optical audio out is not being received as Dolby Digital.

If I switch the 8300HDC to "Dolby Digital" output (via the optical out from the cable box to the receiver), I do pick up Dolby Digital on the receiver, but when set this way there is no sound output to the TV via HDMI.

I do think that before the FW upgrade, the DD signal was passed from the cable box to the TV to the receiver via HDMI, but I might be wrong about that. It's possible the cable box doesn't even pass the DD signal to the TV via HDMI.

Anyway, I can live with this setup in exchange for resolution of the lipsync problems. And if it is an LG problem, perhaps a future FW update will fix it again.

can anyone recommend another set of this size and HZ for around $1000?

thanks

Sounds like you are having similar issues as me. After the f/w update (to 4.30.01) HDMI audio from my DVD player no longer outputs to the TV. Called LG but they have no clue so I may directly contact the local tech instead.

1. I have not, but I do have access to the Service Menu to enable it. My DVD player has DivX playback and a USB port so I don't want to risk it.

2. No. If most programs are HD, just set it to "Set By Program". Black bars are annoying especially when commercials kick in. Most local stations are too cheap to upgrade their equipment to "upconvert" their non-hd spots.

3. Depends how much light you have coming in. My lamps are directly opposite to the TV (as your windows are) and do have some glare but I generally keep them off. For that situation, the intelligent sensor works well but in low light rooms it does not.

4. It was fixed in 4.30.01 but caused loss of HMDI audio to the TV for me.

5. No.

6. Surprisingly good, as long as you use it in 4:3 mode.

Hello Ayko, don't reflash your set! Not with the same firmware anyway... My 42LH40 does the same thing, although I haven't upgraded yet so am still at firmware 4.05.00. I find that movie playback has problems when using file formats containing MPEG4 encoding. The menus distort as in your pictures, audio tends to go out of sync, and the TV often resets itself some time after. I've figured out how to achieve near flawless playback though:

- MPEG2 encoded video works much better, including 1080p (actually 1080i gives me slightly smoother playback). I use HCenc to re-encode.
- Transport streams work best (.ts file extension instead of .mpg or .vob), especially for 16:9 movies since there are some odd aspect ratio problems with .mpg. I use tsMuxerGUI to create my .ts files.
- Audio is tricky, AC3 works for .mpg files but when I convert to .ts files I find AC3 audio gets choppy, MP2 works well though.
- I can play H264 (which is MPEG4) in standard definition but only if I convert the .mkv file to a .ts first (transport stream).

I've written up how to encode movies just right for the TV, it's not for the faint of heart but the results are excellent when it finally works. Here is a link to the detailed notes: http://www.flymoon.cjb.net/lg%20tv%2...on%20guide.pdf

So it appears that version 4.30.01 doesn't solve the menu corruption and spontaneous reboot problems with .avi files. Personally I think the TV processor may not have enough memory, which could explain why .ts files work better (no menu corruption) since playing them requires less internal buffering.

You have also confirmed that the IR/remote hack works on North American models, thanks for the info.
Georg

Hi... my 2 cents on these questions

1 - USB movie playback: I use this a lot, works well if you do it right but there are definitely issues which need workarounds (see my immediately preceding post). I need to re-encode most movies for smooth, reliable playback. European models (e.g. LH4000) seem to have none of these problems, I guess North American models are different, at least until newer firmware is confirmed to fix things.

2 - Aspect ratio when switching channels: I use over the air broadcast channels only, no cable box, and the tuner handles 16:9 to 4:3 changes well. Some stations choose to embed 16:9 material inside 4:3, especially commercials, then there seems to be no way for the TV to tell this is happening. In this case you can switch to "zoom" mode which expands out to full frame in most situations. LG has made it easy to quickly adjust aspect ratio with the Quick Menu, if you need, and the setting is separate for each input source, even each tuner band (TV, DTV, CATV, CADTV).

3 - Screen is matte finish, comparatively rare and one of the reasons I picked the LH40. Glare is reduced about as much as you can expect, except direct sunlight on the screen is still a bit much

4 - The official lip sync fix was rolled out in firmware version 4.30.01. Later versions may have additional improvements.

5 - No picture in picture.

6 - SD looks great on this set. I'd say better than most other brands and way better than the early days of LCD TVs.

G

are you guys saying after the firmware updates your TVs no longer output dolby digital?

I've had my 42" for 3 weeks and only just today noticed a light(?) scratch on the surface of the screen. It's an inverted 'V' about 2" tall at 1/3 from left side and 1/2 from top (plus another 2" scratch below that). I noticed it only because the setting sunlight from the left was across the [black/Off] screen at very shallow angle to the panel, and I was very close to it (I was examining how best to dust the screen for first time). No one has touched the TV since it was unboxed by me.

Of course I had expected a TV in perfect condition (I still have the protective film on the bezel in case I found some serious reason/defect to return it to Amazon within 30 days). The TV works great so far. Should I just consider this scratch a minor cosmetic 'stuff happens'? or argue/hassle that this is a basis for a replacement? (taking the chance that a replacement could have some other issue, etc). Can I assume such a scratch will have no effect on future performance?

Good hearing that i m not alone in that case, and you manage somehow to watch the movie till the end, in my case at the best it reboot after 25 min of playing "its not even a series length" any idea if the other lg north American models supporting "officially" the Divx playback are facing the same problems or its just a lack of memory as you said in your post?! your solution about smooth playing in changing the encoding seems the ultimate solution right now. pls check your PM

I too am having the problem with the 47LH40 where multichannel audio that's sent to the TV over HDMI doesn't get passed through the optical out to my receiver.. I only get stereo.

This is a pretty big problem for me as I have a limited number of digital inputs on my receiver.. if I have to take a direct line from each of my component to my receiver for digital audio I'll run out from only the TV, my bluray, and my HTPC.

I really like this TV for pretty much everything else, so my question is does anyone know if this is a rare problem for these LG TVs or is this actually a common problem? I'm considering a switch to a different TV and would definitely do it if it meant getting this audio output problem resolved.

Thanks!

Attached: photo of scratch described in my post#467. The odd thing: I can't see it on the (black/off) screen surface in the morning daylight (or with any artificial sidelight) ..but it was distinctly visible with day's-end sunlight from left. Might it be on the inside of the panel material?

After FW upgrade, at least (in my case) to v4.54, the TV no longer outputs DD passed through from an HDMI connection. However, I do still get DD for audio originating on the TV, such as when I tune via the QAM tuner.

I recently acquired a 47lh40 and love it. However I do have two issues that I would like some input on:

1. There is background hiss/garble in the sound (built-in speakers) when I listen on very low settings (Level 1-4). It may be there in higher volume settings, but it is clearly audible when sitting seven feet away from the set with those lower volume settings (And no ambient noise). I often watch the set at night and these low volumes are loud enough for me. I have this problem with the cable box and Blu Ray player. It is present with component cables and HDMI. I have not tried any other cables or other components. I will soon. Is anyone else having this issue?

2. When I tap the upper left corner of the lcd screen it sounds as if it is loose. If I tap anywhere else on the screen it feels solid. Sounds like two sheets of plastic hitting eachother. It's weird. All screws on set are tight. Anyone else with this issue.

OK. Like I said I am generally happy with this set. Just wondering if I should exchange it. If every set has these problems I will just accept them. Thanks for the input. Really appreciate it.

1 - I have no clue. I'd probably use the USB port on my blu ray.
2 - You can set the aspect ratio to automatically change according to source. This is how I have mine set. I have noticed no issues.
3 - The room where our LH40 resides has two walls that are basically 90% windows. One of those walls is opposite the TV and behind the couch. The TV has a matte finish. However, we have to close the blinds if the sun is on that side of the house.
4 - Lip sync should not be an issue if the TV was recently manufactured. The software update for fixing this issue was 4.30.1
5 - This TV doesn't have a picture in picture option.
6 - SD on this TV is excellent - better that it was on our old JVC tube TV. We sit about 10 feet away from the TV.

That would annoy me to no end. I vote for sending it back to Amazon!

If you are willing to deal with the hassle, I would also vote to exchange. Something like that would bother me.

Also, does anyone have recommended user preference settings for this tv? thx

Well, it seems I have a few more days to decide: since today was 27 days from delivery, I called Amazon to learn my options. They noted that any TV purchased in December was eligible for return or exchange until January 31. They also offered a 15% credit for keeping a 'defective' product. That last option is tempting because a) it would reduce my cost to BFri bargain level, and b) a replacement TV could have some unlucky operational issue, and c) I've strangely been unable to see the scratch(es) again since I took that photo under apparently unique lighting conditions (MN 4:15pm cloudless winter sun from left)!? But of course I'll always know the scratch is 'in there' somehow, a lesser annoyance. Also: this episode so far seems to be an instance of Amazon's positive customer service reputation when ordering a TV from Amazon itself (vs resellers).

edit: [new JPG] just to confirm I wasn't imagining the 'disappearing' scratch, today I was near the TV hit by leftward direct winter sun 0355~0417pm; outside that time window (sun angle), scratch seems to not be visible. FWIW.

Hey guys!

I received a 2nd LH40 last week. I had the 47" since the summer which I've really been enjoying and picked up the 55" last week for the home theatre room. Gorgeous as is my 47". I do have a little problem, there seems to be some light leakage in the lower left corner that is somewhat visible, especially when watching a film in letterbox. It looks like 2 or 3 inverted cones of light coming from the bottom of the panel. The images are just breathtaking and hate to exchange it, but I think it's a deal breaker for this set. I have till 2/5 to decide. Anyone else notice anything like this?

Hi all - I'm thinking about a 37LH40 for the living room. I was going to get a Samsung because the Samsung appears (to me) to have slightly better picture quality. However, I cannot use external speakers in the living room, and I've heard the LG has much better speakers (although they are still built-ins so they aren't great). Also, I've heard the LG does better at SD content. So, the LG seems to be a better choice for an "all-around" display.

This TV is 120 Hz - I do not like the motion processing that 120 Hz TVs do to give the picture a "soap opera effect."

My questions - can the motion processing be turned off in the 37LH40 like it can in Samsung/Sony?

Also, any opinions comparing the LG 37LH40 to the Samsung LN40B630 would be much appreciated!

Oh, finally - if anyone knows of any professional reviews of the LH40 series, can you please provide a link? Google doesn't turn up much of anything.

Thanks.

LH40/50 sound: My 42" is midway in a LR/DR with hardwood floors and is connected to a big old-school stereo sound system. But I'd rate the LH40's internal speakers as very good indeed compared to other brands or models with narrow lower bezels. I listen at 7~20 (volume scale 0~100), but if I crank it up to 50-70-90 the sound remains full, bass and treble don't break up, nothing rattles.

SD content PQ: my TV source signals are OTA, so I don't have cable feed 'SD' issues. But I do have quite a library of VHS movies, which I expected to look terrible, but one I tried was better than expected, relative to the few other LCDs I've tried.

I also dislike the 'SOE'. I suppose it's to be expected on general TV programming if the source is from 'video' camera? But it's painful to watch if the source is DVD movie. I need more avoid-SOE experience with this LG.

37" vs 40/42": perhaps this isn't a concern for you, but for the past couple years, I assumed I'd buy 37" because I didn't want a too-big black plastic slab dominating the aesthetics of my living space. But 37" seems to be an odd size that's rarely priced enough lower than on-sale 40/42"s. [I keep selected TVs grouped together in my Amazon cart's Save-for-later section to readily track sudden price 'opportunities'.] The LG LH50 (a networked LH40) has recently been priced the 'same' as LH40 ..and it seems the LH50's Remote has several handy additional features.

FWIW, I'd long ago created a crib sheet to remind myself how much more (sq" actual Screen Area) one gets per nominal 'diagonal size'. Do the simple math to see what the 'viewable' percentage increases are ..or even compare 'deals' in terms of price/sq"!

LCD: ___32" __ 37" __40" ___42" __47" __55"
sq"SA: _425 __590 __690 __765 __960 __1295