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188K views 434 replies 134 participants last post by  ripepotato 
#1 ·
Just a brief review of the new 2013 LG LN5300 LED HDTV.


The LN5300 set comes in a 32", 39" and a 42" size. There might be larger models but I'm unsure.


I'm reviewing the 39" Model ( 38.5 Diagonal ) The set weights 19lbs or so without a stand attached or 22lbs with stand attached. This set is VESA compliant, 200 x 200.


I currently own the LD, LK and SC models going back each calender year starting in 2010. So I do have somewhat of a PC oriented history with this line of sets.


My primary use is for a PC display. Of course 4:4:4 chroma sub-sampling was important. And this set does support 4:4:4. It was as simple as selecting which port you were connected to, HDMI 1 in my case and selecting just scan from the menu. There was no renaming required or other trickery like past sets. I own 2 x AMD 7970 Radeons in Xfire.


The screen is semi-gloss and looks great. The LD and LK had somewhat matte finishes. The SC had a semi-gloss but I think the new LN has a bit more of a gloss over that model. It does not have the reflective properties of glass but I would estimate on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being glass, this set has a very strong 7.


The stand is a bit smaller and gone is that square look from past models. It is however a bit more bulky / reinforced with a raised lip going around the outside edge of the stand. Checking for excess wobble and sway, none was present. Very robust and firm. The base is glossy. As far as the bezel goes, they've improved this greatly asthe bezel is now at least 55% to 65% smaller than past models. Not Samsung razor thin but still very thin and much welcomed. The over-all fit and finish is excellent and it does take on a new modern look that's fitting of 2013. The overall size of the set is also much smaller than past models. While the back is not super thin and compact like some of the Samsung's, it's a huge improvement over past models. I would guess 25% smaller over my much larger and heavier 42" LD model from 2010. Considering the 39" has nearly the same viewable area as the 42", personally, I find this amazing.


unfortunately I cannot speak in-depth to the sets panel or performance other than to state the obvious. We need other experts who are better qualified to pass that information on to us. Over-all, I am very pleased. In fact, this is my favorite new set and it has met all my expectations for 2013. The blacks are deep, the colors bright, the sharpness is there and 1080p content looks fantastic. I've checked for jitter / judder and none is present. Very pleased about that. I've done some basic testing with consoles, an Xbox 360, Sony PS3, Nintendo Wii and even the new Ouya console and there is no noticeable latency. Everything played smoothly and reacted as you would expect. So no lag


Back are expert settings. Here is a list of those settings that may or may not be complete. Dynamic Contrast, Color Gamut, Edge Enhancer on/off, Color Filter on/off, Gamma, Color Temperature, Method settings, Pattern settings, Red Blue Green Settings, Color Management System with saturation, tint and luminance, etc. And of course, Back-light, Contrast, Brightness, Color, Tint, H Sharpness, V Sharpness, etc. There probably is a few other settings present that I missed.


There is a USB port which will allow you to display photo's or to play MP3's. I've not used this feature yet so I will not comment on it's usability or performance.


After several hours with set, a few movies, tons of games, I cannot find or see any red-flags, this set is a keeper and I am sure others will be very impressed with this new LG LN model for 2013. This is the new Westy 37" as far as I'm concerned for those of you who knows what that means.


PC monitor, A+


HDTV, A+


Tom

 
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#2 ·
I bought the 32LN5300 model at Best Buy yesterday for $315.00 in the store, currently $350.00 online. I am using it as a computer monitor as well and it seems to have less overall lag compared to a Vizio 37" i was using. I do however notice what seems to be uneven shifts in white (more dim) around the screen, mainly around all four corners. It seems like playing around with the settings has helped some but it still appears to be there.
 
#3 ·
Turn off the energy saving feature and I think that will go away. I had the same issue. They have some sort of dynamic energy saving sensor that will dim the screen which briefly creates a weird look to the screen that can sometimes persist longer than you might expect.


Here are my calibrated settings for the set. This should give you a base line. I used hardware, software along with movies / software and many hours to get it just perfect.


Energy Saving Off - Expert 1 - Backlight - 50 - Contrast 91 - Brightness - 58 - H Sharpness - 10 - V Sharpness 10 - Color 54 - Tint - G5 - ( Under Expert Control ) Dynamic Contrast - Off - Color Gamut Standard - Edge Enhancer Off - Color Filter Off - Gamma 2.2 - The rest of the settings I did not touch ( Under Picture Options ) Noise Reduction off - MPEG Noise Reduction Off - Black Level Low. The rest of the settings I did not touch. YMMV


Also, in your AMD or Nvidia control panel. You may have to enable a few automatic color settings and push up the gamma just a hair. YMMV


Having owned the Westinghouse W1 37" years ago, then the W3 version, then the LD, LK, SC and now LN line of LG sets, I am just extremely pleased with this set. So much so that I returned this morning and purchased 2 more sets for Eyefinity.
 
#4 ·
I did turn off the Eco mode feature when I noticed the picture get so dim one time to the point where the TV wasnt usable, I guess thats how they got that $6 energy guide sticker on there. I was under the impression this TV used an IPS panel but im beginning to think it does not. I cant find any info online, and email and support chat said they do not have any information so I may just end up returning this one and getting a real computer monitor, I just hate spending several times more than what you do when you buy a 1080P TV but at least there is more spec information available. I still notice brightness level shifting around all the corners.
 
#5 ·
I've not had that issue at all. As far as an IPS panel goes, you can check this yourself. It in fact does have extreme viewing angles without any color / light shift whatsoever. Not an expert but it's pretty easy to spot an IPS panel.


I've turned off the Eco mode. For what I'm doing, it has no use.
 
#6 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by rthefley  /t/1466061/2013-lg-ln5300-led-hdtv-review#post_23158189


I've not had that issue at all. As far as an IPS panel goes, you can check this yourself. It in fact does have extreme viewing angles without any color / light shift whatsoever. Not an expert but it's pretty easy to spot an IPS panel.


I've turned off the Eco mode. For what I'm doing, it has no use.

Thanks for the review. I was thinking about picking up the 39 inch model today. I will primarily be using it for PC gaming. Do you notice much input lag? What about blurriness when moving around in games?


I am currently using a 23 Inch 120Hz gaming monitor, but I would totally be willing to give up the 120Hz for 39 inches of glory.
 
#7 ·
No lag input whatsoever or blurring. I'm using an Asus P9X79 WS with 3930k, 32GB Ram and 2 x AMD 7970's.


Just a few of the games I've tested - BF3, World of Warcraft, Bioshock, and a few racing and flight sims. I've also tested a handful of console games. So far, very pleased. And I think you will be too. With the very thin bezel it really does feel like a PC monitor on your desk only super-size which I absolutely love!
 
#9 ·
Yes you are correct. 3 or so years ago I was reading about the panel lottery, here on this site as a matter of fact and thought I remembered seeing the same LG at my local Walmart. I ran down to find one last one and it matched for an IPS panel.


I am positive my set has an IPS panel as I can walk from left to right and not see any shifting of colors / light whatsoever.


The number on my box is 39LN5300-UB.AUSJLJM
 
#11 ·
LED TV's are LCD TV's. They are the same thing. TV's labeled LED's are LCD TV's that use LED's as backlights instead of CCFL's. The question of what panel this TV has is whether the panel used in the TV is made by LG Display or outsourced. IPS panels are the only type of panel LG Display makes in these sizes, but outsourced panels will be of other types. You need to check the model/serial code on the back of the TV and match it to LG"s source matrix for panels or you can get a magnifying glass and take a look at the the pixel structure as LG's IPS panels have an easily recognizable chevron shape to the pixels. For the 2011 model year, roughly 20% of LG LED/LCD TV's used outsourced panels, the rest had LG Display IPS panels. What that mix is for 2013, I have no idea (all LG 3D models will be IPS, but its not clear on the 2D models. In the 42" size, panel outsourcing by LG has generally been rare. LG Display previously has never made a 39" panel so that could be outsourced, but I read somewhere that this would be a new size for them this year so it could also be IPS.) I can tell you that LG has completely dropped traditional CCFL lit LCD TV's for the US consumer market with the 2013 model year lineup (whether they will carry over 2012 models for this is unclear, but they are now a tiny percentage of what they sell anyway) so when the rep said only LCD TV's have IPS panels, they meant their LED lit LCD TV's. The alternative is LG plasma or OLED, which obviously would not be IPS.
 
#12 ·
This should answer anyone's question on this set having an IPS panel. You will notice there is no color / light / image shift.


 
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#13 ·
I'm in the UK and would love a new TV like this to replace my old LG LD set for PC use. The trouble is I cant find this model type here in the UK. The closest one I've seen that looks similar to the LN5300 is this one... LG 39LN540V which is currently out of stock on amazon UK website
 
#14 ·
This LN I now have replaced a 42" LD which I really enjoyed. In fact it's sitting next to me in front of my 70" Sharp LED awaiting my GF to make a spot for it in the bedroom. Great set for video and especially PC content.


I think Amazon will ship this set to you. I couldn't say how much shipping would be but the set only weights 20lbs. Im sure the box was only about 35lbs or less, tho .. bulky.


I would contact LG and ask them what the UK version is called. I'm positive you can buy this exact set, perhaps a different model name, in the UK.


If that set has 60hz and none of the internet apps, I think you are good to go. Just match the specs up as close as possible.
 
#15 ·
Thanks for the review. How's the LN5300 compare to the older LD overall? How about in terms of motion performance? I have a 32LD450, and though I love it, it's always felt like there's been some issues with the way it handles motion. I've been bouncing around the notion of upgrading to something else.


P.S. I like the KRK studio monitors. Great choice.
 
#17 ·
Kim from LG seems a little confused. The LED backlighting is irrelevant to the panel type used. You can pair LED or CCFL backlighting with many of the various LCD panel types (Samsung's PVA, AUO and CMO/CMI's MVA, Sharp's ASV, LG's IPS, ect...). Don't be too hard on the poor customer service rep, though. LG's a pretty well diversified company that covers electronics, appliances, communications and so forth. That's a lot of information to try and cover. Panel type is something only engineers and enthusiasts like us really concern themselves with, I'd imagine.


rthefley,


Does the TV seem to be pretty gentle on the eyes as far as PC monitor use goes? Any noticeable flicker or anything like that? Thanks again for posting the review.
 
#18 ·
I've been using my set about a week now and just love it. It's easy on the eyes, only have the backlight set to 50. With the smaller footprint and thin bezel it really is more natural to use than past HDTV. Simply put, this does not have the appearance of a HDTV but that of a PC monitor you might find on the shelves of Microcenter only slightly larger than a 30" monitor. I've given the set a massive workout, BF3, WoW, Bioshock, Racing games, Flight Sims, MMO's, 1080p content, Consoles, etc, zero lag and zero blurring or flicker.
 
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#19 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by rthefley  /t/1466061/2013-lg-ln5300-led-hdtv-review#post_23185560


I've been using my set about a week now and just love it. It's easy on the eyes, only have the backlight set to 50. With the smaller footprint and thin bezel it really is more natural to use than past HDTV. Simply put, this does not have the appearance of a HDTV but that of a PC monitor you might find on the shelves of Microcenter only slightly larger than a 30" monitor. I've given the set a massive workout, BF3, WoW, Bioshock, Racing games, Flight Sims, MMO's, 1080p content, Consoles, etc, zero lag and zero blurring or flicker.
Hoping there is not a panel lottery, but you have sold me , will be picking up 32 inch tomm.
 
#20 ·
Here are my settings to help you get the set calibrated. Of course your mileage may vary but it's a good starting point.


Picture Mode - Expert 1


Energy Saving - Off

Backlight - 50

Contrast - 77

Brightness - 53

H Sharpness - 6

V Sharpness - 6

Color - 50

Tint - 0


There are other settings like Edge Enhancer, Dynamic Contrast, etc that you can play with on your own.


These settings work for me and I should point out are a work in progress.


If anyone can professional calibrate this set, please share those numbers.
 
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#23 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by rthefley  /t/1466061/2013-lg-ln5300-led-hdtv-review#post_23185560


I've been using my set about a week now and just love it. It's easy on the eyes, only have the backlight set to 50. With the smaller footprint and thin bezel it really is more natural to use than past HDTV. Simply put, this does not have the appearance of a HDTV but that of a PC monitor you might find on the shelves of Microcenter only slightly larger than a 30" monitor. I've given the set a massive workout, BF3, WoW, Bioshock, Racing games, Flight Sims, MMO's, 1080p content, Consoles, etc, zero lag and zero blurring or flicker.

Sounds excellent. Thank you.
 
#25 ·
So I picked up this tv from best buy last night. Went with the 32'inch, as I felt it would be the perfect size for gaming, but also as a monitor for my MacBook Pro. The initial settings out of the box, are a little rough, plus I needed to calibrate my MacBook Pro . The picture wizard software is amazing, as I walked thru the steps , I was amazed at the picture quality. My 32 inch definately has a ips panel. It has great horizontal viewing angles, however very similar to my panasonic tc-l37e3, the vertical viewing angle is limited. The picture quality is very good. No bleeding or clouding, and as mentioned above, input lag is very low on this set. I could tell no difference in responsiveness between game mode, and expert 1. I have also played call of duty black ops 2, no blurring during fast movement, and black levels are actually pretty good on this set .
 
#26 ·
I picked up the 32 inch version yesterday. I was incredibly surprised at the black level, uniformity, color accuracy, and the ability to tweak almost every setting possible. Most importantly, I could detect almost no input lag. I would say the input lag is comparable to the Samsung 32eh5000. I am very impressed with the glossy screen finish as well. There is very little motion blur, and no inverse ghosting that I could notice. I did observe a few issues with judder in 24p playback, but it was nowhere near as bad I remember on past LGs.


I am about to go back and pick up the 39 or 42 inch , but was wondering if they both use the same panel as the 32. Based on the review in the OP, I am assuming the 39 inch uses the same panel. If anyone knows a way I can find out for sure without having to ask a engineer at LG, it would be much appreciated.
 
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