LG Electronics' 42LP1D is a 42-inch LCD HDTV that turns in an impressive performance. The wide-format screen is set into a black monitor that is slim enough to mount on the wall, or it can be used with the included tilt/swivel stand for placement on a flat surface. Stereo speakers flank the screen, and a section of silver trim below the screen is home to control buttons, quick-connect composite video and S-video inputs and two multiformat memory card slots. The 42LP1D has built-in ATSC, NTSC and QAM tuners, potentially eliminating the need for a cable box or HD receiver, and it can be linked to a PC and a wide range of home theater components.

The 42LP1D's brightness and contrast are more than sufficient for showing HD programming in all light conditions, and all content is displayed in the set's native resolution of 1,366X768p. The black levels are quite strong for an LCD TV. Six picture selection modes make quick work of switching display settings, and the 42LP1D has seven picture formats to accommodate various programming types. Film content is adjusted for TV viewing using 3:2 pulldown conversion, which does a fine job of smoothing action and eliminating unevenness.

The internal stereo system sounds very lively, with 30 total watts of audio output, automatic volume leveling, simulated surround sound and five sound selection modes. Twin tuners deliver a full range of PIP features, including split-screen, inset window and three-window channel preview. Other handy features include custom channel and input labeling, previous channel return, favorite channel selection and parental controls.

In addition to the front inputs, the side of this LCD TV has a set of component video inputs. The rear of the 42LP1D offers a multitude more, including two RF inputs, another composite video input, a second S-video input, another component video input, an HDMI connection, an RGB input with audio for a PC or DTV source, two optical digital audio inputs, two IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connections, a CableCARD slot, an optical digital audio output and a Gemstar (G-link) output. The universal remote control is black, with backlit buttons for volume, channel, mode and power.

Warranty
1 year parts and labor