What Hi-Fi? Verdict
Not bad, but performance doesn't reflect price and appearance doesn't reflect description
Pros
- +
Slim chassis, great ergonomics
- +
stable, detailed images with fine low-light insight
- +
effective tuners
Cons
- -
Clean white tones hard to come by
- -
motion processing modes
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LG is claiming that the 42SL9000 is a frameless design. Let's get one thing clear from the off: the whole of the front may be a single layer, but there's definitely a frame.
This is a winningly slim screen, certainly – less than 3cm deep, in fact – and that svelte silhouette is achieved despite the 42SL9000 being a 'single layer' design that presents a completely smooth face.
It uses LG's excellent on-screen menus, and the remote control is a tactile cut above LG's usual efforts.
Specification is comprehensive: as well as four HDMI inputs and 1920 x 1080 resolution, the 'SL9000 has LED backlighting and a USB input that's good for movie files up to 1080p.
The colour palette is generally poised, although we had the devil's own job trying to rid skin-tones of a hint of jaundiced yellow. Contrasts aren't the cleanest, either.
TV tuners do a fine job
The LG's a competent upscaler of DVD images (though complex patterns can provoke varieties of picture noise) and its TV tuners are impressive.
Lots to like, then and an attractive screen – but the LG's price suggests a USP that it doesn't have. So it winds up looking a little expensive.
