Upside
One of the first to leverage the appeal of an all-in-one box concept, LG has progressed from having a built-in digital tuner onboard its flagship TVs to including a digital recorder as well. This allows you to not only receive HD signals without a set-top box, but also record these same broadcasts without having to plug in an external DVR.
Its 250GB internal hard drive has a two hour buffer that continuously records what's on, so if you are interrupted while watching your favourite show you can simply hit the pause button and pick up at the exact point you left off when you return. In addition to pausing, you can also rewind and fast-forward buffered content as you wish. Yes, that means you can easily replay a glorious goal or disputed penalty as many times as you like, and even better, skip through the commercial breaks.
Not only can you time shift by pausing and rewinding live TV, but the LG 42LC2DR has a one-touch record button if you think you won't return. Advance timer recordings are also easy to set up. Its recording capacity should store approximately 40 hours of HD TV or 100 hours of SD TV.
This 1366 x 768 pixel 42-inch LCD sports a brightness level of 500 cd/m2 and a 1,600:1 contrast ratio. There are 2 HDMI ports should you want to hook up external HD devices, such as a DVD player, home theatre system or games console.
The best bit is that you can control its playback, recording, pausing and rewind functions with one fairly straightforward remote control and -- oh yes -- the stand swivels.
Downside
While this TV lets you record to your heart's content, understand that you will also need to eventually hit the delete key when the hard drive fills up, as there is no way to archive shows you've recorded to an external device.
The combo concept only makes sense if you've not already invested in a set-top box and hard drive recorder. Plus, if you still want to view DVDs, you'll have to connect an external player or recorder anyway.
Outlook
You could pay less by buying the components separately, but the simplicity of having a TV with a built-in HD set top box and video recorder is bound to attract many technophobes who just want an easy way to record their favourite HD shows.
Note: This built-in HD DVR recorder is also available in LG's new 50-inch plasma TV, model 50PB2DR, for AU$6,875.
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littlevibrations
02/07/2008, 08:43 PM
rating
8/10
Re: my previous quantumspares 03/05/2007 blog...
you may already be across this...
It just occurred to me that I didn't come back and blog about the fact that you can access the hard drive to play high def or standard def content whilst recording other digital content simultaneously.
With my modus operandi in mind, this functionality makes the whole single HD/SD tuner thing negligible.
Pros: you can access the hard drive to play high def or standard def content whilst recording other digital content simultaneously.
Cons: ummm
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Discus
10/02/2008, 10:14 PM
rating
7/10
The in-built DVR is fabulous and so easy to use. I agree it is a drag not being about to watch another digital channel whilst recording another so have to put up with the analogue version. The picture and sound quality is acceptable for the price paid.
One gripe, which has happened twice without warning or explanation, is the DVR asking to be reformatted before it could be used. Doing this deletes all recorded programs and pre-set recording schedules. If it happens one more time I will be contacting LG.
Pros: Built-in DVR. Price
Cons: Unable to record one digi channel and watch another
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Ted
21/01/2008, 02:04 PM
rating
9/10
Exceptional value. Integrated tuner and recorder are a great bonus. 2 digital tuners would have helped to be able to watch one show whilst recording another but ... for the price it's an outstanding unit. Easily as good as other brands valued up to 50% dearer and they don't include a recorder at all!!
Pros: Excellent value. Great integration of components.
Cons: NIL
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Nareshracha
14/10/2007, 02:38 PM
rating
9/10
Great to watch. The recording feature is superb.
Pros: Everything, especiall digital recorder
Cons: Little bit down with Audio.Not bad in this type of models, but would have been better, if they have done something with audio.
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sealbot
21/09/2007, 12:37 PM
rating
10/10
Amazing Tv... one of the best i have seen around for its price. Recommend it to anyone.
Pros: Picture Quality is amazing, The style of the Tv is great and it's as quite as a mouse.
Cons: None so far...
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ray
07/05/2007, 08:39 AM
rating
6/10
Want 2 buy a plamsa tv the models looking at are lg 50pcid,panasonic th 50px600a,l42lg2dr
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quantumspares
03/05/2007, 06:01 PM
rating
6/10
How much?? ...on 29/12/06 I paid Myer, AU$3,125.00 - with a 5yr "wear and tear" inclusive warranty, and nego'd a $40 Phillips LCD screen cleaner thrown in. Hope this helps with your nego. How much did you pay?
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quantumspares
03/05/2007, 05:38 PM
rating
6/10
LG 42LC2DR does not allow me to watch a digital broadcast and simultaneously record another. Living in Sydney CBD I have very poor analogue reception. Therefore, recording digital whilst viewing analogue is not an option. I think that the simple want to do what one has been able to do with a VCR and CRT with analogue tuners for years would have been something that LG would have uncovered in their product R&D. However I sussed out a work-around... by connecting my old external SDSTB via AV1 input (not Component as it doesn’t support this function) I am able to watch the AV1 source whilst recording another channel and vice versa.
Therefore, if one doesn't use an external STB, one is unable to watch and record different digital broadcasts simultaneously.
LG will more than likely come out with a box that has integrated dual SD/HD tuners in the future?
Pros: looks nice
Cons: only one HD Tuner
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TEX
11/04/2007, 11:42 AM
rating
9/10
BRILLIANT, LOVE THE RECORD FUNCTION, PICTURE IS GREAT, IGNORE THE SCEPTICS
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jimmy
31/03/2007, 09:29 AM
rating
10/10
Brilliant, great picture, would buy again
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