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 timeshift by pausing and rewinding live TV, but the 50PB2DR 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 50-inch plasma sports a brightness level of 1000 cd/m2 and a 10,000:1 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.
This is a big screen to begin with, but adding the hard drive adds even more weight and bulk. At 62.2kg and measuring 1383 x 377 x 913mm, it's probably not a TV you'll want to wall mount.
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 42-inch LCD TV, model 42LC2DR, for AU$5,375.
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harry
22/08/2008, 09:01 PM
rating
1/10
Do not buy this LG TV ! Purchased May 2007, Hard Drive failed June 2008. LG not interested in problem, passed to Lumleys ( under 3 yr warranty). In the past 3 months it has been in repair twice for 1 month. Failed again today 22.8 only 3 days after the "repair" to Hard Drive and Cable.
Pros: Looks attractive (when we actually have it out of repair shop). Great features ie pause live tv.
Cons: Be warned !!! Faulty Hard Drive in this model. This has resulted in us loosing recorded material 3 times.
If it wasn't for the 3 year warranty - where would we be ? LG don't care, as they do not reply to our emails! LG have disgusting non existent service and we will never again purchase another LG product.
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fintray49
05/01/2008, 11:42 PM
rating
10/10
the TvV is great the size is something to get used to
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kellie688
26/08/2007, 09:28 PM
rating
5/10
we have only had our plasma tv model 50PB2DR for 2 months it has a couple of complete freeze. We have had to turn it off at the power point for about an hour to get it started again. As the warrenty is only for a year it will be a very expensive tv to have once that runs out. And extended warrenty was nearly 1000 dollars.
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TheGaz
25/05/2007, 02:44 PM
rating
10/10
Can be wall mounted - just have to buy the right brackets from your tv store.
Looks pretty kool standing on a tv stand but.
Pros: Its fully sweet
Cons: No rotating stand.
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Wombat
22/05/2007, 05:46 PM
rating
9/10
Ive sene this model on display. I havnt brought it im very excited to select this model. Yet it is a big screen. Not too sure if this will be sutable to mount it on my wall in my house seens the walls are made of plasta.. Could anyone please indicated me what is that under neith digital green display letters and numbers are about on this model ? i seen it on display but notice there was something showing i gues but wasnt really sure what it said. Anyone nows?
Pros: Hard drive built in aprox 250. I am not very fuzz on this harddrive or not. I gues i choose this model because its a personal choise choosen just like modern art. Nice black layers on this screen.
It has a unique modern art display looks on this screen due to the digital dosplay showing under the screen.
Cons: Like i said it might be too heavy to mount it on any walls that are not strong enough unless you put a long model aluminium packets on 2 leg stands so it can then be mounted on the wall.
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martian069
16/04/2007, 09:00 PM
rating
5/10
had the sofeware update and still freezing but now on all channels and lg told me to wait 4 months for when he tv stations will change hierbroadcasting signal
Pros: DVR built in
Cons: Digital tuner built in
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Brian D
01/04/2007, 10:57 PM
rating
9/10
Everything about this TV is awesome. Great pic and easy to use.
Pros: Great picture, easy to use, record your favorite shows.
Cons: Heavy. Wall mount in my situation not possible which is a bummer!
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Speckynz
14/03/2007, 12:27 AM
rating
10/10
Its fantastic to have such a great product
Pros: Fantastic TV simple to use.
Cons: Dual tuner would be good record one program while watching another. Also some way to archive recorded programs would be a good future idea.
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Saint
15/01/2007, 02:59 PM
rating
10/10
Great Product !!
Pros: Easy to use and record with one button. Great resolution and sound
Cons: A bit heavy and you can not export files you have recorded
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Catstoys
10/01/2007, 08:40 PM
rating
9/10
How fabulous! At long last, I've an all in one TV that doesn't require complicated cabling and takes up space.
Pros: About as simple as you can get. Bought this for my folks (they're ancient!) and even they managed to plug this in and use with ease.
Cons: None if you're after simplicity and an all-in-one system. However, if you like to upgrade individual components then it'll be hard to do with this.
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