The big screen that won't break the bank

THE LATEST and most affordable 55-inch LED Smart TV from LG, the 55LF630T comes complete with full HD resolution and a digital TV tuner.

It runs on the LG webOS operating system, making it easy to set up and control the various functions.

In fact, the webOS makes the LF630T much more than a TV. It also serves as a web browser, meaning you can check out web pages and even log on to your Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Now up to version 2.0, the LG operating system makes it easy to set up your TV for the first time, providing a character called a BeanBird to guide you through setting up digital TV channels, and connecting your TV wirelessly to your Wi-Fi router so that you can enjoy its Smart TV functions.

The Launcher displays the available apps, live broadcast of terrestrial digital TVs, web browser, LG store and the HDMI ports that are connected to your TV sources as tiles in a row at the bottom of the screen. You can use the remote to browse through the tiles and activate them.

It also has an Input Picker function that alerts you when your external devices are not turned on or are not selected so that you can connect to one of them to receive the TV signal.

The webOS 2.0 also comes with LG Content Store where you can shop for TV programmes, video on demand and 3D content and apps.

The TV has Smart Share functions, allowing you to use it to access photos, music and video files from other devices that support the Digital Living Network Alliance, Miracast, WiDi, and MHL protocols. It also supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct connections for digital content sharing.

The TV has a 1920 x 1080-pixel resolution and uses Edge LED backlighting to illuminate its contrast and brightness.

It has three HDMI ports and three USB 2.0 ports on its left side. Apart from the built-in Wi-Fi adapter, it has a LAN port on the back as well as a DVB-T2 tuner for receiving Thailand’s terrestrial digital TV broadcasts.

The TV is powered by a quad-core processor running at 1.1 GHz and has 1.5 gigabytes RAM and 8 GB of flash storage, with 4.5 GB available for installing applications.

You connect an external hard drive or flash drive to one of the USB2.0 ports to order recording of digital TV programmes.

During the test, I found that the LF630T, which is a mid-level model of LG LED TVs, received digital TV sharply and clearly. I connected it to my rooftop antenna and HD channels, such as Thairath TV looked sharp and clear and the pictures had smooth motion.

I also connected it to TrueVisions’ satellite TV receiver and I enjoyed watching the HD channels offered by the subscription TV operator.

I enjoyed watching the Billboard 2015 Music Awards on RTL CBS Entertainment HD Channel (337). The pictures were very sharp and clean and the music sounded loud and good.

I used the Vivid picture option during the test though I could also have chosen Standard, Cinema, Soccer, Game and Expert 1 and Expert 2. There are six sound modes to choose from – Standard, News, Music, Cinema, Soccer, and Game. There’s even a Virtual Surround Plus function to simulate surround sound. Both “Game of Thrones” on the HBO HD channel and “Voices” on AXN HD were sharp and enjoyable.

I tested the Smart TV function using its web browser to log on my Facebook account and it worked well, allowing me to enjoy monitoring my Facebook feeds on a 55-inch panel.

You can use a remote to click on the on-screen keyboard to log on and type messages but it’s better and faster to use the LG TV Plus app to connect to the LF630T and use it as a remote to control the TV.

When you want to type on the web browser or Facebook on the TV, you simply type on the on-screen keyboard on your smartphone, which is more convenient.

And the new LG TV has a PrimeTime app for watching video on demand services. I used the app to watch movie streamed in Full HD and was amazed at the sharpness of the images.

There’s also an app for watching YouTube clips and other apps for watching other online movie services.

LG 55LF630T has a suggested retail price of Bt44,990.

 

Key Specs

 

- Display device: LED

- Screen size: 55 inches

- Resolution: 1920 x 1080

- Picture modes: Vivid, Standard, APS, Cinema, Soccer, Game, Expert1, and Expert2

- Speaker system: 2Ch Speaker System – 1 Way 2 Speakers

- Audio output: 20 watts |(2 x 10)

- Sound mode: Standard, News, Music, Cinema, Soccer, Game

- Input & output side: 3 HDMI, 3 USB 2.0

- Input & output rear: RF in, Composite in, Component in, Digital audio out (optical), LAN, External speakers, RS-232C

- Power Supply (Voltage, Hz): 100~240Vac 50-60Hz

- Standby Mode: 0.5W

- Broadcasting system: Analog TV, DVB-T2

- USB function: DivX HD, JPEG, JPS, MPO

- Dimensions (W x H x D): 1,242 x 724 x 55.1 mm (without stand)

- Weight: 17.7 kgs (without stand), 20.9 kgs (with stand)