LG 50PX990 Pro Reviews

At worst competent, and at best very good indeed, the LG’s persuasive in the extreme

The generally very likeable 50PX990 provides yet more proof that the first battle in the 3D war has been won by plasma technology. For while its 3D pictures certainly aren’t completely crosstalk-free, they are much more watchable over a long period of time than those of any LCD TV bar, possibly, Philips’ vastly more expensive PFL9000 series. The 50PX990 is a generally good 2D performer too, with its only really significant problems being a weak online service and distracting image retention - the latter of which bothered us enough to nudge the set’s overall mark down to an 8 from what would otherwise have been a comfortable 9.

The 50PX990 isn't perfect, still displaying a few of the problems with image retention and occasionally off colour tones that have plagued all of LG's 2010 plasma TVs. However, when it's firing on all cylinders – predominantly with high-quality HD sources and, impressively, with 3D – it is a fine, very user-friendly TV.

LG continues to be at the technological forefront and has produced another exceptional display, that pushes the envelope whilst still adhering to industry standards. The 2D performance is exceptional and in the absence of any industry standards, the THX 3D certification represents the closest we currently have to a reference. I was also pleased to see that LG has clearly been listening to feedback and has addressed many of the issues that I raised in my LE8900 review. The PX990 has a few minor issues and LG still hasn't manage to produce the deeper blacks that some of their competitors are capable of but they are still very good and better than any LCD display. Overall the PX990 represents an excellent combination of 2D and 3D performance and coupled with it wonderful build quality and design, as well as its excellent video processing and advanced calibration controls, I am happy to award a Highly Recommended badge.