LG 37LD490 37-inch Widescreen 1080p Full HD LCD Internet TV with Freeview HD

Bought the 37LD490 just after Christmas and have been really impressed with it. It's one of the few TV's that run at full HD (1920x1080) when you connect a PC - in fact it was pretty much the only one I could find for a similar price. I'm just using a standard d-sub connection but the quality is great. As usual with a big screen, standard def pictures don't look amazing, but the HD tuner more than makes up for it - the step up in quality is substantial and is equally as good as the Humax HD tuner I've also got in the lounge. Don't even think about buying a new TV without HD, one you have it going back to anything other than HD is pretty poor.

Something that's not mentioned in the description, reviews or even the LG website - you can get youtube, weather, iPlayer and a number of other online apps after a quick update - all of which work really well. There's even a few games on the TV itself too!

Certainly compared to the Toshiba 37RV753 and Samsung LE37C580 which are about the same price as the LG, its a no brainer - the LG is far superior. TV itself looks good, remote is a good size and functional, the swivel stand works nicely and its got all the connections you'll ever need. Definitely recommended!

i was going to buy a Toshiba 37RV753B 37-inch Widescreen Digital LCD TV with Full HD 1080p and Freeview HD but the price went up over the weekend! so i did another search and found this TV at a good price. The spec is virtually the same as the Toshiba with the addition of some internet applications (iPlayer, Facebook etc.) it was a no-brainer really and decided to go for this LG.

it arrived the next day with a AmazonBasics 2M Dual-Shielded High Speed HDMI Cable [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging] and LG BD550 Blu-Ray Player.

this TV basically sets itself up and i did not have to use the manual. it is that easy! i fitted the stand the same way as C.ASHTON and it goes together really easy.

i have also set it up for 'netcast'. again, all i had to do was plug my LAN cable in to the TV and then in to my Router and it sorted itself out as well as a software update.

I live in West Dorset and I receive BBC HD, BBC1 HD, ITV1 HD and Channel 4 HD with no problem. HD channels are amazing as well as DVD and Blu-Rays.

very, very happy with this TV and the difference between it and my old 28" CRT is incredible.

I will not weigh down this review with meaningless words and phrases- here is my opinion in its most childlike simplicity.

The 37LG490 is a beautiful TV. Its border is gloss-black, as is the stand it comes with. The power indicator shines blue when on, and red when on standby (the only way to switch the TV off is to unplug it).

The manual that comes with the TV is a universal manual that is included with many of LG's TVs, so there's plenty in there that is totally irrelevant to this TV. And, like all LG manuals in my experience, the manual lacks information. However, I managed to set my TV up in about 30-40 minutes. I used the stand that came with it, rather than purchasing a wallmount. The TV was an absolute sod to slot into the stand- we were supposed to lift the TV off of the bed and lower it blindly onto the slot protruding from the stand. After several failed attempts at slotting the TV into place (I used mirrors and everything!) we decided to go against the instructions and bring the stand TO THE TV, slotting the stand into the TV (which was lying on the bed) and not the other way around.

The Freeview HD tuner automatically scanned for new channels when I switched the TV on, and (living in West Wales) these were the HD channels I had access to:
*BBC One HD
*ITV 1 HD
*BBC HD
*S4C Clirlun (S4C HD)

I was disappointed not to receive channel 4 HD, but I'm assuming this is down to Freeview HD and my location, rather than the TV itself. Anyway, the HD channels look beautiful, and it's really helpful that I do not need a replacement satellite dish.

I've connected my PS3 to the TV using a HDMI cable (which doesnt come with the TV, by the way) and it looks absolutely GORGEOUS. I had to reset my PS3 to detect that it was now going through a HDTV (when I first connected it all I got was sound).

I've also connected my home cinema system, which upscales to HD, to the tv. I had to purchase an optical audio cable to get 5.1 surround sound to travel from the TV to my speakers. The TV speakers are perfectly functional- decent timbres and tones, enough volume to upset the neighbours- but I like my surround sound.

Switching between TV, PS3 and DVD player is a simple matter of pressing the INPUT button on the remote (which itself looks classy and has a good range- some remotes are terrible). You can also quickly change the display of the TV to modes such as sport, cinema, game, etc to get the optimum contrast and brightness levels for your multimedia experience.

The stand is good in that it allows you to easily rotate the TV 20 degrees clockwise/anticlockwise to get the angle of viewing just right.

The picture quality is decent enough on the standard channels, but really comes to shine on the HD channels and the PS3. 1080p is a real bonus here.

With a scart slot, usb slot and 3 HDMI slots, this TV should be more than enough for all of your gadgets and toys. I've only had the TV a couple of days, so cant comment on its lifespan and longevity, and it may be that, with time, I find some faults. If I do, I'll let you know in the comments under this review.

For now, I'm ecstatic with my purchase.