[The News Bot]

Reviewed by Phil Hinton
While the LF7700 has lots of things going for it, we just cannot forgive some of its flaws and as such, we simply cannot recommend this TV for critical viewing. We would suggest that if you demo this TV, you spend time looking in a realistic surrounding and not a showroom. The auto dimming feature would not have caused us any issues had it been defeatable. But because we cannot switch it off it just completely ruins the TV experience. And this is a shame as LG have been building up a good head of steam lately with some excellent TVs and technology. But hey, we are all allowed to drop the ball on occasions and sadly the LF7700 is such a product for LG. Disappointing.
Read the full review...

[bargainfinder]

Phil,

On p73 of the GB manual its says under Energy Saving :

'When selecting Auto, Backlight is automatically adjusted through intelligent sensor according to the surrounding condition when intelligent sensor is in the TV.'

Energy saving has an OFF feature, so presumably that would defeat the auto-dimming permanently ?

If not is it possible your review model was faulty ?

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by bargainfinder

Phil,

On p73 of the GB manual its says under Energy Saving :

'When selecting Auto, Backlight is automatically adjusted through intelligent sensor according to the surrounding condition when intelligent sensor is in the TV.'

Energy saving has an OFF feature, so presumably that would the turn the auto-dimming permanently off ?

Hi,

Let me state that every option on a TV is tested. I am aware of the eco settings and the intelligent sensor and so on. Plus I searched the service menu to check that their wasn't an option in there. I wouldn't publish results without fully testing and re-testing everything I could to find a defeat option. On the LF7700 there isn't one.

[ds1973]

Hi Phil

How did you manage to get into the service menu. Cant it be done with the standard remote or do you need the LG service remote?

[bargainfinder]

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

Hi,

Let me state that every option on a TV is tested. I am aware of the eco settings and the intelligent sensor and so on. Plus I searched the service menu to check that their wasn't an option in there. I wouldn't publish results without fully testing and re-testing everything I could to find a defeat option. On the LF7700 there isn't one.

I have seen 2 other independent reviews of the LF7700 (42") and none mention that auto-dimming is such a distraction that it affects the overall picture quality and as such would be needed to be turned off (which you say cannot be done).

I did suggest the TV you tested might be faulty.

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by ds1973

Hi Phil

How did you manage to get into the service menu. Cant it be done with the standard remote or do you need the LG service remote?

I had to speak with LG technical to gain access, they do not want unqualified individuals or consumers doing so.

I did suggest the TV you tested might be faulty.

No it is a feature that for some reason LG have added to the TV that cannot be defeated. It is funny that when we find these issues (due to full testing and actually living with the products for weeks on end) that people question that the unit must be faulty. I can reassure anyone who reads our reviews that we would question and investigate any issue we thought was a fault. We are independant, we don't own any product we review and we have no interest in producing misleading information or reviews as we have no agenda. We are simply here to find out how good products are and report back our findings (Which are based on industry standards and fully repeatable tests). We are not going to tip toe around manufacturers or owners of products, we will report things as we see them after fully testing and investigating products. If that approach annoys manufacturers or owners of said products then sorry, but we have to report things we find warts and all.

[bargainfinder]

Don't get me wrong I am not questioning your competence or the quality of your review, which I appreciate.

Let me put it another way then, why in your opinion does turning Energy Saving off not fully defeat the auto-dimming ?

After all the manual indicates that this would be the case; then surely a complaint could be made to LG that this is misleading.

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by bargainfinder

Let me put it another way then, why in your opinion does turning Energy Saving off not fully defeat the auto-dimming ?

The auto dimming has nothing to do with eco mode (But works in a similar fashion - indeed activating eco just makes the problem more visible again). It is there to move the contrast levels between scenes to help with black level response. I.e. it works like a dynamic iris on a projector. There are many TVs (LCD models) that do use features like this and are normally called dynamic contrast or black level response and should have an off button. On the LG there is no such option in the menus (or any off option in the service menus). So its there all the time and if you want to use the TV for critical viewing it will drive you mad like it did with me over many weeks of watching. LG are aware of this and have stated it is a feature of the TV, so take from that what you will. We think it is a feature and should have an off button. On some material it is subtle and on others is in your face and constantly moving brightness. We use a calibrated source pattern generator which produces one test called Regulate, which is an old CRT style test pattern. What it has is a bright center square against a black background that flashes every few seconds and solid white lines are at the edges which stay at the same luminance levels, i.e. static. This pattern allows us to check fully every option available to stop the solid lines fading as they do with the LG. It was not as bad as the Samsung B6000 for fading the lines, but it is there and no matter what options are switched off it doesn't stop this dimming which is trying to lower the luminance levels on screen to improve black level. I'm sure that the feedback will be taken on board by LG, if anything they are one of the company's that do listen.
Again this is something to keep in mind if you go to look at this model of TV and make sure you fully test it to see if it will be an issue for you. For us it is an issue for any critical livingroom viewing.

[bargainfinder]

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

The auto dimming has nothing to do with eco mode (But works in a similar fashion - indeed activating eco just makes the problem more visible again). It is there to move the contrast levels between scenes to help with black level response.

Ok, I understand now, it's the permanently on dynamic contrast. I was looking at the 47" model (selling for £599 at RS). However I think what you have highlighted would definitely prevent me from buying this model.

Thanks for all your help.

[mjcairney]

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

It is funny that when we find these issues (due to full testing and actually living with the products for weeks on end) that people question that the unit must be faulty. I can reassure anyone who reads our reviews that we would question and investigate any issue we thought was a fault. We are independent, we don't own any product we review and we have no interest in producing misleading information or reviews as we have no agenda. We are simply here to find out how good products are and report back our findings (Which are based on industry standards and fully repeatable tests). We are not going to tip toe around manufacturers or owners of products, we will report things as we see them after fully testing and investigating products. If that approach annoys manufacturers or owners of said products then sorry, but we have to report things we find warts and all.

Well said that man.

Cheers,

Martin.

[Monarch]

great review as always

You say that the black levels are relatively deep by LCD standards, they obviously don't reach the Sony/Samsung levels but how would you say they compare to the L37G10 you reviewed a while back? (if you can remember that is!)

cheers

[Mercedes-Ben]

Originally Posted by The News Bot

Reviewed by Phil Hinton
While the LF7700 has lots of things going for it, we just cannot forgive some of its flaws and as such, we simply cannot recommend this TV for critical viewing. We would suggest that if you demo this TV, you spend time looking in a realistic surrounding and not a showroom. The auto dimming feature would not have caused us any issues had it been defeatable. But because we cannot switch it off it just completely ruins the TV experience. And this is a shame as LG have been building up a good head of steam lately with some excellent TVs and technology. But hey, we are all allowed to drop the ball on occasions and sadly the LF7700 is such a product for LG. Disappointing.
Read the full review...

Thanks for the review Phil

I got a 42" LG LF7700 today, and I am very pleased with it.

I am no expert, just an ordinary TV viewer, and I am looking forward to getting my "satellite dish kit " so I can watch FREESAT. I have never had a sat. TV before ( not enough time to warrant it) . I have looked at a couple of kits on e bay , but could you or someone recommend one?

thanks

[contactgeoff]

Hi, just wanted to add my two-pennies worth. Bought the set Tuesday, £389 from Richer Sounds, lots of places online have it at this price.

One mistake in the review - the 32" does not have Trumotion 100hz technology, this is only only the larger 7700 sets (I don't think even the 37" has it).

Other than that I have no major issues with the fluctuating image brightness as mentioned. It is much more noticeable when you have the setup menu open - perhaps because Phil was trying to calibrate the set these fluctuations (usually when a scene changes from dark to bright at an edit) were much more noticeable. Once you have noticed them you will occasionally see them when then watching normal TV but in my opinion not to the detriment of whether to buy the set or not. My wife and other people who have seen the set were not aware of it until I pointed it out. Putting the backlight up, rather than down seems to make it less noticeable. Of course, turn off intelligent sensor, this mucks everything up completely.

I'm very happy with the purchase - a bargain for what you get and the SD upscaling looks much better than most.

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by contactgeoff

One mistake in the review - the 32" does not have Trumotion 100hz technology, this is only only the larger 7700 sets (I don't think even the 37" has it).

Was just thinking that myself

[godxiang]

Originally Posted by The News Bot

Reviewed by Phil Hinton
While the LF7700 has lots of things going for it, we just cannot forgive some of its flaws and as such, we simply cannot recommend this TV for critical viewing. We would suggest that if you demo this TV, you spend time looking in a realistic surrounding and not a showroom. The auto dimming feature would not have caused us any issues had it been defeatable. But because we cannot switch it off it just completely ruins the TV experience. And this is a shame as LG have been building up a good head of steam lately with some excellent TVs and technology. But hey, we are all allowed to drop the ball on occasions and sadly the LF7700 is such a product for LG. Disappointing.
Read the full review...

Disappointing too,it have nothing special,even price.
So I think people will choose Panasonic to use,truly

[bargainfinder]

As has been pointed out in the review there seems to a problem with the auto-dimming/dynamic contrast on this tv.

Looking at 4 other reviews of this tv (42") , 3 don't pick up on this issue.

However What Satellite & Digital TV Issue 275 states : 'We also had a problem with the backlight crudely adjusting to match the image brightness, which LG assured us would not be seen in the retail product.'

All of which is a bit confusing !

Could it be that only some review samples were affected and LG has made good on their promise that the end retail product would be fine ?

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by bargainfinder

As has been pointed out in the review there seems to a problem with the auto-dimming/dynamic contrast on this tv.

Looking at other 4 reviews of this tv (42") , 3 don't pick up on this issue.

However What Satellite & Digital TV Issue 275 states : 'We also had a problem with the backlight crudely adjusting to match the image brightness, which LG assured us would not be seen in the retail product.'

All of which is a bit confusing !

Could it be that only some review samples were affected and LG has made good on their promise that the end retail product would be fine ?

The TV I reviewed was a brand new production retail model. It had never been out of the box. Believe me the review samples are in that condition usually

[Victor-M]

Paul,
Fascinating review of the LF7700 only wish I'd read it
4 weeks ago when I bought my 37". I totally agree with you about
the grey scale adjustments although this appears to be
inconsistant. The Freeview tuner is the input that is difficult
to adjust, whereas the HDMI and RGB inputs from the video
recorder into the set adjust fine (Both using testcard W from teletext)
The problem is that the two top boxes on the grey scale merge
which causes excessive white in the image. I would be grateful
if you could point me in the right direction or the contact at LG
who could assist

Many Thanks

Len..

[knoir]

First post here.
For someone without a PS3 and no HD as of yet, is it worth it for £389.95?
(At RS)
It's full HD and the freesat is very tempting.

[nicknoxx]

I bought a lg 32lf7700 last week and generally am happy with it. Very good value for money BUT the change in brightness is driving me mad. I work in TV post production and spend all day looking at uncompressed HD images so I'm used to seeing this sort of thing. My wife claims she can't see it!

I phoned LG Customer service who told me to turn off "Auto brightness" and as I wasn't in front of the set I accepted this answer.

I'm very disappointed to hear that it can't be turned off in the service menu either.

Should I ask for my money back and if so, what should I buy instead?

Thanks

[Mercedes-Ben]

Have you got the picture mode set to "intelligent sensor" ?

Switch it off and switch the energy saving mode off too

[nicknoxx]

Yes, I've switched off everything that could be changing the brightness but it still does it.

[milesey]

I have had the 42" version for a week and this dynamic contrast "feature" is driving me nuts. Bought it at Richer's and I'm wondering if I can still legitimately take it back.

Is there no way that LG could issue an new firmware which allows it to be disabled or removed?

(I have the energy saving turned off)

[Mercedes-Ben]

I have the 42" LG also. Am I missing something here, as I can't see/dont have any problems

I have it set to natural picture mode at the moment with the energy saving off. Looks great to me, especially watching BBC HD

[nicknoxx]

It's quite subtle. My wife claims she can't see it. About half a second after the picture changes from a high contrast to low (or vice-versa) the new image changes SLIGHTLY in contrast. Once you've noticed it, it gets very annoying. Sorry!

[Mercedes-Ben]

Is it possible because you cant dissable the feature below in advanced controls that you are getting a change in brightness? The eye care feature is only available in the 42 and 47 " models

Eye Care
(On/Off)
Adjust the brightness of the screen to prevent the screen from being too bright. Dims
extremely bright pictures.
This feature is disabled in “Picture Mode-Vivid, Cinema, Intelligent Sensor”.

[milesey]

Originally Posted by Mercedes-Ben

Is it possible because you cant dissable the feature below in advanced controls that you are getting a change in brightness? The eye care feature is only available in the 42 and 47 " models

Eye Care
(On/Off)
Adjust the brightness of the screen to prevent the screen from being too bright. Dims
extremely bright pictures.
This feature is disabled in “Picture Mode-Vivid, Cinema, Intelligent Sensor”.

I've noticed that during Cinema mode the Eye Care option is greyed out. Does this mean it has defaulted to "on" and cannot be disabled (or vice versa - off and cannot be enabled)? I've calibrated the TV using the DVE DVD based on a modified version of the Cinema option.

Cheers,
Miles.

[Phil Hinton]

As I reported in the review, it doesn't matter what presets and set up you use, the TV still uses a dimming algorithm. This has been fed back to LG and as yet I dont think they have done anything to resolve the issue which says to me that it is a deliberate design feature.
Some might not notice it as much as others, its like the samsung LED LCD sets with the same design feature, even when you think you have switched everything off, it still does it. But some swear blind they don't notice it - while other's are drawn to distraction.

[milesey]

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

As I reported in the review, it doesn't matter what presets and set up you use, the TV still uses a dimming algorithm. This has been fed back to LG and as yet I dont think they have done anything to resolve the issue which says to me that it is a deliberate design feature.
Some might not notice it as much as others, its like the samsung LED LCD sets with the same design feature, even when you think you have switched everything off, it still does it. But some swear blind they don't notice it - while other's are drawn to distraction.

Hi Phil,
I'm in the latter group. Is there anyway you could apply some more pressure on the LG guys to sort this idiotic design feature? I've checked my receipt and I'll lose 15% of the purchase price if I return the set - still tempted though...
Such a shame because in all other aspects I'm very happy with the performance at this price.

[nicknoxx]

So, I phoned LG support, not because I expected them to resolve the auto contrast issue but more to register a 'complaint' so that they might consider a software upgrade at some point in the future.

The quite helpful support person said they'd like to take my set away for a few days to examine the problem. I don't think so - my family would kill me.

So I'm trying to live with it.

Lesson learned - NEVER buy a tv without seeing it in the flesh first.