LG 26LH20 26-Inch LCD HD TV

Author's Rating:

Pros: Excellent picture quality, decent sound, swivel stand, good price and value

Cons: Colors wash out when viewed at a sharp angle.  Detailed owner's manual on CD-ROM only

The Bottom Line: 

Nice entry level 26" LCD HD TV.  Excellent picture quality, full featured, good price. Picture washes out though when viewed at sharp side angle.  Detailed owner's manual only on CD-ROM

Author's Review
I decided I wanted to upgrade to a slightly larger TV from my older 22”, and after doing some comparison shopping opted for this LG 26” model, largely based on the price and picture quality as displayed on the store shelf alongside other similar models.

One of the primary reasons I chose this particular model is simply because I liked the picture WAY better than the other similar sets on the display shelf.  The picture was noticeably sharper and clearer, and the price was only about $40 more than the least expensive model displayed.        

~ Product Description
 
The LG26LH20 LCD HD TV is part of the LH20 series from LG, which is an entry level line, and one step down from the LH30 series.  As an overview, this model features the USB 2.0 port which allows easy connection for music and digital photos, two HDMI/HDCP inputs for high definition video sources, and carries a limited one-year parts and labor warranty.  I found it at P.C. Richards for $499.00.

Key Features:
 
26” Screen
720p HD Resolution
Two HDMI (v.1.3 with Deep Color)
ISFccc Ready
Smart Energy Saving
Dynamic Contrast Ratio 12,000:1
Response Time (G to G) 8ms
Brightness 500 cd/m2
Viewing Angle 178 degrees/178 degrees
Life Span (typical) 60,000 hrs.
Built-in Tuner ATSC/NTSC/Clear QAM
SRS TruSurround XT
Cabinet Color Glossy Piano Black
Swivel stand
S-IPS Panel Structure for faster response times

The dimensions, with stand, are 26.2 x 19.8 x 8.8 inches, and it weighs 19.6 lbs. 

Included in the box with the TV was the remote control and necessary batteries, the stand, power cable, and Owner’s Manual on CD-ROM.  There is a printed Owner’s Manual as well, but that gives you setup instructions and basic usage information only.  If you want to get detailed information you need to use the CD-ROM, which does not please me, because I like to have that kind of information in written form and included in the printed Owner’s Manual. 

I’m not particularly good with electronics and I was dreading setting this up by myself.  Wonder of wonders, it was a piece of cake to get up and running, using the HDMI cable from my old TV setup; just unplug the old, and plug in my new LG. 

This model can be wall mounted, since it’s a flat screen, but I used the stand which required the four included bolts to attach it to the TV.  A Phillips screwdriver did the job quickly and easily.  Note that the TV will swivel 20 degrees to either side on the stand.

~ My Viewing Experience

LG 26LH20 LCD HD TV looks very sleek and cool, with its glossy black bevel case.  The physical controls on the TV, should you wish to use them instead of the remote, are located on the top edge of the TV.

Picture quality, to my eyes, is fabulous!  I haven’t played with any adjustments, just plugged it in and got a sharp, well-defined picture with true, deep colors.  Through the on-screen menu you can tweak the picture contrast and various other aspects, but I haven’t messed around with that.  DVD’s look simply smashing, and the HD is amazing.  The richness, depth, sharpness and color is wonderful.

One thing I have noticed, however, is that when viewed from a side angle, probably 20 degrees or more, the colors seem to wash out slightly.  This LG TV is best viewed straight on.  The stand does swivel though, so that helps.  A lot of the times I have the TV on and I’m doing other things in the room, off to the side, and viewing from the side is obviously not as good as viewing straight on.  I suppose this is true with most LCD HD TV’s, but it is noticeable with this model. 

Sound quality is perfectly fine, and better than my older TV, but I really can’t comment beyond that since I’m not an audiophile.  I don’t have it hooked up to external speakers, although that would certainly be an option.  On the audio menu there are options for Surround Sound, True Voice, bass and treble adjustments, and other choices, so if you wish you can experiment with that.  I discovered that the actual TV speakers are located on the bottom of the case, facing down toward the stand, which seemed strange to me, yet the sound seems to come out and “hit” the viewer right in the middle when viewing.  The sound from the TV speakers is good, rich, and not tinny or cheap sounding.  Great with movies!

Remote and On-Screen Menu – The remote is fairly basic and easy to use.  The on-screen menu gives you access to Channel, Audio, Picture, Time, Option, and Lock, in which you can change settings, functions and features to suit your personal needs.

~ Final Thoughts
 
LG 26LH20 LCD HD TV performs well with an exceptional picture quality at a reasonable price, and I think it’s a good value.  The only negatives for me is that the written Owner’s Manual is mostly just setup instructions, not detailed user information – for that you need to utilize the CD-ROM.  Also, when viewed at a sharp angle the colors slightly wash out, although the swivel stand assists in that regard, and it’s not a big deal to me as I’m not doing any serious TV watching from a sharp angle.   

If you’re looking for an entry level 26” LCD HD TV, you might want to give this model some serious consideration.