LG LF5800  TV Review

Review updated Mar 01, 2017 at 06:31am
Tested using Methodology v1.0 

Older Test Bench: This product has been tested using an older TV test methodology, before amajor update. Some of the test results below aren't directly comparable with other TVs. Learn more

LG LF5800

Track

Track

 0
 TV Settings
The LG LF5800 is not a good TV. It has a good viewing angle, but nearly every other aspect of the picture quality is below average. It has poor blacks in a dark room and reflects too much light in a bright room.

Our Verdict

0.0
Mixed Usage 

The LG LF5800 is very similar to the cheaper LF5600. The picture quality is about the same, but it adds 60hz motion interpolation, smart features and better upscaling. However, it still isn't a good TV. In a dark room, the blacks are gray, and in a bright room, it reflects too much light. At least the colors stay true off-axis.

Pros
  • Good color accuracy off-axis.
Cons
  • Poor blacks.
  • Significant amount of reflection.
0.0
HDR Movies 
0.0
HDR Gaming 
  • 0.0
    Mixed Usage
  • 0.0
    Movies
  • 0.0
    TV Shows
  • 0.0
    Sports
  • 0.0
    Video Games
  • 0.0
    HDR Movies
  • 0.0
    HDR Gaming
  • 0.0
    PC Monitor
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Mar 01, 2017: Review published.
    2.  Updated May 11, 2015: Our testers have started testing this product.
    3.  Updated Apr 24, 2015: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

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    42"42LF5800
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    How We Test TVs
    How We Test TVs

    We buy and test dozens of TVs yearly, taking an objective, data-driven approach to deliver results you can trust. Our testing process is complex, with hundreds of individual tests that take over a week to complete. Most of our tests use specially designed test patterns that mimic real content, but we also use the same sources you have at home to ensure our results match the real-world experience. We use two main tools for our testing: a Colorimetry Research CR-100 colorimeter and a CR-250 spectroradiometer.

    Test Results

    Older Test Bench: This product has been tested using an older TV test methodology, before amajor update. Some of the test results below aren't directly comparable with other TVs. Learn more

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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    0.0
    Style
    CurvedLockedLocked
    Stand

    It has a stand as wide as the TV itself, which requires a wide table. Our 42" model had a footprint of 36" by 8.5".

    Back

    The LG LF5800 has the same design as a few other budget LG TVs. The border has a gray finish, which makes it stand out a little bit in the room.

    Borders
    BordersLockedLocked
    Thickness
    Max ThicknessLockedLocked
    Picture Quality
    0.0
    Contrast
    Native Contrast
    LockedLock : 1

    As with a lot of LG TVs, the contrast ratio is sub-par. When you have the lights off, the black color appears gray.

    0.0
    Local Dimming
    Local Dimming
    LockedLocked
    Backlight
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    SDR Peak Brightness
    SDR Peak 2% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Peak 50% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    0.0
    Gray Uniformity
    50% Std. Dev.
    LockedLock%
    50% DSE
    LockedLock%

    The corners are darker than the center of the screen. Also, the top and bottom edge are brighter than the rest.

    0.0
    Viewing Angle
    LCD Type
    LockedLocked
    Color Shift
    LockedLock°
    Brightness
    LockedLock°
    Black Level
    LockedLock°

    The main upside of the LG LF5800 is its wide viewing angle. You need to sit at a very wide angle to notice discoloration.

    Update 01/06/2017: We have changed the methodology of testing. Since this is an old TV which we don't have anymore, we extrapolated the results from 2016 TVs.

    0.0
    Black Uniformity
    Native Std. Dev.
    LockedLock%

    The top and bottom border is brighter in dark scenes. Our unit also had a spot of clouding on the right side.

    0.0
    Pre Calibration
    White Balance dE
    LockedLock
    Color dE
    LockedLock
    Gamma
    LockedLock
    0.0
    Post Calibration
    White Balance dE
    LockedLock
    Color dE
    LockedLock
    Gamma
    LockedLock
    0.0
    480p Input

    DVDs and SD content looks good on this TV, without the soft look found on the similar LG LF5600.

    0.0
    720p Input

    720p content, like cable TV also look good once upscaled.

    0.0
    1080p Input

    1080p content like Blu-ray look good on this TV.

    0.0
    4k Input
    0.0
    Color Gamut
    Wide Color Gamut
    LockedLocked
    DCI P3 xy
    LockedLock%
    DCI P3 uv
    LockedLock%
    Rec 2020 xy
    LockedLock%
    Rec 2020 uv
    LockedLock%
    0.0
    Reflections
    Reflection
    LockedLock%
    Screen Finish
    LockedLocked

    The LG 42LF5800 reflects a lot of light. Bright objects also have a rainbow glare around them.
    It also doesn't get very bright, so it's a poor choice in a room with windows.

    0.0
    3D
    3D
    LockedLocked
    3D Type
    LockedLocked
    Pixels
    TypeLockedLED
    Motion
    0.0
    Motion Blur
    Refresh RateLocked60 Hz
    Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Overshoot
    LockedLock ms

    The transition of the pixels overshoots, creating a whiter trail behind moving objects. At least this shortens the length of the motion blur trail.

    0.0
    Image Flicker
    PWM Dimming Frequency
    LockedLocked
    BFI
    LockedLocked
    BFI Frequency
    LockedLocked
    BFI In Game Mode
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    24p Playback
    Judder-free 24p
    LockedLocked
    Judder-free 24p via 60p
    LockedLocked
    Judder-free 24p via 60i
    LockedLocked

    There is no judder in movies when watching them over 24p (Blu-ray players usually). However, it cannot do the reverse 3:2 pulldown. Also, it is only a 60hz, but at least it has motion interpolation.

    0.0
    Motion Interpolation
    Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
    LockedLocked
    Motion Interpolation (60 fps)
    LockedLocked
    Inputs
    0.0
    Input Lag
    1080p @ 60Hz
    LockedLock ms
    1080p With Interpolation
    LockedLock ms
    1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
    LockedLock ms
    1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
    LockedLock ms
    4k @ 60Hz
    LockedN/A
    4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
    LockedN/A
    4k @ 60Hz + HDR
    LockedN/A
    4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 + 8 bit HDR
    LockedN/A

    If you play video games, set the mode to Game to get input lag of 49.6 ms. To get chroma 4:4:4, you will need to set the label of the input to PC. Note that doing so increases the lag to 59.9 ms.

    0.0
    Supported Resolutions
    ResolutionLocked1080p
    1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
    LockedLocked
    1080p @ 120Hz
    LockedLocked
    4k @ 30Hz @ 4:4:4
    LockedLocked
    4k @ 60Hz
    LockedLocked
    4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
    LockedLocked

    Set the label of the HDMI input to PC to enable chroma 4:4:4 subsampling.

    Side Inputs
    Rear Inputs
    Total Inputs
    HDMILockedLocked
    USBLockedLocked
    Digital Optical Audio OutLockedLocked
    Analog Audio Out 3.5mmLockedLocked
    Analog Audio Out RCALockedLocked
    Component InLockedLocked
    Composite InLockedLocked
    Tuner (Cable/Ant)LockedLocked
    EthernetLockedLocked
    DisplayPortLockedLocked
    IR InLockedLocked
    SD/SDHCLockedLocked
    Inputs Specifications
    HDR10
    LockedLocked
    5.1 Passthrough ARC Dolby Digital
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Vision
    LockedLocked
    5.1 Passthrough ARC DTS
    LockedLocked
    5.1 Passthrough Optical Dolby Digital
    LockedLocked
    5.1 Passthrough Optical DTS
    LockedLocked
    HDMI 2.0 Full BandwidthLockedLocked
    ARCLockedLocked
    USB 3LockedLocked
    HDCP 2.2LockedLocked
    CECLockedLocked
    MHLLockedLocked
    Variable Analog Audio OutLockedLocked
    Sound Quality
    0.0
    Frequency Response
    Std. Dev. @ 70
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Std. Dev. @ 80
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Std. Dev. @ Max
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Max
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Low-end Cutoff
    LockedLock Hz

    Poor frequency response which gets even worse under heavy load. It doesn't get loud, either. The low-end cut off, however, is decent for a TV.

    0.0
    Total Harmonic Distortion
    Distortion @ 70
    LockedLock
    Distortion @ 80
    LockedLock
    Distortion @ Max
    LockedLock

    Good distortion levels all around, and there's not a significant increase under heavy load. But the TV doesn't get loud.

    Smart Features
    Apps

    The LG LF5800 is a smart TV, but it doesn't have LG's latest WebOS. Instead, it features the two year old interface. It works, but it feels a bit outdated.

    0.0
    Interface
    Smart OSLockedLocked
    Remote
    RemoteLockedLocked

    The remote included in the box is basic, which makes navigating the smart features a bit cumbersome.

    Misc
    Power ConsumptionLockedLock W
    Power Consumption (Max)LockedLock W
    FirmwareLockedLocked