LG LF5500  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 LF5500

Track

Track

 0
 TV Settings
The LG LF5500 LED TV isn't a great budget TV. It has good color accuracy at an angle and low input lag, but its poor contrast ratio and screen uniformity are a deal breaker if you watch it in a dark room.

Our Verdict

0.0
Mixed Usage 

While it has low input lag, the motion blur of the LG LF5500 is a bit too much to make it a good choice for gaming. Movies aren't great either, due to the low contrast ratio and poor screen uniformity. The main advantage of this LG TV is the good color accuracy at an angle.

Pros
  • Low input lag.
  • Good color accuracy at an angle.
Cons
  • Poor contrast ratio.
  • Significant motion blur.
  • Poor screen uniformity.
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 Jun 07, 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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    49"49LF5500
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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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    Category:
    All
    Design
    0.0
    Style
    CurvedLockedLocked
    Stand

    Like most LG TVs, the stand is separated into two feet, which requires a very wide table. Our 49" (LG 49LF5500) has a footprint of 40.5" by 10".

    Back

    The front of the bezel of the LG LF5500 is gray, which makes it stand out in a room. At least the bezel is quite thin.

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

    This LG TV's contrast ratio is below average, because it has an IPS panel. In a dark room, the blacks are gray, which isn't ideal.

    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%

    It has the worst gray screen uniformities that we have seen so far. It has a lot of brighter spots, which creates noticeable dirty screen effect.

    0.0
    Viewing Angle
    SAMPLE
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    for videos & test results

    LG LF5500 Viewing Angle Video Sample
    LCD Type
    LockedLocked
    Color Shift
    LockedLock°
    Brightness
    LockedLock°
    Black Level
    LockedLock°

    The LG LF5500 maintains good color accuracy even at an angle. The picture only gets darker when viewed from the side.

    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 uniformity of the black color isn't great. The edges are darker, and our unit had a few clouding spots.

    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

    Upscaled 480p content looks slightly soft on this TV, although the difference with other TVs isn't very big.

    0.0
    720p Input

    Upscaled 720p content also looks a bit soft, but once again the difference with other TVs isn't very big either.

    0.0
    1080p Input

    1080p content like Blu-rays looks good.

    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 LF5500 only reflects an average amount of light. However, there is a rainbow around very bright objects (like light bulbs).
    Its maximum brightness is sub-par. It should be okay for a room with a window or two, but not more than that.

    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 LG LF5500 LED TV has a good deal of motion blur. It isn't a good choice for sports or video games, but it should do fine for TV shows or movies.

    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

    The TV has no judder in movies when watching them via a 24p source (like a Blu-ray player). It can't do the reverse 3:2 pulldown though.

    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
    LockedN/A
    1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
    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

    In game mode, the input lag is a low 28.4ms. The other modes aren't much higher (31ms), so feel free to use whichever you prefer.

    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

    To enable chroma 4:4:4, label the HDMI input as PC.

    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. @ Max
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Max
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Low-end Cutoff
    LockedLock Hz

    Very poor frequency response that only gets worse as the TV is pushed hard. This is the weakest TV we have tested in terms of loudness. However, the low-end cut off is decent.

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

    Minimal distortion levels throughout the range, but not a big feat when the TV doesn't get loud at all.

    Smart Features
    Apps

    The TV cannot play video files via USB - only pictures or music files.

    0.0
    Interface
    Smart OSLockedLocked
    0.0
    Ads
    Ad-free
    LockedLocked
    Opt-out
    LockedLocked
    Remote
    RemoteLockedLocked

    The remote included with the TV is basic, but does the job.

    Misc
    Power ConsumptionLockedLock W
    Power Consumption (Max)LockedLock W