The LG 37LV3500 32-inch HDTV: Midrange LED HDTV for the Masses

Going a step higher than the last generation of 32" entry-level HDTVs often means going all the way up to 40" which can be a bit more expensive or just too big for a small apartment, room or house. The LG 37LV3500 hits the sweet spot for this market by going for an in-between size of 37" while utilizing some of the latest in LED HDTV features.

Design

While it is squarely targeted at the entry-level user, the LG 37LV3500 has one of the slimmest profiles for a HDTV in the market. The design is simple but clear cut with an angled black bezel and only slightly rounded corners. There aren't any sharp edges but this HDTV certainly has a very sharp profile. The rectangular stand is quite stable while the thick round support is strong enough for most uses. In terms of size, the 37" screen is larger than the average 32" but satisfyingly so. Rather than get dizzy from the larger size (like a 40" or 42" would do) the LG 37LV3500 fits well in most apartment living rooms, which should make it good for other smaller environments as well.

Specs and Features

Specification-wise the LG 37LV3500 packs in full HD 1080p support all the way up to a 1920 x 1080 resolution. You do not need to sacrifice anything in terms of quality as this HDTV also packs in an impressive 3,000,000:1 contrast ratio. While the 60Hz refresh rate is still entry-level, the additional TruMotion feature ensures that there are no blurs for fast moving objects. The LG 37LV3500 uses LED backlight technology which lets you enjoy great visuals while saving you 30% less in terms of energy usage. There is also an Intelligent Sensor which automatically scans lighting conditions in the room and then changes the settings accordingly.

In terms of connections the LG 37LV3500 offers three HDMI ports, one USB port and two AV ports, two component ports and one RGB in (or VGA) port. It also has a PC-in audio jack and headphone jack as well. This HDTV also packs in two 10W speakers with the usual surround sound features.

Performance

Despite being an entry-level model the LG 37LV3500 performs admirably well for its decidedly entry-level price. Image quality is top notch while those looking to get every detail from their dark 1080p movies will enjoy it as well. Surprisingly, this LED HDTV doesn't have as many motion blurs as another HDTV with a 60Hz refresh rate might have, which is great for those who like to game, watch sports and watch action packed movies. The anti-glare coating does wonders for picture clarity but the Intelligent Sensor takes a bit getting used to. It is good that it can be turned off with ease but it is also quite useful for those of us who like such automatic settings. There are more than enough ports on this HDTV for a game console, Blu-ray player and computer but it would been nicer if it had a DisplayPort or DVI port as well.

Conclusion

All in all, the LG 37LV3500 is a great entry-level LED HDTV with a few midrange features that should make any type of user happy. Combine this with a very affordable price tag and it should make a great gift or addition to the household.