LG 42LK450

LG 42LK450

The LG LK450 is one of the most popular TVs on the market, and by our guess the reason is simple economics: it's cheap, especially for a major-brand model. Like the entry-level non-LED competition from Samsung and Sony, this TV is stripped of most features aside from the screen. Unlike those TVs, however, its picture quality--hampered by poor black-level performance--isn't up to snuff. Since a picture is all you're paying for at this level, we find the LG LK450 tough to recommend. We performed a hands-on evaluation of the LG 42LK450, but this review also applies to the other screen sizes in the series. All sizes have identical specs and according to the manufacturer should provide very similar picture quality. While inoffensive enough while turned off, the LK450 isn't a style-first TV. LG spiced up the standard glossy black frame with a strip of sandy-brownish color along the bottom that ends up looking tacked-on. The stand pedestal takes a squared-off shape that seems clunkier than the rounded Samsung and more prominent than the low-profile Sony, but at least it swivels. LG's entry-level clicker lacks the backlighting and meatier size of its step-up cousin, but we appreciated the big cursor and the logical button groups.