LG Plasma PVR
Remarkable First Calculated Risk for LG
LG’s new Plasma PVR combination display initiative may remind consumers of the crappy Goldstar TV/VCR combination product. However, as LG's quality has dramatically improved, the Plasma-PVR combination display is certainly a high-quality product. Plasma and PVR (otherwise known as DVR) technologies are very popular technologies.
LG’s Plasma-PVR/DVR systems come in 50” and 60” models. Both models include all of the technology LG has developed in order to improve picture quality. The XD Engine provides image enhancements and near HD quality from analogue signals. This is accomplished by tweaking brightness, contrast, and reducing video signal noise. Image Sticking Prevention is another welcomed feature for any plasma buyer. Anything that helps prevent burn-in on your expensive new display helps. Additionally, ISP technology prevents stationary images from sitting too long at intensities that might cause burn in.
LG Plasma / PVR Features
Dual ATSC tuners for double HD recording
- 160 Gig PVR (13 hr HD or 63 NTSC)
- 1366 x 768 for true HD
- Plasma with LG’s XD Engine
- Firewire DTV link (IEEE 1394)
- HDMI
Built in PVR
At present, we know what hot commodities both Plasma and PVR technologies represent. However, is this technological marriage a welcomed advance or a short-term thrill? To date, the implementation of the conjoined Plasma and PVR system has received positive reviews and appears strong based upon the information available.
A 160 Gig PVR is a bit lean and does not offer the option to upgrade. 160 Gigs is enough space to record 13 hours of HD content, or 63 hours of NTSC or standard definition television. With storage costing only a buck a gig for the average hard drive, it might have made sense to at least install a 200 gig drive. The two ATSC tuners that are equipped with the system offer are an excellent feature, allowing you to record two programs in HD simultaneously, or just watch one and record another. Dual ATSC tuners may seem small, but they’re essential in any implementation of PVR.
LG Plasma
TV’s with a built in PVR have been a long time coming from LG. The company has promised this technology since long before the last CES, but, finally, LG has come through. The LG Plasma comes equipped with the following luxury features: CableCARD; on screen TV Guide; LG’s XD Engine for image enhancements and HDMI for HDCP audio / video; IEEE 1394 (DTV link) also known as Firewire; and a resolution of 1366 x 768 progressive lines. At present, the 50” and 60” will sell for $8K and $15K respectively.
