A real live experience

Refilwe Boikanyo tried the new LG Cinema 3D TV

My enthusiasm for going to movie theatres has been revived by the recent onslaught of 3D films.

When selecting a film I always look for a good storyline conveyed through great dialogue and beautifully crafted images that make me want to reach out and touch them.

So I've wondered whether upgrading my TV to a 3D-capable set would bring the same viewing experience to my own living room.

To find out, I recently tested the LW4500, LG South Africa's latest Cinema 3D TV.

It's a slim, sleek 110cm wide TV set that comes with two pairs of light 3D glasses, and is capable of displaying 3D content and converting 2D images to three-dimensional theatre quality pictures.

I had to rearrange my TV stand to accommodate the wide TV set. But assembling it was a breeze because of its uncomplicated design and user-friendly manual.

When I switched it on, it displayed bright, detailed high-definition pictures and exuded clean, clear dialogue in surround-sound. But the images were two-dimensional. So I picked up my remote, pressed the boldly labelled 3D button and put on a pair of the enclosed glasses.

The TV transformed episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show into 3D.

But the 2D to 3D conversion of ordinary TV content only added a touch more depth of field to the images. And some small details looked slightly out of proportion - like one of Oprah's arms was a tad bigger than the other one.

When I flicked to the channel with animated content, it was better, but still not amazing. The LW4500's technology is not what one would hope for when it comes to 2D to 3D conversions.

But I was blown away when I watched my favourite 3D blockbusters on DVD, and ones I missed when they were showing in cinemas.

So would I recommend it?

Well, if you want a technologically advanced viewing experience, I suggest you get it.

I also recommend it to people who are currently in the market for a new top-of-the-range TV but aren't really thinking about 3D because it has a sleek design, is energy efficient and has a great HD performance.

The 3D option will serve as an added bonus that you can enjoy. But I mostly recommend it to movie enthusiasts and gamers because the viewing experience is better.

PROS AND CONS:

PROS

• 2D to 3D conversion
• Light and comfortable glasses
• Wide viewing angle, matte display (not many reflections) and accurate colour reproduction
• Good media player and low energy consumption

CONS

• You need to take a break from 3D viewing every 15-30 minutes to avoid headaches, dizziness and eyestrain
• Be careful not to sit too close, too low or too high to get a good quality 3D picture
• 2D to 3D conversion of normal TV programmes is not perfect
• Contrast ratio is not 100%

• The recommended retail price for the LG CINEMA 3D 42 LW 4500 model that Boikanyo tested is R12999.