LG is one of the top competitors when it comes to sleek LED TVs that offer high-quality images. The LG INFINIA 55LE8500, although not the most recent or top of the line model from LG, is still on the charts as a value set that delivers solid features, excellent picture quality and dependable performance at an affordable price. While many new LED TVs come increasingly with 3D technology, this one sticks with tried-and-true 2D, saving you quite a pretty penny while all the snags in 3D technology are still being worked out. In fact, if you’re not in a hurry to be an early adopter with the 3D TVs, this model is a rather good choice for the money.
Looks Good, inside and out
The ultra-thin design of this TV strikes you at first glance, being that it’s a slim 1.4-inch-thick display that easily mounts on your wall or slots into an entertainment center. The one-sheet-glass design gives it a stylish and modern look from any angle, and it comes loaded with all the expected Internet apps and widgets: YouTube, NetFlix, Vudu, Picasa and tons of other goodies that give you a rich multimedia viewing experience. Keep in mind, though, that this set lacks streaming audio (you’d need to turn to YouTube or another widget to fulfill this requirement) and doesn’t display 3D video – so if you’re ok being without 3D, the prices on this model may come down quite a bit in the near future.
Generous Display Settings
LG is known for the generous variety of display settings their TVs offer, allowing you to achieve picture-perfect quality according to your taste and the TV’s location. There are plenty of options for each setting on this TV, giving you the ability to customize the display with ease. This TV is especially good with local dimming, delivering superb black levels and the brightest of whites. However, it does fall a bit flat in well-lit areas, so if you plan on having this TV in your living room or office, you might want to think again. The glass-front design means there’s a fair amount of glare, making it somewhat tiring to watch TV during the daytime or when the ambient light is bright. The glassy front also tends to pick up fingerprints easily, which can be annoying especially if you have curious kids around.
This TV is ideal for putting into darker rooms (bedrooms or home theater rooms, for example); and its generous viewing angle makes it easy to see from the sides as well.
Stay Connected
This TV has four HDMI inputs, two component video inputs, a PC input and an Ethernet port to connect to the Internet. It would have been nicer to have built-in Wi-Fi to avoid running wires all over the house to get Internet on the TV. But other than that, the connections on this model are quite sufficient for most all needs.
Technical Support
Having a new gadget can often be daunting, and LG has clearly understood this – their technical support is readily accessible, and includes getting in touch with them in just about every possible way. The easiest and fastest is through their live chat option; other alternatives include email and phone. Their staff is knowledgeable and reliable, and anyways the TVs come with a one-year warranty.
Conclusion
Keep the LG INFINIA 55LE8500 LED TV in a dimly-lit room and you’re in for an exciting viewing experience. The picture quality is tops, and there are plenty of features to keep you interested and engaged. You save quite a bit by not having the 3D technology and a few additional features, but if you’re looking for a great bargain and don’t feel the need to keep up with the Joneses, this TV is definitely recommended. For more LG 3D Reviews
