Digital Trends

LG RU-52SZ61D

September 9th, 2004 | by Dennis Barker

Features

Unlike many rear projection televisions today, the RU-52SZ61D is a tabletop model with a depth of approx. 15-inches, and weighs a mere about 80 lbs.  So, it can easily fit into many living/family room situations.  It can sit upon its optional base (KDR-52FB priced at $449.95) that features storage for up to four components on twin tempered-glass shelves, or on any base that can hold a 52-inch tabletop TV.  It is housed in a sleekly styled black cabinet featuring a brushed aluminum trim on the bottom.  The set gives the appearance of an expensive flat-screen display.

The RU-52SZ61D displays HD images at 720p, has a brightness level of 680 cd/m2, and a contrast ratio of 1000:1.  Its DLP light engine is proprietary, and it uses a 10-element lens system along with a 6-segment color wheel.  To help display HD images, the set employs progressive scan circuitry with 3/2 pull-down for the best images possible from all signals including HD and DVD players. 

The RU-52SZ61D includes numerous convenience including the previously noted twin-tuner PIP.   Sound quality is rated at 30-watts total or 15-watts per channel.  There are twin bottom-mounted speakers.  Sound quality was fair from the set's internal speakers, but it clearly cries out to be attached to an A/V Receiver to receive the full aural benefits of high definition.  On the other hand, the set can be used as one center channel speaker via the speaker input on the back of the set.  This may be desirable for some because a center channel cannot sit upon the narrow (1-in.) top frame.  Of course, the center channel speaker can be placed within the base, but it could take up an entire shelf within the base (thereby cutting down the storage potential of its two shelf base)

Connection was easy and straight-forward.  Since I currently have one source component using DVI (LG LSS-3200A DirecTV HD Receiver), it was attached directly to the separate DVI-DTV input.  Other video signals came into Component Video 1 (from my Pioneer Elite VSX-49TXi A/V Receiver).  In fact, there are two separate component video inputs (HD level) with their own analog audio inputs.  There's also twin A/V inputs along with 1 S-Video input and 1 RGBHD-DTV input.  Lastly, the set includes a side-mounted (LH side) front panel A/V/S-Video inputs.  

To calibrate this DLP set for optimal picture playback, I used a special DVD entitled Digital Video Essentials by Joe Kane Productions.  This special disc allows you to correctly set contrast, brightness, black levels, color, sharpness, and gray scale among other video settings.  It also educates about different signals received, and helps set-up your audio system also (if need be).  Set-up was relatively easy, but you have to remember that aspect ratio, and image quality for this DTV is controlled via the LSS-3200A.  The on-screen menus are clear and concise, you always have to remember that (except for DVD), all video signals are coming from the LSS-3200A.

While the supplied remote (black on illuminated keys) is very similar to their LSS-3200A (gray & silver — no illumination), it has a few major differences.  While the black background on the remote makes it easy to read the white lettering in normal daylight, the illumination (that lights up the keys) doesn't help much in a darkened room.  What do I mean?  Except for the keypad, which has numbers on the keys themselves, none of the other keys do.  So, essentially, you'll need to memorize the location of each function beforehand.  So, while all keys are illuminated, the only useful keys in the dark are the numeric keypad and the cursor keys.  It is a universal remote that will control set-top boxes, VCR and DVD players also.