Subscores
The LM615T (LM615S in some countries) is an LG Cinema 3D series TV with passive 3D support, Edge LED backlighting and a relatively modest price tag. It has a 200 Hz mode (actual screen refresh rate 50 Hz), as well as DLNA and USB connectivity for access to multimedia files.
This TV is available in three sizes: 42" (42LM615T), 47" (47LM615T) and 55" (55LM615T).
Like most of LG's 2012 TVs, the LM615T boasts the firm's "Cinema Screen" design with an open stand rather than a solid base. The screen casing itself is a little less original, with a glossy black plastic finish that looks decidedly entry-level.
This TV's relatively low price inevitably means it doesn't come with all the latest functions you'll find in higher-end TVs. In this model, LG's Smart TV services have been given the chop, but we don't see that as too much of a problem, as many set-top boxes offer catch-up TV, VOD and similar services these days.
This TV does, however, have a built-in media player for access to content via DLNA (over a network) or via the USB connection. And the good news is that LG TVs have one of the best built-in media players out there. We tested it via the USB connection and it played all kinds of files. The only things that weren't supported were chapters and menus.
The LM615T can be controlled in two different ways. First of all, you can use the remote control supplied. This has a pretty standard design and the keys aren't backlit. Otherwise, you can download LG's remote control app for iOS or Android to control this TV using a smartphone or tablet.
Like all the TVs in LG's Cinema 3D range, the LM615T has an IPS screen panel.
Out-of-the box, this TV's settings are actually quite good—and that's not something we see often. As it stands, the default settings will please the vast majority of users. However, it's still possible to improve quality slightly (see inset).
Glossy screen
We measured the average Delta E at 1.8 (Delta E measures colour fidelity—the lower the reading, the better). Colours are therefore reproduced very accurately. With this kind of result, even highly trained eyes won't be able to find fault with onscreen colour reproduction.
Similarly, the colour temperature of 6700 K and the gamma at 2.2 are both perfect!
Unfortunately, there is some bad news. The contrast is way too low at just 740:1, with blacks that look suspiciously more like greys. We'd therefore recommend you watch the LM615T in a well-lit room rather than in total darkness, as this will make the washed-out blacks look darker. However, you'll have to be careful to keep direct light sources away from the screen to keep reflections and glare to a minimum.
Responsiveness isn't a strong point for the LM615T either. We measured a 12 ms ghosting time, which is only just within average compared with the other current TVs we've reviewed. Fast-moving objects are therefore trailed by ghost-like images. However, gamers will be pleased to hear that the input lag (tested in "Games" mode via HDMI) varies between 0 and 33 ms, which is excellent.
The 200 Hz mode works by backlight scanning, which simply serves to reduce retinal persistence. There's therefore no real motion interpolation function to smooth out judder and glitches. That's even more of a shame since a genuine motion interpolation mode would also have helped reduce ghosting.
Obviously, with contrast levels this low, there's no sign of any clouding.
LG Cinema 3D TVs use passive 3D technology rather than the active-shutter modes favoured by some manufacturers. The LM615T comes with four pairs of glasses, which are lighter, more comfortable to wear and cheaper than active-shutter models. However, overall resolution is slashed in 3D mode, as a passive 3D image is split in two for the left and right eyes—a 1920 x 540 pixel image for each eye works out at good old 720p.
Like LG's other 3D TVs, the LM615T has a two-player full-screen gaming mode. To use "Dual Play" you'll need to pick up some special glasses, however (AA for player 1 and BB for player 2), which aren't included with this TV. Each player then sees their own full-screen image so you don't have to use split-screen gaming.
Once you're sitting directly in front of this TV, 3D image quality is excellent. The passive 3D glasses are very comfortable to wear and barely reduce brightness at all—which is enough to make you forget about the reduced resolution. Plus, there's none of the shimmering effect you sometimes get with active 3D glasses. Similarly, there's practically no crosstalk at all (images for the left and right eyes crossing over onto one another).
Below—the result as seen through 3D glasses (Top: LG 42LM615T / Bottom: LG 47LM660T)
However, another drawback of passive 3D technology is that the vertical viewing angles are quite restricted. You therefore need to be on the same level as the TV to enjoy excellent 3D image quality. If you move your head too high or too low in relation to the screen then crosstalk becomes a problem.
Seeing the results of our audio tests, we can't help thinking that the components in the LM615T must be pretty similar to those used in the higher-end 47LM660T. The two models have the same main problems, in any case. Bass sounds sometimes cause the chassis to vibrate, which can be really annoying when watching an action film. The frequency band for voices is reproduced well. The dip at 300 Hz makes deep voices less rich and can make things sound rather acrid. However, the output remains clear and intelligible. This TV's speakers are therefore fine for watching TV shows but movie buffs would be better off investing in a proper set of home cinema speakers.
Power use is low in this TV. On standby, we measured less than 1 W. When switched on and with the white set to 200 cd/m² it used just 66 W (136 W/m²).
This TV is available in three sizes: 42" (42LM615T), 47" (47LM615T) and 55" (55LM615T).
Design
Like most of LG's 2012 TVs, the LM615T boasts the firm's "Cinema Screen" design with an open stand rather than a solid base. The screen casing itself is a little less original, with a glossy black plastic finish that looks decidedly entry-level.
This TV's relatively low price inevitably means it doesn't come with all the latest functions you'll find in higher-end TVs. In this model, LG's Smart TV services have been given the chop, but we don't see that as too much of a problem, as many set-top boxes offer catch-up TV, VOD and similar services these days.
This TV does, however, have a built-in media player for access to content via DLNA (over a network) or via the USB connection. And the good news is that LG TVs have one of the best built-in media players out there. We tested it via the USB connection and it played all kinds of files. The only things that weren't supported were chapters and menus.
The LM615T can be controlled in two different ways. First of all, you can use the remote control supplied. This has a pretty standard design and the keys aren't backlit. Otherwise, you can download LG's remote control app for iOS or Android to control this TV using a smartphone or tablet.
2D Image Quality
Like all the TVs in LG's Cinema 3D range, the LM615T has an IPS screen panel.Out-of-the box, this TV's settings are actually quite good—and that's not something we see often. As it stands, the default settings will please the vast majority of users. However, it's still possible to improve quality slightly (see inset).
Colours in Cinema mode: average Delta E = 1.8
Glossy screenWe measured the average Delta E at 1.8 (Delta E measures colour fidelity—the lower the reading, the better). Colours are therefore reproduced very accurately. With this kind of result, even highly trained eyes won't be able to find fault with onscreen colour reproduction.
Similarly, the colour temperature of 6700 K and the gamma at 2.2 are both perfect!
We measured contrast at 740:1
Unfortunately, there is some bad news. The contrast is way too low at just 740:1, with blacks that look suspiciously more like greys. We'd therefore recommend you watch the LM615T in a well-lit room rather than in total darkness, as this will make the washed-out blacks look darker. However, you'll have to be careful to keep direct light sources away from the screen to keep reflections and glare to a minimum.
| Responsiveness | ||
 |
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Light Background |
Black Background |
Average |
This graph shows the ghosting time, measured in ms, which measures the time it takes this TV takes to entirely remove the previous frame. The shorter the time, the more fluid moving images will appear.
Responsiveness isn't a strong point for the LM615T either. We measured a 12 ms ghosting time, which is only just within average compared with the other current TVs we've reviewed. Fast-moving objects are therefore trailed by ghost-like images. However, gamers will be pleased to hear that the input lag (tested in "Games" mode via HDMI) varies between 0 and 33 ms, which is excellent.
The 200 Hz mode works by backlight scanning, which simply serves to reduce retinal persistence. There's therefore no real motion interpolation function to smooth out judder and glitches. That's even more of a shame since a genuine motion interpolation mode would also have helped reduce ghosting.
Clouding
Obviously, with contrast levels this low, there's no sign of any clouding.
3D Image Quality
LG Cinema 3D TVs use passive 3D technology rather than the active-shutter modes favoured by some manufacturers. The LM615T comes with four pairs of glasses, which are lighter, more comfortable to wear and cheaper than active-shutter models. However, overall resolution is slashed in 3D mode, as a passive 3D image is split in two for the left and right eyes—a 1920 x 540 pixel image for each eye works out at good old 720p.
Like LG's other 3D TVs, the LM615T has a two-player full-screen gaming mode. To use "Dual Play" you'll need to pick up some special glasses, however (AA for player 1 and BB for player 2), which aren't included with this TV. Each player then sees their own full-screen image so you don't have to use split-screen gaming.
Once you're sitting directly in front of this TV, 3D image quality is excellent. The passive 3D glasses are very comfortable to wear and barely reduce brightness at all—which is enough to make you forget about the reduced resolution. Plus, there's none of the shimmering effect you sometimes get with active 3D glasses. Similarly, there's practically no crosstalk at all (images for the left and right eyes crossing over onto one another).
Below—the result as seen through 3D glasses (Top: LG 42LM615T / Bottom: LG 47LM660T)
With a perfect result, we shouldn't see any trace of the 'R' frame on the left, and, vice versa, none of the 'L' frame on the right.
However, another drawback of passive 3D technology is that the vertical viewing angles are quite restricted. You therefore need to be on the same level as the TV to enjoy excellent 3D image quality. If you move your head too high or too low in relation to the screen then crosstalk becomes a problem.
Audio
Green zone = good /Orange zone = tolerated / White zone = too denatured.
Seeing the results of our audio tests, we can't help thinking that the components in the LM615T must be pretty similar to those used in the higher-end 47LM660T. The two models have the same main problems, in any case. Bass sounds sometimes cause the chassis to vibrate, which can be really annoying when watching an action film. The frequency band for voices is reproduced well. The dip at 300 Hz makes deep voices less rich and can make things sound rather acrid. However, the output remains clear and intelligible. This TV's speakers are therefore fine for watching TV shows but movie buffs would be better off investing in a proper set of home cinema speakers.
Power Use
Power use is low in this TV. On standby, we measured less than 1 W. When switched on and with the white set to 200 cd/m² it used just 66 W (136 W/m²).Pros
- Very good default image settings, which is rare!
- Excellent 3D: low crosstalk, less visual fatigue with passive glasses
- Four pairs of 3D glasses supplied
- 3D glasses are light and comfortable
Cons
- Low contrast (740:1)
- No motion interpolation
- Media player doesn't support chapters or menus
- Disappointing audio quality
Conclusion
The LG LM615T is an excellent TV ... for well-lit rooms. The black level just isn't deep enough for lights-out cinema-style viewing. That's all the more of a shame since the out-of-the-box picture settings are excellent and 3D image quality is first rate.
OUR SCORE
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