LG CF181D

The LGC F181D stands out in our product review for two reasons. It's the first LG projector we've tested and it's one of the rare projectors to use Sony's SXRD technology. A high-end product, according to its manufacturer it allows you to live a true "cinema experience".

Hardware & handling: noisy, attractive menu, no horizontal lens-shift

19 cm tall, 45 cm long and 9.8 Kg in weight make the CF181D a pretty big projector. In spite of its volume (larger so more space for cooling) we measure noise levels at 29 dB. This is higher than some of the competition which goes as low as 25 dB. Nevertheless, in its defence, the noise it emits is muffled and much nicer than the higher sounds you often get. The remote that comes with it is backlit but offers few shortcuts. Connectivity is sufficient with 2 HDMI sockets and a component. Note, to finish this section, the menu is much less austere than what we usually see, with an interface that is nicely set-up for general consumer use.

Here's a visual of the lens-shift feature (setting on top of the projector).


You only get a vertical lens-shift - the latitude on offer is fine. If you want to move the image to the side, you'll have to move the projector itself.

Image quality: blacks lack depth, exellent management of video noise


Black levels aren't extraordinary and this is no surprise. Measured at 0.80 cd/m², it's the same as with the Sony VPL-HW15, whose SXRD technology it has adopted. With the difference that the Sony offers an almost two times superior white level, which you notice in terms of the perceived contrast.

Default video noise is good. Activating noise reduction doesn't change anything. Might as well leave it deactivated.

Bright areas are well handled on the CF181D. Even the brightest zones don't lose detail.

Upscaling and 1080p: upscaling from SD (DVDs etc.) sources is inferior to what you can get on an HD console or a good player. This comes out most in aliasing on contours and diagonal lines. The 1080p image lacks a little sharpness. The option for accentuating sharpness doesn't improve this and we recommend you not to set it higher than 5 otherwise there are too many artefacts.

Homogeneity of the projection area: it's important to differentiate colour and brightness here. Colour homogeneity is good but brightness homogeneity less so. Its main fault is the presence of a pink area across a large part of the left side of the projector (top left) when the rest of the image is white.

Picture smoothness and 3D: no 3D. Nevertheless LG has implemented a pretty convincing video fluidity feature. Good for rapid movements, you sometimes get a few jumps on slower movements. Note, it gives a very video effect to the film once it has been activated.

We're always very severe with high-end projectors. The LG CF181D succombs, and receives a rather average scoring.