After the 1R series logically comes the 2R. Between the two families, the number of HDMI inputs changes (from 1 to 2) and there is a new 100 Hz system.  Correction circuitry stays the same with the excellent XD Engine III, which impressed us a lot with the previously tested 37LB1R.   So in theory, the 2R series can only do better than the 1R.  We find all of the previous fine characteristics with simple and awaited improvements. There is still the lack of a digital TV tuner.  The added HDMI input isn’t a luxury and these have multiplied on the backs of television peripherals: movie players, game consoles, and even graphic cards and computers. A third would have been nice.

As for the 100 Hz mode, it evidently functions on the same principle as Samsung’s, however not as efficiently. A processor tries to place an intermediate image between two received ones in order to improve fluidity, reduce afterglow, etc.  Except here, this isn’t too successful. In movies, it’s intolerable and in games unconvincing, which obviously means the processor struggles with this technology. When this function is activated we have the impression of being in a 1920’s film although with the acceleration of movement.  This of course isn’t really true and the speed is still the same. We thought that this could come from the processor sometimes succeeding in placing the intermediate image and sometimes not. And it’s probably in going from one speed to the other too often in a frequency of 50 to 100 Hz, which changes the rhythm and bothers us. In short, deactivate the 100 Hz function!

There is another adjustment to be made. Go into the OSD menu in the color parameters, change the preset dynamic image to standard, and then set the color temperature from normal to warm. You will gain significantly in color fidelity and trueness of skin tones. This single operation allows you to reduce the average difference between the desired color and the one actually displayed from 2.6 to 2.1.   Such a starting value tells us that the screen was necessarily factory pre-calibrated by LG and we love it.

This is a lot different from the saturated colors of Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba and at least this television respects the wishes of movie directors. However, this product still isn’t 100% perfect.   A wide gamut produced by new generation backlighting like the one Sony has integrated, for example, would have extended the capacities of this screen in very extreme blues and reds. This would have been appreciable in certain dark scenes. For example, in a very dark red sunset or a blue night sky (also noticeable in the darkest part), we can see some defects in gradation.  Of course, we are perhaps being overly demanding here. We just don’t want you to think this is the ultimate TV and be disappointed, however small this chance may be. Either way, this screen is in an entirely different league than most of its rivals. Its one defect is a slightly washed out black which lacks depth. We measured it to be at a brightness of 0.45 cd/m², while Sony and Samsung manage to go down to 0.2 cd/m² and display images with slightly better contrast.

The  32LB2R’s advantage also lies in its correction of  MPEG compression.  Flickering is controlled better than average. However, while the 37LB1R seemed at ease with all formats, the 32LB2R is a bit moodier and has its preferences. Quality truly improves as we go up in resolution.

- analog tuner: Unrecommended.  A digital source is needed such as television, cable...
- DVD : good and better than average but we do see some scaling defects.
- 720p source: very good, nice sharpness, very little shimmering.
- 1080 line source:  even better. It’s rare because "simple HD" or non full HD TVs usually render better in 720p than in 1080i and 1080p. Here this isn’t the case. Movies in 1080i via our Xbox 360 have even better sharpness than in 720p.

The above test results will now be used as a reference. It’s a good example of scaling defects with DVDs. Look at the additional white tracing underneath the text. Also, notice the lack of homogeneity in the orange strip behind the letters.  The improvement in 720p is obvious and we can see even more improvement in 1080i.  Clearly, you will want to use an HD player with correctly compressed movies (many Blu-Ray discs are unsatisfactory at this time).

Compare its rendering to the competition’s in the Product Face-off section

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