LG 50PS8000

The basics

The LG PS8000 series is a is a Full-HD plasma television, complete with four HDMI ports, 600Hz Smooth Motion, LG SimpLink Connectivity, Smart Energy Saving and a comes in whopping 50 and 60-inch sizes, and has a contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1.

The good

It’s time to face facts. George Lucas is never going to come round to your house to explain his Jar Jar Binks casting decision, not least because the terms of his restraining order against you prohibit it. However, you can welcome a little bit of Lucasfilm magic into your life with the THX Certified (and certifiably awesome) LG 50PS8000. It’s got more visual real estate than 200 iPhones, with so many video tweaks that there’s bound to be a setting in there for you. Images are bright and cheerful, and there’s are lots of HDMI sockets, a DiVX-playing USB port and even Bluetooth for linking headsets or displaying cameraphone snaps.

The bad

Despite its grand-sounding 600Hz motion control and THX Certification, the large LG does show imaging problems: juddering action, greyish shadows and persistent colour casts. Standard definition broadcasts are especially painful to view. And by tucking the stereo speakers out of sight, LG has sacrificed a thump or two of bass.

The bottom line

With the LG 50PS8000, you don’t get what you pay for – you get a whole lot more. Most viewers won’t notice, or will soon get used to, its visual and sonic quirks, leaving just a sizable, great value telly that belts out HD footage with the confidence of a screen half the size and twice the price.