LG LP-XG2 review

Jonathan Bennett ZDNet.co.uk

Published: 16 Aug 2002

The LP-XG2 is bright, has a high native resolution (XGA) and a simple-to-use interface. Unfortunately it has few extra features that make it suitable for home theatre use, such as component inputs or wide-screen modes.

LG has squeezed a bright, XGA-resolution projector into a reasonably compact case. At 1200 ANSI Lumens, the only other projector in our group test that's this bright is Sanyo's bulky PLV-60. However, the contrast ratio of this LCD projector is 350:1, which is at the lower end of the range. The LP-X2 has the largest minimum image size of all the projectors in our review, so if you're stuck with a long throw distance and want a small image, you may be disappointed.

You get a bright, sharp image when the LP-XG2 is properly adjusted. The native resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels allows for wider-format 480-line images to be shown without reduction. If fed an 800 by 600 or lower image, the LP-XG2 will rescale the image to fit, although it's possible to change this to actual size using the on-screen display. If you're watching a 4:3 480-line movie, you may wish to do this to avoid the image artefacts associated with rescaling, although this will obviously reduce the image size. What the LP-XG2 doesn't have is a wide-screen mode for PC input. Obviously you can watch 480-line wide-screen movies quite happily, but you won't be able to feed an anamorphic image from a PC to the projector and have it correct the aspect ratio. You can, however, change to a wide-screen image if you're using one of the video inputs, so it's shame that there's no component video input.

The LP-XG2 has all its connectors and the fan exhaust on the rear panel, preventing you placing it directly against your back wall. This problem is made worse by the projector's largest dimension being its length, so you lose some throw distance, which affects the image sizes possible. However, since the LP-XG2's image sizes tend to be larger than many of the other projectors we’ve reviewed, this should be less of an issue.

The brushed aluminium case styling is sleek and shiny, which, while certainly more attractive than most office equipment, won't necessarily match every home's decor. It's average in size, The lens has the focus and zoom rings around it, and the whole assembly protrudes from the projector's body by 4cm. The control panel on top of the LP-XG2 is illuminated from beneath in blue, although the standby button is much less bright than the others.

You get VGA, S-Video and composite video inputs, plus two stereo audio inputs. The VGA input is reproduced on another connector, should you want to connect a monitor as well as the projector. The lack of either component or digital inputs means you won't get the best image quality out of the LP-XG2. The projector's mono speaker won't be much use for entertainment, but this is not out of the ordinary.

The LP-XG2's remote control is a fairly standard size, if a little thick. This is due to it using AA cells, rather than the more usual AAAs, which are presumably needed to power the control’s built-in laser pointer. You can navigate the on-screen menu using the remote's mini-joystick. There are also volume controls, and buttons to select the source and auto-setup. The projector has both front and rear infrared sensors, so you should be able to operate the remote from anywhere in the room.

The LP-XG2 could easily be employed for movies, gaming and other general PC duties. Its low contrast and lack of component or digital inputs will mean it won’t be high on a cinephile's shortlist, but for a family wanting to use it for general entertainment purposes, it's certainly up to the job.

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