Not so long ago, Westinghouse is a name associated with poor TV quality. However, the company has certainly made a comeback with better unit like the Westinghouse LVM-42w2 42 inch lcd.

This is a full hd lcd, which means it has far more details than a standard 1080i HD resolution. Put simply, it’s picture quality will make you drool.

The color, picture, brightness are sharp. In fact, in one of the picture test, you could actually see that the “Terminator” in Terminator 2 promo video is a fake double stunt actor. That is something you cannot see in your standard tv.

Another good thing about the Westinghouse LVM-42w2 is the fact that it actually accept 1080p input. At the moment, most of the new 1080p displays on the market simply upconvert 480i/480p/720p/1080i input signals internally to 1080p. Only a few sets like this Westinghouse LVM-42w2, actually take 1080p input via component, HDMI and its dual DVI-D inputs.

In short, this unit is ready for the future.

The inputs are placed on both sides of the panel and you’d be surprised to see that there’s actually 2 DVI-D inputs and a HDMI instead of a single DVI-D that you’d normally get on most lcd or plasma.

Yes, it has no built in tuner and CableCard slot but most people do not need such functunality anyway. Secondly, not having those 2 components is one of the reason the Westinghouse LVM-42w2 is an affordable luxury.

The other complaint is the fact that it’s remote is annoying. The range is too short and it seems that you need to aim it right at the center of the bottom for it to be useful.

Apart from that annoying little flaw, this set is a superb 42 inch lcd.
Other Reviews:

The most thorough review on the LVM-42w2 can be found at Audioholics. The reviewer said :-

“The Westinghouse LVM-42w2 LCD display sports one of the best looking pictures I’ve seen in a while. The resolution simply trounces anything else, including the lack of advanced user controls and imperfect color settings. I fed it standard definition (480i), high definition (720p/1080i), and ultra high definition (1080p) and it simply asked for more.

Its internal scalar is one of the better systems I’ve seen with hardly any noticeable artifacting and an ability to handle multiple input resolutions without favoring one over another. Its plethora of inputs will delight anyone who’s ever wanted a display that can stand the test of time and grow along with the rest of your system. In summary, this is a display that simply begs to be seen.“

There have not been any editor reviews at cnet but so far buyers reactions are mixed. While one says :-

“I love almost everything about this TV. I paid 2200 for this and I feel like I got a bargain. The picture is sharp and clear. HD Discovery is truly amazing. DVDs look incredible. XBox 360 is an incredible experience.”

others complained that

“I have had 3 of these tvs, first one kept turning itself off and on, second one 2 black bars transparent on each side was visible especially in high def, the third one i got is the samething, best buy picking it up this week and i got a 1500 credit at the store where i bought it at, i will never buy from westinghouse again, 3 strikes and there out..wish it was better experience for me.”

At Amazon, the Westinghouse LVM-42w2 received a 4.5 stars . One buyer said :-

“The bottom line is this unit completely rocks. I compared it to the Sony SXRDs and the JVC 1080P ILAs – both are 1080P displays but will not accept a 1080P signal. The picture is incredible – truely like an 8 megapixel photo in HD. Even Home Theater Mag rated its performace (96) higher than the Sony (94), JVC (92) and all the DLP (< 90) units in its 2/2006 HDTV face off.

But remember its a monitor not a TV so you'll need to either have a cable box, sat receiver, computer or external tuner. Actually this is one monitor which you can hook everything up to since it has 5 HD inputs. I've only found one weakness - sometimes when switching between sources it sometimes looses sinc and goes pink - but its easily fixed by switching again to another source and back."

At the Home Theater Magazine, the LVM-42w2 is also praised. The reviewer said :

“Regardless of where your loyalties lie, it’s difficult not to be impressed by the LVM-42w2’s performance. Just make sure you’re ready now to enjoy all of the benefits of high definition. Get yourself an HD cable or satellite package, an upconverting DVD player, and an Xbox 360. Then your only concern will be what to do with all those extra HD inputs. “

RETAIL AT: around $1600

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