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LG 2012 plasmas 40 percent blacker, best gets antiglare

LG is touting its line of 2012 plasma TVs, including the flagship PM9700 series, as delivering black levels that are 35 percent to 40 percent deeper than the company's previous generation.

Headshot of David Katzmaier
Headshot of David Katzmaier
David Katzmaier Editor in Chief
David leads the editorial team at CNET. We create expert reviews, articles and video on every aspect of technology, from AI to Zoox. We are thoroughly, proudly human.
Expertise A 25-year CNET veteran, David has been reviewing TVs since the days of CRT, rear-projection and plasma. He created CNET's methodology for testing TVs, streaming services and AI tools. Prior to CNET he wrote for Sound & Vision magazine and eTown.com. Credentials
  • Although still awaiting his Oscar for Best Picture Reviewer, David does hold certifications from the Imaging Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology on display calibration and evaluation.
David Katzmaier
2 min read
PDP_(Plasma_TV)_-_60PM9700_1_1.jpg

LG's new PM9700 promises to be the company's best plasma TV yet.

 LG

LAS VEGAS--When it comes to black levels, perhaps the most important ingredient in picture quality, LG's plasma TVs certainly have some improving to do.

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The flagship LG PZ950 series we reviewed last year trailed plasma heavyweights Panasonic and Samsung badly in this department, with grayish blacks that prevented it from scoring well in our evaluations. For 2012 an LG company rep tells CNET that the new models, thanks to upgraded phosphors and other improvements, boast black levels up to 40 percent deeper than last year's. If that's true, maybe LG with its historically excellent color accuracy will finally break into contention with the other two.

LG's best plasma, the PM9700 series, also adds an extra we haven't seen since 2008's Pansonic TH-PX77U series: a new antiglare/antireflective "TruBlack" screen that LG's rep told us was almost as effective as the matte screen on LCDs at curbing reflections in bright rooms. Such a screen finish doesn't exist on any other plasma TV.

Unlike LG's LED models, its plasmas utilize active 3D technology. The PM9700 offers the company's Smart TV suite and Magic Motion remote, although the latter lacks the voice control found on some of the company's other 2012 TVs. See the writeup of the LM8600 LED for more on LG's Smart TV additions.

As evident from the image above, LG has also revamped the styling, thinning the bezel, going for a more metallic finish and adding a funky legged stand.

LG PM9700 series features:

  • Plasma TV
  • TruBlack antiglare screen
  • Magic Motion remote
  • Smart TV

LG PM9700 series models:

  • LG 50PM9700 50-inch, pricing and availability TBD
  • LG 60PM9700 60-inch, pricing and availability TBD