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LG DM2350D 23in passive 3D monitor and TV combo

Gaming desktop telly, anyone?

Review The DM2350D is the first 3D combination monitor/TV released by LG. Sharing the same passive FPR 3D panel technology as its Cinema 3D TV siblings, it’s presumably aimed at wannabe 3D PC gamers and those looking for a jack of all trades screen that’s easy to accommodate in student digs or wherever.

LG DM2350D 3D monitor and TV combo

Best of both worlds? LG's DM2350D

A lightweight, plasticky affair, the DM2350D is more desktop monitor than telly. The only sop to designer style is a shiny dust-magnet finish and power-up LED glow. Back panel connectivity comprises two HDMI/DVI inputs, a Scart, PC D-sub with minijack audio, USB and component AV. There’s also an optical digital audio output, headphone jack and RS232 control port. Ethernet is absent though.

LG DM2350D 3D monitor and TV combo

A decent array of connectivity

While the screen snubs LG’s Smart TV portal, it does have a decent USB media reader. Video file support is excellent, covering all key suffixes including MKV, AVI, MP4 and DivX, plus subtitles. Music is restricted to MP3s; JPEG playback comes with standard slideshow and background muzak options.

LG DM2350D 3D monitor and TV combo

Main menu

The panel is a TN (twisted nematic) job, albeit one offering reasonable off axis viewing. Resolution is Full HD. While the on-board TV tuner is vanilla-flavoured, standard def Freeview, that 1920 x 1080 pixel count makes the DM2350D suitable for use with hi-def source components. The panel has a horizontal/vertical dot pitch of 0.265 mm, in keeping with its price point.

LG DM2350D 3D monitor and TV combo

More akin to a desktop monitor than a TV

Overall picture quality impresses, provided you make use of the extensive picture setup controls on offer. Things improve dramatically after calibration. Images are crisp and dynamic. Take care with the set’s sharpness control though, as this needs to be eased back to prevent rampant edge enhancement. The screen’s black level is good, comfortably tracking a 16 point greyscale.

LG DM2350D 3D monitor and TV combo

Viewing perspective

Darkly lit test sequences reveal only low levels of noise, with the result that shadow detail is not easily obscured. 
While colours zing, I’d award the panel a silver rather than gold gong for fidelity; as it struggles to portray convincing reds (they’re a tad orangey). Colour depth reflects the 32-bit standard of 16.7 m hues.

LG DM2350D 3D monitor and TV combo

Plasticky packaging, but the image quality is good

Brightness is rated at a perfectly acceptable 250cd/m2. With a claimed contrast ratio of 7,000,000:1, the screen takes great pleasure in spotting your retinas with peak whites, so go easy with those dials.

The monitor/TV is 60Hz (unsurprisingly, as there’s no need for 120Hz with passive 3D), and as such doesn’t offer any proprietary high frame rate modes. Consequently, motion resolution is limited, clearly dropping below 600 lines at 6.5ppf. Response time is rated at 5ms.

LG DM2350D 3D monitor and TV combo

Quick menu navigation

As a regular 2D PC monitor, the DM2350D is a solid enough performer. Connecting a PC with the VGA input produces a perfectly acceptable image for general duties, casual creative chores and streaming video. Using an HDMI input from a PC gives pretty much an identical result. For DVI PC outputs, the HDMI input will work with an adapter.

The DM2350’s 3D performance is entertaining, with caveats. Viewed from an optimum distance (LG suggests between 50 - 90cm), the screen offers a convincing sense of depth. However, I was always aware of crosstalk lurking somewhere in its images. This can be tackled using the supplied adjustment tool, although tracking in one ghosting image more often than not causes a problem someplace else.

LG DM2350D 3D monitor and TV combo

Inexpensive passive 3D specs are used so anyone can join in on the 3D viewing experience

The display can also depth convert any available 2D video source (including PC) into 3D, but this is a haphazard process at best. One pair of passive 3D spectacles is included in the box, along with a pair of clip-ons for prescription spectacle wearers. Also bundled is TriDef 3D software disc, to get your PC dimensionalised.

Verdict

Overall, the LG DM2350D can be considered good value at £250 and a good deal less if you shop around. Lacking a Freeview HD tuner, its highest image clarity comes from a native 1920 x 1080 source that a PC or various AV components will oblige with. Given its size, as a monitor, even though some may find this resolution delivers graphics and text that can be painfully small, detail remains high. I suspect those looking for a do-it-all display will find the DM2350D’s versatility outweighs any foibles. ®

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LG DM2350D 3D monitor and TV combo

LG DM2350D 23in passive 3D monitor and TV combo

23in passive 3D Freeview TV and PC monitor combo.
Price: £250 RRP

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