Humax LGB 17 DTT

Author's product rating:   

How is the Picture Quality?	Excellent
How is the Sound Quality?	Satisfactory
Ease of Installation	Very Easy
Range of Features	Above Average
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Looks neat, crisp picture, reliable .
Disadvantages:	Sound average, not HD ready

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

The Humax LGB 17 DTT

17 inches, 16:9 widescreen, built in digibox.

*****

We bought this television a year or so ago, and it is still our main television. I would definitely say that it was worth every penny. All 35,000 of them, in fact. At £350, this television is a bargain. You get 17 inches of crisp widescreen. I was in fact amazed to see that it is only 17in. wide: it feels much bigger. Although Humax is not a very well known brand, they have certainly done a good job with this television.

***** PICTURE QUALITY *****

The picture quality on this televison is excellent. The display is crisp, clear and sharp, and there are plenty of options regarding the clour intensity, contrast and tone. The ability to change all of these factors is very usefeul, as you can adjust the picture depending on what you are watching. There are a series of pre-set options, such as Sport, Movie, Bright, Normal and Custom.

The screen size combined with the sharp image would make this an excellent bedroom television, or possibly for use in a fairly small room: you tend to sit closer to the screen, and the quality is excellent on this television, even if you are sitting quite close. I often find that with some large televisions that the image becomes blurred.

Overall I would say that the picture quality is an excellent reason for getting this television. For a non-HD TV, it is exceptional, especially considering the modest price tag.

***** SOUND QUALITY *****

This is probably the television's weakest point. The sound is good, but nothing too impressive or exceptional. It is quite clear, and the volume is well adjusted. The only problem is that it does not have the dynamic and exciting feel of proper speakers. For built-in television speakers, these are pretty good, but do not match the quality of design and picture that this TV offers.

This slightly irritating problem can be easily dealt with. You can do two things: Put up with it,
OR
Buy some surround speakers or a home cinema system. They are relatively cheap, if you shop around, and they make a huge difference. They are by no means vital, but I would highly recommend doing this.

For standard speakers, they are good, but not outstanding. Get some proper speakers!

***** EASE OF INSTALLATION *****

This shouldn't be a problem: and with this television it isn't. It comes as one complete unit, with the digibox built in. All you have to do is take it out of the box. This is probably the hardest part: it is REALLY heavy. This isn't surprising, of course. You put it down, plug it in, and scan for channels and you're off! The controls are simple, and there isn't much else to do.

There shouldn't be any problems with the installation. thankfully!

***** REMOTE CONTROL *****

The remote control offers a full range of features: On/Off and change channels.......and everything else that you would ever need! All of the controls are easy to use, and well labelled. The main controls (On/Off, channels, volume, picture, sound mode, mute etc. All of the other controls (time, sleep, child-lock etc.) are situated under a sliding cover.

I like this neat and often used design. All the important controls are placed in a neat and un-cluttered arrangement at the top of the remote, and all of the more specialised functions and buttons are hidden nicely under the smoothly sliding cover.

The remote sits well in your hands: there are no sharp bits and uncomfortable edges. The buttons are easily reached, and they do not stick. The only slight problem is the size: it is pretty big: nearly 20cm. It looks neat and is easy to use.

The remote is well designed and made. It has never broken, run out of batteries, or failed me in any other way. It looks good and does its job well.

***** INSTRUCTIONS *****

You probably won't need these: the TV is so easy to install and it seldom goes wrong. I only looked at it when we got it, just in case. It is the usual, easy to understand, clear, step-by-step instruction booklet that comes in loads of different languages.

The instructions are excellent, and you probably wont need them.

***** RANGE OF FEATURES *****

This TV has all you will need, except perhaps Sky. It has a built in digibox, and all of the modes that you will ever need. The programme menu is very clear nd easy to use. It tells you what shows have just been on, what is being show now, and what is coming in the next few days or so. It has the usual bar system: the longer the bar, the longer the programme. It is clear and simple to use.

There is a programe reserving function, multiple inputs for DVD players, Video players, Kareoke machines, game consoles, cameras, and practically everything else you would ever need. It has and analogue setting, in case your digital stops working.

This TV has all the features you could need. All of the menus and guides are clear, and it is easy to connect the television with other electricals.

***** VALUE FOR MONEY *****

This is one of the television's best features: it is so cheap. It is set to get even cheaper as the HDTV changeover begins. I would strongly suggest looking for this television secondhand, as it will be going cheaply as people upgrade.

We are planning on getting a HDTV, but well will definately keep this one. Some people may feel the need to sell it, so pounce on the opportunity. Bargains will be easy to find: check ebay etc.

You get plenty of value for money, pureley because of the make. Because HDTVs are coming in, it will be going cheaply. Take advantage of this!

***** DURABILITY *****

This is another excellent characterisitc that this TV shows off: its toughness. It is wonderfully robust: I know that televisions are not exactly carried around, but tougness and durability are important.

Since we got this television, there has not been a single problem. None at all! This is impressive, as itis not a well known brand. The screen is tough, and I feel that it would be able to take a fair amount of punishment. The remote has been dropped hundreds of times, and there have been no problems there either.

This television is both tough and reliable. It shouldn't fail you.

***** PROS *****

- Sharp, crisp, clean picture.
- Neat, slick, smooth design
- Modest price tag
- Outstanding value for money
- Easy to set up/use
- Good remote
- Tough and reliable

***** CONS *****

- Speakers not amazing
- Remote a bit large (but easy to find!)
- Not HD Ready

*****

As either a respectable, good value-for-money main television, or a brilliant bedroom/second televison; this is a great choice.

I suggest you find this second hand, as the price will (pleasantly) surprise you.

Unless you REALLY need HDTV, I would say that this is:

***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED *****