{"id":116209,"date":"2020-12-13T06:51:36","date_gmt":"2020-12-13T06:51:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techweekmag.com\/?p=116209"},"modified":"2025-05-07T08:04:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T08:04:00","slug":"lg-sm8050-review-affordable-nanocell-tv-with-active-hdr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/tv\/lg-sm8050-review-affordable-nanocell-tv-with-active-hdr\/","title":{"rendered":"LG SM8050 Review \u2022 Affordable NanoCell TV with Active HDR"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>LG offers a range of LCD TVs with NanoCell technology.\u00a0They represent a large class of &#8220;average&#8221; devices from similar lines.\u00a0As we remember, in 2019, among the younger Nano models, the LG SM8000 and LG SM8200 series stood out, where the image quality was quite high.<\/p>\n<p>The LG SM8050 series in question is an upgraded version of the\u00a0LG SM8000\u00a0.\u00a0Although the same Edge Led lighting with Local Dimming function (6 \u00d7 1) is used.\u00a0The IPS matrix with 10 bit color depth is in fact 8 bit + FRC, but with good viewing angles.\u00a0Perhaps these are the highlights of the LG 55SM8050 TV.<\/p>\n<h3>Design<\/h3>\n<p>A slim profile with a beautiful finish, combined with a center crescent stand, we saw in the\u00a0LG SM8200\u00a0.\u00a0In LG 55SM8050, such a design option, according to the manufacturer, is superfluous, so the appearance is similar to the SM8000.\u00a0A design with Y-shaped kickstand feet closer to the edges of the screen is considered more stable.\u00a0There are no unnecessary vibrations of the TV screen.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Lg_49SM8050PLCAPI_248277_2.jpg\" alt=\"Lg Smart TV 49 Pollici 4K Ultra HD Display Nanocell HDR10 Pro TV Smart  WebOs 4.5 Netflix\/Prime - 49SM8050PLC.API Serie SM8050\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The back of the TV is made of dark plastic, it is slightly rounded to the edges of the screen.\u00a0The bezel around the matrix gracefully flows into the 49LG8050 TV case.\u00a0The interface part with connections is located on the left, the connectors are connected to the side and back.\u00a0Therefore, when installing on a wall, there may be some difficulty in accessing these ports.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1067955_3_1200x1200_w_g.jpg\" alt=\"LG 55&quot; 4K LED TV 55SM8050PLC - Power.no\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Connections<\/h3>\n<p>LG SM8050 series is equipped with four HDMI 2.0 connectors with ARC and ALLM.\u00a0Although LG claims to support 2K HFR, it has a 60fps limit.\u00a0To be honest, this cannot be considered an HFR.\u00a0Two HDMI and one of the two USB 2.0 ports are on the side, all other ports are at the back and face the wall.<\/p>\n<p>You can forget about the WiSA function (wireless speakers and audio) announced in 2019 &#8211; it is not here.\u00a0The search for a headphone jack will end in vain.\u00a0You can use a Bluetooth (5.0) headset instead.\u00a0As a bonus,\u00a0Airplay2\u00a0is a welcome addition for Apple users.\u00a0LG&#8217;s SM8050 line has a full range of tuners, but the inputs are different.<\/p>\n<h3>Smart TV<\/h3>\n<p>With the MR remote, you can easily control the cursor on the screen, making it easy and fun to enter information.\u00a0This is a convenient way to control your LG TV, although it takes a while to get used to.\u00a0However, the remote control can also be used as standard.\u00a0The most important change over past remotes is the extra buttons for quick access to certain applications.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/78462833_2232213395.jpg\" alt=\"Produktdatablad LG NanoCell NANO81 55NANO816NA 139,7 cm (55&quot;) 4K Ultra HD Smart TV Wi-Fi Svart Fjernsynsapparater (55NANO816NA.API)\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Setting up your LG remote to work with other devices<\/h3>\n<p>The SM8050 can be configured to control other devices.\u00a0To configure this function, go to the &#8220;Home Control Panel&#8221; and click &#8220;Settings, Connected devices&#8221; or it can be configured through the general menu &#8220;Connect &#8230;&#8221; Most functions can be accessed using the &#8220;More Actions&#8221; button.\u00a0It is indicated by three dots and is located in the lower right corner of the number block.<\/p>\n<h3>Picture<\/h3>\n<p>The SM8050 series, unfortunately, does not use the second generation Alpha-7 processor found in all of LG&#8217;s more expensive models.\u00a0This means that functions such as \u201cAI Picture\u201d and \u201cAI Brigthness\u201d are not available.\u00a0However, the overall image processing performance is adequate.<\/p>\n<p>Deinterlacing is great.\u00a0The 55SM8050 quickly and correctly recognizes videos at different frame rates, so moir\u00e9 and jagged edges are rare.\u00a0Noise cancellation is less advanced than the Alpha models, but the result is good at removing random noise.<\/p>\n<p>However, compression (blocking) is less effective in this series.\u00a0It is worth leaving the settings for this function at \u201clow\u201d so that most of the noise is not on the screen, and the image will not be too soft.<\/p>\n<p>The parameter &#8220;Smooth Gradations&#8221; is responsible for the absence of color bands and for the correct processing of the contours of the image.\u00a0The LG 55SM8050 gets rid of soft bugs easily, but more pronounced banding issues remain.\u00a0But this is not such a global problem and it is rare.<\/p>\n<p>Since the 55SM8050 uses a 50Hz IPS panel, the sharpness of the image can be lost significantly.\u00a0A lot of detail in fast moving images simply disappears and a light double outline is often seen around the subject.\u00a0Here you should definitely pay attention to the &#8220;TruMotion&#8221; function.\u00a0If you need to make the image smoother, then select &#8220;Anti-aliasing&#8221;, although some image artifacts will be noticeable.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/img_5fd5bbbcb7617.jpg\" alt=\"LG 49SM8050PLC (2020) LED HDR NanoCell 4K Ultra HD Smart TV, 49 inch with Freeview Play\/Freesat HD, Ceramic Black\/Dark Meteor Titan at John Lewis &amp; Partners\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Adjusting basic picture parameters<\/h3>\n<p>Below you can consider the parameters that provide the highest quality picture in the LG SM8050:<\/p>\n<p>Picture mode: Cinema.<br \/>\nAspect Ratio Adjustment: Original \/ Scan: On<br \/>\nEnergy Saving: Off<br \/>\nBacklight: 100.<br \/>\nBrightness: 50.<br \/>\nContrast: 80.<br \/>\nSharpness: 10.<br \/>\nColor: 50.<br \/>\nTint: 0.<\/p>\n<p>Dynamic Contrast: Off\u00a0\/ Low.<br \/>\nDynamic Tone Display: Off\u00a0\/ On.<br \/>\nSuper Resolution: Low.<br \/>\nColors: Auto.<br \/>\nRange: 2.2 \/ BT.1886.<br \/>\nWhite balance: warm 2.<\/p>\n<p>Noise reduction: Low.<br \/>\nMPEG Noise Reduction: Low.<br \/>\nSmooth gradation: Low.<br \/>\nBlack Level: Automatic.<br \/>\nReal Movie: Included.<br \/>\nMotion Eye Care: Off<br \/>\nLocal dimming of LEDs: Medium.<br \/>\nTruMotion: Cleaning.<\/p>\n<p>Since most LG models use IPS panels, the viewing angle is good.\u00a0The contrast level is satisfactory.\u00a0It is about 900: 1.\u00a0In some tests, the contrast rises to 2000: 1, but this is in limited areas of the screen.<\/p>\n<p>The limited number of side lighting segments is some of LG&#8217;s problem when using heavy dimming.\u00a0You can check this by setting the Local Dimming parameter to its maximum value &#8211; this effect will be immediately noticeable.<\/p>\n<p>In dark scenes, you can see that the backlight columns clearly contrast with the subtitles and produce visible image distortion.\u00a0Therefore, it is better to leave the backlight parameter in the settings in the middle position.\u00a0This position will provide the best contrast with the least impact on the overall image.<\/p>\n<p>You can, of course, use the Dynamic Contrast function to improve contrast, but the values \u200b\u200bshould not be too high.\u00a0Higher settings hide black details.\u00a0On the other hand, image uniformity (or smoothness) is fine.<\/p>\n<h3>HDR mode<\/h3>\n<p>Another disadvantage that may stop you from choosing the SM8050 series is the lack of Dolby Vision.\u00a0LG SM8050 TVs only support HDR10 and HLG.\u00a0It&#8217;s a shame because the added value is already getting high with HDR10 + and Dolby Vision, and LG&#8217;s 8 Series is mid-range.<\/p>\n<p>The IPS panel in the SM8050 series delivers a decent peak brightness of around 530 nits on a 10% window and 335 nits on an all white screen.\u00a0Of course, this figure is enough to see the work in HDR, but not in all its glory.\u00a0Nanocell color gamut of 86% DCI-P3 and 63% Rec. 2020, which is ideal for comparable LCD TVs.<\/p>\n<p>Also read: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/reviews\/tv\/philips-50pus8505\/\">Philips 50PUS8505 Review \u2022 Excellent and affordable TV<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A relatively low contrast ratio affects HDR.\u00a0This is especially noticeable when the screen is dark with very bright accents.\u00a0At this point, the backlight &#8220;becomes clearer&#8221; and begins to annoy the viewer.<\/p>\n<p>Using the &#8220;Dynamic Tone Mapping&#8221; setting, the LG 55SM8050 TV tries to simulate the HDR10 + effect.\u00a0The result, according to users, is not straightforward.\u00a0In some predominantly dark images, highlights are brightened, creating a sharper image.\u00a0In clear images, the picture often becomes slightly darker.\u00a0Here you can recommend leaving dynamic tone mapping active in the settings.<\/p>\n<h3>LG SM8050: Game Mode<\/h3>\n<p>A few words about the matrix surface.\u00a0The LG 55SM8050 does a pretty good job of dealing with on-screen glare.\u00a0But attention to proper indoor lighting cannot be overlooked.\u00a0In the &#8220;Cinema&#8221; mode, the video signal delay of 98 ms is a relatively large indicator.\u00a0In game mode, the input lag drops to 13 ms &#8211; this is a clear plus.\u00a0Note that the SM8050 series supports ALLM (Low Latency Auto Mode) but does not support VRR (Variable Refresh Rate).<\/p>\n<h3>LG SM8050: Sound<\/h3>\n<p>Dolby Atmos is not supported on the SM8050 series (replaced by DTS Virtual: X).\u00a0But given the limited sound, this is a small loss.\u00a0The mid-range series has a 2.0 sound scheme with a total output of 20W.\u00a0This is enough for comfortable viewing in a small room.<\/p>\n<p>But limitations can already be found when playing a heavy soundtrack or more aggressive musical genres.\u00a0This is not surprising for this category of TVs, so an external speaker system is recommended.<\/p>\n<p>More info at : <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lg.com\/uk\/tvs\/lg-49sm8050plc\">https:\/\/www.lg.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[thescore]<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p>LG SM8050 series uses LG&#8217;s proven formula: an IPS panel combined with limited local dimming. As a result, we see an improvement in contrast, but there are limitations compared to more expensive models.\u00a0Namely, the combination of dark images with bright scenes.<\/p>\n<p>However, with the correct settings, interfering effects remain under the user&#8217;s control.\u00a0It should also be borne in mind that the series in question is at the bottom of the Nanocell TV segment.\u00a0They have neither Dolby Vision nor HDR10 +, which is a drawback.\u00a0Sound quality is good, but not above average.\u00a0Sound without Dolby Atmos support.<\/p>\n<p>HDMI 2.1 interfaces are also missing.\u00a0This series TVs only support ALLM plus ARC.\u00a0The 50Hz panel displays fast moving images with some annotations.<\/p>\n<p>Looking at the LG SM8050 PLA, we can say that the models are aimed at an audience with an average budget.\u00a0If viewing in natural light is intended, then the results are good in this context.\u00a0The LG 55SM8050 has good color reproduction, sufficient black detail, excellent image processing and can still reproduce beautiful HDR images.<\/p>\n<p>A small input lag is a definite advantage for gamers.\u00a0With webOS 4.5 you get a modern and enjoyable Smart TV system in your home.\u00a0The bottom line is that the price segment is correct.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LG offers a range of LCD TVs with NanoCell technology.\u00a0They represent a large class of &#8220;average&#8221; devices from similar lines.\u00a0As we remember, in 2019, among the younger Nano models, the LG SM8000 and LG SM8200 series stood out, where the image quality was quite high. The LG SM8050 series in question is an upgraded version [&hellip;] <a class=\"g1-link g1-link-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/tv\/lg-sm8050-review-affordable-nanocell-tv-with-active-hdr\/\">More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10402,"featured_media":116210,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[641],"tags":[778],"class_list":{"0":"post-116209","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tv","8":"tag-reviews"},"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10402"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=116209"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116209\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":465783,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116209\/revisions\/465783"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/116210"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116209"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=116209"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=116209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}