LG AF115 Projector – Image Quality1

Posted on October 11, 2013 By Art Feierman

LG AF115 Black Levels & Shadow Detail

This LG is not an ultra-high contrast projector. That seems to be the biggest difference between the two LG models. The CF181D was “marginal” in terms of black levels – one of those that most of the time makes it as an ultra high contrast projector, but other times/content, might seem a touch short of those “better blacks”.

The LG AF115 home projector, even with its dynamic iris on, is not an ultra high contrast projector. Overall, its black level performance should be most similar to the Epson Home Cinema 8100 which is a lot less money, and to a lesser degree, the blacks of the Mitsubishi HC3800, which is a DLP with great blacks for the under $1500 price (no dynamic iris).

Black level performance should be acceptable in the family room type environment – without full lighting controls, dark walls, etc., but even for a $2K price, the black performance will be the AF115’s weakness.

First pair, the AF115, slightly overexposed (intended more, sorry), and normal. Directly below those two are the CF181D similar images. Those four are followed by an assortment of other projectors including JVC, and Panasonic.

LG CF181D

LGAF115

LG CF181D

DLA-RS25

PT-AE4000

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These two all digital images images below are good ones for considering black levels and dark shadow detail. Look for the richness in the black part of some of the buildings and also, the sky, in the second image. Both of these first two, are digital hi-def images from the DVE-HD calibration disc.

Shadow Detail Performance

The LG AF115 definitely performs when it comes to shadow detail, that is, it definitely out performs those projectors that I find come up a little short (like the Epson UB projectors).

Of course, I’ve mentioned in many reviews that projectors with less great black performance, are normally better at dark shadow detail, simply because the detail is brighter because they have to be above the brighter “blacks”.

The first set of individual images for comparison is from Space Cowboys. This is a very dark scene with Clint Eastwood on Blu-ray disc. The photos are intentionally way overexposed. Look for the blacks in the shades, and the details in those shades in the form of the white trim. (At this level of overexposure, don’t even worry about the skin tones, as in these types of overexposed photos they always look terrible).

First image is the AF115, and then of course the CF181D, followed by the JVC RS25 and theMitsubishi HC7000. Next is the the Vivitek H9080FD, an extremely expensive LED light source DLP projector. The last two in the sequence are the Panasonic PT-AE4000 and the Epson Home Cinema 8500UB.

LGAF115