The LT-42X579 represents a new mid-range line of LCDs that JVC recently rolled out. This model does not offer all the high-end bells and whistles, like the 120Hz Clear Motion Drive, that their 898 series does.

Don't get me wrong, this 1080p HDTV is not exactly a stripped down version. It performs quite well and with HD content, the LT-42X579 excels.

After test driving this model over all types of TV terrain, I think of it as one of those classic open air sports cars, like an MG. You sit close to the road and you feel every bump and twist. If the sky is sunny, the view is beautiful. If it rains, you get soaked.

In the same way, the LT-42X579 is responsive to the visual quality of the content you feed it. Take a drive on the high def highway, it's the Big Sur at sunset. Turn off on to a standard def gravel road, expect bounces and dust in your eyes.

(Editor's note: JVC also makes a 47" and 52" version of their X579 line, the LT-47X579 and the LT-52X579. Since the specs for all three models are almost identical, this review can be applied to all of them.)

Our Star Ratings

Performance: 4.5

The LT-42X579 performs admirably with high definition content. But since it is unstintingly responsive to the visual quality of the programming, the blemishes in standard definition shows are often painfully apparent.

Features: 4.0

Three HDMI inputs have become a baseline with most new HDTVs. I like the USB port that accept JPEGs, though I would prefer a better Photo Viewer. I also want a few more picture control features.

Ease of Use: 4.0

If you are particular about your picture quality, you will appreciate this JVC's responsiveness, but it will on occasion make you scurry for the remote to tweak the Color or Brightness. Other than that, the day-to-day operations of the TV are straightforward.

Value: 4.0

For HDTVs in the 42" range, the current marketplace is extremely competitive. At its MSRP, the JVC LT-42X579 lands right in the midst of the fray.

Star Ratings Description

Ratings are relative to when the review was written. The obvious example is Value, what you could purchase for $2000 two years ago or even two months ago would seem like a bad value for that price now. We have given only a precious few 5 Star ratings, which we reserve for truly outstanding accomplishment.

With the unexciting, uniform styling of most LCDs, even the slightest diversion from the norm is welcome. The designers at JVC have not strayed from the de rigueur black, but they have played with surface texture.

The TV screen is framed with a one and a quarter inch shiny piano black bezel, which is then surrounded by a quarter inch matte black border that is offset back about a half inch. Looking from the side, the profile is further enhanced by a third texture, the grainier dark gray back enclosure.

The arc below the screen, with the silver JVC logo, houses the pair of 10W speakers. On the lower left corner, above the blue Energy Star stamp, the Power Indicator light shines blue when the TV is on. (The light can be toggled off in the Power menu.)

The almost five inch deep TV weighs in at 56 pounds when it's attached to its foot deep, non-swivel stand. On the left edge are the Control buttons and a USB port.

On the back, conveniently facing out, the connection panel provides two Component (YpbPr) inputs with matching stereo Audio Ins, two Composite (with Audio), one S-Video (with Audio), a stereo pair of analog Audio Ins (that augment an HDMI in), an SPDIF (optical) digital Audio Out, and a stereo pair of analog Audio Outs.

Below this panel and inconveniently facing down is a strip with three HDMI w/HDCP inputs and an RF connector, which links to the internal NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuner.

Please note that this TV does not offer a VGA port for connecting to a PC. Though I figure that if your computer's video card had an S-Video or DVI/HDMI out that would work. But as I was digging, I noticed that the manual makes no mention of PC resolution compatibility, which leads me to think that JVC does not perceive that this TV would be used as a computer monitor.

Also, not included is an Ethernet port to connect to your home computer network or the Internet. While I'm at it, the TV has no picture-in-picture capabilities.

You can connect your digital camera directly to the USB port on the side. It also accepts flash drives full of jpeg photos. Though, as with most TVs that offer this feature, the software is not that robust.

Their Photo Viewer was persnickety about which jpegs it would read. You can set the length the slide will be on screen but the transition between images was limited to a basic wipe down from the top.

I can live with those restrictions. What I found troubling was the lack of the ability to adjust the image controls when you were in Photo Viewer mode.

The plain, non-backlit remote is compact because it doesn't contain all the extra buttons that usually clutter a universal remote. I appreciate this simple single-mindedness because it leaves room for dedicated buttons for features that are often hidden within menus. For example, individual video inputs can be directly accessed with one of the five V buttons.

Our basic setup procedure has changed recently. To calibrate the monitor, we now are using the Blu-ray version of the Digital Video Essentials DVD called HD Basics. We are playing the DVD on a Pioneer BDP-94HD Blu-ray player connected to the HDTV with an HDMI cable.

We use the test patterns to adjust black level, white level, and color bias. The player is set to output a 1080p signal, which is the native resolution of the JVC LT-42X579.

The Picture Menu on the JVC provides the basic controls: Picture (Contrast), Brightness, Color (Saturation), Tint (Hue) and Detail (Sharpness). Also, you have Video Status presets labeled Dynamic, Theater, Gaming, and Standard.

Dynamic, which closely corresponds to Vivid on other TVs, is the default. All of the modes can be adjusted. I switched to Standard and worked from there.

As usual, before tweaking the basic controls, I go into the Advanced features and turn everything off. I also open up the Color Temperature menu and set the temperature to a neutral setting. With this JVC, the choices are Cool, Warm, and Natural. I picked Natural.

Next, I deal with an item that I am seeing more often on LCDs nowadays, Backlight. The manual describes it as an "adjustment to the brightness of the internal lamp, which effects the overall brightness of the TV." Our testing facility has controlled lighting, therefore I have a tendency to push Backlight down.

The Dynamic default sets Backlight all the way up to 100. Theater drops it down to 15, which is the number I settled on. Depending on your room conditions, you may like it elsewhere. As a general rule, I would set it as low as you feel comfortable.

According to the test patterns, I lowered Color about 20 notches, booted Brightness 12 and turned Detail to zero. Tint and Picture were fairly close to the defaults.

When I began watching actual footage, I found skin tones to be a bit red. I adjusted the Tint towards Green and desaturated the Color a few steps. Faces did look better.

Usually I would dig into the Advanced Video menus and fine tune individual colors separately. This JVC does not provide any of those controls, like a six-color Hue menu.

What this TV does offer beyond the basics are features like Color Management, Dynamic Gamma and Smart Picture, which you can either toggle On or Off. The manual suggests leaving Dynamic Gamma and Smart Picture (an automatic brightness level adjustment) On.

I'm an advocate for giving me the option, but I have to wonder, if they say that Dynamic Gamma "should be left On for optimum picture quality," then why not just affix that setting in the program? Anyway, since you have the choice, I suggest that you try all of the Advanced features one at a time and see how you like them.

Sometimes when I am watching a program on this JVC, I feel that I'm seeing too much of a good thing. The picture is sharp, but too tack sharp - even when the Detail is set to zero.

For example, I use certain scenes in the Pride and Prejudice HD DVD as a reference. I had never noticed the grain in some of the darker shots. I played the noisy sections back on another TV and lo and behold, they are grainy.

The JVC just seemed to accentuate the artifacts. I tried turning on Dynamic Noise Reduction, with only limited effect. The TV can be unforgiving, especially with standard definition programs. There's no hiding the warts and all.

Color saturation is another double edged sword. The LT-42X579 produces some of the richest colors that I have seen. We're talking triple chocolate decadence cake with an extra layer of ganache frosting.

Reds retain a depth that is not often attained, which makes them seem surreal sometimes. On a movie like What Dreams May Come, this fullness of color fulfills the director's vision and the TV shines. On a more subdued film like A Mighty Heart, you may want to adjust the Color down a tad or two.

With the possibility of such overpowering colors, I would prefer if the JVC designers had included advanced color correction tools. And perhaps had provided a slight softening setting with the Detail control.

The Contrast capability of this HDTV is very good, though it does exhibit the occasional tendency to crush the darker grays to black. And as you sit farther off angle, the picture begins to wash out. As with many LCDs, you should perch within a 45 degree viewing angle.

At this point in the review, I usually discuss how well the TV interfaces with a computer. Since the JVC does not have a VGA connection, I'll simply say that if you are looking for a TV to do double duty as a computer monitor, I suggest you look elsewhere.

Finally, about the integrated pair of bass-reflex oblique cone speakers, they surprised me with their capacity to handle high volumes with undistorted aplomb.

And the five-band graphic equalizer presets (Speech, Jazz, Classic, and Rock) do produce distinct sound qualities. I'm not giving these speakers an unconditional home theater audio rating, but they will satisfy for broadcast TV duty.

The JVC LT-42X579 is like the responsive sports car that puts you right at road level. With HD quality content, the ride can be exhilarating. On an SD street full of potholes, buckle up.