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Adept with HD fare and well endowed with ins and outs, the LG 42LS570T's lack of ultimate versatility might be a cause for concern for some.
For all-round family viewing, perhaps the smaller 32-inch LG 32LS570T will represent the sweet spot of this particular TV lineup, but those wanting to hook up multiple sources and USB flash drives/HDDs on a big screen TV will heartily disagree.
We liked
The movie streaming app-laden Smart TV and SmartShare are our favourite aspects of the LG 42LS570T, though its Blu-ray picture is strangely addictive, too.
That's down to a surprisingly effective TruMotion setting, though just as useful are this low-priced TV's Freeview HD tuner and all-round media-savvy user interface.
And the plentiful and conveniently placed USB and HDMI inputs are a big attraction, too.
We disliked
Aside from movie streaming, a few more catch-up TV apps wouldn't go amiss on Smart TV, while standard definition isn't treated particularity well.
Sound is relatively poor, while contrast and black levels are such that little shadow detail is visible.
The placing of all four HDMI inputs on the side is also annoying, since the cables jut out from the side of the TV too easily, though of more concern is the TV's lack of Wi-Fi.
Final verdict
As a screen for the living room of someone with loads of gadgets and a penchant for digital media, there is no better value choice than the LG 42LS570T.
Heaving with HDMI and USB slots, though lacking Wi-Fi, it's nevertheless the 42-inch LG's smart TV functionality that swings it.
On most TV brands - save for Toshiba, perhaps - the provision of anything that could be considered smart means paying at least £100 or more on top of the base price.
LG's imaginatively named Smart TV platform is included for zilch extra amid a good value package of other TV must-haves - including an arresting hi-definition picture.
Also consider
The budget 42-inch TV market is awash with options. Very similar to this TV is the Toshiba 40RL953, while slightly more spend gets you the Panasonic TX-L42E5B, which is mightily similar, too, save for a completely different - and less integrated - smart TV platform.
Meanwhile, the Samsung UE40ES6300 adds Active Shutter 3D compatibility, as does the upscale Sony KDL-40HX753, though for more spend.
