[ REVIEWS ] LG G8000 Photos + Movie Clips
translated in July 8 2003 (page 1)

Of all camera mobile phones, Japan and Korea models are welcomed by the users from Asia countries. The previous examples are Panasonic GD 87 / 88, NEC N8 /e525 and Samsung V200. Korea LG also joins that competition. The new LG G8000 not only can make still photos, but also a movie clip with sound. In addition to the 40 polyphonic ring tones, the LG G8000 is almost the strongest camera phone. ThreeGMobile got a retail sample, and tested the built-in camera and ring tones presentation. Here is the review.


LG G8000 Photos + Movie Clips

Test Report

Handset Portfolio
LG G8000 was announced in SMAU telecom show in Italy 2002. The first retail place is also Italy. It seems that the phone is targeting European market, not Asian market. In Greater China, now Chinese interface is provided too. This decision is quite strange for most handsets for Asia. The design of LG G8000 is different from their previous models. The user-interface is newly designed and not the same as G7020 and G5200. The size is rather big with 23mm thickness and 129 gram weight. The dimension and weight are unusual if we compare G8000 to others light-weighted and thin LG models before. Nevertheless, the configuration is very good. LG G8000 uses TFD 65,000 colours display. The picture interpretation of TFD screen is similar with TFT screen and TFD is claimed more energy saving.

The embedded CMOS is located in the middle of the handset. It can rotate 160 degrees for snap shot taking, self-portrait photo, and movie making. The camera can make up to CIF quality (352 x 288 pixels) photos or 20 seconds MPEG 4 format movies. Other features include 40 polyphonic ring tones, MMS, EMS. The early specification includes JAVA application and 64MB memory. However, The final product does not support JAVA and only equips with 3.2MB internal memory. Like all LG colour display handsets, G8000 comes with a RS 232 (Com Port) and related PC software. Users can synchronize the phonebook, scheduler; ring tones, pictures and movie clips.

Test Focus: snap shots and movie clips
110 thousands pixels CMOS camera
LG G8000 uses an 110 thousands pixels CMOS camera, and can take three resolution photos, 352 x 288 pixels (CIF), 176 x 180 pixels and 176 x 144 pixels (QCIF). There is a short key for camera, just press it and take a picture. The picture is shown on the 2/3 screen. The remained area is used for displaying the relevant information like the memory status, and the resolution. LG G8000 is lacking of photo frame or photo effect add-in, only features night-shot. It takes around 2 seconds to snap a photo. The file name is automatically generated and the speed is fast enough.

Picture Quality
All pictures are stored in the "Image Gallery". The 9 squares of thumbnail are built. It is a pleasure experience to view picture using LG G8000. The TFD screen is bright and presents good colour depth. It can present the clear and full of colours picture. All photos taken by the camaer can act as the content of MMS message. The 176 x 180 pixels pictures suit the actual size of the screen, especially designed for background pictures. However, The 176 x 180 pixels pictures are only the effects of the digital zoom from 176 x 180 pixels one. The actual quality is not as good as the CIF and QCIF quality of photos.

The pictures taken by the camera of G8000 can be transferred to the PC via compatible software. If we compare the photo quality of LG G8000 with those made by Nokia 7250 and Nokia 3650 shown on a PC screen, LG G8000 pictures is clearer. However, the problem of grey corner is still shown because of the CMOS camera.

Movie Clips
Besides photo taking, LG G8000 can handle movie clip making with sound. Users can choose the feature from "Video Recorder". There are two modes for video making, normal and for MMS. The quality is the same while the normal mode represents 20 seconds movie clip and MMS mode 10 seconds clip. LG G8000 record as MPEG 4 format movie, while can handle playing both MPEG 4 and 3GP format movies. We played the movie clips made by LG G8000 in a desktop computer, using both Windows Media 6 and Quick time Player 6 (claimed to support MPEG 4 format). However, both softwares cannot handle the clips.

Test Focus?Polyphonic Ring tones
LG G8000 supports 40 chords polyphonic ring tones and AMR format for voice recording. There are 20 ring tones insides. The volume is loud. You can hear the sound even you put the handset inside your jean. LG G8000 supports both MIDI and MMF format ring tones, more flexible than LG previous models and Samsung phones.

Test Focus?Messaging and download services
LG G8000 comes with an MMS, Multi Media Messaging service client. We tried to send and receive some MMS messages using Peoples network in Hong Kong. All can be done successfully. However, we found the implementation of MMS graphic is quite strange. Texts and graphics mix together. Other users using other operator in Hong Kong complained that the MMS is not usable. That's why Hong Kong dealer refuses to admit the MMS feature.

Besides MMS, LG G8000 comes with an Email client, using POP3 and SMTP standard. Also, it can send and receive EMS. There is some pre-installed EMS graphics and sounds too.

LG G8000 supports graphic capture through WAP browser. We tried to download the graphics for Nokia 3650 from wap.esato.com, G8000 can save the images instantly.

LG G8000 comes with an RS 232 (com port) cable and LG PC sync software. Users can transfer JPEG, GIF, animated GIF graphics; MMF and MIDI ring tones; 3GP and MPEG 4 movie clip to and from G8000. The LG Sync also supports the sync with MS outlook for phonebook and scheduler information.

User interface
The user interface of LG G8000 is very good. The numbers of short cut keys are more than other handsets, totally 14. We can find the dedicated keys for ring tone, messaging service, WAP browser, games, Multi Media files and photo taking. However, it is quite strange to locate the voice-recording key behind the camera. The user-interface is logical, but it does not support themes or menu colours.

Phonebook
Users can store multi entry to the LG G8000 phonebook, like telephone numbers, email addresses and more. Users can assign specific ring tones for individual entry or group. G8000 also equips with call screening to protect the users' privacy. Many users prefer the picture phonebook. ThreeGMobile found that users could assign a picture for a entry. However, the picture cannot come out when the call comes.

Voice Quality
Like the previous LG models, the reception and voice quality of LG G8000 is good. We found that the volume of ear piece is loud enough, while not so nature.

To Sum up:
GOOD:
TFD display produces good screen quality
loud ring tone with MIDI support
Good photos quality by the embedded camera
Easy to use user interface
With data cable and software
good download feature

BAD:
Not compatible MMS
Not support Caller Picture ID
Not compatible MEPG 4 movie

To sum up, the performance of LG G8000 is good enough. The embedded camera can produce good quality of pictures and video clip. Also, the quality of screen and ring tones are good too. However, the lacking of caller ID pictures is the most disappointed point.

If 5 stars represent the highest score of a mobile gadget, ThreeGMobile would give LG G8000 3 stars restricted to its camera, screen performance and the menu design. But we also feel the quality of the phone is very good.

Please note that the above test report is done by the tester from ThreeGMobilesubjective measurement, and not objective weightedWe believed that users can find it useful when choosing a preferred mobile phonesome mistakes; please feel free to tell us . The comments and the "stars" scheme are both . However, .We welcome any comment. Please email us!

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