Summary: Like so many of you, I've researched and drooled over flat panels over a year. Using this site I had decided to order a Sony 55" projection TV for a very reasonable price. I made one last recon mission to CC (the big box electronics store) when I spotted this model at a spectacular price. In fact, the price was so low I assumed it was incorrect. I accessed PriceGrabber for the best delivered price for the same set. CC actually was the same price even when accounting for sales tax. I confirmed the price and bought it on the spot.
Upon delivery and set-up that afternoon we learned the main power switch was defective. No problem - the CC crew exchanged the set and it was up in running in less than 40 minutes from the time the original problem was found. I hate to think what the RMA/exchange/warranty issues might have been had I purchased from someone remote. I know, it seldom happens -- but in this case it happened to me.
On to the HDTV review:
Picture Quality: Resolution is 1024 x 1024. The picture on this set is absolutely outstanding with an HD signal via HD cable box. (Although the set has SmartCard capability, I want the digital schedule guide-only active via cable box.) Digital pictures are only slightly better than my 12 yr old Mitsubishi. I compared HD programming side-by-side with Sony, Phillips and Pioneer sets. I'd rate Pioneer first, Phillips and Hitachi a close second, and Sony last. Yes, I'm serious. Perhaps the Sony wasn't set up correctly, but no mistaking the picture quality and accuracy of the Hitachi. While the Pioneer picture was a bit better than the Hitachi, it could not justify the $1650 price difference for the same sized set. I use the "Night" setting to reduce the brightness and (perhaps) increase the life of the panel. I've also reduced the contrast considerably and find the picture very good. I will soon pick up a calibration DVD and perform more optimization.
DVD: I was concerned that Consumers Report (Union) rated this TV dead last against several other plasmas in DVD tests. This was a false alarm! I took my Matrix Reloaded DVD to Circuit City and had them hook up dvd players to the Hitachi, Pioneer, Sony and Phillips panels. As you can imagine, all the tech-heads came out of the woodwork for this one! We played with the various sets, settings and gizmos for about 90 minutes. The results for the Hitachi were outstanding! I'd still rate the Pioneer better, but not by much ... and again, the incremental cost can't be justified (in my mind.) Once home, all DVDs tried had similar results - excellent!
Size: I was concerned the set was "only" a 42" diag screen. My heart was set on a 55" Sony, and I was sure it would fit perfectly in my entertainment space. However, once CC took this set out of the box I knew 42" was plenty large enough, especially with HD signals. I moved my seats forward slightly; I am now 9.5' away from the screen, and it is plenty large!
Features: The remote AV box is a cool idea that makes connection of accessories a breeze. The output from the box is a single cable to the back of the flat panel. All accessories are accessed via soft buttons available via remote control. The manual contains at least a few hundred component codes that can be entered into the system. Also, the AV box has two antenna inputs. The PIP can use one of each antenna, or both pictures from the same source. I've not tried the photo album display. Inputs (see below) are available for digital and other inputs.
Connectors: A ton of them, including phono, optical audio, HDMI, sub-woofer, IR mouse sensor/wire, IEEE 1394, D-Sub Mini (9 AND 15 pin), USB, and the "F" and "S" connectors.
Remote Control: Overall, pretty good. The amount of information available via this remote is impressive. It does take a bit to understand the navigation, but that is time well invested. The remote also has three great short cut buttons: Aspect (ratio control), Day/Night brightness settings) and PIP. The remote controls all of my components connected to the AV box. Volume and channel selection is via thumb-wheel. However, use the cable box remote if in that mode ... or you'll be thumbing back to Channel 3 quickly.
Aspect ratios: Stations with true HD defaults to 16:9. (The Discovery HD channel is worth the few dollars extra a month!) With good digital signals I prefer the 4:3 expanded view. Please note: Not all that comes from a cable box is digital. On my service the digital stations tend to start at channel 100. Analog signals aren't good on this set - I stay with 4:3. Zooms are available for both 4:3 and 16:9, but I don't like them.
Sound: 10W RMS with "TruBass." Sound is decent, but a picture of this quality demands a robust, accurate sound system. I'm still testing, but am partial to Bose, Celestion, and Yamaha systems.
I hope this info is useful. Happy viewing!
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