HDTV Reviews

Hitachi’s new UltraVision 42-inch 42HDT52 sits second from the top of the company’s 2005 plasma line. In other words, it has a full complement of features and excellent connectivity, and it costs more than your typical 42-inch plasma ($4,400 list). We really like its awesome-looking design and form factor, and we have to admit that its motorized swivel stand, while a bit gimmicky, is still pretty darn cool

We really liked the Hitachi 42HDT52’s Day and Night modes, which provide two independent memories per input. In Day mode, you might crank up contrast and brightness to adjust for ambient light; in Night mode, you might calibrate the settings for optimum picture quality in a controlled environment.

The connectivity on this panel is quite generous. Unlike many sets, the Hitachi 42HDT52 offers two HDMI inputs. It also has two component-video inputs, two A/V inputs with S-Video, two RF inputs (one for antenna and one for cable TV), the CableCard slot, a set of monitor A/V outputs with S-Video, and a FireWire port. There’s also a subwoofer output and an optical digital audio output on the back panel. Finally, a set of side inputs–including A/V with S-Video, FireWire, and a USB jack for displaying digital photos–provide convenient hookups for video games, camcorders, or USB keychain drives.

The only missing link is a dedicated PC input, and the manual states that the HDMI inputs are not intended for use with computers. That won’t stop intrepid home-theater PC buffs, but it does make computer hookup less convenient.

While the Hitachi 42HDT52 plasma is full-featured and downright beautiful to look at, its image quality doesn’t quite measure up to that of the tough competition.
Source: http://reviews.cnet.com/