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. Read more

The 51F59 CRT rear-projection TV features a video processor that converts all signals to match the set 1080i display resolution; and a high-brightness lens system that magnifies the image for precise focus and detail in widescreen home-theatre proportions, Hitachi notes. These displays also feature the Day and Night memory by input, as well as a DTV and NTSC tuner. They also boast a patented Magic Focus Auto Convergence System; HDMI digital video/audio input; high-contrast 0.52mm fine pitch screen, and six aspect mode choices.

The 42PD7200 is a pretty thing, and no mistake. Sporting a neat black screen frame, a funky swivelling stand and nifty clip-on silver speakers. It’s perfectly adapted for a living room environment. Pleasingly, the 42PD7200 sports HDMI and DVI digital video inputs so it’s fully aufait with digital DVD feeds and Sky’s highdefinition plans. There are component video inputs, too, for analogue HD and progressive scan needs, alongside three Scarts and a standard PC input. Composite video and four-pin S-video jacks are provided on a separate connections box. At times, its pictures are jaw-droppingly good. Even when they fall prey to noise and the odd colour tone issue, they’re still a country mile ahead of the competition here and offer some healthy competition to many far pricier screens.

Hitachi’s 42PD5200 was pioneering when it launched, and the 42PD7200 smartens it up, adds a few new features and future-proofs it with high-definition compatibility. The fact that it arrives at a good-value price makes it even more attractive, and it hasn’t hampered the performance one bit.

The 55-inch Hitachi 55HDX62 UltraVision CineForm Director’s Series Plasma HDTV ($6,999.99 list) offers a stylish design and plenty of quality touches, but this premium television failed to deliver a premium picture. The 55HDX62 allowed common image artifacts to taint standard-definition video, and its performance as a high-definition plasma display was comparable with that of a good panel from a year and a half ago. Hitachi televisions are among the best in the world, and the 55HDX62’s showing suggests a modernized successor is overdue.

It’s difficult to recommend a plasma display that costs as much as the 55HDX62 when it offers little improvement over older panels. The 55HDX62 also Read more

The 42HDS69’s native resolution of 1,080i through a pixel configuration of 1,024 x 1,080, and has viewing enhancements like the anti-reflective screen and ALiS pixel barrier minimization technology, and features three each of component three HDMI inputs – two on the back on and one on the side, along with an optical audio out and CableCard support.

The plasma will retail for about $2499 and will be available very soon.

* Diagonal size
* 42 in

* Image aspect ratio
* 16:9

* HDTV compatible
* Yes
Read more

Hitachi’s new HDTVs include a 1080 plasma screens lines and four slim 120Hz LCD televisions.

Hitachi has taken the wraps off three new series of 42-inch and 55-inch plasma HDTVs plus four new LCD television offerings which, as they ship this year, at least make your HDTV options more plentiful and complicated.

Plasma HDTVS

Hitachi’s new plasma televisions will be available in both 42-inch and 55-inch configurations, and Hitachi says the 42-inch models—the 42HDS69, the 42HDT79, and 42HDX99 —will be the first plasma screen to bring 1080i resolution to that size.

The 42-inch and 55-inch UltraVision models will feature Hitachi’s PictureMaster III processor, giving the 42HDS69 ($2,499) a 1024 by 1080 resolution and the 55HDS69 ($4,299) a 1365 by 768 resolution. Both sizes will features three HDMI and three component inputs, a six-speaker 36-watt audio system, and are designed to look like they were hewn from a single slab of aluminum. They’re expected to ship in June 2006—well, Hitachi says “this month,” but really, it’s almost June, right?

The UltraVision CineForm 42-inch and 55-inch models have all the features of the HDS69 series (above), with the addition of an onscreen TV Guide programming guide, an adjustable color decoder, two IR outputs (and an IR pass-through), and a USB photo input. The list price for the 42HDT79 will be $2,999, the 55-inch 55HDT79 will be $4,799; both units are expected to be available in July 2006. Read more

Hitachi is spearheading its latest campaign to promote its new TV range with giant posters spread across London.

The company is using Ocean’s 9 x 9 metre backlit sites at Aldgate, The East Cross route and St Paul’s Church Hammersmith to promote the range, which is equipped for High Definition TV.

The campaign, which uses the tagline “Japan’s best kept secret”, will run for the next two weeks in a poster campaign that also includes 96 sheets, 48 sheets and digital escalator panels.
Banner Ad

Creative and media are being handled by the Banner Corporation, which is running its first campaign for Hitachi since winning the account earlier this year. The poster specialist is Kinetic.

The outdoor push is running alongside Hitachi’s pan-European corporate brand advertising campaign using the strapline “Hitachi’s technology and know-how improves your life”. The drive encompasses TV, press and online.

In preparation for its transition to HDTV next year, Alabama Public Television (APT) took delivery of three Hitachi SK-3010P HDTV cameras, which they began using in March for a multitude of high-quality, local television broadcasts.

Since last month, APT has gone on-air with the cameras to broadcast several, local live in-studio programs in Montgomery, including a nightly live news and public affairs program; a 30-minute weekly legislative show; and on-air membership pledge drives, which are broadcast three times a year.

APT’s network operations are based in Birmingham, with nine local PBS stations throughout the state.

“The SK-series of HDTV cameras are world-renowned, high-performance studio and field production cameras. Advanced digital signal processing and Hitachi’s expertise in camera design provide pristine picture quality in both HD and SD,” said Emilio Aleman, Product Manager, Broadcast & Professional, Hitachi Kokusai Electric America, Ltd. “The ease of use, intuitive interface and overall ‘bang-for-the-buck’ are the primary reasons why APT and other users are so satisfied with our SK-3010p HDTV cameras.”

“Our purchase of Hitachi’s SK-3010P HDTV cameras allows us to easily continue our digital upgrade and eventual transition to full HD integration by next year,” said Harvey Wilson, Assistant Director of Broadcast Services, APT. “Our goal is to produce more local programs in HD, and the new Hitachi cameras start us on our way. We’ve been very pleased with the service from Hitachi. Richard Melton, a local Hitachi representative, has been working closely with us to put the cameras into our network’s production system.”

APT’s transition to HD will also include selecting an HD production switcher and other peripheral equipment for production control. APT currently has an HD non-linear editing system, enabling efficient field production, and is also using three HD cameras in the field.

Hitachi’s SK-3010p series cameras now offer 720p and 1080/24p native scan video output formats. For its 1080i/60 cameras, optional down-converted 720p and 480i video outputs are provided from its camera control unit (CCU).

The SK-3010p is deliverable now and ranges in price from $85,000 to $105,000, depending on the system configuration.

Hitachi Canada Ltd.’s Digital Media Division has added six models to its line of projection TVs, including three UltraVision LCD rear-projection HDTV models measuring 50”, 55”, and 62”, and three CRT rear-projection DTV models with 1080i display capability, in 51”, 57”, and 65” screen sizes.

The UltraVision LCD Projection HDTV VS69 Series come in silver and black finish, and a 3-Panel 720p LCD Light Engine with an 11-Element Lens System. A proprietary Hitachi VirtualHD 1080p video processor de-interlaces 1080i programs to provide as much detail as possible for a clear, sharp image, Hitachi explains, while the firm’s dynamic histogram processing delivers “improved contrast, colour and sharpness while reducing noise to a minimum.”

The models include a Quick Start Seamless HDTV and NTSC tuner; and a separate Day and Night memory for each input. They also have an anti-reflective diffusion screen; multiple colour temperatures; black enhancement; a 24 Watt, two-way speaker system; and an HDMI audio/video input and two wideband component inputs.

The 55VS69 and 62VS69 are currently available for SRPs of $2,999.99 and $3,499.99 respectively; while the 50VS69 will be available in July for an SRP of $2,499.99.

The F59 CRT rear-projection TVs feature a video processor that converts all signals to match the set 1080i display resolution; and a high-brightness lens system that magnifies the image for precise focus and detail in widescreen home-theatre proportions, Hitachi notes. These displays also feature the Day and Night memory by input, as well as a DTV and NTSC tuner. They also boast a patented Magic Focus Auto Convergence System; HDMI digital video/audio input; high-contrast 0.52mm fine pitch screen, and six aspect mode choices.

The 51F59 is available for an SRP of $1,599.99; while the 57F59 and 65F59 will be available in May at SRPs of $1,899.99 and $2,299.99, respectively.

“Hitachi’s engineering expertise takes the home theatre experience to a new level with our sleekest designs yet,” commented Brandon Osmond, Product Manager for Hitachi Canada Ltd., Digital Media Division. “Our latest models combine cutting-edge technology that delivers a vivid and accurate large-screen picture with an ultra compact, contemporary design that fits a wider range of viewing environments.”

For more information, visit www.hitachi.ca.