Like being at the movies!
Written: Dec 05 '02
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Pros: Great picture out of the box. Good features at price. DVD and HD rock!
Cons: Only 2 component inputs. Cannot save picture settings for individual inputs.
The Bottom Line: If you are in the market for a widescreen, HDTV capable, RPTV, do yourself a favor and look into these sets. You won't be disappointed.
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| vogner's Full Review: Hitachi 65SWX20B 65 in. TV |
If you're reading this you are probably doing what I was doing a few short months ago; researching before you dropped a large chunk-o-change on a TV. I feel your pain. I spent a year reading and rereading before I finally made my choice. I must have changed at least 5 times. Did I get the best set? Hard question to answer, but I can say that I don't regret my purchase in the least.
Let's get started. First off, this thing is huge. Exact specs are available on the Hitachi site but the app. dimensions are 61"W, 60"H, 28"D, and it weighs around 300lbs. It is on casters and rolls fairly easily. I can move it by myself and I'm not a big guy. The screen itself is 65" diagonal (duh), 57" wide, and 32" tall. This is a 16X9 aspect ratio (widescreen) rear-projection TV.
As far as inputs, it has 1 DVI, 2 component, 3 S-video (1 of which is on the front panel), with the accompanying audio inputs. It also has 2 antennae inputs, and connections to allow the set's speakers to be used as a center channel in a HT setup. I consider 2 component inputs a con because I've already used both of mine for a progressive scan DVD, and my high definition cable box. That would complicate things if I wanted to say connect an Xbox thru the component inputs or had a STB without a DVI connection. We'll forgo a discussion on the pros/cons of using a receiver or some other external switcher for component signals and just say I don't want to do that.
The set is supplied with 2 remotes. There is the "big" remote that can do everything, and a smaller simple remote that takes care of basic functions: power, volume, channel etc. The full function remote can be programmed to control other components though I have not usd this function. In addition, the set is supplied with AV net. These are IR "relays" that are connected to the set and then placed in front of the component you are trying to control. In theory you only have to point the remote at the TV. I have not used this feature. I also like the fact that you can access any of the inputs directly. Each of the 5 inputs and the 2 ant. has a button on the remote. No more cycling thru the inputs like on my Panny.
Some of the features (complete list available on Hitachi)
-Magic Focus: autoconvergence feature, works pretty good. It's not perfect, but it does a good job in a short period of time.
-For the do-it-yourselfers it has 117 point manual convergence in the consumer menu.
-Scan velocity modulation (SVM) is defeatable with the push of a button in the consumer menu.
-4 viewing modes:Movies, Sports, News and Music. Changes made to color, sharpness, etc. or other changes made in the menu are "saved" in the viewing modes. You can't save different settings for each input. Whatever changes were made in the movie mode the last time you watched it, will be there the next time.
-6 aspect ratios: 4X3 standard, expanded, zoom1, and zoom2. 16X9 standard and zoom. I don't have any experience with the 4X3 aspect ratios. 16X9 standard is for your typical HDTV signal and most DVDs. I guess you could say it is the set's native aspect ratio. Wider aspect ratio movies like Lord of the Rings will leave small bars at the top and bottom of the screens. Monsters Inc. for instance will fill the entire screen. 16X9 zoom does just that. You lose some of the picture, but it gets rid of the bars (if you wnat to get rid of them). Of note, I am using a TWC HD cable box. The TV interprets the signal as 1080i regardless of whether or not it is truly high definition. This only gives you access to the 16X9 aspect ratios, which is why I haven't used any of the 4X3.
-3 color temperatures: Cool, Warm, Standard.
-Wideneck CRT's designed to give better picture on the 16X9 screen
Picture quality is outstanding. It is very bright. Even in a well lit room you get a decent picture. Not as good as when it is dark, but very enjoyable to watch nonetheless. The antireflective screen does a fairly good job. Other than a few minutes early in the morning when there is sun shining directly on the screen, I've had no problems. This set gives very sharp detailed pictures. It does tend to over emphasize reds a little, but that can be adjusted to tolerable levels without seriously affecting the overall color quality. I have also had some ghosting but I wouldn't say that it is readily apparent unless you are looking for it. It has not been distracting and not easily seen when things are moving. HDTV looks incredible. DVD for the most part is amazing. Not all DVD transfers are the highest quality, but the really good ones are ...really good. Cable is generally poor and varies tremendously from channel to channel and day to day. Bigger picture and greater reproduction of detail bring new meaning to the saying, "garbage in = garbage out." I cannot comment on satellite, or VHS, or gaming systems.
Don't take my word for it. Go out and look at alot of sets. Compare side-by -side. For your own good, do alot of research. There are alot of good consumer driven forums that provide invaluable information about the good, the bad, and the ugly. Read them. Know what you're getting into before you buy. Don't always trust the salesman, sometimes you know more than they do. I cannot stress enough, this type of set in general may not be the best set for you if you only watch 4X3 cable/satellite programming. Much of what you see on the sales floor is HDTV, DVD, or some other "high resolution" source. It is rarely standard defintion cable or satellite. Get the biggest set you can afford and fit in your room. You'll regret going small. I did!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 3300
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Epinions.com ID:
vogner
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Reviews written: 6
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