Redefining a night at home!
Written: Sep 08 '02 (Updated Sep 08 '02)
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Pros: At home entertainment went up a few notches!
Cons: Picture format selection outside of standard mode,is useless to me
The Bottom Line: Mitsubishi has a great product in this set. Because of all the features each series provides, carefully determine which are important to your viewing preferences before choosing.
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| lllopez's Full Review: Mitsubishi WS-55819 55 in. TV |
The Mitsubishi 55819 is a 16:9 aspect ratio, 55 inch wide screen, HDTV ready rear projection television worthy your consideration. Although not, top of the line, this Platinum Plus series set is feature rich, all the while offering the highest quality and standard of performance in an industry struggling to compete. Mitsubishi models are distinguished as the Silver, Platinum, Platinum Plus, and Diamond series, with more onboard features as you progress up to the feature laden Diamond level.
Of note, in the purchase of a rear projection HDTV set, it is highly recommended you have it delivered, by a qualified technician. Besides saving some real backbreaking (350 lbs) work, and unless you are technically proficient , 64 point convergence and calibration on this set is a little more involved than with an analog set.
All your a/v and component video connections are conveniently placed in a connect bay on the back and a connect station located conveniently behind a flip door on the front panel. (Component video inputs allow you access to the highest possible performance from a progressive scan DVD player, due to Dual progressive scan (480P)/ interlaced (480i) capabilities on this set. Progressive scan DVD players can be had for as low as $300.) The WS-55819 is set up to handle numerous inputs and outputs, with two NTSC/analog cable inputs, one ATSC QAM digital cable input, front and rear A/V inputs with S-video, and two component video inputs. A cable loop output, and fixed/variable audio and video output.
The picture quality on this set is enhanced by Mitsubishi's high speed velocity scan modulation, which scans and corrects the picture promoting very crisp edge detail. That detail is the result of Mitsubishi's Microfine phosphor CRT's, which reduces the spot or pixel 20% more which translates into sharper lines and cleaner images. The quality on this picture, even in analog mode, is very impressive! The dual-tuner picture-in-picture function is feature rich. Parents will appreciate the ability to lock out access to front button controls. Each of the input sources can be set to remember a different combination of color, contrast, and brightness, which is nice if you switch from DVD to video games and TV.
Picture in Picture modes include side by side, 3 beside or scrolling 9 beside your main picture! There are 5 picture formats, including standard, expand, zoom, stretch,and narrow, essentially alter viewing formats. I prefer, and maintain standard mode on my set, because it looks realistic, as opposed to zoom which cut some of the viewing area out, or narrow conventional 4:3 aspect ratio with gray bars on the sides of the picture. Stretch essentially takes the 4:3 aspect ratio and stretches it to fill your picture altering the images to the extent that they are out of proportion. This is my one and only gripe with this set. Why offer modes that are essentially useless?
Colors are extremely vivid without harsh overtones..lines are sharp and distinct, and you have the capability to make all your adjustments to video, audio, setup, and timer ,Vchip, format, vcr record, functions from your multi purpose remote. The remote is simply laid out with common sense, and very little multi-function electro-gymnastics required. It is back lit, which makes a great deal of sense since viewing should be done in a dim lit room. The Smart/multi function remote has the capability to control your TV, Cable Box, Satellite receiver,VCR, DVD,Audio components. The convenience features continue with a daily on-timer, a sleep timer, input labeling, channel labeling, closed caption when mute, channel memory for up to nine channels, and channel preview/input strobe
In addition to an impressive picture, the WS-55819 has two ten-watt full range 6-inch round speakers which can be set to simulate surround sound. Bass and treble are adjustable, and a volume limiter keeps the output even during especially loud segments. As good as the onboard sound is, it nowhere near rivals a consumer level, not to mention, a premium 6.1 outboard surround system.
I am a wide screen convert since owning this set! It has the same aspect ratio you would see in a theater, so the "movie experience" is as close as your media room! I found myself moving it around a few times until I found the "right spot" The screen is not glare free as in the Diamond sets so you need to pay attention to lights, windows etc. You will also find yourself looking for the right furniture, sound system for your room ..so.. beware.
Finally, Mitsubishi guarantees, in writing, that this set will never be obsolete. They will come out, and for a "nominal fee" upgrade this set to the latest technological standard. This is a claim I will take them up on, since I plan on enjoying this set for a long time!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2800.00
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