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Hitachi P42H401 42-Inch HD1080 Plasma HDTV

List price: $1,199.99
Prices subject to change.

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Product Details

Binding: Electronics
Brand: Hitachi
EAN: 0050585126992
Label: Hitachi
Dimension: 0.23 x 13 x 0.3 inches
Manufacturer: Hitachi
Model: P42H401
Publisher: Hitachi
Studio: Hitachi
Warranty: 1 year parts and labor

Features and Descriptions

1024 X 1080 Resolution w/High Aperature Pixel Design
16-Bit / 281 Trillion Color Capability
Day Dynamic/Day/Night Memory by Input with Timer
Digital Cable Ready (Quam Tuner)
3x HDMI Simplay HD 1080p Compatible Inputs (1 Front)

With a unique 1280 x 1080 resolution, the P42H401 has over 1,000 lines of vertical resolution, allowing it to have a line-for-line match of incoming 1080i TV signals. While it is not the full 1080p resolution, it has a better resolution than 720p panels at a similar price. Picture quality is further enhanced, thanks to ClearWindow technology that reduces the visibility of a grid structure and maximizes brightness and clarity.

The P42H401 has three HDMI SimplayHD inputs (two rear, one front), the highest quality connection available that has both high definition video and audio in one cable. It also has two component video inputs, one S-Video input, four A/V inputs, and one RF/Antenna input. Outputs include one AV monitor output (fixed audio), one S-Video monitor output, and one optical digital audio output. You can connect the optical digital audio output with your home theater system to obtain surround sound when the built-in 20-watt speaker system isn't quite enough. The TV speaker can then be used as a center speaker.

Ratings & Comments(Average: 4.5

)

- Hated it, now LOVE it!
I had been searching for a new plasma TV and was all set on buying the ever popular Panasonic 42" 720 plasma from Best Buy. They had a sale for $1099.00 (actual just saw the Panasonic model on Amazon for $959.00 just now)

Anyway, while at Best Buy I noticed that the Hitachi here was on sale too but for $979.00! The sales guy said it was the best deal in the store. I asked "Why so cheap?" He said Hitachi is clearing out their line to introduce their new models with new techology. He said Hitachi ranked high and was a great buy at that price.

Being price conscious and knowing going to 1080 resolution meant having to upgrade my DVD and cable box, I thought, "Get it and save some dough."

Well, I got home, set it up and was disappointed at the picture quality and audio. I immediately came to Amazon to look over the reviews and saw the same concern by the one reviewer. Face tones were pasty. Audio was very weak and very flat. Man, was I bummed!

Then I saw another reviewer that said, "Read the Manual!" This was EXCELLENT advice. My Hitachi has many settings for the picture quality and audio. Well, come to find out, the first thing ya gotta do is find the command that asks if you want to "RESET to Factory settings". Choose "YES". Turn your TV Off then On. WOW! What a difference! Picture and audio is just AMAZING! I have no regrets and would recommend this Hitachi to anyone! I know 1080 is not suppose to make a difference in screens 50" or smaller, however, when you use the ZOOM feature to fill the screen the picture stays sharp which I really like!

- The best bang for your buck..excellent TV !!
After extensive research, I decided on the Hitachi 42" Plasma. Hitachi is the leader in Plasma televisions, and they show why in this set. The set gives you a 1080i signal (won't get into that), and at the time, the set was on sale for less than the Panasonic and Samsung TVs that I was comparing to. You get far more features and inputs than those sets right out of the box for less price, not to mention the quality of the picture. I bought an Oppo upconverting DVD player to go along with this set, and the picture is nothing short of astounding. Someone else mentioned that the longer the set is used, the better the picture seems to be. There are two things I would like to point out. Ironically, the set has so many features and adjustments, it will take you a very long to tweak the set, and the amount of memory it retains for each input may drive you crazy. Plan on spending some time with this set. Also, the TV speakers are very tinny and almost take away from the overall beauty of the set, but I'm sure everyone will agree that if you are buying a TV of this quality, you are surely running it through your stereo system. That is open for debate, but that would be my only complaint. When watching cable TV, I don't normally run it through my system, but, I didn't buy this TV for its sound. The picture is fabulous, and please be sure to get yourself an upconverting DVD player to take advantage of the astounding picture this set gives you. Highest recommendation.

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