Hitachi 43GX01B 43 in. TV

UPDATE (January 21, 2002): original review follows.

I've now enjoyed my Hitachi 43 inch TV for just over a year. I sometimes watch broadcast TV using a "rabbit ears" antenna (favorite programs: ALIAS, Jamie Kennedy Experiment and Scrubs) but most of my viewing is DVD movies that I rent from Netflix.com. After one year, I love the set! Nothing bothers me about it (including those things I previously listed as "negatives" -- reflection on screen and bright "on" light). I may have been trying too hard to find negatives in order to "balance" my opinion. I'm sure that since my review there are many new choices in projection TV. I went into a Circuit City yesterday, to buy a digital camera, but took a quick glance at large screen TVs to see what I was missing. Basically, my Hitachi (HDTV ready but no converter, yet) blew away the picture on sets in a similar price range. Virtually all my guests, who watch programming (broadcast but usually DVDs) find the picture to be extraordinarily good and comment on it.


UPDATE (March 24, 2001): follows original opinion.

Three things to consider:
1) I have become an Internet shopper to the extent that, perhaps, 75 percent of my shopping is now done via the Internet (software, clothing, electronics, groceries, gifts, etc.).

2) I rely greatly on the reviews I find on the Internet to make or confirm my buying decisions (epinions.com; pricegrabber.com, etc.).

3) I prefer opinions by "real world" users of products over the esoteric opinions of experts.

Well, RadioGuy, in his writing about the Hitachi 43FDX01B has caused me to reconsider point number 3, above. He has combined expert knowledge with wonderful explanations which (even) I can follow (basic layman's language with a bit of wit). It is RadioGuy's opinion which "clinched the deal" and persuaded me to buy this set.

Nonetheless, I've decided to venture forth and add my opinion of this Hitachi television to the opinions which have preceded mine.

Unlike RadioGuy, I am not an expert; I merely appreciate excellence and a fair value for money invested.

Yesterday (January 6, 2001) my Hitachi 43FDX01B was delivered from Circuit City where I had purchased it for $1900. I also bought the base unit (to support the TV) for an additional $150 (about $20 in parts). Because the base unit required assembly, I brought it home in order to put it together and have it ready at the time the TV was to be delivered. It took me about 15 minutes to figure out the assembly instructions (84 parts, counting all screws, nails, etc.) -- all diagrams with no text. Two hours later I had the base assembled; frankly, it looks much better (more expensive) once it's in tact.

I had previously purchased a Denon AVR 1801 receiver based on Web reviews ($424: I never saw the product till it arrived by UPS). Similarly I had purchased a Toshiba, SD 2200, DVD player ($249: delivered). A pair of JBL Northridge ND310 speakers ($480 with shipping, on-line; $600 plus tax at Best Buy) rounded out the basics for my home theater experience.

I had also purchased a few cables (Monster: component video, digital, and fiber optic audio); boy, they were expensive! A week earlier, I had no idea that "component video" offered the best quality nor did I realize tha


t my existing components had fiber optic connectors ("in my day" we just used "lamp cord" to make all our connections). I had read, in several reviews, of the difficulty in figuring out connections (bad diagrams, et al). The reality was that I had to study about a dozen (or more) diagrams to learn that every conceivable connection was shown and that only one diagram needed to be applied. Once I figured that out the connections were quite simple. I connected my DVD to my receiver (tried playing some CDs, which sounded great) and attached the component video cables to my DVD and left the other end of the cables awaiting delivery of my new Hitachi TV.

Saturday morning, the guys from Circuit City showed up with the delivery. I expected the TV to be boxed, instead, the two delivery men were wearing web strapping over their shoulders and the (145 pound) Hitachi television was slung between them. They brought it over to the newly assembled base and, as I took a phone call, attached a stabilizing bracket to the rear of the set. In less than 5 minutes they were gone. I was left to plug in the 3 component video cables, a second set of audio cables which permit my controlling the volume of the audio played through a separate receiver and speakers using the TV's remote. I also attached a "rabbit ears" antenna (you think I'm going to give my money to the cable company?!) to the set. I also had to remove a piece of plastic film from the glass shield (protecting the screen).

I had purchased one DVD to play on my new system (Mission Impossible 2). It took my juggling 3 remotes and 3 instruction manuals (one each: receiver, DVD, TV) to figure out how to switch from broadcast TV to the DVD but I am now able to do it quite easily (I will look into programming one of the remotes to operate all the component units, but, for now, one thing learned at a time).

At this point I need to say thanks to all the reviewers who were an influence on my buying each of the components (except for the speakers which I auditioned at Best Buy). Each component works beautifully in giving me more than I expected. I didn't realize one could get virtual "theater quality" sound on broadcast TV with only two speakers (I turned off the TV's speakers in favor of my two JBL Northridge speakers).

I also didn't realize that I would get such a beautiful picture with (over the air, $12 rabbit ears) broadcast TV. And the picture is wonderful. It may need an adjustment of the antenna as I switch channels and the picture quality is not constant from channel to channel but it can be adjusted to very good quality. A surprise, to me, is that I could hold detail in the shadows (an actor wearing a black coat, I could see the detail in the coat), and this is broadcast TV! Possibly, of interest -- this was all accomplished without changing any of the factory default settings. I have, since, adjusted some of the settings just a bit (being a photographer and "living" on the computer using applications such as PhotoShop, image/color, enhancement/adjustment comes easily to me).

The color of her eyes!

I don't recall, ever, having seen the color of an actors eyes on my 25 inch, direct view TV, nor, for that matter, do I recall ever having seen the color of an actors eyes on any TV set.

But that has all changed with this Hitachi rear projection TV. Earlier, tonight (Sunday, Jan 07, 2001), ABC broadcast the movie, MASK with Jim Carey and Cameron Diaz. I saw the color of Cameron's eyes (surprisingly, blue).

And it was true last night when I played the Mission Impossible 2, DVD. The quality was stunning! And I saw the colors of the actor's eyes.

RadioGuy suggested that this 43 inch Hitachi was a good choice for a small apartment. He is right. In my case I live in a 40 feet plus, long loft. And I could have gotten a 55 inch set for about the same price (open box special). But, it was the "look" of this 43 inch Hitachi that won me over (I like it aesthetically compared with many larger sets--at least the ones in my price range).

Addressing one of the criticisms: some have complained of "reflections" in the glass protector over the TV's screen: true, one can see reflections--especially in dark, shadow areas of the picture, but, I keep my room lights reduced (daylight could cause problems) and in any case my fears of objectionable reflections were assuaged. During the daytime, when the room tends to be brightest, I found that some reflections appeared in dark areas of the screen. Interestingly, however, the reflections appeared at a much greater distance than the image on which I was concentrating my focus and therefore went virtually unnoticed unless I refocused my attention (if, for example, the reflection were of an object located 5 feet in front of the TV, the reflection would appear to be 5 feet beyond the screen and is, therefore less noticeable if one is focusing on the screen --does this make sense to you?).

In summary: some 36 hours after having received my Hitachi TV, I love it! I bought it specifically, to watch movies on DVD (I never go to the movie theater because the sound is too loud for me and I'm concerned about losing my hearing). The picture (from DVD) is better than any I have ever seen on a TV (equal to that seen on HDTV in the stores). I didn't realize that the sound quality would be as excellent as it is. I have signed up for NetFlix.com ("unlimited" DVD rentals by mail for $20 per month) and will see whether I believe it to be a good investment for watching movies. There has also been a promotion of 30 DVD rentals for $20 per month (or is it 20 DVD rentals for $30 a month?) from Blockbuster in Chicago.

If you want to get a better idea and learn more about the Hitachi 43FDX01B, I suggest that you read RadioGuy's review. But, from just an ordinary (not too knowledgeable) guy, I can say that I am very happy with my purchase. The Hitachi lives up to (and beyond) my expectations. And, with time, I will learn more of the intricacies and features of my system and how to take advantage of them for my benefit and pleasure (and that of my loft neighbors). Okay -- now, I've got to go and pop some corn...

UPDATE: Mach 24, 2001

Having enjoyed my Hitachi 43FDX01B for the past two and a half months, I can say that watching DVD movies (and occasional broadcast TV) on this set represents one of the "special" pleasures which I afford myself.

Back in the early eighties, I had a front projection TV. The picture size was very nice but there is no comparison in picture quality. The Hitachi 43FDX01B delivers a picture which, in my opinion, rivals direct viewing TV's. It actually produces a better image than my 25 inch direct view set.

The most serious "flaw" that I've found, with this set, is that it has a bright red, "on-light" which can become a bit of a distraction in a darkened room. I'm thinking of placing a "neutral density" filter (photographic item) over the light so that it doesn't appear as bright.

Now, I LOVE RadioGuy's opinion(s) and I have a great deal of faith and trust in him but I may also have a solution to one of his criticisms of this unit: that is, "too bright" a picture!

Turning down the "brightness" control will, generally, only decrease brightness in the shadow portions of the picture. In order to diminish the overall brightness of the picture, it is necessary to turn down the "contrast" control. I can promise you that, if you do this, you can darken the picture (highlight areas) to the point that it may be difficult to see that there is a picture on screen at all.

I find the picture (and virtually all controls: audio, etc.), very easy to adjust. It may be, in part, my familiarity with "calibrating" computer monitors for best color.

As with much technology and software (video recorders, cell phones, even can openers, etc.) there are more features than the average person may immediately require. Being a sort of "average" guy, I begin by learning the basics of whatever it is that I have newly acquired (that means, I do as much as I can without reading the instructions). As I get comfortable with various features, I, eventually, go on to learn more of the features. That way my learning curve is not overly challenged.

Every time that I watch my Hitachi TV, I appreciate what a lucky guy I am to have such an excellent set, such wonderful sound, a comfortable couch on which to relax while viewing and some great friends to invite for the enjoyment of a "movie night" experience.