Hitachi 46F500 46 in. HDTV-Ready CRT TV
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- Digital TV Standard: HDTV-Ready
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 14:9
- Weight: 159.5 lb.
- Projector Technology: CRT
- Built-in Tuner: NTSC
- Screen Size: 46 inch
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Great Projection TV
Pros
Excellent picture quality,right size,right price
Cons
some edge distortion at extreme angles,needs a stand
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
This set has everything one needs for good home theatre in a size and price that are excellent matches.
I researched HDTV monitors for about two months before finally deciding on the Hitachi 46" monitor. Price was a factor as was dependability and size.
My room is 15x30', the larger sets would have been too big. The set looks small in the store up against the larger sets,but don't be fooled,it's plenty big.
I wasn't ready to spend 7500$ on plasma or 4000$ on LCD. Projection sets use tried amd true CRTs and Hitachi makes over 60% of the tubes and technologies used in these kind of sets. This was a big point for me.
I compared Sony,Panasonic,Toshiba,and Mitsubishi. I read all the Consumer reports and hard copy I could find. I went to Circuit City, Sears and Best Buy to compare the models side by side. I asked to see the picture over cable and with DVD. Over and over the hitachi had the most consistant picture, the most realistic colours and could be viewed at the greatest angle without distortion. The picture also impressed me as the sharpest and with the most detail. The only rap I can put on any of these sets is that they do loose definition at extreme angles.
User interface is simple.Adjustments are easy,although right out of the box the colour and detail is excellent. I do have a DVD that I use to adjust the set, but I didn't need to do much to improve the picture. I have read that some people have a professional adjust the set, but I really dont see the need.
The sound is ok from the set, but I must admit I have a Yamaha rxv-2400 receiver and Klipsch speakers for surround so the sound didn't concern me much. I use the set mostly for DVD and the picture is superb,digital cable is good, regular cable does suffer somewhat but the picture is much better than in the store, so I wouldn't let that stop you at all.
This set is much easier to handle than the 36"Sony direct view it replaced. It weighs less than half as much and has a smaller profile. The picture is just as good or better. You will need a table or stand about 24" high to set this on due to it's "table top" profile (it's too short to stand alone) I recommend something from Bello.
This product has all the "aspect" sizes you could ask for and the detail remains quite good in all of them. My only rap on the 4:3 expanded is the edge detail is slightly distorted and can be dizzying in extreme action shots, however compared to the other sets the hitachi does the best.
I cannot comment on the HD aspect yet because my cable company has yet to give me the opportunity. I do not have a dish but am contemplating it for just that. The set has the DVI-HD connectors. I currently use component inputs through the receiver and the picture is as described.
I purchased the set from Sears. It was on "sale" for 5% off the regular price of 1599$. The sales people in the store were not too knowlegable. I found much more help in that regard at Circuit City, but they only sell the 46W500 a model that has a built in DVD as it's only distinction from the 46F500. I must admit though Sears had the model ready for delivery in just two days. I paid 45$ for delivery where it would have been free at CC. I did not contemplate an internet retailer for this due to its size and price. I felt better buying it locally if I had a problem. Sound Distributors in Las Vegas did have a price of 1340$ however.
Overall the Hitachi 46F500 is an excellent choice for a widescreen HDTV monitor. The size is right for a smaller room, the picture quality is excellent and the price is right. Compared to comparable models there is no doubt this model is hands down the overall choice.
My room is 15x30', the larger sets would have been too big. The set looks small in the store up against the larger sets,but don't be fooled,it's plenty big.
I wasn't ready to spend 7500$ on plasma or 4000$ on LCD. Projection sets use tried amd true CRTs and Hitachi makes over 60% of the tubes and technologies used in these kind of sets. This was a big point for me.
I compared Sony,Panasonic,Toshiba,and Mitsubishi. I read all the Consumer reports and hard copy I could find. I went to Circuit City, Sears and Best Buy to compare the models side by side. I asked to see the picture over cable and with DVD. Over and over the hitachi had the most consistant picture, the most realistic colours and could be viewed at the greatest angle without distortion. The picture also impressed me as the sharpest and with the most detail. The only rap I can put on any of these sets is that they do loose definition at extreme angles.
User interface is simple.Adjustments are easy,although right out of the box the colour and detail is excellent. I do have a DVD that I use to adjust the set, but I didn't need to do much to improve the picture. I have read that some people have a professional adjust the set, but I really dont see the need.
The sound is ok from the set, but I must admit I have a Yamaha rxv-2400 receiver and Klipsch speakers for surround so the sound didn't concern me much. I use the set mostly for DVD and the picture is superb,digital cable is good, regular cable does suffer somewhat but the picture is much better than in the store, so I wouldn't let that stop you at all.
This set is much easier to handle than the 36"Sony direct view it replaced. It weighs less than half as much and has a smaller profile. The picture is just as good or better. You will need a table or stand about 24" high to set this on due to it's "table top" profile (it's too short to stand alone) I recommend something from Bello.
This product has all the "aspect" sizes you could ask for and the detail remains quite good in all of them. My only rap on the 4:3 expanded is the edge detail is slightly distorted and can be dizzying in extreme action shots, however compared to the other sets the hitachi does the best.
I cannot comment on the HD aspect yet because my cable company has yet to give me the opportunity. I do not have a dish but am contemplating it for just that. The set has the DVI-HD connectors. I currently use component inputs through the receiver and the picture is as described.
I purchased the set from Sears. It was on "sale" for 5% off the regular price of 1599$. The sales people in the store were not too knowlegable. I found much more help in that regard at Circuit City, but they only sell the 46W500 a model that has a built in DVD as it's only distinction from the 46F500. I must admit though Sears had the model ready for delivery in just two days. I paid 45$ for delivery where it would have been free at CC. I did not contemplate an internet retailer for this due to its size and price. I felt better buying it locally if I had a problem. Sound Distributors in Las Vegas did have a price of 1340$ however.
Overall the Hitachi 46F500 is an excellent choice for a widescreen HDTV monitor. The size is right for a smaller room, the picture quality is excellent and the price is right. Compared to comparable models there is no doubt this model is hands down the overall choice.
