Hitachi 60V500 60 in. HDTV-Ready LCD TV

For DVDs and HD programming, one can hardly buy a better set. When I first set foot in HH Gregg looking for a projection TV, my thought was who in their right mind would pay $3900 for a television ... until I saw the Hitachi. Exceptionally clear picture, great color, and full sound. A primary reason for buying this set was that it isn't connected to the base where speakers usually go. My room has a built-in alcove that is already 14 inches off the ground, so just sitting the screen in the alcove made the TV the right height for viewing. The speakers are on either side in a striking silver-colored frame. A base for this TV is optional and looks good, but is rather flimsy and expensive. At about 174 pounds, the Hitachi is a relative lightweight among projection TVs. Easy to move around.

The LCD technology requires a bulb and a few minutes to warm up to full picture. Since these bulbs can be quite expensive, make sure any extended warranty you consider includes the bulb; some do not. This TV also has a fan to keep the bulb cool, and you can hear it at low volume. But who listens to this set at low volume?

By the time I got out of HH Gregg, I'd done the whole home theatre surround system thing and the Hitachi works seamlessly with it. The picture from standard cable is OK, considering that you're blowing up a non-HD picture to 60 inches, maybe a bit better than the standard rear projection sets.

I did a LOT of research before making the final decision, and one invaluable resource was www.ecoustics.com. There were several ongoing discussion groups on the Hitachi 50w500 and 60w500. I initially bought the 50-incher, which is just as good, but opted to go bigger after a couple of weeks. The 50-inch worked perfectly and is exactly the same as the 60-inch save size. The rule of thumb is that you should be at least 12 feet from the set at 60 inches, and since my furniture is 13 feet away, I decided to spend the extra $500 or so to upgrade.

As you can expect with a TV in this price range, it has all the features one could ask for and more. Three component inputs, three S-video, four composite, and a component output. There is also a set of inputs on the front of the TV behind a covered door along with a slot for a photo memory card allowing you to view your pictures on screen. The full-featured remote is easy to use and can be programmed to run your other audio and video equipment. On-screen menus allow you to change every facet of the picture and sound quality as well as favorite channels, preferences, even the look of the menu itself. Aspect ratios include three settings for widescreen and four for full screen. In short, there is no feature I'm aware of that this TV doesn't have, and some that I've yet to fully understand.