Hitachi Director's Series 65XWX20B 65 in. TV
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- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 4:3 Enhanced 14:9
- Weight: 319 lb.
- Screen Size: 65 inch
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One of the best CRT RPTVs available
Pros
Built-in HD tuner available, excellent features, excellent picture.
Cons
High price; discontinued in May 2003.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
This is a full-featured TV that is an excellent buy at $4000 or less. Great picture and great features make it on-par with any other set you can find.
Hitachi has many CRT RPTVs (cathode ray tube rear projection TVs) available. In the 65" realm, their top of the line model is the XWX, or Director's Series. It is essentially their SWX series with an HD tuner.
I read a lot of reviews, and compared a lot of TVs, before deciding on this model. My research dug up some interesting information on the various RPTV technology:
1. CRT: standard CRT that reflects on the screen.
2. LCD panel that reflects onto the screen.
3. DLP: digital doohickies that reflect onto the screen.
DLP is considered to be the best RPTV. Great picture, great reliability, and you can connect computers, X-Boxes, etc., directly to them. They are also VERY expensive compared to CRT and LCD RPTVs. They have a problem with "rainbows" in some video situations, which is a minus.
LCD has a great picture INITIALLY. The web is littered with reports, many on official magazine sites, showing that LCD screens have picture degradation problems after only 1 year, even after replacing lenses, etc. There is also the issue of having cells die. Also, long term picture
clarity is very bad. Avoid LCD like the plague unless you don't care about how long the picture quality lasts. You can attach PCs and X-Boxes to an LCD system, btw.
CRT is old school technology, but offers a good picture and long life. A well-tuned CRT will be VERY close to an LCD or DLP, without the PC/X-Box ability in high definition mode.
Plasma screens are the best, but they are even more expensive than DLP systems, and do not come in the size range of RPTVs (biggest plasma screen is 60" right now).
The industry will probably go totally plasma over time (many years), so the most economical choice is CRT, in my opinion. Thus, all the systems I looked at were CRT RPTVs.
I only looked at 16:9 high definition and HD-ready systems. Units with an HD tuners cost a bit more money than HD-ready systems because the latter do not have HD tuners. External HD tuners vary in price, depending on
whether you need an OTA (over the air) tuner or a satellite tuner.
Because HDTVs have a 16:9 aspect ration, the TV will have to compensate for standard definition (SD) signals broadcast in 4:3. The simplest option is to display the show in 4:3, and there will be bars on the left and right parts of the screen (black, gray, white, it varies by vendor). There is danger of "burn-in" by doing this. Most people use "4:3 stretched" mode, which uses a complex algorithm to stretch the 4:3 picture into 16:9 without making everything look funky. The algorithms vary by vendor, and so you definitely need to compare this mode to be sure it is satisfactory. There are other modes, but those are the important two.
HD signals are somewhat rare. Cable companies do not currently carry HD signals (at least, that is what I am told, and I called Comcast to verify). Thus, to get HD signals, you have to have a satellite or use an OTA antenna. OTA is a cheap way to get HD, since MANY stations broadcast in HD. For example, the major networks in Fort Lauderdale (NBC, CBS,etc.) all broadcast in HD over the air. A $100 antenna will get you instant HD pictures when attached to an HD tuner.
I got information on the best CRT RPTVs out there. These are:
-Pioneer Elite
-Hitachi
-Pioneer
-Mitsubishi
They are listed in order of best to worst with respect to picture quality according to reviews. Again, these are the best manufacturers, so you will still get a good picture from (a good) Mitsubishi.
The Pioneer and Pioneer Elite lines have great pictures. I only saw the Elites, and report the regular Pioneers from reviews, only. The Elite had a great black, nice white, and its 4:3 stretched mode looked very good. I assume the Pioneer uses the same algorithm, but do not know for sure. If you look at Pioneer, be sure to compare it to other sets. Neither Pioneer nor Pioneer Elite have integrated HD tuners.
The Hitachi has an awesome antiglare screen, good blacks and whites, a very good 4:3 stretched mode, and an integrated HD tuner that is top notch. Stretched mode is about on par with the Pioneer Elite.
Mitsubishi offers a range of TVs with all sorts of features. I looked at the 411 series (Gold , no tuner), the 511 series (tuner), and 711 series (tuner). The 511, 611, and 711 have the same features, it is lens and CRT quality that varies. The differences between the 511 and 711 were minute, and not worth the price increase (in my opinion). The difference between the 411 and 511 was noticeable. The 311 looked horrible in comparison to the 511. The 711 is close to, picture-wise, the Pioneer Elite. Unfortunately, the Mitsubishi 4:3 stretched mode was very noticeable, and that really bothered me.
Having a tuner is a big deal (so you can get HD signals), so I ruled out the Pioneer Elite because it is very expensive, and would cost another $700 for a tuner. I ruled out Pioneer because no one caries them locally. That left Hitachi and Mitsubishi.
Hitachi has not yet replaced the XWX and SWX models (they replace their low-level units first, and will come out with XWX and SWX replacements in August or so). The XWX is more expensive than the Pioneer Elite, normally, so its price range was going to get it taken off the list. My backup was the 511 Mitsubishi series...
However, BrandsMart is willing to HEAVILY discount the XWX series because they do not want any in their inventory. They cut the price by $1600 on the 65" unit. This is a steal for that television. It is only $200 more
expensive than the 65" Mitsubishi 511 series at its current price!
Setting the TV up was very simple. The "Magic Focus" button automatically adjusts convergence for a great picture. You can select predefined picture modes (sport, movie, news, etc.). These modes adjust contract, tint, color, etc. Of course, you can manually tweak the modes. You can even manually adjust the convergence, if you want.
The tuner is able to receive 3 simultaneous signals (2 NTSC, 1 digital). There are 5 video inputs, 2 of which support component video. You can use PiP to view antenna input A and C simultaneously, as well as all 5 video inputs. Antenna B cannot be displayed as a sub picture, for some reason. There are front-panel composite and s-video jacks, which can be set for input or output.
The set comes with 2 remotes; one full size, the other a baby, basic remote. AV Net is a set of IR relays. You connect the relays to the back of the TV, and put the other end in front of the IR input of other devices, like your VCR, DVD, etc. You then program the TV to understand what those devices are, and it will relay the IR signal intended for those units through the relays to the device. This means you can point your TV's remote at the TV and control all devices. It also means that you can "hide" those devices controlled by AV Net behind a cabinet door, etc., since they no longer need direct IR access.
Only one device can be configured per input. So, if you attach a home theater receiver to the unit, you cannot configure the TV so that VCR1, VCR2, and the DVD all come through input 1 (or where ever the home theater receiver is attached).
I have not played with the IEEE 1394 firewire ports, the DVI input, or AV Net at this time. The system also has a multimedia slot that allows you to upgrade the systems firmware. You can configure the TV's built-in speakers to be the center channel of a home theater system.
Picture quality is great. DVDs in progressive scan, and normal mode, look awesome. HD signals look great, as well. 4:3 stretched mode is good, but noticeable at the edges when the picture pans. I wish I could have compared the Hitachi and Pioneer Elite side by side; my gut feeling is that they are very close to each other with respect to picture quality and 4:3 stretched mode algorithm. The antiglare coating was MUCH better than the Mitsubishi 511 series, but I was unable to compare it to the 711 or Pioneer Elite.
At a price of $3000, this set is BY FAR the best deal on the market. I would say it is a great deal up to $4000, which is the price of a Pioneer Elite 65", and you get a GREAT tuner with the XWX (and none with the Pioneer Elite).
This BrandsMart price is their price for display units, but they will apply it to unused boxed units in their inventory. I managed to get the last boxed unit from the Fort Lauderdale warehouse.
I read a lot of reviews, and compared a lot of TVs, before deciding on this model. My research dug up some interesting information on the various RPTV technology:
1. CRT: standard CRT that reflects on the screen.
2. LCD panel that reflects onto the screen.
3. DLP: digital doohickies that reflect onto the screen.
DLP is considered to be the best RPTV. Great picture, great reliability, and you can connect computers, X-Boxes, etc., directly to them. They are also VERY expensive compared to CRT and LCD RPTVs. They have a problem with "rainbows" in some video situations, which is a minus.
LCD has a great picture INITIALLY. The web is littered with reports, many on official magazine sites, showing that LCD screens have picture degradation problems after only 1 year, even after replacing lenses, etc. There is also the issue of having cells die. Also, long term picture
clarity is very bad. Avoid LCD like the plague unless you don't care about how long the picture quality lasts. You can attach PCs and X-Boxes to an LCD system, btw.
CRT is old school technology, but offers a good picture and long life. A well-tuned CRT will be VERY close to an LCD or DLP, without the PC/X-Box ability in high definition mode.
Plasma screens are the best, but they are even more expensive than DLP systems, and do not come in the size range of RPTVs (biggest plasma screen is 60" right now).
The industry will probably go totally plasma over time (many years), so the most economical choice is CRT, in my opinion. Thus, all the systems I looked at were CRT RPTVs.
I only looked at 16:9 high definition and HD-ready systems. Units with an HD tuners cost a bit more money than HD-ready systems because the latter do not have HD tuners. External HD tuners vary in price, depending on
whether you need an OTA (over the air) tuner or a satellite tuner.
Because HDTVs have a 16:9 aspect ration, the TV will have to compensate for standard definition (SD) signals broadcast in 4:3. The simplest option is to display the show in 4:3, and there will be bars on the left and right parts of the screen (black, gray, white, it varies by vendor). There is danger of "burn-in" by doing this. Most people use "4:3 stretched" mode, which uses a complex algorithm to stretch the 4:3 picture into 16:9 without making everything look funky. The algorithms vary by vendor, and so you definitely need to compare this mode to be sure it is satisfactory. There are other modes, but those are the important two.
HD signals are somewhat rare. Cable companies do not currently carry HD signals (at least, that is what I am told, and I called Comcast to verify). Thus, to get HD signals, you have to have a satellite or use an OTA antenna. OTA is a cheap way to get HD, since MANY stations broadcast in HD. For example, the major networks in Fort Lauderdale (NBC, CBS,etc.) all broadcast in HD over the air. A $100 antenna will get you instant HD pictures when attached to an HD tuner.
I got information on the best CRT RPTVs out there. These are:
-Pioneer Elite
-Hitachi
-Pioneer
-Mitsubishi
They are listed in order of best to worst with respect to picture quality according to reviews. Again, these are the best manufacturers, so you will still get a good picture from (a good) Mitsubishi.
The Pioneer and Pioneer Elite lines have great pictures. I only saw the Elites, and report the regular Pioneers from reviews, only. The Elite had a great black, nice white, and its 4:3 stretched mode looked very good. I assume the Pioneer uses the same algorithm, but do not know for sure. If you look at Pioneer, be sure to compare it to other sets. Neither Pioneer nor Pioneer Elite have integrated HD tuners.
The Hitachi has an awesome antiglare screen, good blacks and whites, a very good 4:3 stretched mode, and an integrated HD tuner that is top notch. Stretched mode is about on par with the Pioneer Elite.
Mitsubishi offers a range of TVs with all sorts of features. I looked at the 411 series (Gold , no tuner), the 511 series (tuner), and 711 series (tuner). The 511, 611, and 711 have the same features, it is lens and CRT quality that varies. The differences between the 511 and 711 were minute, and not worth the price increase (in my opinion). The difference between the 411 and 511 was noticeable. The 311 looked horrible in comparison to the 511. The 711 is close to, picture-wise, the Pioneer Elite. Unfortunately, the Mitsubishi 4:3 stretched mode was very noticeable, and that really bothered me.
Having a tuner is a big deal (so you can get HD signals), so I ruled out the Pioneer Elite because it is very expensive, and would cost another $700 for a tuner. I ruled out Pioneer because no one caries them locally. That left Hitachi and Mitsubishi.
Hitachi has not yet replaced the XWX and SWX models (they replace their low-level units first, and will come out with XWX and SWX replacements in August or so). The XWX is more expensive than the Pioneer Elite, normally, so its price range was going to get it taken off the list. My backup was the 511 Mitsubishi series...
However, BrandsMart is willing to HEAVILY discount the XWX series because they do not want any in their inventory. They cut the price by $1600 on the 65" unit. This is a steal for that television. It is only $200 more
expensive than the 65" Mitsubishi 511 series at its current price!
Setting the TV up was very simple. The "Magic Focus" button automatically adjusts convergence for a great picture. You can select predefined picture modes (sport, movie, news, etc.). These modes adjust contract, tint, color, etc. Of course, you can manually tweak the modes. You can even manually adjust the convergence, if you want.
The tuner is able to receive 3 simultaneous signals (2 NTSC, 1 digital). There are 5 video inputs, 2 of which support component video. You can use PiP to view antenna input A and C simultaneously, as well as all 5 video inputs. Antenna B cannot be displayed as a sub picture, for some reason. There are front-panel composite and s-video jacks, which can be set for input or output.
The set comes with 2 remotes; one full size, the other a baby, basic remote. AV Net is a set of IR relays. You connect the relays to the back of the TV, and put the other end in front of the IR input of other devices, like your VCR, DVD, etc. You then program the TV to understand what those devices are, and it will relay the IR signal intended for those units through the relays to the device. This means you can point your TV's remote at the TV and control all devices. It also means that you can "hide" those devices controlled by AV Net behind a cabinet door, etc., since they no longer need direct IR access.
Only one device can be configured per input. So, if you attach a home theater receiver to the unit, you cannot configure the TV so that VCR1, VCR2, and the DVD all come through input 1 (or where ever the home theater receiver is attached).
I have not played with the IEEE 1394 firewire ports, the DVI input, or AV Net at this time. The system also has a multimedia slot that allows you to upgrade the systems firmware. You can configure the TV's built-in speakers to be the center channel of a home theater system.
Picture quality is great. DVDs in progressive scan, and normal mode, look awesome. HD signals look great, as well. 4:3 stretched mode is good, but noticeable at the edges when the picture pans. I wish I could have compared the Hitachi and Pioneer Elite side by side; my gut feeling is that they are very close to each other with respect to picture quality and 4:3 stretched mode algorithm. The antiglare coating was MUCH better than the Mitsubishi 511 series, but I was unable to compare it to the 711 or Pioneer Elite.
At a price of $3000, this set is BY FAR the best deal on the market. I would say it is a great deal up to $4000, which is the price of a Pioneer Elite 65", and you get a GREAT tuner with the XWX (and none with the Pioneer Elite).
This BrandsMart price is their price for display units, but they will apply it to unused boxed units in their inventory. I managed to get the last boxed unit from the Fort Lauderdale warehouse.
