Mitsubishi WT-42311 42 in. TV
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- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 14:9
- Weight: 110 lb.
- Screen Size: 42 inch
Similar in Projection Televisions
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Not quite perfect, but still exceptional projection TV
Pros
Great buy @ $999. All the features you need (except HDTV tuner itself).
Cons
Minor performance glitches. Only color choice is silver.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Buy it if you can get it for about $1000. Very good picture, with good programming options, for further fine-tuning.
I have been using my 42311 for two months now, having bought it on sale for $999 in one of the day-after Thanksgivings madhouse sales. The set is an "old stock" HDTV ready model (with component connections) that has been replaced by the 42313 that has direct DVI connections. Other than that, there did not seem to be anything different for the $700 price difference.
Performance-wise, the picture is very sharp and colors are very solid. Sound from the set is very adequate, though most of the programming goes through my surround sound set up. One very positive feature is that the 42311 has a superior convergence panel that allows the user greater control in fine-tuning the convergence of the red and blue color projections. This really allows me to sharpen up the picture. (In contrast, my 65" toshiba only has limited number (#9) of adjustable convergence points.) The set has also been playing my DVD's from a progressive scan unit flawlessly, and tells you whether the source material is interlaced or progressive. The picture-in-picture feature is also very versatile. The remote is also user friendly and large enough for some one with large hands.
My only major complaint, and it could be significant for some, is that the set appears to chop off a bit of the left and right side of a picture. For instance, in testing a DVD ("Yojimbo') on both my toshiba 65" and this 42", this set set chopped off the "e" from Mifune's name on the screen. In contrast, the entire name appeared on the Toshiba screen. I have checked if perhaps I accidentally put the DVD on a pan n scan mode or other incorrect mode, but that was not the problem. In any event, it is a minor annoyance for me.
A minor complaint is that when the set is used in "stretch" mode, to widen a picture to fit the widescreen of the 42311 to avoid the gray bars on the side, any wording on any bottom word bar, you know, the CNN type info line, becomes stretched and nauseating to read. The solution, of course, is to not use the stretch mode. The normal mode works just fine.
Sideviewing is not as good as on the Toshiba, which allows viewing from 45 degrees, but is more than adequate (maybe 50 degrees). However, it is not a problem for my setup with my straight on viewing.
Thus, it is not a perfect set, nor the greatest set. However, aside from the above probable design limits, the set has performed flawlessly. For $999, I certainly ain't complaining. Besides, I only purchased this set as an interim set for the bedroom until plasma technology improves the longevity and lowers the price. (By the way, the 65 inch Toshiba is performing just fine. I should update it to 4 stars.)
With regard to its size, it was just perfect for my needs. At less than 110 pounds, I think, I skipped buying the bottom cabinet and just put it on top of my triple dresser.
I have seen this set being advertised in 2004 for $1000 to $1200. If you also have to buy the base for another $300, I would look elsewhere. But if you can do without the base and can get it for $1000 plus tax, I think you will have bought yourself a heckuva TV for the next five years. At least that is what I tell myself.
Performance-wise, the picture is very sharp and colors are very solid. Sound from the set is very adequate, though most of the programming goes through my surround sound set up. One very positive feature is that the 42311 has a superior convergence panel that allows the user greater control in fine-tuning the convergence of the red and blue color projections. This really allows me to sharpen up the picture. (In contrast, my 65" toshiba only has limited number (#9) of adjustable convergence points.) The set has also been playing my DVD's from a progressive scan unit flawlessly, and tells you whether the source material is interlaced or progressive. The picture-in-picture feature is also very versatile. The remote is also user friendly and large enough for some one with large hands.
My only major complaint, and it could be significant for some, is that the set appears to chop off a bit of the left and right side of a picture. For instance, in testing a DVD ("Yojimbo') on both my toshiba 65" and this 42", this set set chopped off the "e" from Mifune's name on the screen. In contrast, the entire name appeared on the Toshiba screen. I have checked if perhaps I accidentally put the DVD on a pan n scan mode or other incorrect mode, but that was not the problem. In any event, it is a minor annoyance for me.
A minor complaint is that when the set is used in "stretch" mode, to widen a picture to fit the widescreen of the 42311 to avoid the gray bars on the side, any wording on any bottom word bar, you know, the CNN type info line, becomes stretched and nauseating to read. The solution, of course, is to not use the stretch mode. The normal mode works just fine.
Sideviewing is not as good as on the Toshiba, which allows viewing from 45 degrees, but is more than adequate (maybe 50 degrees). However, it is not a problem for my setup with my straight on viewing.
Thus, it is not a perfect set, nor the greatest set. However, aside from the above probable design limits, the set has performed flawlessly. For $999, I certainly ain't complaining. Besides, I only purchased this set as an interim set for the bedroom until plasma technology improves the longevity and lowers the price. (By the way, the 65 inch Toshiba is performing just fine. I should update it to 4 stars.)
With regard to its size, it was just perfect for my needs. At less than 110 pounds, I think, I skipped buying the bottom cabinet and just put it on top of my triple dresser.
I have seen this set being advertised in 2004 for $1000 to $1200. If you also have to buy the base for another $300, I would look elsewhere. But if you can do without the base and can get it for $1000 plus tax, I think you will have bought yourself a heckuva TV for the next five years. At least that is what I tell myself.
