DVD's on Hitachi S715's (1 Viewer)

[Doug Z]

I'm curious if anyone who has either the 51" or 57" set would like to comment on their DVD performance. I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on one of these sets only because my other option is the Sony "XS" line of LCD's but the price of the Hitachi is very attractive considering what it offers. So if any owners would like to comment on this I would appreciate it.

 

[Seth_L]

DVDs looks great on mine.

I'm using a HTPC via the HDMI input @ 1920x1080i and nVDVD.

 

[Doug Z]

I should have also asked about the sat/cable feed also, I have directv and a friend has comcast on his RP, not Hitachi, and his looks pretty bad but the sat looks much better. Are you running sat or cable?

 

[matt-f]

The Hitachi 715 series are very good performing TVs.

If you want to get their top of the line TV set which incorporates the latest technology, then the Hitachi X500 will be the one. It comes in the 57" and 65". I do have the previous generation which is the 57TWX20B (same as XWX w/o tuner) and it's still better than Hitachi's current sets out today.

 

[RichG]

I have the 57X500 and can attest to it's superb picture quality. However, mine did not look truly great until after calibration, which included focus adjustment, and duvetyne lining.

 

[matt-f]

Hi RichG:

I assume that's an ISF calibration which was performed on your set? If so, they most likely didn't recommend taking off the sheild because it's one piece right? The Deep Black Sheild is awesome!

matt

 

[Doug Z]

That leads me to another question, I was told by my local sears rep that the director's line has been discontinued and the S715 has the goodies for the same picture but minus other connections like the firewire, they both share the wideneck CRT's. If I am wrong in respect to the same picture quality let me know, I don't mind losing a few inputs but would like the same PQ. Hitachi puts alot of quality parts inside which is why I'm looking to go this route, thanks so far.

 

[matt-f]

Hi Doug:

What the Sear's rep said is untrue unless he means the previous Director Series XWX, then yes.

The Director Series X500 is still in production however, it's available in specialty stores only. That's around 50 stores which makes them difficult to find.

The Wideneck CRTs are only available on the SWX/TWX/XWX and X500(X500 uses Wideneck II) series.

These models I listed about will have a more superior image than the other models. Also these TV sets except the SWX, incorporate the Deep Black Sheild which is a surplus.

The DBS is a 1 piece anti-glare sheild which absorbs light and helps produce better color and blacks. When the TV is off, the TV looks like dark purple on screen as well because of the sheild even thou it's is transparent.

matt

 

[Seth_L]

Cable looks surprisingly good on the set (both analog and digital).

 

[Doug Z]

I re-read Hitachis web site and the S715 uses a super contrast II tube as opposed to the wide-neck II on the X500, I must have been thinking they were similiar. Well that puts a fly in the ointment because I'm back up into the $3k range again and would lean towards the small pitch XS sony line. The thing is I really love the picture in the S715 models and it's hard to visualize the difference on the X500 model, is it that much better to justify about $1200-1400 more? You just can't beat CRT's and I think I will end up with one of these Hitachi's mainly because LCD is too new and not yet perfected and won't offer the PQ of CRT's for their current price.

 

[matt-f]

Hi Doug:

That is correct. CRT is still the standard for video reference.

The Wideneck II CRTs does surpass the Super Contrast II. Also this set also has better speakers onboard. With the DBS well, no worries about reflections issues and you get the better color reproduction as I said earlier(I heard this sheild is worth $600 dollars alone).

For the price difference, it's definately worth it because I know several people have bought the X500 series and they just enjoy it right out of the box. Even better if it's been ISF calibrated as well. This set you won't want to turn your back on once you see it so I believe you will have good trust in this.

The set does go for around $2999(price already lowered) for the 57X500 from a store which I know has it.

 

[RichG]

About the 57X500. I used to have a Pioneer Elite 510HD and thought nothing could surpass it in picture quality. When I first watched the 57X500 following AVIA adjustment, the picture was very enjoyable. The best part about it seemed to be the natural looking colors. However, the blacks did not come close to matching my old Pioneer, and the picture seemed a little soft and out of focus. In addition, the brightness of the picture did not seem even throughout the screen. However, post calibration, this all changed. The blacks are at least equal to my older set. Picture sharpness appears to exceed my old Pioneer, and brightness now appears uniform accross the screen. If I had to estimate a percentage increase in picture quality, I would say around 30%; however for what I paid for the calibration ($350), this is a mandatory procedure. The set cost me $2,700, so the total came to around 3k and change. Not bad, considering my Pioneer Elite cost $4,500 (at a discount), back in 1999.