Hitachi Ultravision 42HDS52 42-Inch Plasma HDTV

by Hitachi

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4 x 47 x 30 inches
• Shipping Weight: 106 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B000F7UUKI
• Item model number: 42HDS52
• Batteries: 2 A batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #378,884 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Hitachi Ultravision 42HDS52 42" Plasma HDTV

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uncompromising, as long as the features suit you, April 21, 2006

By 

Floyd Ian Slipp "Enthusiast" (Rochester, NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hitachi Ultravision 42HDS52 42-Inch Plasma HDTV (Electronics)

If you are buying HD for a single quality -- i.e., picture quality -- then I'm not sure why you'd go any further after you see the picture on this unit. Unless, of course, you are one of those rare consumers who can see beyond what everyone else sees into some other realm of discernment. Then you might continue your quest for happiness elsewhere.

The look is sleek, high-end no-frills brushed metal deep blue-black. No built in strobe lights, no dashing/slashing/curing chrome strips, no gun ports. Just a discrete reference to the brand.

This TV operates essentially like other TVs. I've installed it as part of a wall-mounted home theater arrangement, with all cabling and external speakers concealed in the walls. So the hookup features of the 42HDS52 were particularly appealing. Everything (a full complement of antenna, set-top-boxes, audio, and video inputs, as well as outputs for external speaker systems) is concealed behind the unit except for a limited set of side inputs -- Input 5 (i.e., one for a USB device like a still camera and another for a composite video/S-video/audio input like a video cam or an iPod) on the left side recessed panel. On the right side is a set of external button switches for operating on/off, volume, channel external to the included remote.

At the time I bought, I really wanted simply a monitor -- no speakers, no tuner(s). I bought the HDS because it had an HDMI input, which I thought was mandatory. Therefore, I've never used the tuner or speakers in this device.

I also haven't used the remote control except for initial setup, so I won't comment on it. I spent some extra dough on a third-party programmable remote. BTW, if you're thinking about an A/V receiver-driven home theater setup for the first time, seriously consider a highly-featured third-party remote. All of the so-called universal remotes that come with your electronic devices will leave you ultimately disappointed. Compounding your frustration will be the inevitable flotilla of remotes on the coffee table. This caution is especially valid if you have someone in your household or extended family of casual users who is in any way daunted by change or technology. If you're technology oriented yourself, you'll end up using your computer to customize the crap out of the programmable remote. Even if you don't take this self-customizing step, you won't regret the purchase of the remote and you'll never go back. End of digression.

The rear panel of the Hitachi is replete with inputs that bring the total to five, including an HDMI hole. My hookup uses only the HDMI input that comes from a big honkin' Denon A/V receiver.

The Hitachi has a number of nice features, including a great picture-in-picture, powered side speakers (I haven't heard them in action), 1080i screen, screen saver, on-screen display, and a slick remotely controlled rotating stand (removable for on-wall installation) that rotates + or - 30 degrees.

However, its main draw is the picture, provided by a gazillion teeny-tiny pixels that help ensure that Hitachi's stellar reputation in plasma screens does not go down in flames with this unit. After five months of living with the Hitachi, my wife and I still marvel aloud when something designed for HD flashes to breathtakingly brilliant life on the screen.

When I took delivery of the device (early January), the street price was about $3K. I've seen it now about 5 months later at less than $2.2K. By the time this review goes online, they could be giving them away. Who knows.

For my money, the best test isn't whether you'd recommend it to a friend. It's whether you'd buy it again. I would.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfied but puzzled, January 19, 2007

By 

Jane E. Gregg "dog lover" (Dodge City,Ks) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hitachi Ultravision 42HDS52 42-Inch Plasma HDTV (Electronics)

I am totally pleased with the Plasma HDTV. I am electronically challenged so I did not set it up at all, the TV deliever people and the Cable company. But I have a question for the owners: I get a 1080i display on the screen that wants a response yes or no when I turn it on or change from HD to digital. If I ignore it it goes away, but there should be a way to answer only once. Anyone know what I should do?

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Buyer Beware!!, May 26, 2006

By 

R. Dubridge (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hitachi Ultravision 42HDS52 42-Inch Plasma HDTV (Electronics)

The monitor out jacks on this TV do not output audio signals when the video inputs are high quality (HDMI or component video). Therefore you must buy an additional audio receiver to use external speakers with this TV, if you want HDTV. This is not explained in their product literature, nor is it well known by their distributors. This info appears near the end of their trouble shooting guide, so beware this will be a shock if you're used to hooking up standard TVs.