Customer Reviews

Hitachi Ultravision 42HDS69 42-Inch Plasma HDTV

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

After months of reviewing plasma/LCD TV's I was set on buying the Panasonic 60U. Last month Hitachi came out with this native 1080i resolution TV. The picture beats Panasonic in every aspect. Rich blacks and true color will keep any viewer extremely happy. With 3 HDMI inputs, this TV is built for the future. I've only had the TV for a week, but I am very pleased.

I gave it 4 stars because there are better Plasma TV's on the market, but none for the price/value comparison.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I shopped for months before buying this new Hitachi. It's a great looking set with arguably the best picture available - especially in it's price range. HD images are sensational. And it's loaded with features - 3 HDMI inputs for example - and plenty of options for customizing your viewing preferences. The built in speakers are better than I expected although I will be primarily listening through my home theater audio system. I am very happy with my choice and recommend you give this baby a close look.

Pros- Price value is huge,I got mine for about $1,500 after taxes. Nice quality image with 1080i ability, stylish simple design, the swivel base stand is nice, outstanding connectivity choices including 3 HDMIs. The built-in speaker audio is above average for a flat panel, and low volume level isnt an issue. I have digital cable, and all of the non HD programing looked better than expected, while the HD channel viewing pleasures have ranged from very very nice to absolutely jaw drop stunning.

Cons- Not the best black levels but very acceptable. The remote is difficult to read in low light(grey font on black was not the wisest remote color scheme) In general this plasma can be oversatuated. You may want to lower the color down a lot in the video settings.

I highly recommend u spend the time and adjust ALL the video control settings to your liking. Experiment and see what looks best to you. Its worth the time and effort to tweak.

For those interested, I presently keep my set at : Picture Mode-night, Contrast-59, Brightness-53, Color-30, Color Temperature- medium, Black Enhancement-low, Contrast Mode-normal, Sharpness-40, Noise Reduction-low.

I find these settings work for me, and Im very pleased.

Overall, its a quality 1080i plasma. Beautiful HD
Enjoy!

Just purchased the Ultravision from CC. Like many of you who are very knowledgeable shoppers, I meticulously researched for almost a month before deciding on this HDTV. My choices was narrowed to three units, the Sony 40" Bravia V2500 1080p LCD, Panasonic 42" Plasma PX60U, and the Ultravision 42HDS69. The Hitachi weighted much better in picture quality or on par with the Sony, sound quality, inputs, and of course the price, $1296 out the door, from price matching policy + 25% refunded of the differrence.

The picture is incredible bordering on stunning! Highest pixel count for current Plasmas on the market, 1024 x 1080, over a million one hundred thousand pixels and ability to display approx. 281 trillion colors! 1080P Plasmas are just now coming out at premium prices. Current prices of 1080P LCDs are still at a premium but coming down. Side by side comparison of the Hitachi Plasma and the Sony 1080P LCD is miniscule and almost undectable and much more vibrant in contrast details than the Panasonic. I prefer the Plasma over the LCD in Standard definition channels, smoother with less pixelation. Of course the HD picture is superb. Why pay the higher difference if you can't see the difference!

As from other reviews, unit does run a little hot, but that's normal. All Plasmas run on the hot side. Top vents would help dissipate heat better, but not a problem, yet. Just make sure you have the proper spacing of at least four inches behind the unit for venting. I have reported the lack of top vents to Hitachi and they are pondering a remedy. All of their other Plasma models have the vents except for this current production model manufactured on Sept. 2006 starting with serial number/letter "V". My friend owns a 32" Panasonic LCD and it runs hot.

Don't worry about burn-ins either, all newer Plasma technology incorporate some form of pixel shifting that deters burn in including the Hitachi. They also have an option for "screen wipe". The screen wipe feature displays a semi white wash field signal on the entire screen to resolve pattern marks.

You will not be dissapointed with this HDTV. I did the leg work and by sharing this information, you can enjoy this unit without buyers remorse :^)

I spent 3 months researching TV technologies, products, vendors, store visits etc.. As a former management consultant, I subjected these inputs to rather rigorous analysis on quantitative and qualitative factors. Ended up choosing plasma, and this TV and here's are the top 'likes' with the TV: I wont repeat the oft stated pros/cons of plasma tech per se, but will stick with whats relevant and what you might care about THIS TV!

1. Contrary to popular belief, this TV is rather lightweight. (I bought and returned a Vizio 42 inch LCD and that was a lot lot heavier!)
2. It comes from a top tier manufacturer that is constantly pouring money into R&D. The TV's firmware can be upgraded through a little slot in the back panel. Check out the tech speak on ALiS technology. Ends up using less power too and generates lesser heat than other plasma panels because of the lesser number of electrodes used in the panel. I would recommend staying AWAY from Vizio and other non-name, second tier brands. The difference in quality is PERCEPTIBLE and REAL. There is no real difference in price these days more so when you consider it over a 5 to 7 year conservative usage period.
2. The swivel base is worth its weight in gold. I have it on a table top, so attaching and removing cables is a cinch. The freedom to choose where to sit and have the TV adjusted accordingly is priceless. Try doing that with a DLP :)!
3. World class connectivity along with inputs on the SIDE of the TV too! Combine the number of inputs with the swivel base, it becomes unbelievably easy to work with cabling. Try moving other plasma TVs around a table top ... more so the 'other' top rated one which has 'claw feet' for a base !
4. Until recently, Hitachi was positioned 'up there with Pioneer'. Its prices are starting to come down so give this a decent look.
5. Trust your own eyes! Can't stress this enough!! This is 1080i. Side by side with a 720p, with a common signal input into both TV's, I could EASILY see the difference in quality with the higher resolution.

Enjoy!!

The look of the tv itself it very contemporary and cool (plus it has the stainless steel and a blue power light=)
The picture is unbelievably beautiful! The colors are amazing and the clarity is unbeatable IF you use the HDMI cable.
Don't even try to use the basic component cables, spend the extra 50-100 bucks to get the HDMI cable (doesn't have to be the Monster cable, mine isn't and the picture is still great!)
If you use the HDMI cable, I found that the internal speakers don't work (or I just couldn't figure it out, which is possible) so I had to hook up external speakers, but with a picture this great is for watching movies which requires surround sound anyway=P

One last thing: The manual doesn't mention it, but there is a MASTER power switch that has to be turned on before you can use the regular power button. Took me about 30 minutes to figure out that my tv wasn't broken right out of the box. The switch is located on the bottom right side of the TV. Just a good thing to note!

This was the best investment I've ever made and I'm so happy I did!

I've been looking for a few weeks now. My sister has the Panasonic 60U 42 inch, which they paid $2100 for in the summer. That tv is awesome and I think the picture is great. Since the price dropped to $1199, my father bought the 60U, and I bought the HDS69 for $1425 at Boscovs minutes later.

The salesman actually tried to talk me out of the Hitachi and into the Panasonic, saying consumer reports rates it higher and what not.

I chose the Hitachi over Panasonic for a few reasons: the design is far superior, the resolution is higher, it has the 1080P virtual processor, the swivel base is great, 3 HDMI inputs, and just by looking at the picture alone.

I have a home theater, but don't always feel the need to turn use it. Luckily, the speakers in the tv are EXCELLENT.

I just hooked it up using the included HDMI cable from Comcast. The picture on analog signals are decent, the digital are great, and the HD are phenomenal. I'm in no hurry to spend $100+ on a monster cable.

So far Boscovs is the cheapest I've seen from a Major department store, not from a no name Internet company.

I wish it had a memory card reader like panasonic. Other than that, it is the best purchase I have made in a long time.

My choice was between the panny and the hitachi. My choice was the hitachi, the picture is just so vivid. The 3 dimensional look is amazing. I'm only using component cables, so I can't imagine with an hdmi hookup. Hate to buy a HDMI DVD player when the next generation DVD player will have falling prices in the next year.
But this TV is where its at. Got mine for $1150.00, cheapest I've seen anywhere. I feel like I stole it. Its that good. Hitachi has done it again. Reality at its best.

On the past 5 years I have owned 1 42 inch phillips plasma, 1 32 Inch LCD, and 1 50 inch DLP, and this plasma is by far the best overall picture. I'm having a hard time watching the other TV's, after watching this hitachi. The picture is by far the best I've ever seen(have not seen 1080p at home). Plus, you get 3 HDMI inputs. My only complaint is the remote control, but I use an HD DVR cable box. I paid only $1329, with a coupon, but worth much much more. I thought I would never buy another plasma, originally was looking at a 1080p LCD. However, after reading about 1080p, I decided that 1080p is not needed and the picture quality not noticeable.

This TV is the only plasma with a full 1080 lines of resolution I think its 1280 x 1080. 3 HDMI inputs(6 or 7 total inputs). Comes on a swivel stand too!!!! Hitachi really came through, this is the best value in HDTV on the market by far!

Like many reviews I have read, I too can say that after exhaustive research I chose this model over the Panasonic (which to me was a close second). I like the "day" "night" settings and the black enhancement works wonderfully (despite reviews I have read to the contrary).
However, I had the same problem with the internal speakers as the reviewer from Melbourne, Fl (I too live in Central Florida). Hitachi tech support was no help. They had me disconnecting wires and reconnecting them and even sent me a software upgrade that did no good. Finally I called the store where I bought it and had their guy come (Sears). He was there 1 minute and made an adjustment on the audio settings on the cable box to HDMI!! It was the Bright House box setting causing the trouble. I'm sure the lady in Melbourne was smart enough to check her settings on the TV itself (another reviewer evidentally thought she was not)
Well enjoy the TV if you buy one. The Sears guy said the plasma will soon be obsolete and Laser TVs are on the way!!