Hitachi 51S715 HDTV

G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Decided to purchase a HDTV and was considering the Hitachi 51 or 57S715
models. Does anyone have any Pros or Cons on these sets. Appreciate any
inputs.

Thanks, Harry
 

jeremy

Distinguished
Dec 31, 2007
347
0
18,930
Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Harry Leeds wrote:
> Decided to purchase a HDTV and was considering the Hitachi 51 or
57S715
> models. Does anyone have any Pros or Cons on these sets. Appreciate
any
> inputs.
>
> Thanks, Harry

Harry,

I have last years version of that set (57T700) which I purchased around
March of 2004. I'm still blown away by it. Prior to my purchase I had
leased an RCA and a JVC rear projection HDTV. I considered purchasing
both of those (trying to save some money), but every time I would walk
into a show room I was always blown away by the Hitachis (it's very
seldom that I'm wowed by show room models these days).

Feature wise, picture quality wise, Hitachi probably makes the best
Rear Projection HDTV. Sony and Toshiba (HX) makes outstanding product
too, so I don't want to try and crown Hitachi, howeve since the Elite
series Pioneers sets are no longer made, Hitachi's S series are
unquestionably some of the best sets on the market.

The only differences on the 2005 models (this includes the set you're
looking at) is the transition from a wooden cabinet to the new plastic
silver cabinets, the glare screen on the 2005 sets are supposedly
better. Technology wise the new sets have a HDMI port instead of a DVI
port (you can get an adapter for HDMI to DVI, you can't get the reverse
so HDMI is "better") and of course the 8VSB (HD) tuner comes standard
on all the new sets.

The only difference between the 51S715 and the 57S715 is the screen
size (51" and 57") the technology is the box is the same.
Enjoy your new set.
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

jeremy@pdq.net Wrote:
> Harry Leeds wrote:
> > Decided to purchase a HDTV and was considering the Hitachi 51 or
> 57S715
> > models. Does anyone have any Pros or Cons on these sets. Appreciate
> any
> > inputs.
> >
> > Thanks, Harry
>
> Harry,
>
> I have last years version of that set (57T700) which I purchased
> around
> March of 2004. I'm still blown away by it. Prior to my purchase I had
> leased an RCA and a JVC rear projection HDTV. I considered purchasing
> both of those (trying to save some money), but every time I would walk
> into a show room I was always blown away by the Hitachis (it's very
> seldom that I'm wowed by show room models these days).
>
> Feature wise, picture quality wise, Hitachi probably makes the best
> Rear Projection HDTV. Sony and Toshiba (HX) makes outstanding product
> too, so I don't want to try and crown Hitachi, howeve since the Elite
> series Pioneers sets are no longer made, Hitachi's S series are
> unquestionably some of the best sets on the market.
>
> The only differences on the 2005 models (this includes the set you're
> looking at) is the transition from a wooden cabinet to the new plastic
> silver cabinets, the glare screen on the 2005 sets are supposedly
> better. Technology wise the new sets have a HDMI port instead of a DVI
> port (you can get an adapter for HDMI to DVI, you can't get the
> reverse
> so HDMI is "better") and of course the 8VSB (HD) tuner comes standard
> on all the new sets.
>
> The only difference between the 51S715 and the 57S715 is the screen
> size (51" and 57") the technology is the box is the same.
> Enjoy your new set.

This thread is old, but just in case someone happens to search "Hitachi
51S715" like I just did, I'd like to give my user opinion of the set. It
may be helpful.

I've had my 51S715 for 5 days now and I have to agree with Jeremy. The
51S715 delivers the best CRT RPTV picture I've seen to date,... and
I've looked at a ton of these things in the weeks leading up to my
purchase. I've compared it to the Mits WS-55xxx series and it walked
all over the those sets, except for maybe the Mit WS-55815, which is
their diamond model. The same with Sony, and forget about RCA's and
Phillips in the price range. The only sets in my opinion that comes
close to the Hitachi xxS715 were the Toshiba offerings, specifically
the 57HDX94/95.

Now is the best time to purchase this model, either in the 51" or 57"
versions, as their prices have dropped substantially. I purchased my
51S715 for $1349 from Sears. I believe the 57S715 was going for $1579
(they only had one left). Compared to the $1999 Tweeter was asking for
the rather bland (appearance and feature wise) Mit WS55517, the Hitachi
was a steal.

I should also mention that the Hitachi unit uses the lastest generation
higher contrast CRT tubes than oter units in this price range, and
they've decided to include their 5-element lenses in the S series. The
picture quality coming from the better optics and brighter tubes hits
you right in the face. Mits only include their better optics and
brighter CRTs in their Diamond series, costing way more money. The
51/57S715 units can do 480, 480p, 540p, 720p and 1080i. It also has
something called VirtualHD 1080p Video Processor. Now what that faux
sounding 1080p thing is I don't exactly know, but I'm assuming that
it's got something to do with how good the end picture looks. Picture
control available to the is top notch as well,... a level I was all
about ready to give up on in this price range. What really impressed me
was that Hitachi's 117 point auto-focus really worked. I had read in the
forums that various auto-focus routines offered by the different
manufacturers rarely worked and some even made things worse. Still
trying to figure out how to use the photo memory stick feature on the
front.

So far, I have had no problems with my unit, but it's only been with me
for a week. For reliability, the jury will be out for a while.

I'll say it again, this is one of the best CRT units I've seen to date.


--
ericpd, Posted this message at http://www.SatelliteGuys.US