0411WP033 LARGE LCD

12/10/04

10:45 AM

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ON TEST

HITACHI 28LD5200E
aving been a master of the plasma universe, it comes as something of a surprise to learn that Hitachi has finally decided to branch out into the seemingly alien world of LCD screen technology. However, assuming it can come even close to replicating the success that its plasma screens have enjoyed of late, its LCD screens should prove to be a genuinely enticing proposition. However, the first thing it will have to work on is its cosmetic styling; the 28LD5200E is far from the ugliest screen to have darkened What Plasma & LCD TVs doorstep, but it is only passably attractive when compared with some of the supermodel screens that are in its price range (like for example the stunning Sony and Thomson screens overleaf). Its plain grey finish fails to catch the eye, plus theres a slightly cobbled together feeling inspired by the clumsy and borderline ugly detachable speakers. The 28LD5200E follows the same generally likeable connections path as the bigger plasma screens in Hitachis current 5200 range, including highlights of an HDCP-ready DVI jack and two sets of component video inputs. And yes, these inputs can be used to enjoy high-definition and/or progressive scan sources Its not all good news, though. Given that the 28LD5200E with its relatively small screen and seemingly affordable price tag could be bought by the sort of people that will be connecting it to a normal level of source equipment, its a shame the set is so busy serving up relatively esoteric connections that it only finds room for a single Scart socket the good news is that it is RGB compatible. Theres also further reason to rejoice in the fact that the 28LD5200s features list is impressively long for such an affordable screen. Highlights include backlight adjustment, contrast presets, chroma and luminance noise reduction systems, line and colour transient improvement, and a seriously sophisticated colour management suite.

THE FLAT FACTS

I 28IN 16:9 LCD TV I 2,000 I RESOLUTION 1,024 x 1,024 I DIMENSIONS W: 854 H: 517 D: 277 (mm) I SPEAKERS: YES I TV TUNER: YES I SCARTS: 1 (1 RGB)

Performance

Given that this is Hitachis first tentative dip into the ultra competitive world of LCD TV, the 28LD5200E is a very nifty performer indeed. Its black level response is good enough to avoid the greying over of black picture areas found on less capable sets. This also plays an important part in helping the screen serve up a prodigious depth of field, and display colours that are as vibrant as they are natural in tone. The picture is also remarkably free from noise or interference of any sort, be it edge tizzing, grain, dot crawl or shimmering colours over fine details. In fact, this talent is so notable that it ensures that the 28LD5200E can take its place among some of the finest screens around when it comes to showing high-definition pictures. Even analogue tuner footage looks clean. Although it has to be said that this source also causes the screen enough problems to make the colour vibrancy and sharpness levels drop. The only serious clue that the 28LD5200E is Hitachis first attempt at a producing an LCD TV comes from its slight susceptibility to that common LCD problem of smearing. Horizontal motion, especially subtle movement, tends to blur as the screens response time sometimes struggles to keep up with whats happening. While the 28LD5200Es speakers might not be the prettiest looking boom boxes on the market, they perform out of their skin. The soundstage they create is quite simply phenomenal almost too big for the screen with bags of distortion-free volume, an amazing amount of bass, a fulsome vocal tone, and even huge amounts of immaculately delivered treble details. With its gobsmacking audio and better-than-expected pictures, the 28LD5200E does enough to make us look forward to the next generation of Hitachis LCD TVs. Right now on the evidence of the 28LD5200E, Hitachis LCD screens arent quite up there with its plasmas, but this is a great debut and certainly a step in the right direction. WP

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MAKE MODEL: SPECIFICATIONS
Screen size: Resolution: Dimensions(w xh xd): Speakers: TV Tuner: Price: Tel: Web:

Thomson 27LCDB03B

27in 1,204 x x 452 x 87mm Yes Yes 1,www.thomson-europe.com

Sony KLV-26HG2

26in 1,280 x x 461 x 242mm Yes Yes 2,www.sony.co.uk

Hitachi 28LD5200E

28in 1,024 x 1,x 517 x 277mm Yes Yes 2,www.hitachidigitalmedia.com

FEATURES

Teletext: High definition compatibility: Progressivescancompatibility: 16:9 mode: Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

CONNECTIONS

Scarts HDMI input: DVI-Dinput: D-Sub input: 1 (1 RGB) No No Yes 2 (1 RGB) No No No 1 (1 RGB) No Yes No

VERDICT

Picture: Sound: Looks: Features: Ease of use: Value:
##### ###$$ ####$ ####$ ####$ ##### #####
##### ##### ####$ ####$ ##### ###$$ #####
####$ ##### ###$$ ####$ ####$ ####$ ####$

OVERALL

And the winner is. Sony KLV-26GH2
erhaps one of the biggest advantages of replacing your CRT is that the options at this size are truly superb. While choosing a screen that will provide the highest possible performance shouldnt be too difficult, as the vast majority are excellent anyway, how do you differentiate between a great Thomson or a marvel from Sony? This was a problem that we pontificated over for some time, but when considering price, features and overall performance, it quickly became clear that there could be only one winner. Surprise, surprise it was Sonys KLV-26GH2. Much of why the KLV-26GH2 came out on top is down to Sonys excellent Wega Engine, however, the fact that the chassis offers a simply stunning elegance doesnt do too much harm either. 2,300 might seem like a lot of money to spend, but believe us, having made that investment you wont need to think about replacing your TV for many years to come. The component input provides the peace of mind that this is a future-
proof screen capable of handling both high definition and progressive scan signals. OK, so you cant attach your computer to the screen, but thanks to the Memory Stick slot, youll be able to view your photographs or MPEGs onscreen. Oh, and what a picture! Dot crawl and other visual interference is practically non-existent (even with lower quality sources), skin tones are devastatingly good and motion effects remain completely free from unsightly blocking and artefacts. Snapping away at the Sony screens heels is the Thomson offering which also provided a pretty stunning performance partnered with an equally classy design. The levels of contrast on offer are better than anything weve seen and the only real let down is the rather limp audio performance from the speakers. Hitachi is at something of a disadvantage to the other screens seeing as this is its first LCD release. That said, it is an admirable if not stunning debut effort.

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ISSUE 6

Document1

17/8/04

4:26 PM

Page 1

ON TEST

FEATURES

Quoted brightness of 450cd/m2; quoted contrast ratio of 500:1; ALiS picture processing; backlight adjustment; contrast presets; chroma noise reduction; luminance noise reduction; line and colour transient improvement; colour management suite; PAL progressive scan; high definition compatible SOCKETS 1 Scart input; 2 component video inputs; S-video input; 2 composite video inputs, VGA input; DVI input; RF tuner CONTACT: Hitachi 000 www.hitachidigitalmedia.com

Hitachi 28LD5200E

Hitachi gate crashes the LCD party, with a 28in stunner on its arm
aving been a master of the plasma universe, it comes as something of a surprise to learn that Hitachi has finally decided to branch out into the seemingly alien world of LCD screen technology. However, assuming it can come even close to replicating the success that its plasma screens have enjoyed of late, its LCD screens should prove to be a genuinely enticing proposition. However, the first thing it will have to work on is its cosmetic styling; the 28LD5200E is far from the ugliest screen to have darkened What Plasma & LCD TVs doorstep, but it is only passably attractive when compared with some of the supermodel screens that are in its price range. Its plain grey finish fails to catch the eye, plus theres a slightly cobbled together feeling inspired by the clumsy and borderline ugly detachable speakers. The 28LD5200E follows the same generally likeable connections path as the bigger plasma screens in Hitachis current 5200 range, including highlights of an HDCP-ready DVI jack and two sets of component video inputs. And yes, these inputs can be used to enjoy high-definition and/or progressive scan sources Its not all good news, though. Given that the 28LD5200E with its relatively small screen and seemingly affordable price tag could be bought by people wholl be connecting it to a normal level of source equipment, its a shame the set is so busy serving up relatively esoteric connections that it only finds room for a single Scart socket the good news is that its RGB compatible.

THE FLAT FACTS

I 28IN 16:9 LCD TV I 2,000 I RESOLUTION 1,024 x 1,024 I DIMENSIONS W: 854 H: 517 D: 277 (mm) I SPEAKERS: YES I TV TUNER: YES I SCARTS: 1 (1 RGB)
Theres also reason to rejoice in the fact that the 28LD5200s features list is impressively long for such an affordable screen. Highlights include backlight adjustment, contrast presets, chroma and luminance noise reduction systems, line and colour transient improvement, and a seriously sophisticated colour management suite.

Performance

Given that its Hitachis debut LCD TV, the 28LD5200E is a very nifty performer indeed. Its black level response is good enough to avoid the greying over of black picture areas found on less capable sets. This also plays a part in helping the screen serve up a prodigious depth of field, and display colours that are as vibrant as they are natural in tone. The picture is also remarkably free from noise of any sort, be it edge tizzing, grain, dot crawl or shimmering colours over fine details. In fact, this talent is so notable that it helps the 28LD5200E to be one of the finest screens around when it comes to showing high-definition pictures. Even analogue tuner footage looks clean. Although it has to be said that this source also causes the screen enough problems to make the colour vibrancy and sharpness levels drop. The only serious clue that the 28LD5200E is Hitachis first attempt at a producing an LCD TV comes from its slight susceptibility to that common LCD problem of smearing. Horizontal motion, especially subtle movement, tends to blur as the screens response time cant quite keep up with whats happening.

While the 28LD5200Es speakers might not be the prettiest looking boom boxes on the market, they perform out of their skin. The soundstage they create is phenomenal almost too big for the screen with bags of distortion-free volume, an amazing amount of bass, a fulsome vocal tone, and even huge amounts of immaculately delivered treble details. With its gobsmacking audio and better-thanexpected pictures, the 28LD5200E does enough to make us look forward to the next generation of Hitachis LCD TVs. But right now on the evidence of the 28LD5200E, Hitachis LCD screens arent quite up there with its plasmas. WP

RATINGS

FOR Good selection of features; impressive audio performance AGAINST Occasional smearing; only one Scart PICTURE.####$ SOUND.##### LOOKS.###$$ FEATURES.####$ EASE OF USE.####$ VALUE.####$ A solid LCD debut thats not quite up to the high standards of Hitachis plasmas, yet

VERDICT ####$

42 WHAT PLASMA & LCD TV

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