294wv24 Hitachi 42PD7200

5/4/05

2:18 pm

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On test

42in plasma TV G Approx price: 2,500

Hitachi 42PD7200

Its hard enough to pick up a decent plasma for less than 3,000, but one with full hi-def compatibility and then some? Jim Findlay checks out Hitachis latest whopper
xperience and old wives tell us that things that seem too good to be true usually are. Hitachi has managed the improbable feat of knocking out a 42in plasma fully loaded with hi-def spec for a price that will stretch your credulity further than your wallet.This is a company with scant regard for convention, though, and who's to say the rulebook isn't due a rewrite?

looks and features

Some TVs have it, others do not. Whatever 'it' is, the Hitachi 42PD7200 has bucketloads of the stuff.The aesthetics bear witness to
accordingly. Not content with just that, it also finds time to give noise the boot, sharpen up edges, sort out motion and process your colours, as well as all sorts of other clever things too numerous to mention. Marry all that to an ALiS (Alternate Lighting of Surface) panel with a native high-definition resolution and you've got a TV you'll be itching to switch on. You've got to hook it up first and the socket count is staggering for any kind of money.The rear panel includes no fewer than three Scarts and a component video input, as well as several audio in and outputs.
cluster, your mind will be well and truly boggled.

ease of use

Some manufacturers still haven't got their heads around the idea that most people want a screen that they can set up in minutes without constant recourse to a manual and a degree in electronics.Hitachi,on the other hand,has consistently avoided this annoying,elitist tendency and this set is a lesson in user-friendliness. The remote,with its groovy, transparent keys and wealth of functions,looks serious and stylish, and yet is also straightforward, thanks to its no-nonsense labelling and sensible layout. The menus it operates continue in the same vein,with nice,clear text and intuitive operation.The techheads will appreciate the myriad fine-tuning options and features, while the more domestically inclined will be grateful for an impeccably mannered set-up procedure that gets you up and running in no time. The 42PD7200 is a masterclass in understated elegance

Details

FEATURES
Screen size & shape: 42in, 16:9 Tuner: analogue Sound system: Nicam Resolution: 1,024 x 1,024 (pixels) HD Ready: yes Quoted contrast ratio: 1,000:1 Quoted brightness: 1,200cd/m2 Speakers: yes Screen dimensions: 1,050(w) x 676(h) x 110(d)mm Weight: 37kg
The presence of both HDMI and DVI inputs will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief
the subtle evolution of the consistently lovely Platara line. There's nothing particularly groundbreaking in the clean, simple lines, but everything is in exactly the right proportion and the nicely understated interplay of black, silver and grey makes for something that you'll instinctively want as soon as you clap eyes on it. That elegant frame contains Hitachi's Picture Master processing system.This delivers all-digital image scaling, which means no analogue to digital conversion and thereby, hopefully, a purer picture. It's 'intelligent' and can figure out the brightness and contrast requirements of individual sections of a picture and adjust what you see However, its the presence of both HDMI and DVI inputs that will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief. This means that you could, if you felt like it, run two high-definition feeds into this panel. Or even three, if you count the component sockets' compatibility with digital videotape and other non-HDCP hi-def sources. It's as if Hitachi has suddenly found another gear, floored the accelerator and left its mostly more expensive and less well-equipped rivals choking on its dust. By the time you've discovered that the designers have also come up with the ingenious wheeze of putting the secondary AV connections (S-video, composite video, stereo audio and headphones) on a clip-on, 'floating'

SOCKETS

HDMI input; DVI input; PC RGB input; RS-232 input; 3 Scarts (2 RGB); S-video input; 2 composite video inputs; stereo audio input; headphone jack; composite video output; 2 stereo audio outputs; 2 PC audio ins; component video input; RF jack

performance

The audacity of its spec at this price might have set Hitachi up for a bit of a fall, but the 42PD7200 is having none of it.Analogue broadcast pictures, so frequently disastrous at this size, have a solidity and punch that could easily grace a massively more expensive screen. Colours are incredibly well saturated, but remain tightly contained and give even bargain basement programming the kind of verve that you'd only normally see on good CRTs. Some stuff is obviously uncomfortable at this

CONTACT

www.hitachidigitalmedia.com

TEST DATA

For a full explanation of test data, please see page 118

Key connections

Scart sockets
This set boasts three of these, two of which can accept RGB signals
Test Colour Geometry Frequency response Contrast
Rating Excellent Excellent Good Good

Component video

The best quality analogue video input going
All digital high-def video and audio via one simple interconnect
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Also Consider >>

TOSHIBA 42WP46 More expensive than the Hitachi, not as accomplished and lacking hi-def spec Reviewed: Issue 291
FUJITSU P42VHA30ES Gorgeous picture, but doesn't come with speakers and lacks a native hi-def panel Reviewed: Sep 04

Remote

Looks the business and handles like a dream. One day all remotes will be designed like this
Looks ##### Layout ##### Labelling ##### size and looks rather crude, but the fault here is more with the material. For the HDMI trial, we wheeled out a Denon

Fact file

I 42in plasma TV I HDMI and DVI inputs I 1,024 x 1,024 pixels I Picture Master processing I ALiS panel
DVD-A1XV, counting on its megasophisticated scaling technology to give that resolution an exacting workout and the Hitachi was more than up to it. What is good with broadcast TV becomes stunning with high-def quality DVD. Thunderbirds is an eyeball-scorching riot, with every hyper-real hue rendered to maximum effect. From Lady Penelope Pink to jungle island green, the entire spectrum looks gorgeous. It's also capable of amazing subtlety, as evidenced by its performance with more restrained fare such as Troy. In its handling of the Aegean as the Trojans head home with Helen in the hold, the seas shifting mixture of shades is about as convincing as you'll see this side of a bow rail.

Detail is also a treat, with all those pixels picking out every last scrap from even the most complex, wideangle scenes.The frequent shots of serried ranks facing off against each other are marvellously well resolved and the combination of this and the awesome range of colours make for one of the most three-dimensional experiences out there. The only real minus point concerns contrast.Greyscale is good, but the screen would benefit from a bit more authority with deep blacks. You'll also spot the odd case of colour banding,but neither flaw is grave enough to stop you enjoying a thoroughly exhilarating performance. Audio is also more than adequate, although things can distort when cranked right up,particularly in the Matrix surround mode.
Its not just the design thats attractive the 2,500 price tag is highly alluring too

Ratings

WHATS GOOD
Colours; connections; compatibility

WHATS BAD

Contrast could be better; occasional colour banding

conclusion

Alright,we admit it,we rather like this screen.In fact,it's very difficult to find a reason why anyone with 2,500 sitting around spare and a hankering for a 42in plasma shouldn't go out and buy one immediately.It's got its faults, but none of them is sufficient to undermine its enormous charm, comprehensive futureproofing and remarkable asking price. Five stars for Hitachi and a new standard for affordable excellence for everyone else I
Picture Sound Features Ease of use Value
##### ##### ##### ##### #####

OVERALL VERDICT

Hitachi has come up trumps with an enormously likeable plasma for a massively generous price. A corker
Issue 294 I What Video and Widescreen TV I 055

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HITACHI 42PD7200
2,500 N 5126 N www.hitachidigitalmedia.com N Overall rating #####
Excellent Good Hitachis previous generation of plasma panel combined top-end performance with competitive prices. And so I was naturally eager to get my teeth into Hitachis new generation PDP along with something called Picture Master The 42PD7200 is a pretty thing, and no mistake. Sporting a neat black screen frame, a funky swivelling stand and nifty clip-on silver speakers. Its perfectly adapted for a living room environment. Pleasingly, the 42PD7200 sports HDMI and DVI digital video inputs so its fully au fait with digital DVD feeds and Skys highdefinition plans. There are component video inputs, too, for analogue HD and progressive scan needs, alongside three Scarts and a standard PC input. Composite video and four-pin S-video jacks are provided on a separate connections box. Hitachis new Picture Master processing offers visual enhancements galore far too many to cover in detail here. But essentially its key talents are full digital image scaling to reduce analogue-digital conversion errors; processing which assesses incoming pictures and adjusts the brightness and gamma levels of individual sections, down to pixel level; a brightness histogram to boost brightness and contrast while suppressing noise; an edge histogram for better edge sharpness; Super Dynamic Contrast boosting; new 1,024-line progressive processing; faster processing for improved motion handling; 12-bit colour processing, with 4,093 graduations per hue; and an 3D comb filter. Whats more, this is matched by a truly extravagant set of user-adjustable picture tweaks (see Also featuring, below). banding and exaggerate digital broadcasts MPEG blocking. But then the 42PD7200 does only cost 2,500 Sonically the unit boasts an impressive frequency range, with comforting midbass at one end, surprisingly wellrounded trebles at the other, and plenty of breathing space for dialogue. Average

LAB REPORT

Colour Black level Contrast Resolution Colour temperature (pre-calibration, low setting) (post-calibration) Luminance (pre-calibration) (post-calibration) Contrast ratio (pre-calibration) (post-calibration)

Performance

Out of the box, youre likely to be nonplussed by the 42PD7200s pictures. But take time to explore those endless picture options and youll be rewarded. I havent the space to go into what makes them all tick, so Ill cover the essentials under a couple of general strengths Exhibit A: extraordinary solidity. Via a combination of pristinely edged, very vivid colours; pronounced greyscale and colour gradations even in backgrounds; a solid contrast range; and wonderfully smooth motion processing the 42PD7200s picture roars off the screen with an intensity thats almost 3D. Exhibit B: dazzling fine detail levels. By suppressing most types of noise, the 42PD7200 leaves the smallest details free to contribute fully to the texture of the final image. Pictures are not perfect, however. Occasionally a slightly greenish tinge can seep into darker shadows. Also, while the contrast range of the set is good, its black level response isnt spectacular. And finally, although in general lower-rent sources (RGB Sky and analogue tuner) look unusually good on the 42PD7200, they can show occasional traces of colour

8900K 6020K 17.8fL 18.3fL 195:1 215:1

Wrap up

Without doubt, this is an exceptional plasma screen and possibly one of the best youll find this side of three grand. A genuine five-star performer.
ITEM SUPPORT DETAILS HD Ready G Everything you need to receive Sky HD Progressive Scan G Compatible with 480p & 576p Digital TV Tuner Analogue TV tuner only Composite G 1 input S-video G 1 input Scart G 3 inputs (1 RGB) Component G 1 input (prog scan & HD compatible) HDMI/DVI Both DVI & HDMI inputs PC Input G Standard D-Sub Headphone 1 output Resolution 1024 x 1024 pixels Brightness 1100cd/m2 (Claimed) Contrast 1,000:1 (Claimed) Dimensions 1,050(w) x 676(h) x 110(d)mm Weight 37kg Also featuring AliS technology screen; Picture Master processing, including: full digital image scaling; auto brightness and gamma correction; brightness and contrast boosting; edge enhancement; faster processing for improved motion handling; 12-bit colour processing, offering 4,093 graduations per colour; advanced 3D comb filter; pic and sound presets; 1-bit digital audio amplification; dynamic bass; multiple contrast modes; Y Noise reduction; chroma noise reduction; Film mode; PAL comb filter; Luminance Transient Improvement; Colour transient improvement; black enhancement; colour management; colour decoding; matrix surround; Perfect volume; on/off timer; screen saver; screen wipe, freeze mode; luminance manager; autotuning; RS232 input; stereo audio input; two stereo audio outputs; two PC audio in; RF jack

SPECIFICATIONS

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TOP 6 RANKING

1. HITACHI 42PD7200 2. NEC PX-42XR3G 3. SAMSUNG PS42V4SK 4. HYUNDAI HQP421 5. HISENSE PDP4211EU 6. TINY OPTIMA 422

CONCLUSION

In some ways, this group test has been a little disappointing. It seems that with truly cheap, sub-2,000 42in plasma models, quality is still hard to find. And at 1,000, the price of Tinys Optima 422 package, you get a very rough ride indeed. The worst performer weve seen for a long time, it claims the bottom spot in our league table. Settling for fifth place is the HiSense PDP4211EU. Although it justifies its extra pounds over the Tiny by hitting one or two genuine picture highs, its got glitches galore and a lack of future-proofing in its connections thats hard to swallow. Fourth belongs to Hyundai. It has more than its share of problems with connections and pictures but it looks decent with progressive scan and analogue high-definition. Second and third is a tough call. In most ways the NECs pictures are more accomplished than Samsungs and it also has better features and flexibility. But Samsung delivers better black levels, and costs barely half as much. So it comes down to high-definition compatibility and Im rating the NEC second and Samsung third. But if saving moneys more important than high-definition, the Samsung will do just fine. So the winner by some margin is Hitachis 42PD7200. At times, its pictures are jaw-droppingly good. Even when they fall prey to noise and the odd colour tone issue, theyre still a country mile ahead of the competition here and offer some healthy competition to many far pricier screens.

RATINGS

HISENSE PDP4211EU
Highs: Price, contrast, easy to use, colours Lows: Jerky movement, no HD or progressive scan, plasma noise
1,300 (Approx) Sound ### Features # OVERALL ##

Picture ##

Highs: Pictures (mostly), design, price, connectivity, features, sound Lows: Occasional noise with low quality feeds
2,500 (Approx) Sound ####

Picture ####

Features #####

OVERALL ####

HYUNDAI HQP421 Picture ###
1,900 (Approx) Sound n/a Features ### OVERALL ### 2,900 (Approx) Sound #### Features #### OVERALL ###
Highs: Good high-definition pictures, appealing price, good contrast Lows: Picture deteriorates badly with standard resolution feeds, no HDCP on DVI jack
NEC PX-42XR3G Picture ###
Highs: Impressive fine detail response, good handling of traditional plasma noise Lows: Lack of black level, unnatural colour tone

SAMSUNG PS42V4SK

Highs: Good colours, good price, decent connectivity Lows: Low native resolution, picture softness, dull looks
1,600 (Approx) Features ###

Picture ###

Sound ####

OVERALL ###

TINY OPTIMA 422
Highs: Reasonable build quality, amazing price, good contrast Lows: Horribly flawed pictures, no digital connectivity
1,000 (Approx) Sound ### Features ## OVERALL ##

Picture ##