0308WHC12 hitachi 42pma400e tv

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42in Plasma TVs/Screens

Hitachi 42PMA400E 2,800

ne very simple question faced us as we set about Hitachi's latest plasma screen. Just how, we wondered, could the company improve on its gobsmacking 42PD3000E, which we had already looked at and adored in our July issue? The answer hit us right in the wallet: the 42PMA400E costs less than 3,000 a full grand less than its beloved brother. But what, we wonder, has had to go to get the price so low? The first absentee we noticed was speakers. Unlike the 42PD3000E, the PMA400E doesn't come with any attached as standard. Then it hit us that it doesn't have an external tuner/gubbins box either. So, while the 42PD3000E is a TV, the 42PMA400E is just a monitor. This is not necessarily a bad thing however, as many of us already have a separate audio system, as well as an alternative TV source like a Sky/FreeView digibox, or even just a VCR (which will have a built-in tuner). Inputs on screen include computer, component, S-Video and composite jacks. You can also attach speakers directly to the screen. There aren't any Scarts, though a failing of many plasmas so you need to ensure that your TV signal source has other picture connectors (S-Video is the most likely).
Happily the 42PMA400E is built using the same core technologies as its older brother, including Hitachi's new I2 chipset and H2 panel design. These use a combination of digital processing and improved construction techniques to boost colours, resolution, clarity and noise reduction. An old Hitachi fave, ALIS (Alternate Lighting Of Surfaces) is also retained, which potentially increases screen life, brightness and fine detail resolution.

Test Scenes

Red Dragon

Book worm

As Norton visits the library, detail in the rows of books in the background is stunning

Burnout

The 42PMA400E is also unusually proactive when it comes to the plasma nemesis of screenburn, providing not one but four ways of beating it. Screenburn occurs when a bright, static part of an image such as a screen logo is left on screen too long, and results in a shadowy echo of the image being burned permanently into the screen's phosphors. And, since we reckon it's so nasty it makes Red Dragon's Tooth Fairy look like Mary Poppins, Hitachi's extreme efforts to tackle it are hugely appreciated. Moreover, really hardcore tech-heads able to get their hands on US kit might like to note that the 42PMA400E actually offers one thing its older brother does not: high definition compatability. Rather fabulously, the Hitachi shows no signs of corner cutting when it comes to picture quality. For starters, contrast is good enough to make Red Dragon's night-bound scenes chillingly transparent and layered. During rare bright moments meanwhile, such as those introducing us to Norton's alternative life as a boat builder, the Hitachi displays stunningly vibrant and exceptionally realistic colours. And, if its fine detail you're after, it delivers that in spades too not even the tiniest spatter of blood goes unshown! Edges are blisteringly sharp without being over-emphasised and there's only the faintest trace of common plasma problems like grey pixel noise and colour banding which you only see if you go looking for them. We love the 42PMA400E, we really do. Hitachi has produced what is comfortably the finest Further Info plasma this side of four Call or visit grand, and one of the www.hitachidigitalmedia.com finest ever full stop.

Blinding colours

Reddish skin tones and dark backgrounds are handled with alplomb as Fiennes chats to blind girl Emily Watson prior to his demise

Good points

Cracking picture quality, impressive features and an extremely reasonable price

Bad points

Lacks integrated speakers and tuner box, therefore not the best option for people wanting a fully-integrated TV

Overall

The best just got cheaper. How will Panasonic respond to Hitachis challenge to the plasma crown?

Ratings

Style Ease of use Features Picture Sound Value Overall
N/A 5555555555 5555555555
40 What Home Cinema August 2003

WP P095

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ON TEST

FEATURES
ALIS; 1,000:1 contrast ratio; 1,000cd/m2 brightness; NTSC/PAL/Secam compatible; 160 viewing angle; 16.7million colours; Nicam stereo; 480/60i, 480/60p, 576/50i, 576/50p, 720/60p, 1080/50i, 1080/60i, 1035/60i; digital colour management; black stretch; three preset picture modes with two life-extension settings; three colour temperature modes; three contrast modes; individual alteration of red, green and blue levels; 2.2 and 2.8 gamma modes; white feed; multiple aspect ratios; 3D comb filter; film mode; inverse setting; orbiter; off timer; bass and treble adjustment SOCKETS Component video input; S-video in; composite video in; composite video out; two stereo audio inputs; spring-clip speaker outputs; RS232C serial port; two 15-pin RGB inputs CONTACT Hitachi 1455 www.hitachidigitalmedia.com TEST DATA Colour: excellent, with no bleed or noise Geometry: perfect Frequency response: excellent. Clear up to 5.8MHz
If you dont require a tuner, this monitor is an excellent choice

Hitachi 42PMA400E

The battle for world plasma domination was fierce in 2003, but Hitachi edged ahead of the competition with this bigscreen effort. THE FLAT FACTS
I 42IN 16:9 PLASMA SCREEN I 3,000 I RESOLUTION: 1,024 x 1,024 I DIMENSIONS: W: 103 H: 636 D: 89 (mm) I SPEAKERS: NO I TV TUNER: NO I SCARTS: NONE
itachi blew everyone away with its tweaks and modes on offer. Digital colour amazing CL32PD3000E, which quickly management allows tint and black levels to be became regarded as one of the best controlled individually. plasma televisions around. In a move that made Theres also a three-step black stretch, three perfect marketing sense, it was quickly followed preset picture and three colour temperature up by this screen, the monitor-only 42PMA400E, modes, plus the option of individual alteration of designed to be as comfortable in the business red, green and blue levels. Also worthy of environment as it is in the home. As a mention are the 2.2 and 2.8 gamma options and result it doesnt come with either a TV a pure white feed. tuner or switching box, but it is HDTVThe features list on this set is a pretty ready if you have the right DVD player long one. Headlining it is Hitachis acting as a source. Alternate Lighting of Surfaces (ALIS) The 42PMA400E may lack the sleek technology, which employs two lines consumer styling of its smaller sibling, of phosphors for each screen line, but still cuts a fine figure. The slim and emitting light from each alternately. minimalist silver frame is free from This produces bright images and manual controls, which are hidden out of reduces line structure between sight on the underside of the frame. It can pixels. Hitachi also claims that be pinned to the wall, although its easy this extends the useful life of the to prop it on the supplied stand and this display, as less power is required seriously enhances the aesthetics, too. to achieve the same brightness An uninspiring set of inputs are located as a conventional model. Plain-looking but at the back of the panel. These include The 42PMA400E boasts a cinch to master component video, S-video and composite Hitachis H2 Panel, which delivers video along with phono stereo audio. A a high contrast ratio of 1,000:1 and Scart input isnt deemed worthy of inclusion, but a brightness of 1,000cd/m2. The screen is also the display can be used as a giant PC monitor by equipped with the I2 Intelligent Image Chip, hooking up a computer using an analogue RGB which enables progressive scan processing. The mini D-sub jack. panel is ready for HDTV and supports 720/60p, The stumpy black remote control isnt quite making it compatible with the increasing number as easy on the eye as the set, but with clearly of PAL progressive scan DVD players that are labelled buttons and a sensible layout, its coming onto the market. a doddle to use. Among its key features is onetouch access to functions including PIP, multiple Performance aspect ratios and volume control. The 42PMA400E is an accomplished performer. The drop-down onscreen menu is simple to With a component video feed, colours are vivid navigate and plays host to the various picture and bursting with vitality. Blacks are convincing,
if not completely perfect, they are deep enough to deliver a stark contrast. Impressively, colour banding and grey pixel noise are rare. Detail levels are also excellent, while grain and ghosting are both absent. Slight shimmer and glowing artefacts are occasionally present with camera pans and scenes packed with detail, making the picture appear noisy. But this is the only blot on an otherwise clean copybook. If you are looking for a TV, the 42PMA400E isnt for you. But if you dont require a tuner, this monitor is an excellent choice. Its image is truly exceptional, providing beautifully saturated, rich colours. Plasmas nemesis of colour banding is also absent, making this screen a worthy centrepiece of any home-cinema system. WP

RATINGS

FOR Picture; features AGAINST No RF tuner; connectivity; the latest model is better PICTURE.##### LOOKS.###$$ FEATURES.##### EASE OF USE.####$ VALUE.####$ Last years model still offers great performance, so look out for bargains

VERDICT ####$

JUNE/JULY 2004
WHAT PLASMA & LCD TV 95