Hitachi P50H401 Television

No Regrets One Year Later

By Daniel A  May 1, 2009

Pros: Resolution, Quality & Value

Cons: No DVI input

First off there is a lot of confusion about this TV's resolution it is not True 1080p because it’s native resolution is 1280 x 1080 while True HD models typically have a 1920 x 1080 native resolution. Despite the misinformation out there the Hitachi P50H401 is not a 1080i or 720p television. Sales people have a hard time understanding this particular model. This TV has 50% more pixels than 720p models but is lower in resolution (as mentioned earlier) than True 1080p (1920 x 1080) models. Here is the secret: All LCD’s and Plasma flat panel screens display in progressive format. They can accept different types of signals but their internal video processor has to convert the signals to their native resolution in progressive format. This means that lower signals like a standard DVD (480i), progressive DVD(480p) and other sources are up converted by the TV’s internal video processor. Considering that I’m not too sure about all those up converting DVD players out on the market since the TV’s internal processor has to do it anyway.
This is not to say that a converted 480p or 480i signal will look as good as 720p or 1080i or 1080p signal. However the higher quality the signal is presented to the TV the higher the image quality will appear. So a 1080p signal when presented to the Hitachi P50H401 will look better than a comparable TV with 720p lines of resolution resulting in a 50% increase in clarity. All three HDMI inputs on the Hitachi P50H401 will accept full/True 1080p (1920 x 1080) signals but they are down converted to 1280 x 1080 resolution. So the down conversion is only completed on one axis. This means you can still benefit from Blue Ray content though not as ideal as 1920 x 1080 (True/Full HD TVs). So the thing that this TV has over the competition is it’s quasi-1080p capabilities at a 720p price point and considering it’s still going to be a long while before we see 1920 x 1080p signals on TV the only time this will come into play is with Blue Ray and you still won’t lose too much their either when you do watch a Blue Ray DVD.
The bottom line: I’ve had this TV for over a year now and don’t regret it at all. Before purchasing the TV I was debating whether to get a 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 42” TV or the Hitachi P50H401 1280 x 1020 50”. I’m so glad I went with the larger 50” size. This TV looks great with the XBOX 360, DVD’s, Blue Ray and HD cable. You’ll want to go in a tweak the video settings. I found the contrast and brightness a little too high at the preset factory settings and also I use the low setting on the Black level. As far as the Plasma it’s so much nicer than most LCDs with better contrast and more natural colors. Also I would like to note I have not had any type of burn in issues at all. However the front of the screen is made of glass so this might not be the greatest choice for commercial retail stores etc…
Note: Sound quality I rated at 3 stars but really that is because I don’t think much about any TV’s built in audio I always use a high quality AV system and speakers. Also I don’t know much about support since I have had no problems with this TV.

Hitachi

By ctcalvano  Feb 11, 2009

Pros: none

Cons: the parts

I had a Hitachi Plasma for 14 months...the warranty is out by a month and the set stops working...I contacted Hitachi and there is nothing they will do to help. The repairs cost over $500. I would NEVER suggest anyone buy a Hitachi. Very unhelpful people, won't stand behind their product and overall a very unhappy expierence.

By Nando  Dec 27, 2008

Great TV for a great price

By Dan  Sep 19, 2008 | 1 out of 1 found this Hitachi P50H401 review helpful

Pros: Picture quality, variety and number of connections, price

Cons: Sound, no PC input

We have had this TV for a year now and we are very pleased with our purchase.

We bought it from Best Buy for $1600 a year ago and thought it was a good purchase then, but now that it is almost $500 cheaper now, we are thinking about buying another one for the basement.

The picture is great with both our HD DVD player and with our Playstation 3. AND with Blu-Ray movies, we couldn't believe the picture quality we were seeing....this is an outstanding TV!

The only drawback is the fact that there is no input for a PC (DVI or VGA connection), but we are going to be building a new PC here in the near future and we will just buy a video card with HDMI output capability...so, it's a minor issue to us.

I would definitely buy this TV again (especially at this price)!!

By D  Nov 19, 2007

Great for the money...

By Bob V  Aug 26, 2007 | 7 out of 8 found this Hitachi P50H401 review helpful

Pros: Great picture/features

Cons: Have to learn controls/functions

BEst we've seen for the money. Happy we bought it. A bit difficult learning all the controls/function, but overall the set is great!!!