Hitachi Plasma TV Buying Guide: Reviews and Buying Tips on Hitachi Plasma TVs

Hitachi CMP4201U & CMP4202U HDTV 42" plasma / flat screen tv

Super slim, light weight and boasting a wider viewing angle, Hitachi's 42" Plasma display is revolutionizing the world of visual communications.

The New CMP4201U includes the following features:

1,024 X 1,024 Resolution (ALIS Technology)

Low Acoustic noise level

FCC-B Approved for home use

Built in Image Retention reduction features (Orbiter & Reverse image modes)

Ships with Video Board

Picture in Picture (PIP) - (PC Main, Video Sub)

Picture by Picture - (Video & Video)

Built In Maintenance Tool (White Flash Utility)

From boardrooms to HDTV home theaters, the CMP4201U's slim, lightweight design makes it the perfect alternative to dedicated projection systems. Easy to install on a wall or ceiling for easy viewing from anywhere in the room, the CMP4201U delivers a wide, crystal-clear picture that's guaranteed to attract the attention you want.

High-Definition Wide 16:9 screen - At 1,024 x 1,024 pixels the CMP4201U is compatible with video data sources from PC's, DVD's, and HDTV receivers making it the ideal display solution for any corporate and home theater application from trade shows, exhibits and presentations to HDTV viewing.

Longer Display Life - Hitachi's advanced plasma display design technology provides 1.5 times longer display life than other 42" displays.

Slim, space-saving design (Depth: only 3.5") - One of the most attractive features of the display is its extraordinary slim design. Featuring a large 42-inch (36.3" Wide x 20.6" High) screen, this ultra-thin, lightweight display measures a mere 3.5" from front to back and weighs only 68.1 lbs. So you can hang it on the wall or suspend it from the ceiling and enjoy the excitement of big-screen viewing even in rooms where a bulky display could never fit.

Multiscanning capability assures compatibility with a variety of computer systems - Ready for use with a wide range of personal computers, the CMP4201U can display images in VGA, S-VGA, XGA, SXGA or UXGA resolution and is compatible with a wide range of different computer scanning frequencies. The accompanying table shown below lists compatible frequencies, signals, and resolutions.

Wider 160° viewing angle assures clear images from any viewing position - With its totally flat screen, the plasma display produces no distortion at corners and edges, so the picture is as clear and easy to see from viewing angles as wide as 160° in both horizontal and vertical directions. Since the picture can be seen clearly from up, down, left, or right, the CMP4201U is ideal for conferences, presentations, or home theaters.

Specifications

General	Power supply		AC 100-240V
	Frequencies		50/60 Hz
	Power consumption		350W (Off mode 1W)
	Display Dimensions Effective Display Area		40.6" (W) x 25.0 (H) x 3.5" (D) 36.3" (W) x 20.6" (H)
	Weight		68.3 lbs
Display Characteristics	Aspect ratio		16:9
	Number of pixels		1024 (horizontal) x 1024 (vertical) pixels
	Pixel pitch		0.90 (horizontal) x 0.51 (vertical) mm
	Number of colors (gray levels)		16.7 million colors (256 grays)
	Brightness		400 cd/m² at white peak (with front filter), panel brightness - 1000cd/m²
	Contrast ratio		1000:1 (no ambient light)
	Viewing angle		More than 160°
Signal input and terminals	Computer & Component Video	RGB 1: Accepts Analog (PC) & Component Video (DVD, Sattelite Receiver, HDTV)	Format / Frequency : R, G, B, H, V / fH 15 - 106kHz, fV 50 - 85Hz(Preset signals only) & Format : Y, PB, PR or Y, CB, CR
			Level/impedance: R, G, B= 0.7Vp-p/75 & Level / impedance : Y=1.0Vp-p; PB/PR, CB/CR = 0.7Vp-p / 75ohm
			Synchronization: H/V separate sync: TTL, H/V composite sync: TTL, G sync: 0.3Vp-p/75 & Synchronization : Y Signal
			Connector: mD-Sub 15P x 1
		RGB 2: Accepts Analog (PC) & Component Video (DVD, Sattelite Receiver, HDTV)	Format / Frequency : R, G, B, H, V / fH 15 - 106kHz, fV 50 - 85Hz(Preset signals only) & Format : Y, PB, PR or Y, CB, CR
			Level/impedance: R, G, B= 0.7Vp-p/75 & Level / impedance : Y=1.0Vp-p; PB/PR, CB/CR = 0.7Vp-p / 75ohm
			Synchronization: H/V separate sync: TTL, H/V composite sync: TTL, G sync: 0.3Vp-p/75 & Synchronization : Y Signal
			Connector: mD-Sub 15P x 1
	Video	Video 1 (Composite)	Format : video or S-video( NTSC/PAL/SECAM ) or Scart signal
			Level / impedance : 1.0Vp-p / 75ohm
			Synchronization: composite sync
			Connectors : RCA pin x 1, S terminal x 1
		Video 2 (Component)	Format : Y, PB, PR or Y, CB, CR or Scart signal
			Level / impedance : Y=1.0Vp-p; PB/PR, CB/CR = 0.7Vp-p / 75ohm
			Synchronization: Y signal
			Connector: RCA x 3
	Audio	4 Inputs	Stereo signal supplied with 2 video inputs : L/R 470mV high impedance
			Connectors : RCA pin ( L/R ) x 2 ( Video1,2 ) Connectors : 3.5mm stereo mini jack x 2 (RGB1,2 )
	Control Terminal		Connector : D-sub 9P ( male )
Signal Output		Speaker Output	10W + 10W (speakers not included, offered as accessories)
		Video (Video 1)	Video 1 ( composite video ) only, Level / impedance : 1.0Vp-p / 75ohm Connector: RCA x 1
Controls	Switch / Button		Main Power switch, Sub Power button Adjustment buttons ( Input Changeover, Adjustment Menu, Selection, Sound Volume Adjustment )

	Main Adjustment	Video Signal	Contrast, Brightness, Color, Tint, sharpness
		RGB Signal	Contrast, Brightness, Display size, Vertical/Horizontal position, Clock frequencies, Clock phase
		Color Temperature	COOL : 9,300K, NORMAL : 7,600K, WARM : 6,500K, USER : manual adjustment
		Audio Signal	Volume, Balance, Treble, Bass, Mute
	Remote Control		Via infrared remote control unit provided ( with direct select button )( 54mm(W) x 155mm(L) x 27mm(T) )
	Power management		ON/OFF control/ VIA signal detection
Environmental condition	Temperature		5 - 35 degrees centigrade ( operating ), -15 - 60 degrees centigrade ( storage )
	Humidity		20 - 80%RH ( non-condensing )( operating ), 20 - 90%RH ( non-condensing )( storage )
	Atmospheric Pressure		800 - 1114hPa ( altitude : 1888m -757m )( operating ) 300 - 1114hPa ( altitude : 9727m -757m )( storage )
Regulations	Safety		UL1950, CSA C22.2 No.950 ( C-UL ), EN60950
	EMI		FCC Class B, EN55022 Class B
Supplied Accessories			Infrared remote control unit ( with batteries AA x 2 ), User's Mannual (English, French and Japanese), Power Cord
Special Features			Side by Side Picture - Video Signal Input Picture in Picture(PIP) - (PC Main Window, Video Sub Window)
Limited Warranty			1 Year Onsite Parts and Labor

Hitachi CMP4201U Review by Derek Hughes from Clifton, VA

Q:  Describe the picture of the plasma TV/LCD monitor in terms of clarity, color reproduction, contrast and brightness.
A:  The picture is great! Especially when you have the digital cable in use. The quality is so great that I had to buy a Progressive Scan DVD player to take advantage of the clarity and sharpness of the color. Especially, the black contrasts show up great on the screen!

Q:  What are your general comments on your Plasma TVs/LCD Monitors? How do you like it?
A:  I like it......it seems the more it's used the sharper the picture becomes.

Q:  How would you best describe the design and looks of the Plasma TV/LCD Monitor?
A:  Very clean lines nice addition to my basement!

Q:  Plasma TV Inputs used?
A:  1 Composite & 1 Component using RCA - RCA Cables

Q:  How long have you had the Plasma TV/LCD Monitor?
A:  3-12 Months

Q:  What is the Plasma TV/LCD used for?
A:  Home Living Room

Q:  Please explain how the Plasma TV/LCD Monitor was installed.
A:   It was installed with the TV inputs above along with Digital Cable

Q:  Where did you purchase your Plasma TV/LCD Monitor? How was your buying experience?
A:   It was purchased over the phone at DTVCity. The buying experience was great. Brent was my sales representative, he is an excellent asset to your company! He was very knowledgeable and patient with me. He understood that this was a BIG purchase for me and made my buying experience a pleasant one. His follow-through and back end customer service is great.

Hitachi CMP4201U Review by Daniel Hayes from San Antonio, TX

Q:  Describe the picture of the plasma TV/LCD monitor in terms of clarity, color reproduction, contrast and brightness.
A:  I love it. Clarity is terrific and I can't believe what I've been missing all these years

Q:  What are your general comments on your Plasma TVs/LCD Monitors? How do you like it?
A:  I've been doing research on this purchase for a couple of months. I was tempted at first to go with a cheaper model (based on cost alone). I'm glad I waited and got exactly what I wanted. My must haves were PiP/PbP, 1024x1024 resolution, and a quality warranty. I got it.

Q:  How would you best describe the design and looks of the Plasma TV/LCD Monitor?
A:  Phenominal...I now joke about "old fashioned" square TVs

Q:  Plasma TV Inputs used?
A:  1 Composite & 1 Component using RCA - RCA Cables

Q:  How long have you had the Plasma TV/LCD Monitor?
A:  3-12 Months

Q:  What is the Plasma TV/LCD used for?
A:  Home Living Room

Q:  Please explain how the Plasma TV/LCD Monitor was installed.
A:   Desktop stand...purchased from Plasmadepot. Very easy assembly

Q:  Where did you purchase your Plasma TV/LCD Monitor? How was your buying experience?
A:   Plasmadepot. I'd easily recommend them to anyone. I'm a first time purchaser and was leery about making a purchase this big on-line. But I did my research on the company and have been absolutely satisfied