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Hitachi has a winner with its 42HDT52, a 42-inch plasma HDTV with an impressive array of features and excellent performance. Twin stereo speakers set into the elegant black cabinet frame the wide-format plasma screen. The unit comes with a removable stand, and Hitachi even sells an optional stand with a motorized swivel that allows you to reposition the screen via the remote control. Controls are lined along one side panel, and quick-access composite video, S-video, FireWire (IEEE 1394) and USB inputs are located on the other side, making the connection of camcorders and video game consoles a snap.

All input formats are adapted to the 42HDT52's screen, and they are displayed with rich levels of contrast and brightness, deep blacks, and realistic colors. A 3-D Y/C digital comb filter, four-color temperature memory, automatic 3:2 film processing, and a special black-and-white film color temperature setting add to the 42HDT52's performance. Separate day and night settings can be activated with a timer and adjusted separately for each input.

The 42HDT52's audio system keeps pace with the video, offering 40 watts of output through the two-way speaker system. This plasma TV's speakers can be used as the center channel in a home theater system, and a two-level mute can be activated as needed. Other convenience features include access to TV Guide On Screen, split-screen viewing of high-definition and other content, on and sleep timers, and a choice of screen savers to help prevent stationary image burn-in.

In addition to the connections on the side panel, the 42HDT52's rear panel is exceptionally well endowed with inputs and outputs. It includes a CableCARD slot, four more composite video inputs, two additional S-video inputs, two RF inputs, two wideband component video inputs, two HDMI inputs, a composite video/S-video output, an optical digital audio output, two IR outputs, a subwoofer output and a fixed/variable audio output. The 42HDT52's universal remote matches the sophistication of the rest of the set, with roll-and-click wheels for volume and channel changing and a simple layout that makes managing multiple components a straightforward task.

Warranty
1 year parts and labor, in-home service