LCD projection HDTVs don't get the press lavished on DLP and flat-panel sets, but the Hitachi 62VS69 demonstrates that this technology is not a thing of the past. The 62VS69 produces a sharp picture and has a respectable feature list, and it makes a smart purchase if you want a big-screen TV without breaking the bank.

A member of Hitachi's UltraVision line, the 62VS69 has a native resolution of 1,280X720, and all incoming signals are displayed at 720p. This 62-inch set uses three LCD panels (one each for red, blue and green), and Hitachi's high-contrast lens system improves contrast levels and color reproduction. Twelve-bit digital video processing virtually eliminates screen artifacts, resulting in a sharp picture that is bright enough to stand up to most light conditions.

One drawback that afflicts LCD projection televisions is the screen-door effect, where the pixel grid (the space between the individual pixels) is visible, especially during bright scenes. This effect is apparent on the 62VS69 during certain situations, but as long as you aren't sitting too close to the screen, it shouldn't be a factor. On the other hand, the 62VS69 does not require convergence adjustments like CRT projection sets, and it is not susceptible to screen burn-in like CRT and plasma TVs.

The 62VS69 includes an ATSC tuner for over-the-air and cable HD reception, and it also has a QAM tuner and CableCARD slot for digital-cable readiness. There is a full complement of PIP and POP (split-screen) functions, including a 16-window channel index, but a second tuner is required to enable them. Other convenience features include day and night settings for each input that are activated by a timer, parental locks and a quick-start HD tuner that doesn't need to scan for available channels before displaying television content.

Stereo speakers are placed in the long, thin strip below the screen, and they produce 24 total watts of output. Audio performance is good although a bit underpowered, but the 62VS69 allows you to use the TV's speakers as the center channel of a home theater speaker system. Audio options include simulated surround sound, automatic volume leveling and a bass boost.

The connection selection on the 62VS69 is diverse, but there are several notable omissions. A combination composite video/S-video input is located on the side panel for the quick connection of a video game console or camcorder. The rear panel holds four additional composite video and two additional S-video inputs, two component video inputs and the CableCARD slot. Unfortunately, there are only single HDMI and RF inputs, and there is no PC input. On the audio side, the 62VS69 has a fixed/variable output and an optical digital audio output, as well as a center-channel speaker input.

If you are in the market for a big-screen HDTV but can't spring for the top-shelf technologies, the Hitachi 62VS69 offers a good compromise between performance and price.


Pros:  Affordable price, digital cable-ready
Cons:  No PC input, single HDMI input, visible screen-door effect

Warranty
1 year parts and labor, in-home service