Atop Hitachi's H401 series of plasma HDTVs is the P50H401, which offers a 50-inch screen and a higher native resolution than its smaller kin, the P42H401. Other than that, these two models are very similar. With its native resolution of 1,280x1,080, the P50H401 is not a true 1,080p plasma HDTV. It is compatible with 1,080p sources like Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD players, but incoming content is displayed at 1,080i. Unless you are a serious viewer, the difference in picture quality is barely noticeable, and the P50H401's suggested retail price is about $1,000 less than a comparably sized 1,080p plasma model.

The Hitachi P50H401 is neatly styled, with a black bezel and titanium gray trim that does not distract from the screen. As with the P42H401, stereo speakers are located discreetly below the screen, so they do not add to the unit's footprint. Hitachi includes a sturdy pedestal stand for supporting this 103-pound HDTV, or you can purchase an optional bracket and mount the P50H401 on the wall. Considering this unit's weight, we would recommend professional installation for the latter.

Once up and running, the P50H401's plasma display performs very well. Hitachi's PictureMaster HD IV video processor delivers clean, sharp images with good black levels and generally well-balanced colors. Green-tone rendering has some room for improvement, but it is nothing that will distract from your viewing experience. More problematic is the P50H401's audio performance. The 20-watt speaker system offers simulated surround sound and a bass boost, but the audio quality is no match for the sharp 50-inch screen. The P50H401 does offer an optical digital audio output for connecting to a full-feature home theater receiver and surround sound system.

Indeed, P50H401's connectivity is one of its strong points. In addition to three 1,080p-compatible HDMI inputs, this plasma HDTV features two wideband component video inputs, four composite video inputs, an S-video input and a RS232 control port, among others. These are divided between the rear panel and a hidden front panel. There is also a front-panel memory card reader, but this is only for service upgrades.

The P50H401's collection of convenience features is less impressive. There are no PIP or POP functions, but this unit does have parental controls for limiting the programming and channels available to the kids. There are also a selection of aspect modes and color temperatures options. The picture can be customized to adjust automatically according to the level of ambient lighting in a room, with settings appropriately labeled day, day dynamic and night.

Despite a few drawbacks, the huge screen, superior picture quality and excellent connectivity options make the Hitachi P50H401 a great value for a 50-inch plasma HDTV.


Pros: Full 1,080i display produces solid picture quality, three 1,080p-compatible HDMI inputs
Cons: Weak audio performance, no PIP features, memory card slot only for software upgrades

Warranty
1 year, parts and labor; in-home service