Digital/HDTV ready, doubles as computer monitor

pricey

Great, clear image and sound. We have this hooked up to a system of a Yamaha receiver/Klipsch speakers/Panasonic DVD/CD 220/Technics turntable/Sony VCR. Brand Loyal- No. Quality- Yes. It's nice to have such a high quality tv still be able to fit into a home entertainment unit.

Altho' I've had problems in the past with HITACHI (VCR) this tv is in a class of its own. Compared to the still-quite-not-yet-there large screens, the Hitachi has a great picture and is cutting edge with digital technology. I can surf on the web and watch TV at the same time all in 36". We paid about $2200 at Nationwide. If you're going for image and quality plus the versatility of having a large monitor for digital picture viewings, go for the Hitachi. If your mentality is bigger is better- I'd go for the large screen tv where you can get more for less.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba 36", Sony WEGA

Well calibrated video out of the box.
Line Doubler
480P
1080i
Easy to jack a PC into the front (or rear).
Extra set of composite in on the front.

Weight 200#
Only one set of component in.
Weight.
Did I mention the size and weight?

I have owned this TV since May of 1999 and have used it mostly with a DirecTV sattelite feed. The picture is gorgeous with an S-video sattelite or VHS signal, or the component out on my new Sony DVP S9000ES DVD/SACD player. I got a calibration kit with the DVD player and default video calibration (which I have been using for almost two years) was almost spot on. No need to tone down red levels etc...

The quality of the video signal from the component out of my new Hughes HDTV receiver is less than optimal. The HDTV picture is rather dark and dim compared to a DVD signal. I certainly don't want to have to fool with video levels everytime I watch HDTV on this thing. I already have to switch the component plugs every time I watch a DVD. 4:3 and 16:9 local SDTV looks fine. Although the local Portland stations are only transmitting digital at low power levels and I can't get all stations.

This set is basically obsolete. A 16:9 or even wider letterbox picture on even a 36" 4:3 is not all that big. Better in a small to medium room. Except of course this TV is HUGE. (Did I mention it is around 200 un-grippable ponds?) If I were to purchase a CRT based TV today I would get a 34" diagonal 16:9 set. Toshiba and Panasonic make them and I would also think a 34" 1080i capable monitor would be less expensive option.

If a new one is $1600 (a more reasonable price than I paid) it is actually a pretty good deal for an HDTV capable set. A bit large and heavy though.

(I have the 36SDX01SR) Ability to handle all types of inputs: 2 S, Component, and RGB front & rear, (which I am using now), Very nice picture, especially DVD, Great with 4.3 & 16.9. Good all around functionality. Lots of cool features for the regular TV viewing via their tuner, although I don’t use it.

Sometimes the picture can appear dark or slightly hazy, but I think has more to do with fine-tuning and signal quality rather than an weakness of the set. Also switching between inputs is bit slow for my liking. Very slight picture tapering at the corners. You really have to look for it to notice. Also no black level adjustment. I had it on my old 27 inch Proton.

(I have the 36SDX01SR) This is a very good DTV/HDTV for the money and options. It is a great fit for an AV tweaker like myself. I suggest integrating it with some good AV equipment.
Another great compliment to this unit is a high-powered AV PC. Here is what I am using and it works great. Harmon Kardon AV300, Cox Digital cable (OK to Good at best), a PC-AVBOX with a AMD 900 Tbird, ATI All-in-Wonder AGP Video Card ( good with Cable, S video, and component input). Hercules Xp Game Theater & sound systems, it hooks right up to HK and gives full Dolby or DTS for your DVD via PC. The monitor is also good for entertaining. Just push some audio through MS media player and watch the monkeys daze at TV. Very cool. This is probably the most well rounded HDTV I could find. The price was also decent. If you want the flexibility of HD and the availability of 4.3 ratio TV then this baby can save you around a $grand$ or more while giving you all you will ever need and nice big monitor to boot. DVD looks outstanding via the S, Component or RGB inpura, although you may see some artifacts with older movies on DVD, I don't know why. HD and the availability of 4.3 ratio TV then this baby can save you around a $grand$ or more while giving you all you will ever need and nice big monitor to boot. DVD looks outstanding via the S, Component or RGB input, although you may see some artifacts with older movies on DVD, I don't know why. Gladiator on DTS audio mode looks outstanding via the PC or DVD Player.

Fantastic picture with DVDO line doubler and calibration

reliability and poor customer service

I purchased this set on line after much research. The set was burned in over a several day period using video essentials. Great picture on dvd, but focus alittle soft on Direct TV or vcr. Set died after first two weeks. Just did not turn on one morning. Hitachi referred me to local service center and I delivered the set that day. This is where the nightmare begins. After six weeks I decided to call and was informed that parts had not arrived yet. I called customer service at Hitachi several times over the next 2 months with no success. The set was finally delivered after 3 1/2 months and it died as soon as it was plugged in. I get the set back a week later and it works fine for a couple of days then the tube goes ballistic and burns two black spots on the inside of the tube right in the center. Hitachi drags there feet for another three weeks and then has CG Electronics replace the set with a newer model the 36SDX01SR. I set the set up and notice that the bottom third of the picture has a slight bow in it which is really annoying when watching CNBC or CNN with the banner at the bottom of the screen. Under warranty I have a technician out, but he is unable to correct the problem saying it is the tube and is probably within Hitachi tolerances. I call Hitachi and they say the same thing. I am out of luck. I did find out that the set is actually made by RCA and hitachi hot rods it and put there name on it

Similar Products Used:

Sony XBR, Toshiba, Princeton Graphics

Great picture from any source, LINE DOUBLER for all sources (converts to 480p) Smmmmmokin deal at Video Only--$1470

4:3 aspect ratio, but that's not a problem for most viewing.

Absolutely beautiful picture from any source. Standard NTSC video is converted to 480P. Plenty of inputs for my system. Got a super deal at Video Only--$1470. Apparently a discontinued model but with no true HDTV broadcasting in my area except PBS, I can live with it. Much cheaper than any other digital set.

Similar Products Used:

Looked at RCA MM36110, Sony 36XBR400, and similar Toshiba sets

line doubler,computer monitor,did I
say line doubler,full 1080 capability
w/set-top-box

one component video input

Tv is awesome,great pictureon any
input....vhf/uhf,s-video.Was looking
at toshiba's new set,along w/dvdo's
line doubler.Saw this set at belmont
tv,with the built in line doubler I
could'nt go wrong.Hooked up with
dennon's avr3300 receiver,toshiba's
sd-1200 dvd player,hughes platium
satellite receiver w/digital vcr.Can't
wait till the new satellite box comes
out, directv hdtv,directpc.This webtv
is killing me. Oh,$2000.00 out the door,list $3000.00

Similar Products Used:

toshiba 35"

Great picture, lots of inputs, decent sound, SVGA

Awkward interface during setup, no PIP

The 36SDX88B displays crisp, sharp pictures. You can read the specs elsewhere so I won't repeat them, but I will say that I am very happy with this purchase. I also considered the Toshiba CN36X81 but it doesn't have VGA inputs. And the Proscan PS36800, which is also very similar, has all of the right features but RCA doesn't have the greatest reputation for reliable televisions.

The Hitachi's picture is good, and the sound is decent. I am using the VGA inputs at 800 X 600 and the picture is excellent. There is a bit of distortion in the corners, but it is not troublesome. My only surprise is that there's no Picture-in-Picture. You can view a TV channel in a window while using the rest of the screen as a monitor, but you can't watch to channels at the same time.

Shop carefully and you can find deals on this unit. You won't be sorry.

This set can display 1080i in a letterbox, making it a true high def-ready set, unlike the RCA 36100 and Toshiba 36x81. The set does the anamorphic squeeze through the progressive component and svga inputs. The set has a built in line-doubler. When hooked up to a high def receiver the picture is amazing! As good as the sony 34hd1 for a 1/6 the price. I bought this set from Amazon.com for $999. They have since sold out but they may get them back in stock. This set is a good buy if you can find it for less than $1600.

The line doubler doesn't recognize 3-2 pulldown. The sets's svga input is more for computers and less for home theater devices since there is no color control with that input. The set does use scan velocity modulation but the higher the quality source you feed into the set the less you notice the S.V.M. This set is great with quality sources like dvd and hdtv but it is not good with cable and vhs.

This is a great set if you can find it for under $1600. It is one of the few 4:3 sets that can display a Hdtv picture. Both the RCA 36100 and Toshiba 36x81 can not do this. The set does the anamorphic squeeze but not as well as the Sony 32xbr250. This set hooked up to the Toshiba 5109 provided some amazing pictures. Likewise it is great when hooked up to a hdtv set top box. The tube is not that flat so it does tend to pick up reflections. This set can also be hooked up to a pc and be used as a monitor. I am very happy with this purchase. My only complaint is the lack of hd programing that is available to display on this set.

Similar Products Used:

I have owned the Sony 32xbr200, Sony 32xbr250, Zenith Inteq 3597.