• PHILIPS 47PFL7432D
  AMBILIGHT LCD
  • PART 2
  • PART 3
  • PART 4
• HITACHI 42HDS69
  PLASMA
  • PART 2
  • PART 3
• PIONEER ELITE
  VSX-82TXS
• TOSHIBA A2 HD-DVD
  PLAYER
• PS3 BLU-RAY PLAYER
• AXIOM M50v2
• AXIOM VP100v2
• AXIOM QS8v2
• SVS PB-10

Hitachi launched the 42HDS69 as it's new 42" Plasma Display for 2006. Hitachi proclaimed it the "World's Highest Resolution 42" Plasma HDTV". How is this possible? Normally 42" Plasma Displays are some variation of 720p. Hitachi managed to make 1080 horizontal lines of resolution. However this came with a cost of only being 1024 vertical lines. So by that claim they would be 1024x1080 = 1,105,920 pixels. Versus a 1366x768 resolution which equals 1,049,088 pixels. As you can see the Hitachi has more pixels than your typical 42" Plasma Display. The biggest questions asked is well if the resolution is 1024x1080, how is it a widescreen display? Wouldn't that be a square? Well the answer is the 42HDS69 display uses rectanglar pixels in order to achieve this resolution.

To view the Hitachi's information about the 42HDS69, please visit Hitachi's website for more information. To download the User Manual, please click here.

Connections
With evolving technology, the need for HDMI inputs is ever increasing. The 42HDS69 is not shorted in this area at all. There are 3 HDMI inputs on this display. 2 are on the rear of the display and the other 1 is on the side. This unit also has 3 component video inputs. Again, 2 are located on the rear and 1 is located on the side. For Cable TV viewers, there is a CableCard slot on the rear of this unit as well as well as a TV Tuner input. Not to mention the extra Composite and S-Video inputs this unit has. You are all set for High Definition and Stardard Definition viewing. The only thing missing is a VGA or DVI input. However with this displays unique resolution, such connection via a computer would not be feasible.

Where to Begin
Like any Plasma display, it is generally recommended that you "break in" you display. The 42HDS69 is no exception. How does one break in a Plasma display? The best way to do a break in is to first turn down the brightness and contrast on your display. When I hooked up this display, the initial settings for contrast and brightness were well over 90. This is extremely too high for your initial break in. I recommend lowering bot to around 35 or 40. Now that you've lowered your settings, what else should you do? Normally the break in period is around 200hrs give or take. You want to make sure that during those 200hr, you do not leave any static images on the display such as logos or news crawlers. You can also use what is called a "Break In CD/DVD". If you have a DVD burner and want to make a plasma break in disc, please visit the AVSForums and follow the instructions for creating it. I personally used the break in disc and it is a breeze to create and use.

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