As
much as the colors impressed me, the video processor was a disappointment. I was
initially enthused at the display’s ability to create smooth diagonal edges.
However, despite a film mode setting, my sample was incapable of detecting
film-based DVDs and failed to prevent artifacts in the image as these signals
were converted to DVD. My Gladiator reference scene had moiré patterns on
rooftops and flickering horizontal lines. In addition, the video processor seems
to lose some image detail, as detailed scenes from my torture-test DVDs came out
looking soft. The TV also fails to properly deinterlace 1080i high-definition
material. Instead, the set unnecessarily and inappropriately line doubles each
540-line field of the 1080 line signal. The Kurt Russell western Tombstone on
TNT-HD was marred by constant interlace artifacts. The JVC TV does a better job
with these signals, even after it downconverts them to 720p.
 |
| 1080p DLP light engines, like the one in Mitsubishi’s display, don’t actually
have a 1920 by 1080 grid of pixels. It has about half that many, and creates the
image in alternating columns, but does it so quickly that your eye doesn’t even
notice. |
As I mentioned,
the most recognizable aspect of picture quality is color, and this set gets that
better than any other DLP I’ve seen at this price point. This, combined with
decent contrast makes for a pleasing, natural-looking image. But for me, there
are enough occasional artifacts to be distracting. Even at a lower (720p) image
resolution, the 50-inch version of the JVC TV (similar to the 61-inch set
reviewed in this issue, but costs the same as the Mitsubishi) will probably look
better. You could add an external video processor to the WD-52627, which would
likely improve things substantially, but would also increase the cost of the
system by at least $2,000, if not more. As much as I’d like to have it, I’m not
sure if a 1080p resolution is that important.
RATING: SOLIDDescription: Mitsubishi WD-52627 Rear-Projection HDTV
High Points: 1080p
resolution; excellent color fidelity; if you have more components than this TV
has inputs, you should seek professional help
Low Points: poor video
processor; no 3:2 film frame sequence detection; no 1080i deinterlacing
Contact: Mitsubishi Digital, 800.332.2119
www.mitsubishi-TV.comPrice:
$3,800
