I am in the position to pull the trigger, as CC has this for 999.99

I currently have the

Samsung HLS4266W

what will I be gaining or loosing?

You'll be gaining 8" of screen size and Screen Door Effect. You'll be losing contrast ratio and picture sharpness. The Hitachi LCD is perhaps the worst microdisplay rptv on the market, definitely so according to CU.

Hitachi made some premium quality crt based rptvs in the past and currently theirs are the best crt sets available. They never got the hang of microdisplay rptv, though some of their earlier efforts had a very nice cabinet design.

Your $999 would be better spent on their 51" crt based model.

I would have to agree with Steve. I just came from CC and I saw the 50" Hitachi and it looks very bad! I was EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED with the PQ!! I saw the 42" Sammy DLP and it looks awesome! I think I just found my new tv in the Sammy DLP!

cc has the 42 sam dlp for 899