I have spent some time at hhGreg looking at the Hitachi 52†810 and the JVC 50†HD-ILA. Both TVs show an excellent picture. I have noticed some differences. I am interested in the 60†versions of both sets but compared the 50†because they were next to each other and used the same video source.
Keep in mind that the viewing conditions were that of a typical large electronics and appliance store. When I arrived both sets were displaying a “Bugs Lifeâ€. Each TV had been adjusted up. The Hitachi contrast was at 100%. I asked for another movie and I adjusted both sets so their settings were all at 0. The movie was “Return of the Kingâ€.
Hitachi
This TV exhibited a very clean glass-like picture. The set looked like watching a photograph. Nothing appeared to be over emphasized. The dark scenes had good detail. The screen was very reflective. At times it was almost like a mirror.
JVC HD-ILA
The picture on the JVC seemed to have more detail in the lighter scenes. It had a very clean picture. The blacks were very black, almost to a fault. The picture appeared to be brighter and easier to watch. There were NO reflections to distract from the movie.
Comparison
The Hitachi’s glass is very reflective. I believe this gives the TV a very photographic film like look but can be distracting. If you have a light source behind the viewer or off to the sides it will be noticeable.
There is a difference in black levels. The JVCs blacks were black. For example in one scene one of the characters was wearing a dark outfit with a magenta vest. The Hitachi displayed the outfit and vest. The JVC displayed the outfit as black; the definition of the vest was lost. I know the ambient lighting affects the perception of black levels. The store was a bright environment that maybe favored the JVC.
After viewing both TVs for a while I believe I prefer the JVC. The big strike against the Hitachi for me is the reflective glass. The big strike against the JVC was losing detail in the darker scenes. I do not know if the JVC can be tuned to accurately show the dark colors in dark scenes, but I hope so. Both sets (in the 60†range) are nearly identical in price. I didn’t play with any adjustments. I plan to return and view them both and maybe tweak to get the best picture from both sets.
I would love to view the Hitachi 915 series but there are no dealers within a reasonable driving distance (2 hours one way). I have read that the Hitachi 915 has non-reflective glass. If that were the case then I would probably rate the Hitachi over the JVC.
I am trying to make a decision for myself between the Hitachi, JVC, or Sony XBR. I will try and watch the Sony today, but from the viewing I have done to date I believe the Hitachi and JVC have a bit of an edge on the Sony.
Thoughts?
Keep in mind that the viewing conditions were that of a typical large electronics and appliance store. When I arrived both sets were displaying a “Bugs Lifeâ€. Each TV had been adjusted up. The Hitachi contrast was at 100%. I asked for another movie and I adjusted both sets so their settings were all at 0. The movie was “Return of the Kingâ€.
Hitachi
This TV exhibited a very clean glass-like picture. The set looked like watching a photograph. Nothing appeared to be over emphasized. The dark scenes had good detail. The screen was very reflective. At times it was almost like a mirror.
JVC HD-ILA
The picture on the JVC seemed to have more detail in the lighter scenes. It had a very clean picture. The blacks were very black, almost to a fault. The picture appeared to be brighter and easier to watch. There were NO reflections to distract from the movie.
Comparison
The Hitachi’s glass is very reflective. I believe this gives the TV a very photographic film like look but can be distracting. If you have a light source behind the viewer or off to the sides it will be noticeable.
There is a difference in black levels. The JVCs blacks were black. For example in one scene one of the characters was wearing a dark outfit with a magenta vest. The Hitachi displayed the outfit and vest. The JVC displayed the outfit as black; the definition of the vest was lost. I know the ambient lighting affects the perception of black levels. The store was a bright environment that maybe favored the JVC.
After viewing both TVs for a while I believe I prefer the JVC. The big strike against the Hitachi for me is the reflective glass. The big strike against the JVC was losing detail in the darker scenes. I do not know if the JVC can be tuned to accurately show the dark colors in dark scenes, but I hope so. Both sets (in the 60†range) are nearly identical in price. I didn’t play with any adjustments. I plan to return and view them both and maybe tweak to get the best picture from both sets.
I would love to view the Hitachi 915 series but there are no dealers within a reasonable driving distance (2 hours one way). I have read that the Hitachi 915 has non-reflective glass. If that were the case then I would probably rate the Hitachi over the JVC.
I am trying to make a decision for myself between the Hitachi, JVC, or Sony XBR. I will try and watch the Sony today, but from the viewing I have done to date I believe the Hitachi and JVC have a bit of an edge on the Sony.
Thoughts?
