Mitsubishi flat-panel LCD TVs
A complete, side-by-side comparison of all of the models of this TV type from this manufacturer.
Price range (MSRP):
$4,300 to $8,500
Initial release dates:
Now through September 2005
Size range (inches):
32 to 42 (diagonal)
Highlights:
Multiple FireWire ports; HD DVR on the LT-4260
A quick glance at the stats reveals that this line suffers from our overall gripe with flat-panel LCDs in general: high prices. And even for LCDs, Mitsubishi's sets are more expensive than competing products from Sharp and Samsung, let alone the off-brand models flooding the market. Because of that, we don't expect them to be major players in the LCD market.
Note that this lineup includes one holdover product from 2004, the 42-inch LT-4260.
The Mitsubishi lineup
From entry level to top of the line, with the step-up features that distinguish each line from the previous ones highlighted.
The LT-80 series is Mitsubishi's new-for-2005 LCD flat-panel TV line. The
native resolutions of the 32-inch and the 37-inch sets are 1,366x768 and 1,920x1,080, respectively. This means both sets should be able to display every detail of
720p material, and the 37-inch set should be able to display every detail of
1080i material. This series has an
ATSC tuner and is Digital Cable Ready, so no external equipment is needed to view over-the-air HDTV and digital cable. Their connectivity is highlighted by two
HDMI ports, two component-video inputs, two
FireWire ports, and a nine-format memory card reader. The ports are contained in a separate media center box, which is connected to the monitor with an HDMI cable (15-foot cable included). The 32-inch LT-3280 ($4,300) and the 37-inch LT-3780 ($5,300) will be available in September.
- 1,366x768 or 1,920x1,080 (1080p) native resolution
- ATSC HDTV tuner
- Digital Cable Ready
- Two HDMI ports
- Two component-video inputs
- Two FireWire ports
- Nine-format memory card reader
A holdover from the 2004 lineup that will continue into 2005, the LT-4260 has several step-up features compared to the LT-80 series and is Mitsubishi's largest flat-panel LCD offering. It connectivity is highlighted by one HDMI port, three component-video inputs, three FireWire ports, a PC input, and a five-format memory card reader. As with the LT-80 series, the connections are housed in a separate media center box. The LT-4260 also has a built-in 120GB HD DVR and the TV Guide On-Screen
EPG. Be aware that we have found the TV Guide's EPG to be problematic with digital cable systems. The 42-inch LT-4260 ($8,500) is currently available.
- 1,366x768 native resolution
- ATSC HDTV tuner
- Digital Cable Ready
- One HDMI port
- Three component-video inputs
- Three FireWire ports
- PC input
- Five-format memory card reader
- HD DVR (120 GB)
- TV Guide On-Screen EPG
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