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Entered CNET Catalog: 08/23/2003
SKU: 57S500
Manufacturer: Hitachi America Ltd.
Manufacturer description
The S500 Series is a superb blend of contemporary styling, high performance and user convenience. By coordinating the design of all key components from source to screen, Hitachi delivers a bright, razor-sharp rendition of both high-definition and conventional content. The Day and Night Memory by Input feature stores two customized picture settings for each input. A single button on the remote control allows for instant access to each memorized setting. A DVI digital input accommodates newer-generation set-top boxes.Product summary
The good: Great image with interlaced DVD and HDTV sources; excellent color decoder; solid feature package including Day and Night modes on every input.
The bad: Video processing doesn't work well with 480p progressive-scan DVD sources; uninspired design.
The bottom line: Outstanding video performance and great picture customization make this the big-screen HDTV to beat.
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: Yes
- Reviewed on: 10/15/2003
While not unattractive for a large RPTV, the S500 doesn't exactly stand out from the crowd. Seen head-on, the big box looks like a 54-by-54-inch square. Its 25.5-inch depth is about twice that of like-size DLP- and LCD-based rear projectors.
The black remote is rather large, but it's intelligently arranged, and using the clickable thumb joystick was a cinch. Almost every key is backlit, and we really appreciated having direct access to all inputs. You can program the remote to control other gear. Using the set's logical and easy-to-understand text-based menu system, we were able to locate even esoteric functions easily.
Other TVs' picture modes, such as Sports and Movie, each have different presets for contrast, brightness, and so on. The S500 does away with that approach, instead equipping all its inputs with Day and Night modes. Hitachi is the first to implement this design, and we love it. It enables you to optimize the set for viewing in both the abundant ambient light of daytime and the dark environment of serious home theater. This feature is extremely convenient when you're dealing with numerous video sources that require different settings.
The S500 offers PIP (picture in picture) and POP (split screen) window options that also work with HDTV sources, color-decoder adjustments in the user menu, six aspect ratios including HD Zoom, and a video-processing scheme that converts regular incoming signals to either 540p or 1080i (see the Performance section for details). A sophisticated 3D-YC comb filter helps reduce artifacts in video from VHS, cable TV, and other composite sources.
The rear-panel connectivity suite is quite generous. Heading up the list are a DVI jack with HDCP copy protection and two broadband component-video inputs that take 480i, 480p, 540p, 720p, and 1080i signals. Another two A/V ins, along with the set of Monitor A/V outs, have S-Video and composite video. The S500 accepts cable and off-air antenna sources on two RF connections. Audio hookups include a center-channel speaker input and a set of fixed/variable outputs. On the front panel, A/V ins with S-Video are available for viewing camcorder footage and playing video games. The nearby PCMCIA slot is compatible with PC Card adapters for CompactFlash, Smart Media, and other memory cards, so you can easily display digital photos on the TV.
The S500 delivers an impressive picture. At the Standard color-temperature setting, the precalibration grayscale was reasonably close to the 6,500K ideal, measuring 7,000K at the bottom and 7,100K at the top. When we calibrated, the grayscale dropped to 6,400K at the bottom and came out perfect at the top. The S500 tracked the grayscale much better than last year's models, which resulted in more-consistent color. The color decoder was quite accurate right out of the box, so we didn't touch its menu settings.
The S500's video processing does have 3:2 pull-down detection to combat motion artifacts in film-based video material (such as DVD movies), but the feature won't work unless you've engaged Auto Movie mode. We also tried feeding the set 480p signals from the Philips DVP735U progressive-scan DVD players. Unfortunately, the TV's upconversion to 540p and 1080i produced an unstable picture with some flicker, especially during still scenes. We recommend that you choose interlaced mode or switch to a standard DVD deck.
To get the best DVD performance, turn off Edge Enhancement, Hitachi's implementation of scan-velocity modulation (SVM). Even at its Low setting, it added significant artifacts to the picture.
Using the DVP735U as a source, we watched most of Ice Age on the calibrated set. Color saturation was excellent, and detail was outstanding. The picture's snap was inspiring, indicating a good contrast ratio. With the 1080i D-Theater version of Joe Kane's Digital Video Essentials and our JVC HM-DH3000U deck, we calibrated one of the component-video inputs for high-definition material. Afterward, the X-Men D-Theater tape looked exceptional.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 User Rating: 
9/10
Awesome and inexpensive
Pros: Great picture quality Multiple inputs Each input can have its own setting Great upconversion of normal TV to HD resolution
Cons: No built in tuner Heavy
User Rating: 
6/10
Mind numbing wine
Pros: Fantastic picture
Cons: Cooling fans are exceptionally loud on this model. Have had fans replaced twice with no improvement. Called Hitachi and were told that this is a common complaint with this model and there is no fix for it. They told us to "accept that big TVs make noise".
User Rating: 
1/10
You Should Be So Lucky!
Pros: Excellent picture out of the box, even better if you do a manual convergence. Plenty of inputs and options. Easy to set up and use.
Cons: Would like a learning remote. Some menu settings not adequately explained without referring to the manual. Would also like a "background- free" closed caption option (like on my very old Pioneer 52" projector. Could also use an audio output that is not
User Rating: 
10/10
Stunning picture quality. Great value.
Pros: Over many days, my wife and I compared this set to pretty much all of its competition before deciding it was the easily the one to get.
Cons: As far as RPTV's go, I can't think of any cons for this one.
User Rating: 9/10
Pricy but you get what you paid for
Pros: Awesome picture quality, beats LCD/DLP Projection, Plasmas and LCD panels hands down in terms of picture quality. Given that the brightness is not as high as the others but I would anyday take picture quality over brightness. Hardly any artifacts, try wat
Cons: Pricy, Bulky and Heavy
User Rating: 
8/10
Never pay theater prices again!
Pros: Simply the best. Great picture and very good sound.
Cons: Setting the side panel to black all the time.
User Rating: 
3/10
Had to return this unit to Circuit City
Pros: Was not as deep as some other we looked at. Picture quality on DVD's was not so good. We have a Samsung Progressive scan unit that uses DVI for it's output.
Cons: The system stopped working after 40 days and we had a hard time returning the unit. We bought a Mits instead and it is better in picture quality all around. Had it 2 months no problems.
User Rating: 8/10
Good picture right out of the box.
Pros: Very nice picture. Better in night mode. Had Sears tech come out to tweak convergence. He showed me how to get into the professional convergence mode. It makes it easier to adjust. Will have HD satellite soon so I can see its' true splendor!
Cons: I have a Marantz DVD player and the red color seems to layer. Not pixelate, but it has lines that seperate the red. I can't wait until HDDVD players come out.
User Rating: 
7/10
Stunning display
Pros: Handles 480I through 720P & 1080I. DVD's with Component Video at 480P look great, True 720P/1080I are even better.
Cons: 57 inch display of standard NTSC 4:3 from cable doesn't look so good, not TV's fault really, low resolution/noisy source just doesn't look that good blown way up to 57".
User Rating: 9/10
Look for 57T500 - extra features
Pros: Outstanding picture in HDTV (via Dish Network) and DVD. Consumer Reports indicated Hitachi reliability high in this category. Day/Night button great for quick adjustment for ambient light. Note: for best DVD performance use component imputs with progressi
Cons: Make sure you have an area large enough to accomodate a 25" depth. That is key reason to compare to #2 rated LCD Hitachi 50V500 in 5/25/04 C-net review as it is only 16" depth. Hitachi is only carried in Circuit City / Sears / Video Only in Northern CA so
User Rating: 10/10
Fantastic HDTV!
Pros: Was choosing between Hitachi & Sony, read tons of reviews, final decision made at CC by sidebyside comparison with the two 57-inch. Picked Hitachi because it has finer pixel-pitch which the picture look smooth and tight. Also the speakers sounded be
Cons: Big and bulky as usual, a bit more expensive than other brands(but worth it). Worry about the burn-in problem with CRT-base projection TVs. But hey, I will get a new BigScreen with new technology in 5 years, so who cares!
User Rating: 8/10
Really great tv set
Pros: Right out of the box the picture blew me away especially the hdtv picture.The picture is better than any movie theater could provide.And dont judge any projections picture quality by in store displays.the picture on this set was 50 percent better once it
Cons: The day after i got the set the tv would not accept the remotes commands for about 30 minutes so for three months i had to adjust the set useing the buttons on the set.It took 2 months to get 2 new infrared circuct boards. There are 2 in this set.Once the
User Rating: 8/10
Great TV, but consider the 51"
Pros: Best picture in class. Very easy to use. Don't believe reviews saying the manual is too complicated; it's basically plug and play. Easy on-line navigation for settings.
Cons: I returned for the 51" model, you need at least 12 feet for the 57" to look good. As with a few other reviews I read, the 51" picture seems to be a bit sharper at any distance, and you save $300 dollars. Speaker system Ok; you should hook up to a home the
User Rating: 
5/10
Hitachi Caveat Emptor
Pros: Sitting in front and Viewing the Cub Games and Packer games are wonderful; it is like being there.
Cons: My Hitachi 60 inch Projection TV failed September 12, 2003. The green projection gun failed, causing the yoke to also fail. The Hitachi was repaired and returned January 11, 2004. Hitachi fails to provide parts in a timely manner. I missed all the Cub and
User Rating: 8/10
Super TV for the Super Bowl!
Pros: DVI and Componant inputs, Night/Day setting, center channel in, good integrated speakers, I like black. All of the new silver stuff is wacked. It works great with my Toshiba SD4900 PSDVD Player, DirecTivo and HD DirecTV receiver. SuperBowl, here I co
Cons: Big and it should have an integrated hand grip centrally located below the speakers to make sliding it in and out much easier. That's it. This TV is great!
User Rating: 9/10
Fantastic HDTV
Pros: great everything
Cons: remote a little big, no guide or info buttons on remote for sat users!
User Rating: 9/10
Just bought 1. Great TV for the money.
Pros: Rather than put myself deeply in debt with a plasma, I opted for the 57S500. I'm so glad I bought it. Picture quality was a bit grainy until I hooked up the Comcast HD cable. DVD's look incredible, even playing on my bottom of the line DVD player. One maj
Cons: Chunky remote, drab cabinet. But overall I'd still give this set a very solid 9, if not a 9.5. I'm very pleased.
User Rating: 8/10
Stunning High Def
Pros: Great picture right out of the box.Digital cable looks near HD.Stretch modes are hardly noticed.I just love this baby.
Cons: Manual a little confusing at first
User Rating: 5/10
First big screen
Pros: Doing the normal detective work to find the best HDTV monitor for the money, everything returned to this TV. At 3 different CCity, all salespeople divulged that everyone that works at CC and buys a big screen, buys the Hitachi. I've had mine for 4 month
Cons: Recently, upon initially turning the TV on there tends to be lines through the TV, almost like static. Until it warms up in couple of minutes, and all is well after that
User Rating: 8/10
Great television
Pros: Awesome picture especially with HD satellite box and HD channels. My picture has never been bad even right out of the box, and adjustments were easy using the video options in the menu. The manual very detailed. DVD picture quality has also not been a pr
Cons: None so far
User Rating: 8/10
Not sorry I bought this bad boy!
Pros: I bought this tv strictly off reviews(of course I went to some stores to compare picture quality)This tv is amazing!I have done no adjustments at all and the picture is fantastic.These people that say that out of the box performance is bad are crazy!I had
Cons: Gonna have to take a week off from work to read the manual!May have to sell a kidney to buy some good cables.
User Rating: 6/10
my first big screen
Pros: I have read other reviews about adjustments, but me the average guy thought it looked just fine with no adj. How do some of you see what these hi-tech reviews are talking about. (grayscale, etc) I'm sorry but if the colors are true and natural looking the
Cons: The red CRT went out within two months. Part was back ordered four-five weeks. Complained to Circuit City and they had a new one delivered the next day. Why did I wait three weeks to complain!! P.S. My wife really hates the drab looking cabinet. Now I ha
User Rating: 9/10
Hitachi makes great products
Pros: You won't be disappointed with this purchase
Cons: Picture not the best when watching DVD movies
User Rating: 9/10
Best RPT on the market
Pros: Hitachi keeps upping the anti with their new HDTV's. I previously owned a 51SWX20B, one of the best projection televisions on the market last year, and the 57S500 impresses me even more. More features, easier to use menu system, and better crts makes th
Cons: Unfortunately every projection tv needs to be calibrated by a tech, not only Hitachi. This is because the factory settings on RPT are set to look their best on the show room floor under flourescent lighting, not in your home. This is easily taken care o
User Rating: 8/10
Best BIG HDTV for a modest budget.
Pros: DVI Input Digital Camera Reader Slot DVD Picture Quality Blue Power Light 720P input support Now Im no AV expert, and I had to do alot of shopping and crash courses in HD when I was looking for just the right set. But even untouched by a calibration exp
Cons: 480P video games look lousy, as does regular sat tv, but this is an issue with ALL HDTVs I understand. 57 to big for my Room
User Rating: 7/10
The class leader!
Pros: Using Toshiba SD3950 watching Gladiator had no problems with artifacts. Very clean picture up-coverting from 480p to 1080i. Artifacts very noticeable in interlaced mode. Very clean housing when compared to competition.
Cons: Don't take professional reviews as gospel! Seeing is believing.
User Rating: 8/10
Best Rear Projection HDTV out there
Pros: Exeptional picture and easy of use
Cons: Converter is limited if you have a dvd or sat/digital cable system (no guide/Info/Menu buttons)
User Rating: 5/10
Initial high maintenance.
Pros: Seems to be OK with HDTV. I found DVD picture performance to vary somewhat.
Cons: End user has to perform factory tweeks to get the picture up to usable standards. May have to tweek color matrix, grayscale, perform manual focus and convergence out of the box. Has horrific performance out of the box. Makes you wonder if the guys at the
User Rating: 9/10
No better value available!!
Pros: Everything on this tv works well, but the quality of the picture is what stands out most .
Cons: Havent found any.
