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CNET editors' review
- CNET editors' rating: stars Good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 07/31/2008
- Released on: 04/15/2008
Today the landscape in the big-screen rear-projection HDTV category is pretty stark. Sony, Panasonic, Hitachi, and others have all exited this product segment, which leaves only Mitsubishi and Samsung to slug it out for the dollars of buyers who want a huge screen on a budget. Mitsubishi's WD-65735 is one of the company's less expensive DLP rear projection sets for 2008, although its specification sheet still has plenty of fancy features. Despite some positive aspects of its picture quality, including relatively deep black levels, the WD-65735 is hampered by same issue I have had with all the previous Mitsubishi DLP models: inaccurate color. Compared with the Samsung, in the form of the 61-inch HL61A750, the slightly larger and slightly less expensive Mitsubishi has a hard time keeping up.
Design
The Mitsubishi WD-65735 looks a lot like other big-box RPTVs. There's not much in the way of design flair--the company went with a very basic look. The screen is surrounded by an extremely thin bezel on the sides and top, and in general we like the "nothing-but-screen" aesthetic. The bottom has a two-tone look with a matte-black finish just below the screen, and a lighter gray below that. Front-panel AV inputs are located below a flip down door in the center below the screen.
Mitsubishi's remote control is relatively slender and fits in the hand comfortably. Hit any key and all the most commonly used buttons (Vol+/-, Ch+/-, left, right, top, and bottom rocker keys, the enter button, and the Audio and Video adjust keys) instantly light up. This is certainly useful for tweaking in a darkened home theater, and certainly appreciated considering the competing Samsung clicker isn't backlit.
Features
Perhaps the most highly touted feature on the WD-65735 is the 3D mode, although you may have trouble using it. One problem is that there aren't really any 3D sources available yet, and another is that you'll have to purchase a special kit. Check out this blog post for more information.
Picture-adjusting options are relatively scarce. Picture modes include Brilliant, Bright, and Natural. Natural is what I chose for my evaluation as it produced a better gamma curve with improved shadow detail. Mitsubishi has pared down its selectable color temperatures to just two: High and Low, giving you either a really blue picture or a setting that more closely approximates the broadcast standard.
As for "Perfect Color," it is a dubious feature that lets qualified technicians effect some improvement in the color decoding. Unfortunately, considering how inaccurate the color decoding and primary colors are (see below), Perfect Color is a bit like a Band-Aid on a gushing bullet wound.
A feature unique to Mitsubishi is the NetCommand system, which enables the TV to control other audiovisual devices using a two-unit IR emitter, which comes with the set. Although I didn't test this feature, it seems like it should be easy to implement and has worked well in the past (check out the WD-65734 review for details). A USB Photo Port is a cool way to scrutinize your digital photos on a really large screen.
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Where to buy
Mitsubishi WD-65735: $1,399.99 | store | price | in stock? | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace | $1,399.99 | Yes |  |
