The Director's Series — living up to the name

With its X902 Director's Series® of LCD flat panel HDTVs, Hitachi takes its inspiration from the source of a movie's true design — the director. Reel120 film de-judder with 120Hz motion interpolation delivers a truly film-like video experience at home. Why all the hubbub? Well, as it just so happens, most television programming is broadcast at 30 frames-per-second (fps), and most TVs, therefore, conform to that standard. Trouble is, back in Tinseltown, all of your favorite films are shot at 24 fps. This mismatch has traditionally been resolved with the use of a video reproduction technique known as "3:2 pulldown". To match 24fps content to a 30fps standard, the 24fps film content is unevenly "stretched" to 30fps by placing one frame on the screen three times and the next scene twice, and then repeating this pattern over and over. Generally, this results in stutter or "judder" in the final on-screen image that disrupts the smoothness of film-recorded content. Frame-rate conversion at 120Hz — like that offered by the UT42X902's Reel120 technology — solves this problem mathematically: 120 is a multiple of both 24 and 30. Even interpolation of duplicated scenes returns to film content its original clarity and fluid motion, just as the director envisioned.

High-efficiency, low-profile

A new era of flat-panel HDTVs has begun. Sure, you go crazy for the magnificence of detail, color, and smoothness offered by the UT42X902's 1920 x 1080p panel — offering the highest resolution available — but you also dig the way a flat-panel HDTV accents and opens up your living room. The key word in "flat panel" is "flat", and Hitachi's X902 Series sets a new standard for flat panel profiles. An Ultrathin 1.5" panel is made possible by an advanced External Electrode Fluorescent Lamp (EEFL) that not only allows for a thinner panel design that takes up even less space mounted on your living room wall, but also delivers extended panel life, high-efficiency operation, and more flexible color accuracy. Add high performance and sleek style to your living room with Hitachi's X902 Series. Oh, and don't worry about having to have limited seating during movie night — a wide 178° x 178° viewing angle means that everyone will be able to enjoy the show.

Watch and learn, grasshopper — the Picture Master

Just like with a sweet sports car, part of an HDTV's appeal and advantage are its bezel design (a sports car's body) and frame-rate-conversion capability a (sports car's transmission). The heart of the matter for both, however, is still the engine. The UT42X902's enhanced high-resolution image-processing engine — the Picture Master Full HD VI — analyzes and processes images at high speeds, delivering state-of-the-art picture quality. Three technologies contribute to the Picture Master's performance. First, Advanced Dynamic Contrast analyzes each picture that appears on-screen, optimizing its contrast frame-by-frame for enhanced detail. Second, 3D Color Management adjusts color's hue, saturation, and brightness pixel-by-pixel for more accurate, life-like colors. Finally, an Advanced Dynamic Enhancer controls detail gradation and sharpness for images that are simultaneously detailed and dynamic. Additionally, a special circuit enhances image crispness in each scene to express subtle details, like those of human skin. Start your engines . . . Oops, we mean: Press PLAY.

HDMIncredible

Bringing you the absolute best in connectivity, Hitachi's UT42X902 features one HDMI connection. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the only interface in consumer electronics that can carry both uncompressed high-definition (HD) video and uncompressed multi-channel audio in all HD formats including 720p, 1080i and even 1080p. Your incoming media content comes in a variety of sizes, resolutions and formats, and with that in mind, HDMI systems automatically configure to display that content in the most effective format. Since HDMI carries all channels on video and audio, there is only one cable to plug into any HDMI-enabled source and display device. No more complicated cable set-up when installing your home theater system, and no more ugly cable mess behind your components. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on this single cable. Also, HDMI is fully backward-compatible with DVI.

Avoid the 'No Wire' ire

The advent of HDMI has been monumental in the advancement of all your favorite audio and video gadgets. Don't miss out on all that your new UT42X902 offers — in terms of high-definition audio and video connectivity — by leaving a set of HDMI cables off the list. Vann's sales representatives are here to explain all your options, so you can make the best purchase and get the most out of your hi-def system. Call for expert advice: 1-800-769-5668.

Comparison Specifications

• Screen size: 42" LCD (measured diagonally) / 1920 x 1080p resolution
• Aspect ratio: Widescreen 16:9
• Viewing angle: 178° x 178°
• Progressive features: PictureMaster™ HD VI
• Best video inputs: 1 HDMI v1.3 with CEC and Deep Color
• Other inputs: 1 RGB D-Sub15 / 1 audio for RGB / 1 RS232C MiniDin 9 pin / 1 AV input, composite, shared with RGB
• Audio enhancements: Bass Boost / Clear Voice / Surround sound simulated
• Built-in speakers: 12W audio power / 6W x 2-channels
• Mounting options: VESA® wall bracket mounting points: 400mm x 200mm
• Remote control: Learning and macro remote / Discrete IR codes

Additional Specifications

• Display: Anti-reflective screen / EEFL high-efficiency back light
• Performance: 120Hz with Motion Interpolation / Reel20™ film de-judder / Automatic 2:3 film processing / MPEG noise reduction / Game mode
• Color and contrast: 30- and 6-bit Deep Color / 3D digital color management / 3 color temperatures / Custom color temperatures/ Dynamic contrast / Dynamic histogram processing
• Audio: Neodymium quad-driver sealed enclosure / Perfect volume, mute, soft mute / TV-as-center-channel
• Convenience features: Multiple language on-screen display / 8 aspect modes / Dot-by-Dot aspect mode / Memory by input
• Picture modes: Dynamic / Natural / Cinema
• Design: Ultrathin 1.5" panel depth / Black-sapphire crystal frame / Chrome trim / Anthracite table stand, removabe non-swivel

Dimensional Specifications

• Dimensions: Without stand: 26.69" H x 40.81" W x 1.5" D / With stand: 28.69" H x 40.81" W x 12.25" D
• Weight (with stand): 81.1 lbs

Hitachi UT42X902 Warranty Details

2-year parts and labor warraty with in-home service