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Dec 4, 2008 Eltaco     I purchased this model in June of 2008. As of October 2008 this model needed se...

Nov 30, 2007 R. Alan Grier, M.D.     This television replaced a Sharp Aquos set (LC-46D62U) of the same screen size i...

My Experience: This television replaced a Sharp Aquos set (LC-46D62U) of the same screen size in my home theatre system after careful research. I have accumulated a large library of Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs, and was anxious to view them using a 1080p/24 output, as is recommended by all home theater reviewers. The Sharp did not accept a 1080p/24 signal and surprisingly, neither does their most recent 120Hz model (LC-46D92U).

After finding a buyer for my Sharp TV, my initial choice for a replacement was the Sony XBR5 model; but, after finding that its overly-wide surrounding bezel made that set too large to fit into the armoire I am using for my system (which is in the master bedroom), I chose the Mitsubishi. The bezel of this set is much narrower than most, which allows it to fit into tighter enclosures. Compared to the Sharp and Sony sets with the same diagonal screen size, this Mitsubishi fit in my armoire nicely, with the additional benefit of opening up extra ventilation space at the top.

This set has many state-of-the-art features that make it desirable for the high-end videophile. It has three rear-mounted HDMI v1.3 inputs that are compatible with x.v.Color; it accepts 1080p/24 signals; and has a 120Hz display. The stand, which came attached to the set, has a swiveling base. Additionally, the remote control unit is well designed and backlighted.

One of the best features of this set is that the video adjustments are readily accessible and are independent of each input, allowing for fine-tuning of settings for different video sources. A simple click of one button on the remote will allow you to scroll through all of the video adjustments one at a time, with a bar graph displayed at the bottom of the screen, allowing full view of the picture. This I found to be a major improvemnet over all other sets in my experience. Calibrating the picture using the Video Essentials DVD was efficient and easy. Furthermore, the "Low" color temperature setting is stated in the owner's manual to be factory set at the ISF standard of 6500 degrees Kelvin (I am not equipped to verify this with instumentation, but it appears correct to my eye). There are three settings available for the intensity of the display, labeled "Natural", "Bright" and "Brilliant". I found the middle setting to be the most "natural" one in my room. Picture quality after proper calibration was superb, and noticably better than the Sharp Aquos set it replaced.

A couple of weeks after I initially set up this set, I ordered the HD-DVD version of Digital Video Essentials (available on Amazon.com for $19.99), which includes separate red, green and blue color filters to use as a tool for proper calibration. Having this disc and filters made it possible to take advantage of an additional feature in the setup menu that is separate from the basic video adjustments menu, called "Perfect Color" which allows precise level and tint adjustments of each of the six components of the color system. I was amazed at how easy and effective this feature was in fine-tuning the color calibration of the set, when used with the Digital Video Essentials disc and filters. This was the first time I have ever seen a display that could be so perfectly calibrated from within the user menu.

The only caveat I found is that the HDMI inputs will only accept a two-channel audio signal, even though there are optical and coaxial digital audio outputs on the rear of the display to connect it to an external audio system. This omission of compatibility with 5.1 surround audio signals necessitated routing all of the audio signals from my sources externally; if the HDMI inputs on the TV would accept all digital audio signals, I could have used the digital output from the TV to provide surround sound without additional switching.

My last criticism--a minor one--is that this set does not have detachable speakers; most plasma and LCD sets don't, but most serious videophiles will not be using the internal speakers, and would prefer to remove them entirely from the display. However, it is possible to switch the internal speakers off from the Audio menu.

Although this set goes for a higher price than most other available 46" LCD sets, it is highly recommended to the videophile who wants the best available display. The overall picture quality at the proper color temperature setting, in combination with three rear HDMI 1.3 inputs, 120Hz display, 1080p/24 compatibility and the superb menu system allowing for easy and accurate calibration, makes this set a serious contender in the field of current high-end LCD displays.

Problems: None other than the speakers not being detachable.