Hey guys, I am getting my 50V500 delivered this Thursday, I will let you all know what I think.
Also, I am going to hook it up to my PC via DVI cable to 9700 pro ATI vid card. If anyone is interested, I will let you know how it goes.
Oh, and I will be using Powerstrip of course for custom timings etc...
Hope everyone is enjoying their sets ! I have been waiting for 2 years to get HDTV !@!!! Finally !!! LOL

Cool! I've been looking into rp lcd sets as well (the Sony and Panny as well as this one). Let us know how it goes!

Hey Max, I have been researching mainly the Sony Grand Wega (LCD rear) and this one. Based on A LOT , and I mean a lot of comments made by current owners, and based on my personal preference, I decided on the Hitachi.
There is a thread over at www.avsforum.com --> http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=299009&highlight=50v500)
This thread is for the 50 or 60V500 users only and has a wealth of information (Now it is 70 pages long! )
But in the end, you have to weigh your preference, as well as the pros/cons of the technology I guess.
These sets have a spectacular HD and DVD image, but not so good on STV (then again what HD set does SD all that well - the old saying Garbage in= Gargage out )

Well, wouldn't you know it....TV delivery has been delayed for 2 weeks !
I freaked out bad enough that I got $100.00 off the set (after originally getting the $600 stand, setup and delivery for free. I didn't do too bad really, so I will stick it out! Also not to mention NO interest at all for financing over 2 years.
I will still let you all know how I make out.

mine is supposed to be here tomorrow-I finally made the firm decision between it and the gwIII -a friend just received his 6o" hitachi last week and seems quite happy with it ! will advise after hookup.
robnc

mine is supposed to be here tomorrow-I finally made the firm decision between it and the gwIII -a friend just received his 6o" hitachi last week and seems quite happy with it ! will advise after hookup.
robnc

Hi Caulder, mine is coming tomorrow as well. Lets keep each other posted in here as to problems/issues or points of interest!
BTW, I have Digital Video Essentials disk and will be tweaking it using that. I'll let you know how it goes.

have not had a lot of time for tweaking- 1st dvd i put in did not look good until I did some minor tweaking- looks a lot better now using 480 p - regular cable is pretty sad, rogers digital is better but a huge difference between channels- i did notice a lot of what is referred to as scrren door effect on bright scenes- I am going out to get a rogers HD box tomorrow.
It is nice that the unit is so light and easy to ove around- it is replacing a 35" mitsu CRT -I willl keep you informed of progress-

Well Caulder, I am glad you have your TV ! I am still waiting.
Apparently the delivery has been delayed and I will not find out until today when the "expected" date is going to be.
I tell ya, this is the third time and I am not a happy camper!
Oh well......
Anyway, I already have my HD box (got it yesterday)
BTW, did you tweak using DVE or AVIA?

Well, my TV has finally arrived at the warehouse and delivery is set for this Wednesday ! Finally !

Have TV waiting for new DVE disk
Took back PVR box -installed HD box last night - it produces obviously better picture on the HIT -HD channels even when not broadcasting HD look very nice -the non HT channels are still run through thecomponent output and they are better as well
I have the HD box connected to input 1 - when on it shows input at 1080 I
DVD on vid 2 shows 480P-
still see some screen door effects -and pixel breakup in certain scenes- such as shadows and distant smoke or clouds-I don't know if the length of component cable is an issue- I moved all components to back of room and have 50 ft cable running under the floor ?
where did you get you Hit - I purchased from Tru Tone in Mississauga
Robin

Have TV waiting for new DVE disk
Took back PVR box -installed HD box last night - it produces obviously better picture on the HIT -HD channels even when not broadcasting HD look very nice -the non HT channels are still run through thecomponent output and they are better as well
I have the HD box connected to input 1 - when on it shows input at 1080 I
DVD on vid 2 shows 480P-
still see some screen door effects -and pixel breakup in certain scenes- such as shadows and distant smoke or clouds-I don't know if the length of component cable is an issue- I moved all components to back of room and have 50 ft cable running under the floor ?
where did you get you Hit - I purchased from Tru Tone in Mississauga
Robin

Hi Caulder, I purchased mine at The Brick.
As for your pixelation, its hard to say really. That is an awful lot of length for the component cables though. I don't know too much about it, but you might want to ask someone in the HDTV forum about that.
Let me know what DVD's you are having a few issues with and I will try to get a hold of them and replicate issue.
My Component cables are only like 2 meters in lenght, so I shouldn't be having any length issues there.

Ikea has a nice tvstand called oopli about 18" deep and 60" wide with A
shelf for centres speaker etc $129.00 CAD hold the 50v500 very nicely

Did you finally get your toy?

Ikea has a nice tvstand called oopli about 18" deep and 60" wide with A
shelf for centres speaker etc $129.00 CAD hold the 50v500 very nicely

Did you finally get your toy?

He Cauld, yes I finally got the TV last Wednesday. Sorry for not getting back here sooner. Just been busy with xmas just around the corner.

All is well with my set. No problem to mention.
I have yet to use DVE also. I'll have to put aside a few hours for sure just to tweak all those settings! Having the ability to tweak the different inputs seperately on day mode, and THEN all again on night mode is really good feature Hitachi has built into this set. Its a little cumbersome, but the final result I imagine is a refined picture!
Its a beautiful picture on HD ! unreal !
Also the regular channels do very quite a bit in quality from one to the next, I notice that too. But when you watch HD, it just blows me away......really nice.
I'll be back shortly.......

I just purchased the 50v500 on impulse recently. Hadn't done much research on it until AFTER the purchase, but the picture and set was so astonishing, I had to get it.

I was wondering since those of you in this string have had your set for a month or so, are you still happy with it? I mean, have you had any 'issues' with it.

Mine is still a week from being delivered.

Thanks for any advice/help you can offer.

Damon

I've had my 50V500 for just about a month now, I love it. I've got a pc connected to the DVI input running Windows XP Media Center, which allows me to connect my Satellite and up-convert the signal even more. Looks pretty cool.

Take your time tweaking your powerstrip settings, it's a hit and miss process to get them to work correctly.

I'm interested in knowing what kind of deals people ended up getting on their sets, that is of course if people are open to sharing that sort of info.

I just purchased one... Total cost, including shipping, setup, GST, was $4900. This also included the Hitachi stand.

I must say I quite like the system. Though the fan is a bit loud when the volume is low. Haven't hooked a PC into the system... yet.

I purchased mine for for $3000 USD even (included Hitachi stand and 3yr extended warranty). (But actual price of the set was $2570 USD)

3 Questions:

1) Any recommendations on PCMCIA cards for the Photo Viewer slot in the front? I have SmartMedia for our digital camera but was considering one of the 'universal 4-in-1' types just to be more flexible if I ever get a different digiatl camera.

2) For those connecting their PC to the set via the DVI input, what brand/model video card are you using, or in other words, which ones work well with the set?

3) FAN NOISE - this seems to be a common factor in a lot of message boards regarding these sets. I don't have mine yet, so can't comment, but is it really that loud that it's distracting? Or are some quieter than others? If it is really loud, is it fixable with some adjustments? Just curious.

Thanks.

cost 5500.00 including taxes and delivery and basic set up and sony dvpcx985v progressive 400 dvd player/changer

I purchased the ikea stand 129.00 -perfect size! and 4 year extended warranty on both the dvd player and tv just in case!

:lol:
new owner joining the ranks, have to wait until next friday for delivery

damon9060:
1. I only use CF, and I just tried an old adapter I had from an IBM microdrive for the Photo Viewer slot. It worked well. Though I must say I though the scaling of the images was less than stellar, it is convenient.
2. I've not hooked any DVI devices up.... YET!
3. IMHO: It is a little loud. I tend to listen to most shows on a lower volume than most people, and I do notice it. I've not looked into what can be done about it. I'm a little concerned, as on my computers, the fan is the first thing to go! And I'd say this fan is as good and loud as some CPU fans.