Digital Trends

Hitachi 60VX915 December 12th, 2004 | by Dennis Barker

NTSC images are enhanced through the use of a digital 4MB 3D-Y/C comb filter, which helps reduce artifacts and dot crawl that are found in the NTSC signal.  Other key video enhancement features include: a Virtual HD 1080p Video Processor, video noise reduction, Digital Color Management II, Adjustable Color Decoder, and adjustable color temperature control.  All of these video enhancement features can be turned off or on as needed (via the supplied remotes).  Combined together, this stunning example of HDTV prowess is capable of processing 480i/480p/540p/ 720p/1080i signals by using its 3:2 progressive scan film correction, 26-point motion adaptive video processing; while displaying those images to an upconverted 1080i (by its Virtual HD mode for non-HD sources) resolution.  HD sources broadcast at 720p are displayed at their native 720p resolution.  Overall, the set is capable of displaying 1280 lines of horizontal resolution, and features several widescreen fill modes.

The 60VX915 features an internal 40-watt 3-way Bass Reflex speaker system along with a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround decoder.  Other aural processing includes SRS Surround Sound and BBE Sound Enhancement designed to improve aural quality from source components attached to the television or non-HD programming (not broadcast in Dolby Digital).  Of course, the entire speaker and amplification can be turned into one center channel speaker if desired, which may be appealing to some folks.  Internal audio quality was better than average.

Convenience features include dual tuner Picture-in-Picture, simple to use and intuitive on-screen menus and displays in three languages (English, French & Spanish).  To make life easier, the set comes with two remotes — one is full-featured and the other is a smaller simpler remote that fits into the palm of your hand for ease-of-use.  The newly-designed full-featured illuminated ergonomic universal remote will completely control a total of 5 separate components.  Cool!

Connections include twin antenna RF inputs (Ant. A is dedicated for over-the-air ATSC signals and cable QAM).  Other rear connectors include:  2 A/V/S-Video along with 2 HD-grade Component Video inputs, and 1 A/V/S-Video output.  There is also 1 front (right side-mounted) A/V/S-Video input along with 1 USB port for the easy attachment of a digital camera.   As mentioned above, there is also a digital audio (optical) output so that you can separately pass Dolby Digital 5.1 surround or digital audio to a separate A/V Receiver or Processor.   Also included are two auto-sensing HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) connectors with HDCP copy protection that takes priority — if connected.  There are also twin two-way 4-pin IEEE1394 connectors as well so that you can also attach a DVHS VCR or HD PVR to record high definition images from this set.  This makes the 60VX915 a set for today and tomorrow. 

The 60VX915 has plenty of inputs