Digital Trends

Mitsubishi WD-57831 January 7th, 2007 | by Dennis Barker

Setup and Use Cont'd

Using this set as a video monitor for a DVD player (with the Oppo Digital DV-981HD as a reference progressive scan universal DVD player, featuring HDMI upconversion capability), the projected images were just as compelling as if you were watching the movies at your local cinema — only better! Here, you’re watching movies as they are meant to be seen: in widescreen and digital video via HDMI! Watching films like The Sound of Music (40th Anniversary), Spiderman 2, The Star Wars Trilogy, Beauty and the Beast (Special Edition), Superman Returns, or even Mannheim Steamroller, for example, portrayed a display device that could easily distinguish subtle color shading and hue, reproducing colors as accurately and realistically as possible. Black levels, which are the Achilles’ heel of all MicroDisplay sets, was better than other HD sets previously viewed. While DVDs never looked better, it’s really the HD images displayed from EchoStar satellite, over-the-air antenna, HD DVD, and Blu-ray Disc that produced the most stunning, startling, and most compelling images ever seen by this reviewer in a production sample display device.

Of course, watching and listening to movies in standard definition is o.k., but to get the real benefits of an HD set, you have to watch content in high def. Initially, I used the Toshiba HD-XA1 (their first step-up HD DVD player with a screen resolution of 1080i, previously reviewed by me). Clearly, there are certain movies that were meant to be seen and heard in HD DVD. Current offerings include King Kong, Mission Impossible III, Miami Vice: Unrated Director's Edition, and The Polar Express, among other HD DVD titles viewed. One title in particular shows off any high definition format; that film is John Ford's The Searchers (also available on Blu-ray). It makes you believe that you can reach out and touch Monument Valley. It’s simply unbelievable,and a sight not to be missed. Miami Vice, which was shot in HD, looked especially gritty and realistic also.

While I had initially viewed Samsung's first BD offering late last summer (2006), which I found unacceptable, I turned to Sony's recently released PlayStation 3 as a terrific source for both next-generation video games in high-definition and Blu-ray movies in screen resolutions up to 1080p. Video games have never looked so compelling, especially RESISTANCE: FALL OF MAN in 720p, and HD Gran Turismo in 1080p. In HD Gran Turismo, for example, I thought that I was back in the Alps near the Eiger Mountain as I was racing. I also believe that this is the first video game in 1080p. Numerous Blu-ray movies have been watched including The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, X: The Last Stand, Annapolis, and UNDERWORLD Evolution, to name a few titles. This last title mentioned, however, was chosen because it is especially taxing on a DLP set because there are so many dark scenes throughout the entire movie. Needless to say, the gradations of gray-to-black made the texture of the film appear very crisp and precise, and different shades of black were easily discernable. Of course, standard definition DVDs also looked exceptional when played back on the PS3 as well.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mitsubishi’s WD-57831, combined with several high-definition sources, produced and reproduced the some of the best images from regular over-the-air HD, satellite, satellite HD, and high-definition optical disc signals possible! This is a set that has to be seen in all its glory to be fully appreciated. In many ways, it’s superior to its competitors in both design and function. Clearly, extended viewings are recommended! Here is a television with the capability of showing each type of signal in the best possible way. While it’s somewhat pricey, it produces some of the best images on the planet! And, as the old saying goes, “you get what you pay for.”

Since the WD-57831 is a HDTV with all of the right connectors (including HDMI), you’re set for many years to come of extended viewings. So, get comfortable. You’ll be receiving and watching the most pristine and compelling HDTV signals on this or any other planet! Clearly, it’s your new window into the world, and just the ticket for watching your favorite TV shows in HD and viewing your growing DVD collection. Pass me the popcorn!