At a time when sales of large screen flat-panel HDTVs have by far surpassed rear projection televisions, TV makers like Mitsubishi and Samsung continue to invest heavily in their rear projection TV business. This is leading to significant improvements in rear projection technology.

The latest Mitsubishi HDTV DLPs are no exception in this respect. The new 1080p DLPs promise better, brighter, sharper images and an improved picture quality that lacks nothing in comparison to that from their latest flat-panel TV rivals.

Equally important, the latest Mitsubishi rear projection TVs come at a significantly reduced depth, and a price tag that surely would not break your bank account despite the giant screen sizes on offer.

The New Mitsubishi HDTV DLP Line-up

The latest DLP line-up from Mitsubishi comprises a total of nine 1080p HDTVs spread over three new series.

Mitsubishi entry-line is represented by the WD-733 series.  It includes the 57-inch WD-57733, the 65-inch WD-65733, and the 73-inch WD-73733 HDTV.

The step-up over the entry line is the WD-734 series; it is characterized by additional connectivity and an enhanced feature set over the entry series.

Like the entry series, it includes a 57-inch (WD-57734), a 65-inch (WD-65734), and the popular Mitsubishi HDTV giant, the 73-inch WD-73734 DLP. The latter happens to be among the best-sellers in the whole Mitsubishi 1080p DLP line-up.

Mitsubishi flagship range is represented by the WD-833 series; this forms part of Mitsubishi flagship Diamond line of 1080p HDTVs. As with the other two series, the flagship series includes a 57-inch (WD-57833), a 65-inch (WD-65833), and again, a giant 73-inch (WD-73833 1080p Mitsubishi HDTV) model.

The WD-833 Mitsubishi HDTV series comes with a similar feature set to the mid-level 734 series except for two significant differences - namely a 120Hz mode - trademarked by Mitsubishi as Smooth 120Hz™, and 3D-Ready.

120Hz is one of the hottest specs with present-day HDTVs. It is being marketed mainly as a way to minimize motion blur during fast action movies (though this is somewhat misleading). However, a 120Hz refresh rate support is also necessary for the integrated 3-D mode available on the 833 series.

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Note: This is not a 'Product Review' but a 'Product Guide'. While all reviews appearing on 'Practical Home Theater Guide' are based on our experience of the product, 'Product Guides' express our opinion following an analysis of the product specs and feature list. We also analysis reviews carried out by professional trusted sites and equally important, customer feedback posted at major stores.

Our aim is to assist you by doing the research for you! Our product guides take away the hassle of researching on-line by presenting to you a factual technical analysis based on our research of the product.

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The Mitsubishi 1080p DLPs in Detail

The latest Mitsubishi HDTVs come with an excellent feature set - including at least three rear HDMI ver.1.3 and two component inputs. Furthermore, these 1080p HDTVs continue with the present trend in rear projection, namely that of 'more picture and less frame'. The new Mitsubishi HDTV 1080p DLPs  - including the 73-inch models - come with a relatively thin frame that is just three-fourths of an inch along the top and sides. Overall design takes a minimalistic yet stylish look that resembles more flat-panel displays than box-type RPTVs when viewed from the front.

Furthermore, the new Mitsubishi DLPs come in a relatively slim cabinet, with depths ranging from 13.9" for the 57-inch sets, up to 17.5" for 73-inch DLPs. This represents a reduction of 25 percent over previous models. OK, the Mitsubishi rear projection TVs are not as slim as the ultra-slim sets from Samsung featured on our site, but they are significantly slimmer than Samsung line of standard DLPs. In fact, the 72-inch Samsung HL-T7288W 1080p DLP is approximately 3-inches deeper than the 73-inch Mitsubishi HDTVs.

Picture-wise, all Mitsubishi HDTV DLPs can display full 1080p and 1080i content thanks to a screen resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels; 720p and standard definition content is scaled up accordingly to fit the available display pixels.

These Mitsubishi feature the same 6-Color Wheel Light Engine powered by a 180-watt VIP lamp (Super High Pressure Mercury Discharge). The whole set-up generates yellow, cyan and magenta directly in addition to the primary colors (red, blue and green) for improved color space and whiter whites.

As with all present 1080p DLPs, the Mitsubishi HDTVs use Texas Instrument 0.65-inch DMD chip; the latter incorporates a total of 960 x 1080 micro-mirrors. The 1920 x 1080 pixels required for the 1080p display are generated through wobulation. Mitsubishi uses the term 'Smooth Picture™' technology instead of wobulation. A small optical actuator is used to offset (wobulate) the image by ˝ pixel 120 times a second to create the 1920 x 1080, 1080p 60Hz image. This ˝ pixel displacement also helps soften the pixel edges - leading to a seamless more film-like image with no visible pixel structure.

WD-733 1080p DLP Series

As expressed in our introduction, the 733 series represents Mitsubishi entry-line of 1080p HDTV DLPs. It also represents the basic specs set for all Mitsubishi HDTV DLPs - irrespective of the line-up, meaning that what you find in the 734 and 833 series is an enhanced feature set over that available on the 733 series.

 

Models:

57-inch WD-57733 ($1400 - $1800)

65-inch WD-65733 ($1680 - $2000)

73-inch WD-73733 ($2420 - $3100)

Main Design: The 733 series comes with a non-glossy dark-gray (platinum black). Overall design is the most basic of the three Mitsubishi DLP line-ups with a rather pleasant low-key styling that is further enhanced by the thin bezel along the top and sides of the screen. The bottom of the frame is substantially wider than the rest as it houses the hidden down-firing speakers.

Beneath the bezel, there is a downward-angled pane into which is set a flip-down door that hides the set front panel with the control buttons and inputs. Front panel controls include volume, channel selector, picture format, menu, guide, and input selector. On the right of the set front panel, there are the indicator LEDs and the power button. Status LEDs include a power/timer indicator, a status indicator, and a lamp indicator that lights when the lamp needs replacement.

Dimensions and Weight: Table 1 below gives the relevant details for each of the Mitsubishi HDTV DLPs in the 733 series.

Table 1: 733 Series - Dimensions and Weight

Power Consumption: The user manual specifies a maximum power consumption of 275W, while the 733 series specs sheet gives an average operating power of 260W for all models. However, we expect lower power requirements for the smaller sets in the range.  CNet Reviews measured 240W for the 65-inch WD-65734 under default settings, or 0.13 watts/sq. inch. Using the same watts/sq. inch would give around 190W for the 57-inch model.

Despite that these power requirements are on the low side in comparison to other display technologies, the Mitsubishi HDTV DLPs still provide additional features that will help reduce the power requirement and equally import, prolong the lamp life.

An 'Energy Mode' accessible through the setup menu lets the user set either Fast Power On (default), or Low Power. The Low Power setting would make you wait an extra 10 seconds for the image to appear but will reduce the standby power from 15W to 2W. There is one additional drawback though with the low power setting, and a strange one too - you will have to reset the TV clock if the TV is left turned off in Lower Power mode for more than 48 hours.

Under the AV Menu section, the Global submenu provides the option to set the 'Lamp Mode' to either 'Standard' or 'Bright'. The standard setting operates at reduced lamp power (typically at 85% of the maximum); it is the recommended setting to use in normal to low ambient light environments. Using the standard mode will also help prolong the lamp life and thus reduce the cost of ownership (typically $250 per lamp replacement).

Additional power savings are also possible through proper calibration of the set contrast and brightness levels under the Video menu.

Picture Features: Despite being Mitsubishi 1080p DLP entry-level series, the 733 Mitsubishi HDTV sets still come with an interesting feature set while offering a good number of picture adjustment options.

To start with, there are three pre-set picture modes - Brilliant, Bright, and Natural; these are all user-adjustable and can be set independently for each input. A fourth mode -  labeled 'Game' is also available for gaming but this works only with that input that has been assigned the name 'Game' under the Name inputs menu.

Having independently adjustable video settings under each picture mode for each input leads to a lot of flexibility when it comes to tweaking the set for optimum performance - say under different light conditions.  Adjustable video settings available under each mode include contrast, brightness, color saturation, color temperature (a high or low setting with the low setting being closest to the D6500 standard), sharpness, a tint setting, and Mitsubishi 'Deep Field Imager'. 'Tint' adjusts the red-to-green ratio, while the 'Deep Field Imager' adjusts the brightness (black level) on the fly according to image content; this is said to improve contrast and overall image detail.

An interesting feature on the Mitsubishi HDTVs is PerfectColor™. This is a full matrix-based color management system. It allows the user to fine-tune the image color by adjusting the intensity of each of the six basic colors on the color wheel independently of each other, and separately for every input.

Directly related to the sets color capability is xvYCC support, as well as another Mitsubishi exclusive - Deep Color technology. The latter is designed to maximize high definition color performance by creating smoother transitions between different shades.

The xvYCC standard - referred to by Mitsubishi (like Sony) as xvColor™, supports a wider color space that offers 1.8 times (80% more) as many colors as existing ATSC HDTV signals. This should lead to a more faithful reproduction of color. However, as far as we know, xvYCC HD content is not yet readily available; as such, for the time being, this is not much of value except for 'future proofing'.

Other settings under the AV menu include a film mode (2:3 pulldown) for automatic detection and correct decoding of film-based content in 480i and 1080i signals, and a three-level video noise reduction option.

The 733 series also comes with Mitsubishi TurboLight180™ and Plush1080p™. TurboLight180 is a patent optical design that is said to focus light more efficiently to produce a 10% brighter onscreen image without increasing the lamp power requirements. Plush1080p is Mitsubishi's way of upscaling/reformatting any video content - 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i - to 1080p HDTV, while minimizing scaler artifacts.

Audio Support: Audio on the 733 series of Mitsubishi HDTV DLPs is typical of what you expect on similar premium 1080p HDTVs. These Mitsubishi rear projection TV sets can deliver up to 10W per channel through the TV relatively small (5.5" x 2.25") internal stereo speakers. Audio features are limited to basic tone settings, a virtual surround sound option, SAP (second Audio Program), and a sound level dynamic limiter to minimize differences in sound levels between different program segments.

TV speakers may be disabled through the Audio set-up menu when using the TV with an A/V receiver. This is important as TV sound quality with present-day HDTVs - irrespective of brand, is often too low to provide a good match with the set high definition picture.

Convenience features on the Mitsubishi entry-level series are minimal; still, you would find a 'Game' mode to provide the best screen settings for fine lines and graphics associated with text-based content and video games.

An interesting feature is Mitsubishi's Easy-Connect that helps make connectivity through the set numerous inputs, a simple straightforward process by simplifying set-up and day-to-day use. During set up, it recognizes each input as it is plugged in and prompts you name it; during use, then it will only show used inputs.

As with most HDTVs, the 733 series provide photo support. These Mitsubishi HDTVs lets you display your jpeg photos on the set HD display by connecting a USB thumb drive or USB card reader through the available USB port on the set front panel.

Despite that the supplied Mitsubishi TV remote includes a 'split' button, yet do not expect to find split-screen support neither on the 733, nor on the 734 series. You will have to move on to the WD-833 Diamond series of Mitsubishi HDTV DLPs for this feature. It seems that Mitsubishi came out with a single model for its TV remote that fits all three 1080p DLP lines.

Talking of the Mitsubishi's remote, the supplied clicker comes with partially illuminated keys. This should prove useful during use in a typical dimly light home theater room.

As with most HDTV remotes today, the Mitsubishi HDTV clicker may also serve as a universal remote to control up to four other devices besides the TV itself - Cable set-top box, VCR, DVD, and Audio. We find it strange however that the selection of the device to control takes place through a slide-switch on the remote rather than the more common and robust button selection solution.

Connectivity: The Mitsubishi HDTV 733 series comes with a comprehensive array of connectivity options that is among the most complete one can find on 1080p HDTVs - this despite that these 1080p DLPs represent Mitsubishi entry-level series.

The 733 back-panel includes three HDMI inputs, two component video inputs, two AV inputs with a selection of either S-Video or composite video, two RF inputs for cable TV and antenna sources, a digital audio out for over-the-air multichannel sound content, analog stereo audio out, and a PC/DVI audio in.

Supported PC video connectivity is via DVI over HDMI by using the appropriate adaptor; there is no standard analog RGB (VGA) D-sub connector on these Mitsubishi HDTVs as instead you would normally find on other 1080p HDTVs.

Moving on to the set front-panel reveals a third component video input and associated audio inputs in addition to the USB port already referred to earlier on in this Mitsubishi product guide.

The HDMI inputs are HDMI 1.3 compliant; the latter supports a higher bandwidth and xvYCC technology.