HDTV/3D TV News
Large plasma screens are becoming less and less expensive nowadays. Because of this, consumers become less and less interested in rear-projection HDTV’s as well. Consumers tend to go for the more gigantic screens and deep blacks that plasmas are known to produce. However, the 65-inch behemoth Mitsubishi WD-65734 stands in a size class where plasma still breaks the bank. This DLP offers very similar features to plasmas, but it doesn’t deliver quite the same level of performance or style.
It produces a commendable picture and its excellent connectivity and redesigned NetCommand remote-control system will certainly find admirers among folks who demand all the bells and whistles.
Mitsubishi decided to make the exterior of the WD-65734 as understated as possible. Refreshingly, the set lacks the glossy black cabinet found on so many other HDTVs this year, and instead sports no-nonsense, dark-gray trim. The bezel around the screen is quite thin at just three-fourths of an inch along the top and sides, while below there’s a wider section with the Mitsubishi logo. The speakers are hidden in narrow vents below the bezel, and below that you’ll find a slightly wider, downward-angled pane into which is set a flip-down door that hides inputs and controls. The whole set measures 58.2 by 39.5 by 15.3 inches and weighs 76 pounds. Its depth is about average for the breed.
Like most big-screen microdisplays sold today, the Mitsubishi WD-65734 offers a native resolution of 1080p, which translates to 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. This number perfectly matches the resolution of 1080i and 1080p HDTV sources, the highest available today. All other sources, including 720p HDTV, standard-def TV, DVD, and computers, are scaled to fit the pixels. As with all 1080p rear-projection DLPs, the chip inside the Mitsubishi arrives at that pixel count by way of a technology known as “wobulation,” which effectively doubles the 960 physical mirrors on the horizontal axis to achieve 1,920 apparent pixels on the screen.
As for its connectivity, the Mitsubishi WD-65734 has a very well-endowed selection of connections. The back panel includes three HDMI inputs, two component-video inputs, two AV inputs with S-Video and composite video, and two RF inputs for cable and antenna sources.
There’s also a coaxial digital audio output for over-the-air tuner surround-sound sources, a monitor stereo analog output, and a stereo audio input in case you want to connect a DVI source to one of the HDMI jacks and still hear sound through the TV. Aside from the aforementioned USB port, the front-panel input bay includes a fourth HDMI input and a third component video input. The Mitsubishi lacks a VGA-style analog RGB input for computers, but usually you can connect a PC’s DVI output to one of the HDMI inputs using the appropriate adapter.
While the Mitsubishi produces some deep black levels, it still lacks the full color temperature control and produces some strange artifacts caused by its geometry correction system. In dark scenes, the Mitsubishi showed off its ability to produce a realistic shade of black. Shadow detail was also very good, and gradations from darkness into lighter shadows appeared natural and not too abrupt.
Colors on the Mitsubishi is totally different story. Primary and secondary color accuracy were quite good, with the exception of yellow. Skin tones weren’t as natural.
Although Mitsubishi claims its geometry correction system leads to fewer distortions than with other rear-projection designs, other RPTVs delivered straighter lines with fewer distortions. The WD-65734′s horizontal lines curved upward toward the top of the screen especially, and its vertical lines bowed inward in the middle and outward toward the top and bottom of the screen.
Uniformity across the WD-65734′s screen was solid for a rear-projection HDTV. As usual, the middle of the screen appeared brighter than the edges, but there was no discoloration visible to the sides and edges.
All in all, for those looking for life-sized home theater thrills, check out this Mitsubishi TV. It combines full 1080p picture resolution with Mitsubishi’s advanced optics and video processing. The screen’s stunning detail and clarity will tempt you to sit as close as you can. Although its color accuracy is something to improve on, the WD-65734 is still a good deal when compared to other televisions in the market.
Sources:
http://www.crutchfield.com
http://www.hdtvsolutions.com
http://www.amazon.com
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