Audio Video News

The annual CEDIA show is the scene for the launch of many new home theater products. On September 10, Hitachi announced a high-definition rear projection monitor, the 55DMX01W, which uses Texas Instruments' Digital Light Processing (DLP)device as a light source. The 55"-diagonal high-definition set has a 16:9 screen and what Hitachi calls an "exclusive 10-element high contrast wide-angle lens system and high-resolution screen. Every component has been engineered to faithfully reproduce accurate images."

The 55DMX01W is claimed to have "perfect linearity," thanks to DLP technology. The picture will not degrade because there are no phosphors to wear. The set has multi-scan capability, with a horizontal scanning range of 31.48-79.98 kHz and a vertical range of 56.25-85Hz. Compatible with all computer video formats including SXGA, the 55DMX01W is being touted by Hitachi as "the ultimate digital HDTV monitor." Suggested retail is $12,995.95.

Hitachi also introduced two big-screen rear-projection HDTV monitors at CEDIA, these with CRTs as light sources. They are the 61-inch and 53-inch versions of the SWX series UltraVision Digital HDTV monitors. Both models feature Hitachi's VirtualHD digital signal processing -- a "video supercomputer that converts incoming standard TV signal from analog to digital and processes it for a higher resolution picture." Hitachi claims that VirtualHD delivers over four times more pixels than a conventional television, "for a near-perfect picture of stunning clarity, detail and sharpness."

SWX monitors include Hitachi's proprietary Magic Focus, for images that never need adjusting, and a high-brightness 6-element lens system for clarity. Inboard Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound processors are standard equipment with SWX monitors. The larger monitor, the 61SWX10B, retails for $3,999.95; its 53" sibling, the 53SWX10B, sells for $3,499.95.