Thread: Rear Projection TV

I've had a 2001 Hitachi Ultra Scan (model 53FDX01BA) 53" HD television that has worked great up until it blew it's converter circuitry a few days ago. Went to the shop and we decided to have it repaired for a few hundred bucks rather than spending a couple of thousand for a new unit.

Hitachi came back home and then had to go back to the shop.

In the mean time, we've been given a loaner, a 2001 Mitsubishi (model WS-55859 ) 55" Big Screen HD TV.

Other than the screen size, both televisions seem, as far as I can tell, very similar. They're both older rear projection televisions. But being rather naive about electronics, I'm not sure of the real differences between the two, if any.

The shop is offering to trade to us the loaner Mitsubishi for the Hitachi. No additional charge beyond what we paid to fix the Hitachi.

What I can't determine is whether or not it would be a good deal.

Is the Mitsubishi a better TV than the Hitachi? Vice Versa? Or is it a case of "Six of one, half dozen of another" ?

Any TV experts out there?

What is a reatail value of both, and which is the youngest.
That would be a reasonable way to compare them.
Within the same price range, using the same technology, I don't think there is a whole lot of difference other than the nametag.

Are they offering a 'parts and labor' guarantee on the 'new to you' one'?

Originally Posted by Johnus

Are they offering a 'parts and labor' guarantee on the 'new to you' one'?

Yes, they are offering a 90 days warranty that my wife, who used to do BXI trade business with the repair shop owner, is convinced she can negotiate up to a year service warranty. And both units are the same age from 2001.

It seems like a good deal, but I just don't want to trade away a good TV (albeit, in need of repair) for a lesser. Although, if they are essentially the same it becomes a non-issue.

Truth be known they're probably made by the same manufacturer.

Edit: Looks like each is their own.

That being the the case, the biggest factor for me in choosing a t.v. has always been reliability and picture quality. I've never really heard any complaints about either manufacturer to be honest.

Rear projection tv's? I guess razors aren't the only antiques we discuss around here....

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Rear projection tv's? I guess razors aren't the only antiques we discuss around here....

Too funny, I agree.

Originally Posted by honedright

Too funny, I agree.

Just joking, that's all I still have a couple picture tube tv's around the house myself - talk about antiques.

Hitachi Ultra Scan (model 53FDX01BA): Has convergence issues that are so bad that people offer home repair kits that also includes optics cleaning which most people pay $$$ to have done yearly. If you look passed that it's still a good TV.

2001 Mitsubishi (model WS-55859): A little bit closer to HDTV and has some nifty vector scope color calibrations but are done independently versus as a whole which is a turn off in my book. Has a built in digital decoder but over the next few years parts will become hard to find as Mitsubishi has abandoned projector and LCD market to only focus on the "meh" DLP's and anything over 73" TV market. Not a half bad little deal getting this TV over the Hitachi.

All in all it would be recommended to take the Mitsubishi IMO and start saving for a new TV in the future. At some point the TV repairs will amount to the same cost as a new LCD/LED/Plasma. You should get another 2-5 years out of this TV after garnishing 11 years out of it. Most TV's that are the primary source of viewing in the household diminish or die after 10 years. To get the last leg out of her be sure to keep her clean inside and out by using canned air.

Enjoy!

Also, if you have time or would like more information on TV's/quality/calibrations you might want to surf avsforum.com. There is a wealth of information on there. Think of avsforum is to TVs and home theater as SRP is to shaving.