WS-55813 Features & Favorites

Having just published an article on the various display format technologies, we are happy to find that some of the best pictures are still being shown with CRT technology. As DLP and LCoS improves (not to mention drops in price) the digital formats may outperform the analogue CRTs. Until, then however, if you want the absolute best picture, and size and weight are not an issue, CRT technology will get you where you want to be.

Before launching into what will be a productive review year for Audioholics as we take on measuring and reviewing many different display types, I wanted to make sure we reviewed a top of the line CRT-based system to help set our standard. Mitsubishi's Diamond series of rear projection CRT televisions has been around for many years and has established itself as a leader in the field of analogue displays. CRT technology still holds top position for picture quality, accurate black levels, and color detail - characteristics that the digital contenders are trying to match.

Features and Favorites

I'm famous for starting my reviews with lists. I do this for several reasons. First, it enables me to set up what I really enjoyed or found difficult in a product. Second, it gets to the heart of the matter quickly for those not willing to read a typical 6-8 page Audioholics review. I want people to take away at least a little bit of information before they move on. In viewing the Mitsubishi WS-55813 for a period of two months I was able to really get a feel for how the set functioned and what made it stand out from others in its class. Here are some of the favorite features I found useful and the things that really standout about this RPTV:

• Diamond Shield
  I've heard the Diamond Shield disparaged by some, but the simple truth is that it works. The Diamond Shield sits atop of the first two elements of the Mitsubishi screen, the Fresnel lens and lenticular screen. It is basically a third screen coated with a thin film that disperses reflected light, serving to reduce glare and improve the viewability of the TV with the presence of large amounts of ambient light.
• 64-Point Digital Convergence
  While not as good as a service manual and a set of calibration tools, the 64-point convergence system will allow you to keep the set converged and compensate for many problems that may occur over the life of the set (Thinking of moving? You probably need this feature.)
• Memory Card Front Inputs
  Got a digital camera? Now you can plug the memory card right into the TV and play back all of your latest photos. Unlike Sony, or other companies that have a vested interest in supporting only their own technologies, Mitsubishi allows you to view all the major formats: MultiMediaCard , SD Memory Card, SmartMedia, CompactFlash, and MemoryStick (insert your favorite copyrights and trademarks here).
• 480p Upconversion of all 480i Inputs
  I made a special DVD disc from some 480i source material and examined the 480p upconversion of the Mitsubishi versus the 480p upconversion of my Yamaha DVD-S2300 MK2 reference player. I was pleased with the performance of the integrated scan converter. It did an excellent job, and was edged out only slightly by the Yamaha's Faroudja decoding engine in terms of edge clarity.
• Inputs, Inputs, Inputs...
  If you have a flagship receiver, you may not care about a plethora of inputs... If, however, you prefer to send your video sources directly to the monitor, then the three component video (480i/480p/1080i), DVI, FireWire, VGA and three s-video/composite connections should make you very happy indeed.