Hitachi 19WDVBDVD or 15WDVBDVD LCD/DVD combi - any good? Any region hack?

[cazian]

Hello all. We are looking for a small LCD TV/DVD combi with Freeview, just for the bedroom, and have seen Currys have the two models listing in the heading, which are 19" and 15" widescreen respectively. However, I haven't been able to find much in the way of any information or reviews for either. I wondered if anyone else had either of these, and can give a pointer to any pros and cons or a general review.

I have only seen these models listed as being available from Currys/Dixons, so I wonder if they are made exclusively for them. Or are they a rebadge of existing models with different model numbers of even another brand?

We have some vouchers that can only be used in Currys, and on the face of it, these models seem to offer the best facilities from a known name for the money from their range.

Also, specifically, I'm looking to find out the following:-

(1) Is there a multiregion hack for the DVD player? If so, what is it?!

(2) Which format DVDs will it play back?

(3) There is a slot for an SD card and a USB socket. Probably too much to hope for, but does this suggest that it has the ability to play AVI/DIVX files loaded on an SD card or via USB, or are you limited to this just being used to play back say jpeg photos and/or mp3 audio files?

Any info would be much appreciated.

[pallison]

I ordered the 19" DVD version from Dixons, but missed the delivery today. It was reduced from £299 to £249, plus another tenner off with a discount code (use either JAN10 or JANHITACHI)

The non-DVD version got a 5 star rating from the stuff.tv website, and it looks like a better bet than the usual no-name kit you see at that price.

Once I've had a play with it (probably Wed) I'll let you know what I think.

[JHere2day]

Hello

I would be really interested to see what the picture quality and set-up is like. I presume you bought it from Dixons at their special sale price, how long did it take from order to the first delivery attempt?

I am considering buying the 19" version for a kitchen, plus the Omnimount OM75/100CLEU Small Cantilever Mount for Flat Panel TV's which is also on sale. Has anyone any knowledge of these.

I normally don't get extended warranty, but there is an extension of 5 years for £99. Do you think it is worth it?

Thanks

[cazian]

Pallison, thanks for the info. I look forward to hearing how you got on with your new Hitachi once you get your hands on it.

[pallison]

I ordered the TV last Wed, and received it on Tuesday (I missed the courier on Monday). Standard delivery is listed as 5 working days Mon-Fri 9-5. Initial setup was simple, with auto tuning of both analog and digital stations - it picked up everything that my Netgem I-player box gets with no reception issues (main house aerial is in the loft).

The range of inputs is good, most are selectable as separate AV channels except the built-in DVD/USB/SD which all exist on the same input. The manual states it supports both picture and mpeg 1&2 playback from SD and USB sources, but I haven't tried that yet.

Picture quality on analog is fine (LCDs never seem to look that good on analog), and is very good on digital. I had a DMTECH 17" LCD a year ago, andf the picture is miles ahead in terms of quality (the DMTECH was analog only, so I used it with the netgem box for digital).

Bad points are that it doesn't have a power off switch (the manual says there's one at the rear beside the power input, but it's not on my set) and it's plugged into a socket which is hard to reach behind a bedroom unit. Looks like it will get left on standby most of the time - which I'm not keen on. The TV guide only shows now and next by channel, not a full multi-channel EPG which you can scroll around on like sky (or the netgem box).

My particular set seems to have several dirt particles or contamination behind the front plastic screen (looks a little like dud pixels) which are not really visible from normal viewing distance but would be very annoying if used as a PC monitor. I called Dixons today and they've arranged to collect the set and drop off a replacement. Hopefully this one will be OK, as I'd like to keep the same model.

[pallison]

I forgot to say, the rear label says the unit is made exclusively for the DSG group (Dixons/Currys) and the manual lists their spare parts service, so I doubt this model is available elsewhere.

[cazian]

Pallison, thanks for your review - really helpful. I don't know if you have any DVDs that are not Region 2 (Europe) discs - but if so, will it play any non-Region 2 discs? Probably not "out of the box", and I can't find any "multi-region hacks" searching the internet (a series of remote control codes to change many DVD players to become multi-region).

It mentions playing mp1 and mp2 from SD/USB - I'm guessing then that it might not manage divx/xvid avi files, which are based on mp4?

Does the instruction manual mention what types of DVDs will play back (DVD-R, DVD+R, rewritables, etc)?

[pallison]

I've got a few R1 DVDs - I'll try one tonight and see if it works. The manual says what disk types are supported, so I'll make a note of them and let you know.

[GreenBars]

I'm thinking of buying one of these sets - I tried a DMTech TV/DVD in early 2006 but had to take it back after trying four sets as each had the speakers reversed - .

I'd like to wall mount it and am interested to know if the power transformer is contained within the set or if it is separate.

[pallison]

Well the TV isn't multiregion out of the box - region 1 disks just display a "Wrong Region" prompt. Not sure if there's a hack, but it's not a big problem for an occasional bedroom tv.

The disks supported are listed in the manual as CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, VCD, SVCD, DVD+R and DVD+RW.

To answer the last question, there's an external 12V AC adaptor power brick.

[kpnuts]

I recently went out and bought the 15 inch version from Curry's. Out of all the sets I have tried this has the most pleasing visual appearance and biggest bang for the buck with the in-built DVD and Media Card reader.
It has one BIG PROBLEM though with the FREEVIEW EPG, which is this:
Using the Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) which states you can save reminders for future broadcasts - All you can get on the day of viewing is what is currently being broadcast together with the programme immediately following - the rest of the screen info is blank.
Yet if you go to the next day or in fact any other day the whole 24-hours timetable with the ability to set a reminder is available.
This is pretty useless if you want to set a programme reminder for later today since it refuses to even show the timetable listings.
Trying to get Hitachi to answer any questions on this set is like squeezing blood from a stone! Their (Hitachi UK that is) stock answer is "the above model number was not imported into Europe by Hitachi UK, it is a exclusive import model which was brought into this country by the retailer."
So I asked for the Hitachi division that DOES know about it, why? well Mr. Hitachi IT HAS YOU NAME ON IT - This to-date has been ignored.
The irony of it all is that if you look to the Grundig 15 inch model, IT TOO HAS THE SAME FAULT.
So, somewhere in the mist both companies are supplied IMHO with a 3rd party EPG unit that is defective. Perhaps it is a simple Firmware update that can be downloaded, but until someone stops having sloping shoulders, consumers are be short-changed with this [and other] set(s).
Anyone else out there suffering the same thing??

[bobus-man]

Slight word of warning, of the hundreds of these sold we have had about half of them back with what can only be described as a condensation effect underneath the glass.

The TVs themselves are not made by Hitachi. They are made by the same company who make out Goodmans and Polaroid TVs (Vestell I think) Personaly I don't get why Hitachi let there good name down by putting their badge on these substandard TVs

[Syphonic]

Originally Posted by bobus-man

Slight word of warning, of the hundreds of these sold we have had about half of them back with what can only be described as a condensation effect underneath the glass.

The TVs themselves are not made by Hitachi. They are made by the same company who make out Goodmans and Polaroid TVs (Vestell I think) Personaly I don't get why Hitachi let there good name down by putting their badge on these substandard TVs

Ah you beat me too it. Though we've never had any back with that fault...in fact I don't think we've had very many back at all. Maybe because here in Scotland there is no heat, so there can be no condensation.

The part about being made by Goodmans/Polaroid is also 100% spot on. The interface is a dead giveaway. This company is also making one of the new Matsui models.

[kpnuts]

Ummm - Interesting on the 3rd party chassis, I thought it might have been Beco - I guess Sleepy Hollow makes good viewing with the fault mentioned

Any thoughts on the EPG front? Are you saying this is the way they were designed?

[JHere2day]

I bought one of these, and I have several comments to make for anyone considering a similar purchase

1) It starts on the same channel as you last viewed,which shouldn't be a problem, except it won't let you change it. Sometimes it will take up to 30 minutes of waiting, tunring off the TV, unplugging the power, turning it on waiting five minutes, trying to change it and repeating the process, over and over again. This is particularly annoying if you have turned it on for a particular programme, e.g. BBC1 News and have been watching BBC4 the night before, and there is no transmission when it is turned on again. YOU HAVE TO TURN IT TO THE CHANNEL YOU ANTICIPATE YOU WILL WANT TO WATCH THE FOLLOWING DAY BEFORE IT IS TURNED OFF AT NIGHT - Not easy in a kitchen of a busy household.
2) Does not give a channel list/EPG of what's showing. My 6 year Sony did this, and I expected all TVs would do offer this facility. Really frustrating.
3) Has no off switch. The literature at Dixons indicate it has, and it hasn't. Incredible as we are constantly reminded to not leave items on stand-by. How did Hitachi produce a TV for the UK market that cannot be switched off? You have to physically pull out the lead from the back of the TV each night.
4) Screen resolution is surprisingly good for a low cost LCD.

Bottom Line - would I buy this again, knowing what I do now?

No - The lack of an off-switch and frustrating lack of channel/programme information would have prevented me purchasing this, had I known these deficiencies.
The problem that it won't change channels or even recognise what channel it is on for about 15 minutes, means I have to send mine back for repair within the first month.

NOT RECOMMENDED AT ANY PRICE!