Flashjeff

The new set, along with a Bush TV stand (model VS74377) arrived on March 21st from Best Buy. After assembling the stand and unpacking the set, my very first thought when I looked at was: "Damn! This thing didn't look THAT big in the store!" While the set was only 84 pounds, it was so large, I had to ask a neighbor to help me get it on the stand. By the by, I wasted no time checking the serial number and was releived to see it wasn't on the JVC recall list. Whew!

After hooking up my components (Sony STR-DE545 receiver, Sony DVP-NS775V DVD player, Dish Network SD satellite box) to a Monster Powercenter HTS1000, taking around 30 minutes (it took much longer than that to assemble the stand!), I turned on the set and was astonished with the picture. After five years watching a 36 inch analog set, preceeded by a 25 incher, the JVC 52 inch was mindblowing, the picture was amazingly large in my less than humongous living room.

Right away, I could see that the SD picture (via S-video) was decent, but nowhere near as spectacular as HD, but I didn't see any artifacts from watching fast motion stuff like highlights from the NCAA tournament. I've already ordered a HD receiver from Dish Network and signed up for their HD programming. In the set's native 4:3, I did see some pincushioning, so I experimented with the set's aspect modes. I found the Panorama mode (sides stretched, center untouched) was the best viewing option.

With the set in Panorama mode, I watched a NIT game on ESPN2 and saw that the scrawl at the bottom of the screen was almost hidden. That might prove to be a concern for when I watch subtitled anime DVD's in this mode. As for fan noise, it's there, but wasn't any sort of distraction, at times, I could barely hear it. The set's remote is well laid out, but couldn't control my A/V receiver and sat box. Given my distaste for using multiple remotes, I might have to buy a universal to eliminate the potential clutter.

Haven't played any DVD's yet, but I'll do that right away and update this little report. But, after one day, I have to say I was pretty darn impressed with this set. can't wait to see what this baby does with a HD receiver!

Flashjeff

Second round of impressions: After reading so much about how DLP sets don’t do black levels well, I watched "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" as an experiment to see how the JVC handled it. Maybe I did something right after calibrating the set (with Digital Video Essentials), but I thought it did pretty damn good in that regard as the inky black darkness of outer space was excellently displayed. No dark grays, just plain black like the inside of a coal mine at midnight.

Meanwhile, the colors throughout the entire movie just popped and were absolutely brilliant, especially in the scenes where the Enterprise went into warp drive and when it explored the monstrous V’ger ship. It should also be noted that I didn’t see any screen door artifacts because of the JVC’s LCoS technology, nor were there any synching problems when the actors spoke, something I’ve heard happens with Samsung sets. I can’t wait to watch more movies on this set. It’ll be like discovering my DVD collection all over again!

Kelly Cole

Flashjeff - I take it you are happy with your choice then?
I'm considering the 585, as I really want the black border around the display. I'm a little wary because I may want to hold out for the (?)595, with the built in HD tuner. Like most of the people I see here, I'd rather not have one more remote. I'm also not sure why I would want more than one RF input, as I realize that to some, this is a negative. Any comments?

Flashjeff

Oh, yes! I'm quite happy with the JVC set and feel I made the right choice. If you want to hold out for the 595 with the built-in tuner, then more power to you. Because I already have satellite, that model wouldn't work for me. Nevertheless, the JVC produces an incredibly brilliant picture when viewing HD content. To watch anything else is a waste of my time!


As for remotes, I use Sony's Touchscreen remote which operates all my components. There's also the Harmony series of remotes from Logitech which are said to be equally as good. With the Harmony series, you program the remotes on your computer (via the USB port) and then it'll operate your components with one button depending on your entertainment choice (Watch TV, Watch a Movie, Listen to Music), and that pretty neat too. I hope this info was of help to you.

__________________
Flashjeff's Home Theater:
TV: Sony KDS-60A3000
A/V Receiver: Sony STR-DG710
HD Receiver: Dish Network Vip211
Blu-Ray Player: Sony BDP-S300
Speakers: All Sony
Cables: Monster
Battery/Surge Protection: Tripp Lite Home Theater UPS HT1500UPS

gparris

My friend just bought her HD-52Z585 in black and loves it.
She didn't need the OTA tuner/cablecard slot thing because we have 14 HD channels available on TW Cable here so no waiting was involved.
As for the remote, a used Pronto was found and allows anything to be copied for single-remote use and you can create you own icons for buttons, including cable box entries. We tried the Sony and returned it as it was too bulky (like a calculator) for single hand use and the Harmony, though nice, had too many buttons and was confusing to use for the cable functions, along with the times you just wanted to go from HDTV to DVD without turning everything on and off, it got frustrating. The pronto didn't do that, but that was our experience.
So wait or get the OTA tuner built inside and probably pay a little more as the HD ready sets are discounted and we got hers a great price.

__________________
Great Room:
Samsung HL67A750
7.1 Boston Bravo speaker setup
Denon AVR-4306
Panasonic DMP-BD35K for Blu-ray/Toshiba HD-A3 for HDDVD
(2)Sony 995V changers for DVD collection
8300HD DVR
Master Bedroom:
Sony KDS-R60XBR1 on matching stand
7.1 Polk Audio with in-ceiling surrounds
Denon AVR-2807
Panasonic DMP-BD60 for Blu-ray/Toshiba HD-A3 for HDDVD
8300HD DVR

Flashjeff

Guess it's just me, but I love the Sony Remote Commander, most because of its calculator-like size. Nevertheless, it does the job for me, oh, and I can use it with one hand. Heh!

__________________
Flashjeff's Home Theater:
TV: Sony KDS-60A3000
A/V Receiver: Sony STR-DG710
HD Receiver: Dish Network Vip211
Blu-Ray Player: Sony BDP-S300
Speakers: All Sony
Cables: Monster
Battery/Surge Protection: Tripp Lite Home Theater UPS HT1500UPS

Tomel

I've had my HD52Z575 since last September and still love it (although I did have to have the safety recall done).

A couple of comments for what they're worth:

o Look at the MX-500 remote. I'm very happy with mine and got it on the net at a good price.

o I'm kind of glad I got a set without a built-in HD tuner. I use OTA signals and am using the LG3510A tuner. Occasionally have problem with multipath due to trees all around the house (when windy and/or rainy outside). As I understand it, as new generations of tuner technology come along, they will be better at dealing with multipath problems. It's a lot cheaper to buy a new tuner at some point vs. buying a complete new TV.

o When the service guy did the safety recall on my set, we started talking about JVC TV reliability (this was my biggest concern when I purchased the set). The service guy is part owner of a repair shop and has been in business more than 20 years in this area. He said JVC has really begun focusing on resolving past quality issues during the last few years and that he has noted the difference in his repair business. He said he would have no problems personally buying a JVC Dila set and, in fact, that would be his choice if he were to buy right now. I'm curious whether anyone else has received any feedback or info on JVC and their increased attention to quality.

Kelly Cole

I bought my set online, and paid 2,200 delivered, w/o tax!! I am happy with it, although my wife thinks the picture is just OK. This is with regular digital cable. When I changed to a High Def cable box, it wasn't any better, except when I tune in the High Def channels from TW. The DVD's look great though, and I'm happy with the purchase. Now I need to get a better sound system. I have lots of older style speakers (big) around the room, but my Sony amp does not have a center channel output. I'm thinking about a Denon system. Any thoughts?
Thanks!