HP Pavilion md5880n TV

The 58-inch HP Pavilion md5880n is one of the most impressive Rear-projection TVs (RPTVs) to date. Its robust A/V input selection is uniquely located for easy access, and a slick menu system provides useful customization and visualization features for those connected devices. With its stylishly modern design and a detailed picture that is capable of producing accurate and well-saturated colors, the md5880n is truly one of the best out there.

Out of the box, the md5880n is a heavy monster weighing about 118-pounds. Handholds on the sides makes this televisions’ setup safer and easier. The md5880n sports an all-black color scheme with a matte finish that minimizes ambient light reflections. Its minimal branding touches include a small, metallic-colored HP badge, a DLP logo, and the word “Pavilion.” The md5880n’s anti-reflective screen is bordered along the top and bottom edges by thin metal bezels. The left and right sides of the screen are framed by perforated grilles that conceal two-way stereo speakers. With 55 watts of power and an integrated subwoofer, the md5880n’s sound system had more oomph than any other built-in TV speakers out there in the market. A good 5.1 surround sound setup is practically a must-have for movies, but the md5880n delivered rich-sounding tones with no distortions noted at high levels.

One of the TV’s coolest feature is the front-accessible A/V connections. Dubbed the “Connector Panel,” the unique placement of the TV’s A/V inputs ensures that you will never have to crawl around to the back of the set in order to plug in a new source. HP thoughtfully designed the panel to be illuminated when the access door is opened. It provides two HDMI inputs, two component-video connections, a VGA connection, a CableCard slot, and two RF inputs for cable and over-the-air reception. The panel also has a USB port for firmware upgrades that are available for download on HP’s Web site. Molded paths under the md5880n give space for connected cables to be dressed out the front or rear of the TV.

The md5880n utilizes Texas Instruments’ DLP technology to provide native 1080p resolution. The TV accepts 1080p input via its HDMI inputs only—its VGA input supports a maximum resolution of 1,280 by 1,024 pixels.

The set is not only praised for its outward appearance however, it also does very well in displaying high-definition images. The md5880n handles video noise and banding quite well. Skin tones appear natural and images are free of ringing or other sharpening artifacts even if the picture preset defaults the sharpness setting to its minimum level.

The HP Pavilion md5880n is really impressive on several fronts. Its eye-catching style and friendly software and hardware features make it arguably the best RPTV design among current models. The md5880n’s ability to accept and display 1080p video is enhanced by a unique and usefully located A/V connection panel. The md5880n’s menu system is just about perfect, with its elegantly uncluttered layout, clearly labeled options, and advanced picture controls for videophiles and professional calibrators.

Sources:
http://www.hdtvlounge.net
http://www.engadget.com
http://www.extremenano.com