This 46-inch LCD HDTV has a 1920 x 1080 resolution and an eight-millisecond response time. Part of Mitsubishi's high-end Diamond Series, this TV features the company's smooth 120Hz technology to reduce motion blur, a common LCD issue, and boasts a generous connection panel that includes four HDMI and three component video inputs, plus a CableCARD slot and dual RF inputs to access the ATSC, NTSC and ClearQAM tuners. The HDMI inputs accept 1080p/60 and 1080p/24. Both an HDMI and component input are located on the side panel for easy access. The TV lacks a PC input, but it does offer RS-232 and Mitsubishi's NetCommand system, which allows for more intuitive control of analog and digital sources. Picture-in-picture functionality is not available, but the TV Guide Daily program guide is offered. A USB port allows you to view digital photos.

For an LCD, the LT-46244's menu includes only an average amount of picture adjustments. You get four picture modes, including a game mode to reduce lag time, but only two color-temperature options. PerfectColor and PerfectTint allow you to adjust the saturation and hue of six colors, but there's no advanced white-balance or gamma controls. The TV has seven aspect-ratio options, but it does not offer the option to display 1080i/1080p signals with no overscan.

The TV's ultra-thin frame and hidden speakers allow for a slim cabinet design. Bass, treble, and balance controls are available, as is a generic surround mode and a Level Sound feature to reduce volume discrepancies between channels and inputs.

High Points
• The LT-46244 produces a nicely detailed image with HD sources and colors are very vibrant compared with other sets in the Mitsu's price range.
• The set's good light output allows images to "pop" in a brighter viewing environment. In other words, you don't have to be watching this LCD set in a fully blackened room to get a respectable picture from it.
• 120Hz technology helps reduce motion blur without making film sources look overly smooth or overly processed.


Low Points
• The black level is solid, but not as deep as the better high-end LCDs, so the picture lacks some depth and richness in a darker room.
• Colors are vibrant, but not completely accurate by industry and professional video calibration standards.
• The Mitsubishi LT-46244's viewing angle and screen uniformity are only average compared to other sets in its category.
• The speakers on this set sound terrible, even by HDTV speaker standards. You will want to run this set with a receiver and speakers or one of the increasingly good Sound Bar systems from the likes of Zvox and/or Yamaha.

Conclusion
The LT-46244 has an excellent complement of connections and features compared to other players at this price point. Many installers and retailers find the Mistubishi's ultra-thin depth to be the closer on the deal as to why this set makes it into a project over other HDTVs currently on the market. When comparing this LCD HDTV to other top-performing LCDs in its class, it requires more calibration than the others to meet the highest performance standards and, even then, the more expensive, top-of-the-line LCDs will get the nod in terms of overall video performance.