The Diamond Unisen 249 Series is Mitsubishi's highest-end LCD line for 2009 and therefore is loaded with the company's most advanced technologies and features. The line includes screen sizes of 46 and 52 inches. We have not performed a hands-on review of the LT-46249, but here is an overview of the TV's features. This 46-inch, 1080p LCD has a traditional fluorescent backlight (as opposed to LED backlighting) and 18-bit processing, and it features Mitsubishi's Variable Smooth240 technology to reduce motion blur and film judder. Instead of a basic two-channel speaker system, the LT-46249 incorporates an 18-speaker integrated sound projector that provides Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound from a single soundbar. This TV also supports access to VUDU's 1080p streaming-video platform, has ISF calibration modes, and is EneryStar 3.0-certified.

The input panel includes four HDMI, three component video, and one RF input to access the internal ATSC and ClearQAM tuners (there is no dedicated PC input). The HDMI inputs accept 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 signals, and all four are located on the TV's back panel. One of the component video inputs is located on the side panel for easy access, as is a USB port that supports photo and music playback. The back panel includes an Ethernet port to access Mitsubishi's new Web portal, which includes the VUDU HD video-on-demand platform, as well as YouTube, Flickr, Picasa, Pandora, and an "On Demand TV" section. The Ethernet port is accompanied by two USB ports that allow you to add VUDU's wireless accessory bridge.

The setup menu includes a somewhat more thorough assortment of picture controls than you'll find on lower-level Mitsubishi offerings. You get six picture modes, including ISF Day and Night modes that provide access to more advanced calibration options. The general picture menu offers just two color-temperature choices (high and low), but you can adjust white balance more precisely in the ISF modes. Gamma adjustment is absent, but you do get noise reduction and the PerfectColor/PerfectTint system to adjust the hue and saturation of the six main color points. Mitsubishi's Variable Smooth240 technology addresses both motion blur and film judder; the LT-46249's setup menu differs from some lower-level Mitsubishi TVs: instead of high, standard, and off settings, you can perform incremental adjustment to produce the desired level of smoothness in film motion. The TV offers six aspect-ratio options for SD content and three options for HD content, including a full native mode to view 1080i/1080p signals with no overscan.

The integrated sound projector is attached to the TV's bottom panel and receives its audio signals directly via the TV's input panel. Audio signals can be input via the HDMI inputs, the RF/antenna connection, or a coaxial digital audio input. The LT-46249's back panel includes a subwoofer output to direct the low frequencies to an outboard subwoofer. The 18-speaker ISP is designed to present the complete multichannel soundfield, creating a sense of surround envelopment by bouncing sound waves off of room boundaries. The sound projector's setup menu includes manual and automatic setup options, and a microphone is supplied to perform the auto setup. The TV has internal Dolby Digital 5.1 and Pro Logic decoders to handle soundtracks from your DVD player or set-top box. Other audio setup options include four preset sound modes (stereo, surround, music and night), as well as bass, treble, and balance controls and a level sound feature to minimize volume discrepancies.

Finally, the back panel features an RS-232 port to integrate the TV into an advanced control system, as well as an IR jack that can serve as either an input for an external control system or an output, if you set up the TV's NetCommand system to control other devices.

High Points
• The LT-46249 has a 1080p resolution and will accept 24p sources via its HDMI inputs.
• This TV includes an integrated sound projector for Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.
• Variable Smooth240 technology helps reduce motion blur, and the setup menu gives you more flexibility to tailor the amount of motion interpolation used to reduce judder in film sources.
• This TV includes ISF calibration modes.
• The LT-46249 has a USB port and an Ethernet port for digital media, including the ability to access VUDU video-on-demand, YouTube, Pandora, and more.
• LCDs can be very bright, which makes them a good choice for a brightly lit viewing environment.
• An RS-232 port is included.

Low Points
• This LCD uses a traditional fluorescent backlight, so its black level is not as good as that of a higher-end LED-based LCD with local dimming.
• LCD viewing angles are only average.
• There is no dedicated PC input.

Conclusion
The LT-46249 is a complete A/V package, combining a 1080p LCD, a multichannel soundbar, and a network video player into one attractive package.