Published On: September 21, 2010

Mitsubishi WD-82838 3D DLP HDTV Reviewed

Published On: September 21, 2010
Last Updated on: October 31, 2020
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Mitsubishi WD-82838 3D DLP HDTV Reviewed

In the old days when CRT "big screen" TVs ruled the world - Mitsubishi was the king. Today, Mitsubishi is still in the big screen market with one of the most affordable, largest, brightest 3D HDTVs money can buy. While the form factor is much thinner than the past - the new set is somewhat of a throw-back to the old days.

Mitsubishi WD-82838 3D DLP HDTV Reviewed

  • Adrienne Maxwell is the former Managing Editor of HomeTheaterReview.com, Home Theater Magazine, and HDTVEtc.com. Adrienne has also written for Wirecutter, Home Entertainment Magazine, AVRev.com, ModernHomeTheater.com, and other top specialty audio/video publications. She is an ISF Level II-certified video calibrator who specializes in reviews of flat-panel HDTVs, front video projectors, video screens, video servers, and video source devices, both disc- and streaming-based.

Mistubishi_82838_DLP_3D_HDTV_review.gifMitsubishi has been offering 3D-ready rear-projection TVs for several years, so the company currently has a fairly extensive line of big-screen 3D-capable models. The new 838 Series is Mitsubishi's top-shelf RPTV line, which means it's loaded with the company's most advanced features and imaging technologies. The series includes screen sizes of 82, 73 and 65 inches. We have not performed a hands-on review of the WD-82838, but here is an overview of the TV's features. In the 3D realm, Mitsubishi TVs use a different display technology from the 3D signal format introduced by the Blu-ray Disc Association; so, to watch 3D Blu-ray movies, you need to purchase a special adapter (the 3DA-1, $99) or a 3D Blu-ray player that can output the Checkerboard display format (like Panasonic's DMP-BDT350). You'll also need to purchase active-shutter glasses of either the DLP Link or IR emitter variety. Mitsubishi offers the 3DC-1000 3D Starter Pack ($399) that includes the 3D Adapter, two pairs of active-shutter glasses, the IR emitter, an HDMI cable and a Disney 3D Blu-ray Showcase disc.

Additional Resources
• Read professtional 3D HDTV reviews from HomeTheaterReview.com's staff.
Find 3D Blu-ray players to pair with the Mitsubishi WD-82838 3D DLP HDTV.

 

Beyond its 3D capabilities, this 82-inch, 1080p DLP rear-pro utilizes the company's Plush 1080p 5G 12-bit video processor and Smooth120 technology, as well as Immersive Sound Technology--which is Mitsubishi's name for the integrated sound projector that uses 16 tiny speakers to project sound beams around the room to simulate a surround sound experience. You can add the WD-82838 to a home network via wired Ethernet or the optional AzureWave AW-NU231 WiFi USB adapter ($69), and this TV includes Mitsubishi's StreamTV Internet platform, with access to VUDU video-on-demand, Pandora, Flickr, Picasa, Facebook, Twitter and more. An interesting perk is the built-in Bluetooth A2DP audio streaming, which allows you to wirelessly stream audio from devices like the iPhone and Blackberry for playback through the higher-quality sound system. The WD-82838 measures 48.5 x 73.2 x 22.7 inches, weighs 143.1 pounds and has EnergyStar 4.0 certification.

The connection panel includes four HDMI inputs, three component video inputs and one RF input to access the internal ATSC and Clear-QAM tuners (no PC input). Many higher-end TVs have cut the number of component video inputs to one, which makes this TV a good choice for someone with several legacy components. The HDMI inputs accept both 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 signals, and one is located on the side panel for easy access. The TV includes dual USB ports: The back-panel USB port supplies power to accessories, while the side-panel USB port supports the WiFi adapter and media playback. The WD-82838 features a subwoofer output to mate an outboard subwoofer with the sound projector, as well as a center-channel input to use the TV's speaker system as the center channel in a true surround sound system. The Ethernet port is located on the rear panel, as is the "3D Glasses Emitter" port and the IR-NetCommand output that allows for integration into a more advanced control system.

The WD-82838 does not appear to offer as many advanced picture adjustments as you'll find in some higher-end TVs, but it includes the essentials. In addition to four preset picture modes, you get ISF Day and ISF Night modes. The basic video setup menu offers just two color-temperature presets, noise reduction and DeepField Imager and EdgeEnhance controls. Advanced options include PerfectColor and PerfectTint to adjust the saturation and hue of the six color points, as well as the ability to enable or disable Smooth120 technology. If you select the ISF Day or Night picture mode, you can access more-advanced adjustments, but the owner's manual does not describe exactly which adjustments are available. The TV offers six aspect-ratio options.

The SoundPro menu includes manual and automatic setup options for the integrated sound projector (a microphone is included for automatic setup). The manual setup menu allows you to set the TV location and general room dimensions, and you can adjust the beam angles and channel levels. Other audio setup options include four preset sound modes (stereo, surround, music and night), as well as bass, treble and balance controls and the ability to adjust the level of a connected subwoofer. The generic Level Sound function is designed to minimize volume discrepancies; the TV lacks advanced audio-leveling technology from Dolby or SRS.

A special 3D setup menu allows you switch 3D playback on or off, select the Checkerboard or Side-by-Side source format, select the type of glasses (DLP Link or IR Emitter), and reverse the glasses' L/R effect.

Competition and Comparison
Compare the Mitsubishi WD-82838 with its competition by reading the reviews for the
Samsung UN55C7000 3D LED LCD, the Panasonic TC-P54VT25 3D Plasma, and the Sony KDL-55HX800 3D LED LCD. Learn more about 3D HDTVs by visiting our 3D HDTV section.

High Points

• The WD-82838 is 3D-ready, and its 82-inch screen is much larger than what you'll find in the flat-panel 3D TV realm right now.

• This TV has a 1080p resolution, and it's equipped with a 16-speaker integrated sound projector for Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.
• Smooth120 helps reduce motion blur in fast-moving action sequences.
• DLP rear-pros can be very bright, which makes them a good choice for a brightly lit viewing environment.
• The TV has plenty of connection options.
• The WD-82838 will support a wired or (optional) wireless network connection and includes the StreamTV Internet Video platform.
• You can stream audio from mobile devices over Bluetooth.
• NetCommand is available for advanced control.

Low Points
• You must purchase the necessary 3D glasses, plus an adapter kit that
allows the TV to work with new 3D Blu-ray players (a limited number of
3D Blu-ray players will output the Checkerboard format used by Mits
TVs).
• This 3D TV does not offer 2D-to-3D conversion.
• The WD-82838 does not support DLNA media streaming and has fewer
video-on-demand options than its competitors (no Netflix, Amazon or
Blockbuster).
• DLP rear-pros can exhibit brightness-uniformity and viewing-angle issues.
• The WD-82838 does not include integrated WiFi.
• Rear-pros do not offer the sleek form factor you get with a flat panel.

Conclusion
One early complaint about flat-panel 3D TVs is that the screen sizes
just aren't big enough to produce a fully immersive 3D experience. That
obviously isn't a concern with the WD-82838. Yes, you could go the
projection route and get an even larger screen, but brighter RPTVs are
more conducive to 3D gaming with your friends in a well-lit room. The
WD-82838 brings more than just screen size to the table, offering a
higher-quality speaker system, Bluetooth audio streaming,
WiFi-readiness and the VUDU Internet platform. The WD-82838 has an MSRP
of $4,499, but you can find it for less than $4,000 through legitimate
online retailers. Its price-per-screen-inch is on par with or, in many
cases, lower than that of top-shelf 3D models in the flat-panel realm.
If all of the above sounds good to you, one final question remains: Can
your room accommodate an 82-inch rear-pro? If so, prepare to be
immersed.

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