The Mitsubishi LT-249 has a built-in 16-speaker sound bar.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)At CNET, we never review the audio quality of a TV, because, frankly, it's usually terrible. As we said in our How We Test TVs page: "We believe that anyone who cares [about sound quality] would be better served investing in a separate audio system." However, Mitsubishi's LT-249 series is an LCD TV designed for people who do care about getting decent sound without having to fuss with an external audio system. Therefore, we tested the Mitsubishi's sound the same way we test other sound bar home theater systems.
What's the verdict? When paired with a subwoofer, the LT-249 can belt out audio as well as the smaller sound bars it resembles, which should sonically satisfy fuss-intolerant, decor-conscious buyers. The high-end Mitsubishi also has solid picture quality, although it won't match the better LED-powered LCDs and plasma TVs available in its price range. It also has a compelling suite of interactive features including Vudu and Pandora. However, this HDTV is all about the speaker; so if you don't mind paying more for better sound, the Mitsubishi LT-249 series deserves a place on your wall.
Read the full review of the Mitsubishi LT-249 series.
On Sale Now: $2,199.00 - $2,599.99
View the latest prices for Mitsubishi LT-46249
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Mitsubishi's soon-to-be-released Unisen Diamond LT-249 LCD TVs will now feature Vudu's streaming video-on-demand service.
(Credit: Mitsubishi)Mitsubishi's upcoming line of Unisen LT-249 LCD TVs were already notable for being the first flat-panel TVs with built-in soundbar speakers. But now the 46-inch and 52-inch models have a second bragging point: built-in support for Vudu. When the TVs hit retailers later in September, they'll have nearly all of the same streaming video features available in the Vudu BX100 set-top box. That includes access to YouTube, Flickr, Picasa, and Pandora online streaming as well.
For Vudu, it's the second such hardware partner in as many months to offer the on-demand video service embedded into TVs (LG was the first). While Vudu is one of many such online options on the LG Netcast TVs (they also do Netflix, YouTube, and Yahoo Widgets), Mitsubishi ups the ante by including a $50 Vudu credit for buyers of its TVs (though it must be used within the first 60 days of activation).
CNET will have a hands-on review of the new Mitsubishi models in upcoming weeks.
On Sale Now: $2,199.00 - $2,599.99
View the latest prices for Mitsubishi LT-46249
On Sale Now: $2,698.00 - $3,099.99
View the latest prices for Mitsubishi LT-52249
It may not be the most sophisticated tech car available, but we really like the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart. Not as expensive as the Lancer Evo, but offering some degree of its performance, the Ralliart is perfect for our favorite activity, diving into sharp corners at stupid speeds. Its all-wheel-drive system digs in for grip, and the dual clutch automated manual transmission delivers aggressive shifts. With the optional Rockford Fosgate audio system, the stereo pumps out ridiculous bass and Bluetooth phone integration is standard.
Who says rear-projection is dead?
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)If the heyday of the gigantic-screen rear-projection HDTV is over, somebody needs to tell Mitsubishi. The company is the sole remaining proprietor pushing out 60-inch-plus TVs too thick to hang on the wall and too inexpensive to merit a cameo on MTV's "Cribs." Its 2009 lineup features two series of what it calls home theater TVs--to differentiate from its flat-panels--and the WD-737 is the cheapest.
The main reason for buying this TV is to get as much screen for as little money as possible, and the WD-737 series fulfills that role admirably. It can't match the black-level performance of most flat-panels we've tested, it has some uniformity issues unique to its category and, of course, you'll eventually need to replace the bulb. However, the replacement is relatively inexpensive ($99, plus shipping), color accuracy is very good, and did we mention the picture is gi-normous? If you want to go really big for less, the WD-737 series is the only game in town.
Mitsubishi is ready to put its i-Miev on the road, but this woman will have a 30-minute wait to charge up her car.
(Credit: Mitsubishi)Not to be outdone by Subaru's earlier announcement of the Stella electric car, Mitsubishi gave full details on the production i-Miev electric car, including sales volume plans and pricing.
Mitsubishi has been aggressive in pushing its electric car plans by putting its i-Miev into test fleet operations and showing it off at auto shows. The company even let journalists drive one at the Detroit auto show.
The i-Miev fits four passengers for zero-emission driving.
(Credit: Mitsubishi)Mitsubishi announced that it would begin selling the i-Miev electric car in late July, matching the timing of Subaru's Stella electric car sales. But the i-Miev will initially only be available to corporations and government groups. Sales to private buyers will not commence until April 2010.
Unlike Subaru, which will only sell 170 Stella electric cars, Mitsubishi is planning on producing 1,400 i-Mievs for corporate and government lessees. The i-Mievs will go for 4,380,000 yen, or about $45,300 at current exchange rates. Japanese buyers of the i-Miev would qualify for a $14,300 subsidy for electric vehicles from the Japanese government.
The i-Miev uses a lithium ion battery pack and a 47-kilowatt electric motor to get a range of 100 miles. ... Read more
The weather's nice, and the kids are out of school. Time to pack up some gear and head out on the open road for summer fun. But what sort of car will hold the family and luggage for a weeklong excursion without costing an arm and a leg to gas up? We scoured our recent car reviews to find the best cars with modern tech to load up for a summer road trip.
This Nissan test mule demonstrates an electric powertrain.
(Credit: Nissan)
Change tends to come slowly in the automotive industry, but the pace of electric car development has picked up fast. Major automakers are promising electric cars for sale to the public by 2011 and earlier. Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Ford are all moving ahead, forcing other automakers to get on the ball.
Current battery technology makes a range of 100 miles the magic number to hit, so this first batch of modern electric cars may struggle to gain wide acceptance. But as people find the cost of ownership to be far less than their old gas guzzlers, the popularity of these electric cars for commutes and errands around town is sure to increase.
Samsung's LNB750 series is among the most-requested of new HDTV reviews.
(Credit: Samsung)Like most CNET editors, I get plenty of reader mail asking what products I'm reviewing next, so here's a list of HDTVs I have in-house or, according to the manufacturers, are scheduled for imminent arrival at CNET Labs East. Each list is arranged in general order of priority for review, although that order is by no means set in stone.
- HDTVs in-house
- HDTVs arriving soon
You'll notice a lot of Samsungs on that list. One reason is that Samsung TVs are quite popular with readers, so I tend to want to review them; another is that Samsung has been the most-responsive, despite some delays, in getting me review samples. I've also put in requests for new models from Mitsubishi (both LCD and DLP), Sharp, and LG, but so far haven't received confirmation that any of those models are on the way.
In the meantime, if you're hankering to read my review of a particular HDTV that's currently shipping, or you think any of these sets is a waste of my time, go ahead and leave a comment. Since I can use blogs like this as leverage with manufacturers to get more review samples, comments work better than e-mail.
With all the emphasis on eco-friendly cars at recent auto shows, we didn't expect to see so many performance cars in New York.
But many automakers had souped-up versions of existing models on display, giving driving enthusiasts something to enjoy. Mercedes-Benz had an AMG version of its E-class and BMW made the X6 into an M. VW launched the new GTI and Nissan NISMO'd its 370Z. Honda even showed up with a Mugen-equipped Fit.
Honda demonstrated a dog-friendly Element at the New York auto show.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET")
Honda and Mitsubishi showed off dog-friendly concept cars at the 2009 New York auto show. The Honda version, built on its Element model, is slated to be offered as a trim option this fall. Honda of North America got the idea for the concept after the pet-friendly Honda WOW was shown at the Tokyo auto show. This concept generated so much interest in the U.S. that Honda developed the idea of making an Element specifically for pet-owners. Mitsubishi had a less-developed concept on display built in its Outlander SUV.
