HP Pavilion md5880n 1080p DLP TV reviewed

Those good sports over at PC Mag subjected themselves to the tough job of spending time with that 58-inch DLP HDTV from HP we first heard about at CES, and the verdict is overwhelmingly positive. The 118-pound wobulator takes up its fair share of living room space, but with a wide array of features, like built-in 2.1 sound, 1080p resolution, a menu system that's "just about perfect," and an extensive array of picture tweaking options, the trade-off is easily justified. The inputs, which are conveniently located in the front of the TV, include two HDMIs, two component-videos, a VGA, CableCard and two RF inputs, as well as a USB port for firmware upgrades. At $3,500, it's a lot cheaper than most other, flatter alternatives, so you might even have enough money left over to keep your PS3 fund alive.

[aparaty cyfrowe @ Jul 3rd 2006 2:11PM]

HP and Tv ... noooo... it cannot be in order best quality

[Jonathan Keim @ Jul 3rd 2006 2:16PM]

HP has been doing really good with their tvs

[Gnome @ Jul 3rd 2006 2:56PM]

The 5880n has been out for the better part of a year, I thought it was the 5883n that they were showing off at CES? Anyone know if that one's coming out anytime soon?

[RP @ Jul 3rd 2006 3:37PM]

I'm sorry,but that has to be the worst looking TV ever. :|

[Perrey Z. @ Jul 3rd 2006 4:59PM]

For thouse who commented how bad HP TVs are you're wrong and you must not own any of them! specially the Pavilion line up from last year which were the best HP HDTVs so far.

I got the 42" PL4200N, 32" LC3200N and 26" LC2600N and they are VERY good sets. the PL4200N is manufacture by Matsushita Electric Co. {Panasonic} based on their PX500 Series., and the LCDs are made by Sharp.

The DLPs are manufacture in China by Coretronics, i'm looking forward to get the 65" version of this model. The Pavilion MD6580N, which has been rated as the best DLP set of 2005 by several publications, I've seen it and it's breathtaking, the picture quality is crisp and vibrant. Much better than Samsung, Sony and Mitsubishi.

All of the Pavilion TVs were stylish, the remote controls were very comfortable and easy to work with. It's a shame the good ones are gone., this year's flat panel sets are not only ugly Matte Black, but the features are very limited.

The LCDs don't eve have a computer input, which doesn't even make sense since HP IS a computer manufacturer... The plasmas are made by LG and the LCDs by Sharp in Mexico. They even drop the Marquee Pavilion name. Basically they are barebones sets.

[scott @ Dec 21st 2006 3:31PM]

Have you had any problems with your remote not working all the time?

[pixelate @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:00PM]

yeah, this is kind of late.

but i've owned the MD5880n since November of 2005, i can tell you that the picture with an HD source is 2nd to none. HP being new to the projection tv arena seems to only have helped them think outside the box (no pun intended), as this tv has features that other tv manufacturers would never have thought of...

i'm not sure what the model names are of the new HP DLPs, but from what i've read the major change might be a switch from a bulb to LED backlighting. presumably much longer life before any maintenance, but possibly at the expense of contrast.

[GhostDoggy @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:09PM]

Are there 1920 columns and 1080 rows of mirrors on the DMD, or is this just a wobulated (HP idea) 960x1080 DMD performing double duty (and a vertical interlacing)?

[Kenno @ Jul 3rd 2006 7:43PM]

Starting to look like the obelisk from 2001 and about as dominant on the living room landscape, these big screens really need a hideaway solution. Just on the aesthetic impact of the object, I’m tending to favour a projector and screen.

[DCLocal @ Jul 3rd 2006 8:27PM]

I think the design is cool and the price is right!

[Patrick @ Jul 3rd 2006 11:36PM]

heyo i have that TV! yo i got mine with the added base. its a really excellent TV. i cant wait to hit it up with a PS3!!

[John Mudd @ Jul 3rd 2006 11:37PM]

That's hot. I've got to get one to put in my living room.

[casual reader @ Jul 5th 2006 10:28AM]

I agree with most of the posters. I have this model myself and the picture puts most other HD sets to shame. I receintly got an xbox 360 and the upconversion is stunning. I like the way it looks and the front access panel is great. It's not talked about much but the 80W built in sound system is second to none.

[scott @ Dec 21st 2006 3:33PM]

Have you had any problems with the remote not working all the time?