Hitachi on Wednesday leapt back into North American TVs with its LCD lineup for 2009. The UltraVision models headline the series and all have 1080p images with 120Hz panels. Certain models have as many as five HDMI inputs. Hitachi produces the higher-end sets in 42-inch (L42S503), 46-inch (L46S603) and 55-inch (L55S603) versions; the smallest set ships first, appearing in June for $999, while the 46-inch TV shows in August for $1,299 and the 55-inch in September for $1,799.

The Alpha series acts as the budget range and uses 60Hz panels along with a maximum of four HDMI inputs. It's divided into two sets that start with the L32A403, a 32-inch 720p set, and ends at the 42-inch L42A403, which moves up to 1080p. Both ship in May at prices of $499 for the smallest set and $849 for the larger model.