Russox2

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1599.00 from Sears

Summary:
Toshiba has created a nice TV, this TV offers some great viewing on HD via Component video lines, The picture is stunning with my Comcast Cable. The HD channels come in so sharp and clear, i cannot see myself buying another TV for quite some time. Even the DVD's come alive on my set with my Samsung HD841 progressive player, also with component cables. I have not had any problems of any sort with this TV.

Strengths:
Lots of options to create the picture you desire. Great style cabinet. Stunning visuals on HD. DVD's come in crystal clear.

Weaknesses:
No DVI input. The next model had DVI added to it.

Similar Products Used:
Sears model 46" from 1995.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
So I've had this TV for about 6 months now and I have no complaints. However, it did turn on/off once a few months ago. I didn't consider it a problem. That is the end of my review. The following is a rebuttal to the last reviewer. I apologise to everyone else for using this forum for personal correspondence, but I believe it is warranted due to the last reviewers comments. I did set up the picture of the TV when I first got it using my Kenwood learning remote. Hence, the fact that I haven't really used the remote enough to comment on it. But if you need a review...the TV easily accepted the code from my learning remote. In Canada, Bell only offers 10 HDTV channels and they are a mix of networks and movie channels. Its not worth shelling out an additional $600 for a new satellite receiver and then paying the subscription price. The picture is still great its just not HD. I'll wait until Bell has something more to offer. I mostly watch movies anyway since there is not much on TV that I enjoy. VHS will never look great on this TV - At least not without additional signal enhancement. And I doubt that it will ever appear crystal clear no matter what you do. However, my review is of the TV as is. I'm not reviewing the TV with add-on HDTV boxes. Yes, I use this TV as a monitor only. That means I use it to display a single picture from my AV receiver. Therefore, all I do with the TV is turn it on. The display is set how I want it and the sound is provided via my home theater. With that said, what kind of idiot posts a review without ever having used the TV in their home. All the reading, research and in-store test runs can't guarantee that you'll be happy with the unit. As well, this forum is intended to help people with their buying decisions. Please direct your personal comments to the author directly. You can email me through the forum.

Price Paid:  $1599.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
I kind of pity the previous reviewer.... I don't even have this model in my apt. yet, but I too have read the specs on this and a host of others, as well as seen/compared it to other HDTVs (of this size) in-store, and was completely sold. My "gripe" about the previous reviewer is that because he seemingly didn't TOUCH the TV's features and remote (to adjust picture quality and correct any VCR input signal using any features of the HDTV that would CORRECT any problems) he probably isn't getting the full enjoyment of this TV... Try fooling with the features (you use this TV solely as a "moniter"?? what does THAT mean?)...and you'll probably see better images coming from your VCR source. Also---do the upgrade and call your cable provider to GET an HDTV signal at least over your local network affiliates. I don't even have the set in my apt. (delivered tomorrow, the 4th!) but I'm already reading the manual to see ALL the features I can tweak to make this the best viewing TV I've ever had. Good luck, and happy viewing! Steve

Price Paid:  $2340.00 from Future Shop

Summary:
I've only had this TV for a couple of weeks and I only use it as a monitor. However, I have not experienced the on/off problem others have had with the previous model (50H81). As well, the picture is stunning and every bit as good the Hitachi 51F500 that I had originally planned to buy. I use a non-progressive scan 5 disc Toshiba DVD player which looks fabulous on this TV. I can not imagine a progressive scan player providing a picture good enough to justify my shelling out for a new player. My satellite signal comes through crystal clear on some stations but only satisfactory on others. This is no fault of the TV, it is due to the feed from my satellite provider (Bell) but those seriously concerned with picture quality may want to consider a HD source. With that said, the picture quality is no worse than my 27" flat screen. VHS sucks - especially on this screen. I use a JVC Super VHS player which is worth the money if you intend to record programs for your library. Its not DVD quality, but it is almost twice the resolution of standard VHS. I do not know what the TV sounds like. I turned the speakers off when I hooked it up to my home theater. I don't use any of the features or the remote. I programed the Toshiba remote to into my Kenwood. I guess I lied. I do use the TheaterWide picture setting feature. The 3 TheaterWide settings each slightly zoom in on the image and make a full screen DVD or regular TV signal fill the screen beautifully. This process slightly crops the top and bottom of the picture and widens the image. Trust me, you won't know the difference. I much preferred this to Hitachi's method of stretching the sides of the picture. However, both still look great.

Strengths:
Price and picture quality - you can't get a TV with this picture quality for less money (MSRP is $3499.99 CAD - I paid $2340 CAD)

Weaknesses:
none found, but I only use it as a monitor.

Similar Products Used:
This is my first big screen, but I researched and viewed all major TV's for four weeks before purchasing this one.