Summary:
good buy- I paid 2795 at a local Madison Wi retailer-but I want a hdtv decoder for it.

Strengths:
have used since Dec. 1998 and have had only excellent results. I did buy it with the assurance that a hdtv decoder would be available in a few months, it is nearly 14 months since the purchase and still no decoder available and the really sucks.

Weaknesses:
too much glare off of built in screen protector.

Summary:
I purchased this set new for $2199, since it is being replaced by a newer model. I love it. The built in line doubler does a great job with very few artifacts. The picture out of the box is good and it gets a lot better if you calibrate the set. Once that is done, the picture is stunning!! The protective screen does have quite a bit of glare, so make sure you can control the lighting in the room it is in. The sound is actually pretty good compared to most TV's (I have seen reviews to the contrary though). The set is BIG, but well worth it. Great TV, especially if you watch a DBS (like DishNetwork). Expandability for Digital TV later -- you can't go wrong with this set.

Summary:
I bought mine Nov 98, which was a tough time to choose a projection TV. HDTV and high quality picture playback DVD was coming up fast and I didn't want to get stuck with something that would be obsolete within months. Toshiba had the most logical choice - a digital "ready" unit that offered high res, progressive scan and component input options. All the other digital stuff was around $7-8,000 at the time and Toshiba was the only unit I could (barely) afford - I paid $3,600 including 6% tax and delivery. I've seen the same unit now for under $3,000.

Within days I noted loud "pops" in the audio and flashes on the screen. The dealer told me that new units "do that because they're burning dust particles off in the guns" BS. Within weeks my new toy crapped out entirely - it took a month to get new guts from Japan and I ended up watching a 14" portable. When the service guy replaced the chassis he noted that they had a lot of problems with these. He also pointed out a big fat new grounding strap that Toshiba added!

OK, pioneers get the arrows sometimes. This could have been a fluke and if you're looking for a new one now, Toshiba has addressed the problem. If a used one is still running it's not a worry.

The picture is gorgeous. Huge. Clear. Great color. Worth the price of admission.

Decent lighted remote and menu functions. One annoying thing. You can't flip between TV and VCR. _Every_ time you have to cycle from TV > VCR > INPUT 2 > INPUT 3 > COLOR STREAM DVD > DIGITAL > Back to TV. So get ready to push buttons a lot.

Cabinet is just a big black hunk of plastic/wood. My Mitsubishi spoiled me with a great real oak cabinet with doors. It actually looked like furniture.

I'm using a Panasonic DVD on the unit now. Awesome picture! But don't even dream of using the onboard sound system - by the time the volume is high enough to hear well the TV speakers start popping and distorting. Now assembling a semi-serious home theater system based on the new HK AVR-500 receiver and Polk speakers.

Strengths:
Picture, lighted remote, imput options, PIP

Weaknesses:
Sound, remote control input cycling, possible production bugs in power supply, cosmetics (it's a big black box - period)

Similar Products Used:
Mitsubishi 45" projection TV (1986-98)- What a workhorse! Blue gun finally started to fade bad (after 12 years!) and replacing the part for $1600 made a new TV the obvious choice.

Summary:
I've had this baby for 6 months now. Everything's A-OK, fact is, friends are telling me its a great set for the money. Yet to be calibrated, it has wowed both family and friends. Comparisons have been made and it still stood its ground. I'm using it for TV viewing as well as DVDs. The size of the screen is still quite large for widescreen movies so I can't complain.
Oh..did I mention its already HDTV ready...just need a decoder box.
I'd rate this set at 4.5 stars just because there other sets at higher prices though that could be better.

Summary:
Have been buying Sony direct view TVs all my life, then decided to upgrade to a truly big-screen for the new purpose-built home theater, but was deeply disappointed with the picture quality of Sony RPTVs. Was about to purchase a Mitsubishi when I found a favorable review of the even larger TP71H95 Cinema Series (too big for the room). I was able to find a dealer with the TP61H95 on display and went to check it out. What a picture! Even uncalibrated, in movie mode I'd never seen anything as good except for mega-buck front projectors and plasma displays. The mitsubishi's in the same price range can't touch it. The secret's in the built-in quality line-doubler and excellent comb filter.
I bought it on the spot. If you like 3:4 ratio display and are critical about quality, check it out.