Stunning picture quality from all sources, slim cabinet profile, excellent price.

Toshiba should seriously consider using more robust materials in their cabinets. The current material is not nearly as sturdy as it could be.

This is without a doubt the best HD monitor available today in the under-$2000 price range. Feature for feature, it beats out more expensive brands and is also a great value. And the picture is simply amazing: out of the box, my set was almost perfectly converged, and I only needed to make a few adjustments to the brightness and contrast settings. When viewing cable channels, the images are smooth, brilliant, and sharp; DVD''s look fantastic as well, especially when using a higher quality progressive scan player like the Denon DVD2800. But HDTV is where this set really shines. Everyone who''s had the opportunity to watch high definition programming on my TV is completely awestruck with the lifelike realism and three-dimensional depth of the images. I''ve had more than just a few viewers get up and actually touch the screen in absolute amazement.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba TW40X81 and Toshiba 40H80.

Picture quality (even analog). 4:3 aspect ratio to 16:9 with little loss of picture or distortion. Numerous inputs (2 Component/3 analog (with one on the front)/2 antenna).

Inadequate space on top for center channel speaker. Sits a tad low.

Have enjoyed this set for just over one week and must say I''m extremely satisfied with my purchase. This is the first RPTV I''ve ever owned. Was biased against them until now. Saw this set side-by-side with other larger & more expensive sets. The 42H81 blew the other sets away. Even though I''ve yet to purchase a set-top box to receive OTA and DirecTV HDTV signals, I couldn''t be more satisfied. Analog signals over DSS look terrific. Theaterwide Mode 1 also does a fantastic job of adjusting the 4:3 normal television aspect ration to 16:9 with little loss or distortion. DVD movies using component video inputs is astounding and only limited by the resolution of the source media. Agree that more space on the set''s top would have been nice to accomodate a center channel speaker. Mounted a shelf directly above the set to overcome this (one) shortfall. Can''t wait to get the added set-top box to enjoy broadcast and DSS HDTV! I most strongly recommend this set!

Similar Products Used:

None. First RPTV.

Superb picture Great value

would have liked a little more room on top of the set.put up a small shelf on the wall behind for center channel speaker so no big deal.

I have had this set for a week now and I was thrilled with it from day one.Thanks to Audioreview and all the reviewers for helping me make a great choice! The price at onecall was so good that I bought the DST3000 digital reciever as well.Both the 42H81 and reciever for around $2600 Not bad! The Picture out of the box was great,a little grainy with analog cable but once I turned down the factory settings, contrast sharpness ect. the picture was near crystal clear.lots of fun playing with the different theaterwide modes. I''m hooked on theaterwide 1 for tv viewing. Picture outside Picture feature is cool.Splits the screen in half.Watching DVD with colorstream inputs is incredable the colors jump off the screen. The real WOW factor comes when I watch digital programing. I get all the local OTA programing with just a small amplified vhf antenna. Just finished watching the olympic closing ceremonies in DTV and was just stunned at the depth and clarity of the picture. I highly reccomend this set! Another small feature I like is that you can name the different video inputs. you can change video 1, video 2, video 3 ect to "cable" "DVD" "VCR" "DTV".Great for the remote control challenged in the house!

Similar Products Used:

replacing my Toshiba CN32C90 32"

less than 20 inches deep!great detail and depth using component input

slow tuner,hazardous for the channel surfercould be slightly wider on the top to accomodate a center channel

outstanding value,perfect for the apartment dwelling audio video enthusiast.picture gets better w/use

Amazing 540p images from standard NTSC, compact size, outstanding high definition picture quality.

Lack of external speaker/subwoofer terminals.

Outstanding HD picture quality; excellent value.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba TW40X81 and Toshiba 40H80.

Terrific picture quality, value for money, 1600 lines resolution, progressive scan, component video

Had to set convergence couple of times last month

I was in the market for a HDTV for the last 1 year. I finally got a deal from onecall I couldn't refuse. It helped me make a decision real quickly. The customer service was excellent.
I have been using the TV for about 1 1/2 months now. I have adjusted the convergence 3 times since I bought the TV. It seems to be changing a bit now and then. Very clear and crisp picture. Nice zoom options to set the video preference. I did see the picture turn blue once (all the faces and bright colors were all blue). When I powered the TV off and turned it back on it was fine. I wonder if any of you had this problem. his happened only once. I am not too concerned as I have warranty.
With 5 years in house extended warranty my price came to $2160, with a 12 month no interest financing and free shipping. Swell deal. I love my TV now.

DVD looks Very nice -- PS2 Games looks awesome -- EXCELLENT PRICE overall.

some channels may seem graining. (may be my DSS) Other than that none

This TV looks very good in my family room considering I do not have the space for a big screen. Now if I could only find a nice E-center for this screen TV.

I noticed alot of people have paid for someone to do a convergence. Is this necessary?? I have noticed sometimes when I'm looking at some football games the grass looks pixelated. Anyone else having this problem?

For those of you who play Video games (even though they recommend you don't play them since it may burn an image on the screen) The games look very very very nice on this TV.
I purchased the Monster Video game cable for the PS2 and it looks awesome!

I only hook up the system for about an hour then I unplug it.

You can't go wrong with this set. Price is right and fits perfect in a small room.

Similar Products Used:

40H80

1080i & 540p capabilities,Size,Superb picture

none in my opinion!

I've been looking at HDTV's for a year or more and was sold on the 55" Mitsubishi Diamond Series projections but the price was a little more than I wanted to swallow. I decided to wait. Knowing how technology changes every day, I felt it was better to wait and just study and learn all about HDTV and what projections TV's were rated the best by Home Theatre professionals and the average customer.

Now I'm a DVD fanatic and I want the best picture & sound I can get and by the time the whole HDTV rolls out, I hope to be ahead of the game by having one of the top projection sets on the market.

Well I heard about the 40H80 from Toshiba and the features and reviews were pretty impressive. So I set out to go see the TV. I visited all the local electronic stores. The picture was good and size was perfect for my small apartment but this TV is almost 2 years old. What's around the corner for Toshiba?

I visited the Toshiba website and found the 42H81. The options on the new 42H81 sold me, 1080i & 540p Progressive Scanning, plenty of component hook-ups for all my needs and HDTV ready. I started shopping the internet looking for the best price. I found the TV on Outpost.com. $1999.99, no tax,plus free shipping but I haven't seen the TV in action.

So I ran to HiFi Buys and fell in love. The TV sat right next to my once fave Mitsubishi 55" and I felt the picture was better and the price was within my budget. Went back Sunday to by the TV and it was on sale for 1898.00 and got free shipping and had the TV two days later.

Did a little tweaking with the convergance myself but under my maintenance agreement, I called the service techs to converge the tv properly. I do recommend anyone who purchased the 42H81 to do the same. The picture is great right out of the box but it can be perfected. My only downside and it's small is that I tried hooking up a progressive scan player ( Sony DVPNS700P ) to my new TV but could not see the major difference all the professionals say we'll see. It could be just that I don't know what to look for but for the money??? Tried watching the Fifth Element ( Super Bit ) and it just didn't make a big difference to me considering I spent 300.00 on the DVD player and a $200 plus on the nitrogen monster cable. What am I missing?

Other than that the TV offers a great picture and fits perfectly in my apartment. I saw the in Hi Def picture in the store and it's awesome. Now I'm in search for my HDTV receiver and antenna. If your thinking of purchasing an HDTV projection TV, this one should be on your list.

Similar Products Used:

n/a

Great picture

sound is so-so

For starters, I am not an expert like most of the people in this forum, but I know a great picture when I see it. I was all set to buy the predecesser model (the 40H80), largely because it was only 18 inches deep, when I found out this model was coming out, with the automatic convergence feature. As you might have guessed, I have limited space in my living room, so saving 6-10 inches of depth was a major factor.

I've now had this tv for about two months, and I am still astonished at the quality of the picture. The HD reception is mind-blowing, and the progressive scan dvd picture doesn't seem all that far off from projected film. After some tweaking, the sound is okay. Bottom line: I'm very happy with this tv, and highly recommend it to anyone.

Similar Products Used:

none

Unquestionably the clearest picture on the market at a fair price. Size is great even for a living room.

none

WOW! The Toshiba 42H81 for 2001 is simply amazing. I looked around for some time at many different rear projection TV's and there simply wasn't anything that compared to the picture quality of this set. I purchased a Pioneer Surround sound, DVD system to go with it and the wide screen fomrmat with surround sound is better than being in the theatre. I would recommend this set to anyone. Satelite service with the S-Video hookup makes regular tv shows even more exciting.