Toshiba TW40X81 Rear Projection

Toshiba TW40X81 Rear Projection 

USER REVIEWS

Showing 21-30 of 66  
[May 05, 2000]
Bill
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Price; Size (I have a small room with a flight of stairs with a 90 degree turn to get to it)

Weakness:

Some scenes seem to bright even after adjusting with VE.

This TV was purchased to watch movies (DVD player now, HDTV when cable company offers HDTV pay-for-view this summer). I have the Toshiba SD5109 DVD player and use the progressive scan output.

I am extremely happy with the picture quality. My only complaint is a few scenes seem a little to bright (even after adjusting with VE).

When I was looking in to getting a TV I had decided on an HDTV ready model. The two I considered the most were the Mitsubishi wt46805 and the Toshiba TW40X81. Going into this I really wanted the WT46805 for the larger screen size. I had the opportunity to bring my own DVD player into the store and try it out. What a disappointment. The picture quality was not good at all. Some movies like Apollo 13 were unwatchable. On the other hand Apollo 13 on the Toshiba looks really good.

The TV is easy to setup and I like all the options there are for viewing 4:3 material (Mits only had 3). The manual is not very good, but the OSD is self explanatory.

Every movie I have tried out so far looks great, A Bug's Life is extraordinary.

For the price you can't beat the TW40X81, I recomend it highly for anyone who will primarly watch DVDs. My standard cable looks better on my 27" tube TV. I expected this and do not plan to use the TV to watch "Regular" TV on it. I wouuld watch cable on this TV with the over the Sony 36" XBR (the lines drive me nuts, the 32" is very good though)

I'm very happy the the TV and would recomend it to anyone.

Bill

Similar Products Used:

Tested Mitsubishi wt46805

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 27, 2000]
Chi Wong
Casual Listener

Strength:

Cool Looking. It's not a SONY. 16:9 wide screen.

Weakness:

Price is a little steep for a fairly small direct view sized tv but it's well worth the price of HDTV compatability, I guess.

WOW! This is a great TV. Audio sounds pretty good but I've already hooked it up with my home theater system and that's probably what most will do so it doesn't really matter.

Height is a little low but it is eye level when I'm sitting on my couch so I didn't need a stand.

Picture was suprisingly blurry when I powered it up and put in The Matrix dvd (connected via component video). Also noticed some moire on sweater textures. When I figured out how to do the convergence (wow, 9 point convergence has to be better than 1 point convergence on other Rear Proj tvs) it sharpened up nicely even though the sharpness setting was set at ZERO and moire is not noticeable. Default setting on contrast was max which is way too bright for viewing in a dark room (the preferred way of watching).

The picture is now great. I can sit as close as I want and not see any lines like a direct view tv where you have to get back about 6 feet to not notice the lines.... I think some Rear Projection (RP) tvs have this problem too.

Cabinet is a bit flimsy. I noticed the glass shield and cabinet flex a bit when I put my center channel on top. You've only got about 4 inches of space up there so Toshiba probably didn't expect you to put anything up there. Rear connection panel is a little flimsy too, be careful plugging in those cables!

I bought this from cyberteria.com on a Saturday and received it the following saturday for $2249. SHIPPING WAS FREE!!!! I think I saved about $150 on shipping alone... (Other sites had the tv for that price but you still have to pay for shipping.)

Shipping invoice was insured at $1900. I think that's the wholesale price, but I could be wrong.

Similar Products Used:

Watched a WEGA for 30 minutes at a friends house but was unimpressed with picture and quality issues.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Mar 03, 2000]
Norbert
Audiophile

Strength:

Great picture,great price for hdtv ready set

Weakness:

None

I have had the set for over A month now,I bought the sd5109 progressive dvd player to match and I tell you I cant belive the picture Quality, close to hi def,cant imagine a better picture.After setting up the set with the video essentials the picture seems 3D close to film or better,for what I paid 2180$ cant beat this set.Cant wait to see a hidef signal on the set to see it true picture quality if its better than the picture I am getting right now from my progressive dvd player then this tv is well worth it.Even makes cable look better.Love this set.............NN

Similar Products Used:

mitsubishi 46inch

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 19, 2000]
G. Docherty
Casual Listener

Strength:

Pricing, features, size

Weakness:

Garbage in...garbage out, especially cable TV signals.

The price is outstanding for what you get, but it is also a relative value. It is certainly more expensive than the typical TV purchase, but it is about the same price range as a complete mid-high level computer system. And if you compare it to other widescreen/HDTV systems such as front projectors and plasma displays (which aften don't even come with a TV tuner) it looks like a steal.

Watching regular TV is a challenge, it is the one thing that my wife will not adapt to. However, DVD via component input never ceases to impress. To my eye it does look to be "film" quality rather than a video image. Anamorphic is amazing, but I was disappointed that the Toshiba manual was not specific about how to watch anamorphic DVDs using the "Full" mode. I had to find out from a newsgroup. Oh well, a small complaint. I also make sure now that my DVD player is set for "wide aspect" not letterbox. Surprisingly the DVD player setting can change back from disc to disc. This ensures best quality from anamorphic movies. I appreciate the flexibility of the different video modes, Theatre Wide, Full etc. but I find most of the "stretch" modes unwatchable.

As this is my first RPTV I am not used to having to let the set warm up to get proper convergence. I'm all too aware of the blue edging that is apparent before things warm up, then the picture gets very nice after about half an hour. It is a temptation to fiddle with the convergence too much, something I am still learning to leave alone.

All in all, it is the set of my dreams and as an new owner it makes me feel like a real technology trail blazer with my friends. I have had many visitors for demos (and dinner !). I think that more sets will be sold this way than through bad demos at electronic stores.

I'm anxious to see HDTV programming when it is available, I assume it will be AT LEAST as good as the DVD output. But I'm saving pennies already to purchase the HDTV decoder and any other services necessary to receive the signal. I'm not in a hurry and will wait for price and availability to become reasonable in Canada.

Similar Products Used:

None. This is my first RPTV.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 25, 2000]
Paul Gregory
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

16:9 ratio,compact size,easily calibrated

Weakness:

Mirror Screen

What a picture! Do not be intimidated by people who say you have to have this tv ISF calibrated.Do some research on Toshiba rptv calibration and you can do it yourself!The colors are fantastic!My crappy cable connection actually looks better on this tv than it did on my old RCA.
DVDs look great using my HTPC and I even surf the net on it!
Great price,great picture and the perfect size for a small room.
The sound is also exellent.
All in all,a fantastic piece of work!

Similar Products Used:

old RCA colortrak 27"

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 20, 2001]
george
Audiophile

Strength:

it was cheaper than other models

Weakness:

the guns were not very bright, and performed poorly on NTSC feeds

I have gone through two TVs now this Toshiba, and a similar Mitsubishi. I kept bringing these TV's home and they just looked bad. I then bought a 43" UWX series Hitachi TV for only $200.00 more. The Hitachi is fantastic with the features it has. 256 pt. convergence and it upconverts everything to 540p. the people at circuit city were very helpful so i reccomend going there and getting hitachi

Similar Products Used:

mitsubishi

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Dec 27, 1999]
Don
Audiophile

Strength:

Awesome picture, no scan lines, HDTV-readiness, price

Weakness:

20-30 minute warm-up period, slow channel changes

I've had this set for almost 2 months now and it seems to look better every day. Sometimes you forget it's an RPTV because it's so clear and bright.

It came down to either getting the Wega XBR 36" or the Tosh. I compared to 2 sets side-by-side at the dealer and the Wega definitely looked clearer -- the Tosh looked very fuzzy. The price was $100CAN apart so the decision was difficult. It finally came down to the Tosh's HDTV-readiness and the Wega's scan-lines -- diagonal lines on the Wega just didn't look right.

I'm glad I went with the Tosh because my brother bought the Wega and has had nothing but problems with it. Make sure you go through the 64-point convergence in the service mode -- the 9-point convergence won't do you any good. Also calibrate the set with Video Essentials or Avia.

I can't say enough about the the clarity of this set -- on some movies, it's like looking out a window...I actually have to climb up real close to the screen to see any flaws in the picture. Make sure to pop in A Bug's Life CE or Austin Powers 2...the colors will amaze you.

In closing, this set is highly recommended and if you have any fears of RPTV's being dim and dull, trust me, this TV will not allevaite all your fears. 5 stars!

Similar Products Used:

Sony 36XBR250

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 12, 2001]
LUKE CHUNG
Audiophile

Strength:

COLOR RENDITION,OVERALL RESOLUTION WITH PROGRESSIVE SCAN DVD
PLAYER

Weakness:

NO DIRECT VIDEO SELECTION WITH REMOTE--GLOBULAR SELECTION INSTEAD

AFTER NEARLY 16 MONTHS OF USE, I'M QUITE HAPPY WITH WHAT MY
TOSHIBA DOES WITH DVD'S, ESPECIALLY WHEN WATCHING A PROGRESSIVE SCAN OUTPUT. AM STILL WAITING TO SEE WHICH HDTV
TUNER WILL MATCH UP BEST WITH THIS MODEL AND AM STILL WATCHING OVER-THE-AIR BROADCASTS OFF ATT BROADBAND CABLE,
WHICH IS OK FOR THE TIME BEING. WILL ALSO EVENTUALLY CALL IN
ISF TECHNICIAN TO DO AN INTERNAL READJUSTMENT OF THE CRT LENSES AND ADJUST GREY SCALE FOR OPTIMAL VIEWING ON ALL SOURCES, INCLUDING HDTV BOX. AM CURRENTLY USING BOTH THE SONY DV-9000ES AND PIONEER ELITE DV-38A PROGRESSIVE SCAN DVD
PLAYERS TO WATCH MOVIES, CONCERTS AND AVAILABLE CURRENT & CLASSIC TELEVISION SHOWS ON DVD, SUCH AS STAR TREK, MONTY PYTHON, SOPRANOS SEASON 1, STARGATE SG1-1 AND SEX IN THE CITY SEASONS 1 & 2. OVERALL, I'M QUITE HAPPY WITH THE RELIABILITY AND PICTURE QUALITY OF THIS SET, WITH ONLY A FEW
MINOR QUIBBLES ABOUT THE REMOTE AND NO DIRECT ACCESS TO VIDEO SOURCES.

Similar Products Used:

FIRST HDTV-READY MODEL OWNED,ALSO HAVE A SONY KV-36XBR-250 DIRECT VIEW SCREEN

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 29, 2001]
gary harris

Strength:

excellent picture clarity, good size, lots of features

Weakness:

remote signal is a little weak you have to be directly in front of tv, but don't let that stop you!!

this review is for the updated 40h80 i have had this tv for about two weeks and i am totally satisfied! after reading some other reviews i am convinced that there are some very anal people there! everything about this set is good the picture is excellent, it also sounds good without my home theater system to just watch cable. the size is good doesn't take up alot of space if you buy this tv get the optional stand i did and it puts it at the right height plus it has storage. the only negative experience i had was with the internet company i used, it was consumer warehouse direct in raleigh north carolina, they had the worst customer serv. i have EVER experienced they will take your order,charge your credit card but that is it.the story is way to long to finish just take my word for it do not buy from them!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 13, 1999]
Robert Holloway
Audiophile

Strength:

10 Awesome picture quality. i had heard this set was very good. When i finally saw it it was a huge disappointment. BUT beware of the factory settings which have brightness, contrast and sharpne all at 100% or there abouts. Set it up correctly and the image becomes incredibly film like.

2) The multiple width settings allow 4x3 images to fill your entire screen with no problems.

3) Componenet inputs make for an even better picture.

4) It looks very nice in your room and is not one of these beasts that dominates the house. The footprint is only 20 inches deep.

5) Price - you can get this set for as low as 42200. I paid $2500 from Good Guys.

Weakness:

1) Depth of the top. however, i simply bought a couple of L brackets and put my centre speaker on the wall behind the set. I'd argue that it makes the sound even more integrated with the image.

2) it's an RPTV so you'll need to fiddle with it occassionally to maintain an optimal picture. i actually enjoy calibrating it. and it's remarkably simple.

This set redefines 16x9 RPTV and at a great price. It has a quite excellent image. very strongly recommended.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 21-30 of 66  

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