Picture detail, theaterwide setting for ntsc input, casing suprisingly good

hot-spotting?, customer service

They delivered the tv and it had NO picture. Toshiba wouldn't take it back but had service man come the same day. Opened it up and the mirror that is supposed to be against the back wall to reflect the CRT onto the screen was not installed at all. it was just sitting flat on the platform above the CRTs...amazing! Anyway, we put it up and the pic was beautiful. There was some damage to the screen on the inside from the mirror edge during shipping. At first toshiba said they weren't going to pay for it because they thought for the price I paid, it must have been a floor model but after they verified it was new, they are paying for a new one now on the way.( they actually sent one and when the guy came to install it, it was the wrong size!) Anyway, now the TV is AWESOME!!! The casing suprised me because i was concerned about the quality from the pics i had seen but it is solid and the grey is a dark grey and does not look cheap. So happy i bought the 16:9(I was skeptical about it and i wasn't sure if i would get used to it esp. watching reg tv but the stretch modes on the tv are the best i have seen comparing with the mits and even the pro-elite. The protective screen is very shiny but it looks sharp...esp. when you turn the lights down for serious movie experience. The input switch is a pain but small price. My BIGGEST CONCERN is that i have noticed a brighter spot in the center to upper center of the screen when watching very dark scenes. On anamorphic dvds where there is still the letterbox bars, there is sometimes a green hue to the upper bar when the crt has to project a lighter image near the border. I think this is called hot-spotting? Does anyone have the same Problem? Any ideas or solutions? PLEASE EMAIL me ANY ideas at all. Regardless, i still love the set. btw. got a marantz sr-8000 for 900 bucks and the def tech pro100 set up, pioneer dv434 dvd, toshiba w808 svhs.

Similar Products Used:

mitsubishi

Wide Screen Modes; Sharp Picture; Sound

Remote a bit slow; fewer convergence points

Purchased from Halls Satellite Service (Great service and competitive pricing). Heavily compared many models at the ~ 55" range incl Pioneer, Panasonic, Mitsubishi and Sony. Pioneer HD versions probably had a marginally better picture, however, I didn't think I could see the difference being worth an extra $1000+. Sony didn't have a "true" 16:9 in a similar price range. Panasonic and Mitsubishi were the closest competitors. Key differentiators for me: 1) Multiple wide screen modes-Tosh had the best full screen view for watching normal tv programs (esp if you want to watch the market tickers); 2) looks sharp under DVD and satellite feed; 3)Tosh warranty will even send a tech to your home for servicing; and 4) at the price I couldn't find anything better.

Picture resolution. Ability to adjust aspect ratios with progressive inputs. Price.

Limited video memory.

Bought the TV on 8/7/00. Paid $4000 plus $450 for five year unlimited warranty at Sound Advice. The extended warranty includes periodic maintenance such as convergence adjustment, also if anything goes wrong (lightning strike, etc) the set is repaired or replaced at no charge. Also have initial 60 day return policy, no questions asked, a great deal IMO. The personnel at Sound Advice are a great group to work with. I also considered Pioneer Elite, Panasonic and Sony 36XBR400.

This is my first widescreen TV. Turned the TV on and made adjustments as per Video Essentials on DVD. I was very impressed with the video quality, good contrast, super resolution. On 9/2/00 had the set professionally calibrated (gray scale) by a certified ISF technician ($250). The set is now absolutely beautiful on good anamorphic DVD transfers such as Fifth Element and Shakespeare in Love. I am very critical of picture quality and can say that I am very satisfied with the product. IMO this is the best value in HDTV out there. One very important strength is the capability to adjust aspect ratios with progressive inputs. Make sure you check into this before you buy a HDTV. This set also has two HD or progressive inputs. The one weakness with the product is the limited video memory. If you make changes to the contrast, brightness, etc., it is dumped into the one memory and remains there until you make another adjustment. This is an annoyance but you can survive by writing down your favorite settings (i.e., contrast 40, brightness 45, etc.,)and re-instating them later if you choose.

This set also looks better to me than other products when watching standard programming in widescreen mode. TheaterWide 1 looks best in this regard because there is minimal stretching on the edges on the picture. Full mode is used for anamorphic DVD's and TheaterWide 2 for non-anamorphic widescreen material.

All in all a great product and I am completely satisfied at this time. Audition this set before you purchase anything else.

Similar Products Used:

Sony XBR direct-views.

excellent picutre

poor remote

Doug Doug Doug. Looks like I struck a nerve....didn't mean to hurt your feeling or bruise your ego. Yes, of course new models are always coming. If you remain in the serious audiofile/videofile world for long, you will come to realize that new models aren't always better either.

If you are happy with your model then I am equally glad for you. But Doug....my post( or yours for that matter) aren't just for each other. At least mine wasn't. This forum exists so that we can all pass on information to each other so that we can all make the best decisions possible.

It really is childish and couterproductive to get offended because I notified everyone that some very significant changes are finally being made to this already fine product.

Doug...read the threads....one of the main critical issues with these sets have consistantly been the very poor remote. The correcting of that issue alone is significant and should be passed on to others. The other changes may not be of importance to you....I venture to say the will be to serious videofiles.

Finally, I have every right to post my comments and will continue to do so. You see Doug...it's not just about "YOU" it's about information sharing for everybody.
Hope you enjoy your set. Oh, by the way....I purchased this earlier on this year and that's why it was bought at full retail, and by the way I didn't need a salesman to tell me that a new model would be coming out at the end of the year. Most of us learned things like that in grammar school..........

Dark Cobra said:

The three grand prices these sets are going for now is due to the release of the much improved new models later this month and yes, "OneCall" knew this...but they didn't tell ya that did they?

I say:

Actually, we did discuss that there was a new model coming out shortly. He said that this is why they were selling these TV's at this price.

I decided that the offered price was fine, and made an informed decision. There was no pressure. I knew what I was getting, and wanted to buy this TV at this price at this time. There will always be a new model coming out. It will always be said to be better. No one really knows how they will hold up until the new sets have been out for awhile. Then another new set will be coming out...

I hope your purchase works out for you, Dark Cobra. It seems it will. But please limit your comments in a forum like this to what you know. IMHO, guesses and speculation aren't particularly helpful.

I will be interested to hear how the new model performs, but right now I have bought my HDTV, and am quite happy with it and with Onecall.

BTW, Did your "know-it-all salesman" tell you there was a new model coming out when you shelled out $4500.00?

It sounds like you were not very well informed then, and are speculating on second hand observations now.

Good Luck,
DOug

Sweet picture and nice sound out of the box, cabinet is not bad at all compared to what some have said about it.

The on/off button on the TV itself is so cheap I'm afraid to use it. :)

Just got this today after researching it for a few months. Prices, different models and the such. The new models come out in the fall so I timed it just before and honestly could not find a better price. This set is a steal at these prices. For me the picture looked great right out of the box after a few minor adjustments with the contrast, brightness, etc. It took 1 week exactly from the day I ordered it to arrive and the guy helped me bring it inside which Onecall didn't think would happen. There is always something better coming around the corner so research for a bit then jump in! The water's just fine....

Similar Products Used:

SD-3108

Dark Cobra,

You did not hit a nerve. I am not emotional about all this. Please do not overestimate the value I place on your opinions. It was never very high, and diminishes with every post you make.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with informing people that a new model is coming out. I just thought it was common knowledge.

I do not even really care if you are pompous and condescending, which you have been, in all three of your "product reviews."

The only reason I responded the first time was...

In your original review, you were just absolutely wrong about a point that you guessed about, and it served to unnecessarily disparage a business that actually went out of its way to be forthcoming. I knew that a new model was coming out, but he mentioned it first. That impressed me. While it is possible, after my exchange with Onecall, the thought that someone could order one of these sets from them, without knowing that there was a new model coming out, never entered my mind. We discussed a couple of other items, and he was very forthcoming on the new models coming out for them as well.

Some people might let comments like your's pass without correction... I prefer to give credit where credit is due.

You are also guessing about some other things, and your record may be important to some.

It does appear that you did not appreciate it when I asked you if you did not know a new model was coming out. You acted like I was insulting your intelligence. Hmm... It was an insult to you, but shouldn't have been to me? BTW, your original post stated that you had owned the product less than one month, which disagreed with your even more "spirited" second post. You bounce around on many other issues, when it satisfies your need for self-agrandizement.

The other comments about grammar school are pretty condescending to the very people you purport to be so concerned about. But I guess the grammar school comments were really meant for me? Boo Hoo Dark Cobra, please don't throw a potty training insult at me too!!! :<)

Why was any of this necessary, in any case? Do you think it may have been productive in any way? Your supposedly final review is condescending throughout, even though it purports to be reconciliatory. If you really mean it, you just don't get it.

It is interesting that you mention the CRT's possibly being downgraded in the new model. I never mentioned that, so you must have known about it, but did not choose to share. I had heard about it, but it is only speculation, as far as I know. That is why I did not bring it up. I thought this area was for actual observations of a product.

Since you brought it up, would a "true videophile" really rather have downgraded CRT's and upgraded standard TV line doublers? That might be the real choice being made. It sounds like a judgement call to me. This is the only reason I am responding now.

I personally hope they don't downgrade the CRT's. But we just don't know yet. Why didn't you share this information as well? Just because it doesn't support your own, personal, wonderful decision?

It would not surprise me if the new models are substantially better than the one I just purchased. It would also not surprise me if Toshiba decided that they had a good percentage of the market, and it was time to cut corners and rake in the cash. It would also not surprise me if they did their best to make the best TV they could, but there are just some issues... I have a feeling that it will be a combination of these three.

You see, Dark Cobra, neither of us know what will happen. What I do know is that this TV is worth what I paid for it. The slow remote is common knowledge, and not that big a deal for me. I don't mind the known defects. I am much happier with this RPTV than I would be dissappointed with the new model if they really have downgraded the CRT's.

I am putting 3 stars here to keep from inflating the average with this exchange. I feel it is a solid 5, but don't want to walk all over others opinions. I value the things they all said, and just wish to add to them. It was never my intention to add so much...

I can personally stand by every comment I have made here. Do you really wish to do that, or are there some you might like to take back? I certainly could have used more restraint in this post, but think all my comments are measured and justified.

Peace,
Doug

Very competitive price. Sound is good. Picture is pretty good at times. Depends on the scene and background.

Ghosting (very noticible on white background), Customer Support

Bought my TW56X81 in May '99. The Pioneer had a bit better picture but the Toshiba was about $1000 cheaper. I'm on a budget so I bought the Toshiba. It was ordered at Sound Waves and delivered in June '99. I rated it as a one month user because I don't use it much. Here's why. At first I was impressed except for the ghosting. The salesman was very knowledgeable and came to my home to set up my entire home theatre system. He used the Video Essentials CD/DVD to adjust the TV.

I am using a cable TV feed for now. I realize that the signal from cable isn't very good and that HDTVs aren't very compatible with that signal. However, I also purchased a Toshiba SD5109 480P DVD player. The ghosting problem, which may be expected with a cable signal, shouldn't be observed with a current model DVD player from the same manufacturer. It does. The ghosting isn't nearly as bad with the DVD but it's bad enough that I don't watch the TV much. I had planed to use DVDs for entertainment until I get a HDTV decoder and a satellite feed. Watching DVDs and seeing faces with double ears and poor definition between objects is maddening.

I called out an authorized Toshiba technician. He said that he aligned the TV convergence, etc. He didn't even see the ghosting problem until I pointed it out to him. Then he could see how bad it is. This surprised me that he couldn't see such an obvious problem. He agreed it was bad when I pointed it out. He said he couldn't fix this problem but he would call his Toshiba rep'. He did call back a few days later and said that there was a part that he ordered for the ghosting problem. He came back two weeks later and replaced a card in the TV. I'm sorry to say I still have a ghosting problem while playing the DVD player. It may not be quite as bad as it was before but it's still annoying. I may be naive but when I pay $4000 for a TV, I expect it to work as well as those in the store. I didn't see any ghosting problems with the TX56X81 at Best Buys.

I tried to escalate the problem by emailing the Toshiba web site but they don't even bother to answer. This really surprises me. My wife used to work for Toshiba in Tennessee and knows how much pride they have in their products. They used to destroy products that were damaged in shipment or ones that weren't perfect, ones that you and I would love to have (a minor scratch on a microwave, or a dent in a shipping case, isn't reason enough to destroy the unit, in my opinion).

I don't have the free time to wage war with Toshiba so where do I go from here? I wish I had paid an extra grand and bought the Pioneer. I would have been satisfied.
Oh well, live and learn. I'm beginning to think I made a $4000 dollar mistake. Lemonade anyone?

Lots of inputs, dvd picture, widescreen

cable viewing quality (not the fault of the set)

This is my first RPTV. I really like to watch movies and although movies on my 27" were fine, I wanted something more! So after researching many different hd ready tvs, I went with the Toshiba 56H80.

Cable viewing leaves a little to be desired, but I'm getting used to it, and I don't mind so much. My viewing distance is about 9 feet. The various viewing modes are interesting and I tend to flip between LB 4:3 and full-screen, depending on the quality of the channel.

Anamorphic DVDs are awesome. I love the large widescreen of this tv. It pulls you right into the movie. Clear and crisp!

My LDs are ok, as well as regular DVDs. Not quite as nice as the enhanced dvds, but much better than cable. I should note that I am not using a progressive DVD player.

Some convergence was necessary out of the box (and still is), but is relatively easy to do via the service menu.

Now I just need to get OTA working so I can get some primetime HD going as well as the superbowl!

Great set. You won't be disappointed.

Similar Products Used:

None. First TV over 27" ;)