Nice size because it doesn't take over an entire apartment living room. Widescreen is a must nowadays. Even commercials are broadcast in the 16:9 ratio nowadays. Nice remote and features. Inputs, inputs, inputs...

Noticable consistent discoloration. Very heavy and hard to move on the stand that comes with it.

I've had the 34HF81 for about a year now. I've been generally pleased with this tv except for one grip. While watching a hockey game, I notice HUGE vertical discoloration bars along both sides of the screen. It's always there but really noticable with the white background of hockey and while playing video games. I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed this? If so, could you let me know as I'm debating returning it.

Picture! What else should I care about?

Switching channel is a bit slow...but you usually use cable box anyway. 16:9 screen ratio may not be quite comfortable for usual TV program watching. But hey, I didn't buy this TV to watch TV programs. I bought it to watch DVD movies, and hopefully in the near future, HDTV programs.

This TV set tells you how much better a tube set could be over a rear projecter. Sure, the screen size might not be big enough for your living room. But quality wise it's way way better. And remember 16:9 34" is larger than you would have thought when you watch widescreen DVD movies. This TV brings your near perfect color and sharpness. Together with a progressive DVD player and a set of 5.1 receivers/speakers, it'll take your home movie watching experience to a totally different level.

Value driven product.

No DVi input.

These forums are good for several purposes, one being to inform others about prices paid for items. I used this particular forum in order to educate myself on how much I should be paying for the 34HF81 in Canada. So in case others are interested in the same information as I am here it is. I live in Canada and I paid $2500.00 plus taxes, so don't pay more than you have to consumers. The retailers make enough money off of us as it is.

The sound is very good. Picture is good overall, except for the flows noted in weaknesses section.

Lines in the screen Green trails from any light image moving over a dark background

Currently, I cannot recommend this television set. I'm on my second set right now after exchanging the first. The overall picture is very good, but there are several severe problems. The first is that both 34HF81s have had a thin vertical line going down the left side of the screen, which is very noticeable and distracting while watching movies. Also, the 2nd set in my posession has a blueish discoloring to the left side of the screen as well. And lastly, both sets have trouble displaying "light" moving over "dark". Green trails follow anything bright moving over a dark background. The Repairmen have just came to look at the set, they said that the picture was good, I told them they were crazy. They are going to call toshiba and get back to me in a couple days.

Overall picture quality

Remote could use a little more work

I have had this HDTV for about 4 weeks now and I and happy to say that I am pleased. This is my second HDTV in 2 months. The first HDTV was a SAMSUNG and I was happy with price ($1200) but not the size or the overall quality. I knew I wanted the wide screen view for my movies. It had a nice picture on the surface but after closer examination I noticed vertical shadows that were very obvious when the screen was black. These shadows were also noticeable when a signal was broadcasted on the monitor. I tried two SAMSUNG HDTVs before moving to the TOSHIBA. The TOSHIBA 34HF81 has been a great HDTV. I looked at big screens and the other two 34" HDTVs ... Panasonic...ok... Sony... great but at that price, I'm thinking plasma. The big screens were out because of the picture clarity and brightness. I rarely hear the sound from the actual TV due to my theatre system however the few times I have listened it appears to be adequate. I love the variety of connections the TV offers... composite, s-video, cable and RCA video. I am using all of them depending on which configuration I queue with my remote. This TV is solid weighting in at over 160 lbs. There are numerous picture configurations available from the large menu. After reading tips from.... http://www.nextag.com/serv/main/buyer/ProductM.jsp?nxtg=2dc539_1717172D3A0DB375&kw=Toshiba_34HF81_Toshiba_34&product=16163274&pdir=0&click=n&node=&core=3&page=1&lgnode=&lgsearch=#revbody & http://www.prosumer.tv/modload,Prosumer_Reviews,index,showcontent,19,modules.php I determined which settings worked for me and I am happy. The key is to adjust until you are satisfied. My signal is currently supplied by a Dish Network. I do notice that some channels are clearer than others and that was true with other TVs. Watching normal broadcasts in wide screen format is a little weird at first... stretched... but you growth use to it fast unless you want to change the TV to Normal mode and look at gray bars on both sides. My vote is for stretch wide screen... really after a while it does not look odd at all. The truth of this TV's quality really lies in the DVD movies that I watch (at least until I get a HDTV satellite tuner). Gladiator..... just rocks... this HDTV does a wonderful job a bringing the cinematography to life. This weekend included screenings of John Q, Monsters Ball and Sixth Sense.

Similar Products Used:

30" SAMSUNG HDTV WIDESCREEN

Picture, Price (in comparison to similar offerings)

Glass stand shelves useless for anything heavier than Direct TV box or Playstation.

I purchased this set to replace an aging 27" Samsung. I passed up the 42HF due to size restrictions and convergence hassles. This TV performs extremely well and is tough to beat at this price. The comparable Sony TV is stratospherically priced, so much so that I have never even seen a floor model to compare the Toshiba to. In my opinion the Panasonic 34" HD-WD is not worth the $500 premium charged. I had the opportunity to see both side by side from a common HD source and found the Toshiba to be better. I would recommend purchasing the warranty as a co-worker has had 2 Toshiba projections replaced due to factory defects. As I understand, however, the 34HF81 is the only Toshiba TV sold in Canada that is still made in Japan.

Image is great.

Does not support 480i

Great picture quality, sound is acceptance, but I recommend getting extra set of speakers and reciever. DVD’s look great, wide screen movies look good from every corner of the screen. I cant wait to get DirectTV or Dish Network.

Display HD signal brilliantly. Won't break your bank

Toshiba support-Sony and Panasonic suffers same though-know nothing about their product, shame.

There are 3 product readyly available when it comes to 34 inch tube HD widescreen TV. They are Sony, Panasonic and Toshiba. I choose to go with Toshiba for not only it's least expensive from rest but also I heard good things about Toshiba product lately. My first impression? Tv needed to be tweaked from its service menu to correct pincushion, geometry and convergence. DVD looked fine but my Xbox, PS2 and Gamecube games looked squashed and there were noticeable gap between screen and edge of TV. Luckly, I was able to find helpful tip from web and corrected most of problem I had. Now all signal looked way it should be and I can't be more satisfied with my purchase. I honestly think I would prefer Sony XBR2 model but I'm not ready to shell out $1,500 more.

Similar Products Used:

Sony 34XBR2/Sony WEGA 36" Panasonic 34" widescreen model

Everything

none

This set is great. I have dish Network and even that looks outstanding. I do not have the HDTV dish box yet but can''t wait. DVDs are better then going to the movies. the picture is so crisp and clear that even when there is only junk on tv I find myself watching. Im can not desribe how great the picture is.

Similar Products Used:

sony xbr (Toshiba is better and cheaper)

Picture, sound, overall value

None

The Toshiba 34HF81 is a great TV set. I have only had it for a few weeks but the picture is outstanding. I have it connected to Directv and to a Toshiba SD-5700 DVD player. The picture quality on the DVD player is outstanding. Watching a movie on DVD is better than going to the movie theater. I can't wait until Directv is broadcasting more channels in HD. I looked for several months before making my final decision. I liked the picture on the Sony XBR's, but in order to get a 16:9 picture you had to pay twice as much for the set, and there isn't enough difference there to cover the extra expense. I would recommend this set to any one.

Similar Products Used:

Sony 32 XBR450