Beautiful picture, composite inputs, great remote, lots of features

Picture geometry

Man, if only...

This television is beautiful, especially when using the component inputs with a DVD player. Very crisp and clean, a pleasure to watch. I like the remote a lot, and it's backlit. The number of inputs on the TV were perfect for what I needed.

However, on both the sets I had, the picture geometry was bad. Lines bowing and curving all over the place. The tech guy who came out to look at the sets said both were fine and I was not going to find better. But hooking up a test pattern to my old Toshiba showed how wrong he was... the geometry on that set was excellent.

One other small problem is the corners of the picture: they were darker than the rest of the tube, and at times looked discolored. It was not a degaussing problem or a speaker placement problem, just difficulty with the flatter tube.

I wish I could own this set, but the crooked letterboxes and DirecTV graphics were driving me nuts. I've got a 27" Wega on order, but since it doesn't have component (which I'm now hooked on) and the second S-video input is on the front, I don't know if I shouldn't just wait for something else to come along in the next several months.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic SuperFlat, older Toshiba 27"

great pic
low price (comparibly)

pincushion circut died 1 month in
audio blows

I've been really impressed with Toshiba's picture as of late, especially in their projection sets. Budget demanded a CRT though...

Anyhow, it's got two composite in, 1 s-video in, 1 set of component in, and 1 set of fixed outs. The S-video overrides composite, even when there is no signal present over S. I wanted a set with component in, and I'm not crazy about the Wega.

I didn't get a chance to try out Video Essentials or the like, but the set looked good to me. Colors were rich and detailed. Image was crisp and well-aligned. The only complaint I had was that the settings for video one and two can't be set independantly. For those of you wishing to "calibrate" your set to various inputs like VCR, LD, DVD etc, you will have to tinker each time you change inputs.

Component looked good on some discs, washed out and lifeless on others. Older movies (that were probably transfered from LD) looked pale and lifeless through component. Sometimes letting all that NTSC circutry muck with the picture isn't such a bad idea...

Color temp. adjustment was nice. Movie mode dulled things down just a shade too far for my tastes.

Audio blows. No, it REALLY blows. Mind you, if you're going to run things through a receiver with a center channel this isn't an issue.

I was really beginning to like this TV until the pincushion circut blew 1 month in.

I took it in and upgraded to the CN32V71. The 27 had become a little small.

Oh, the remote's nifty, but as always didn't control half the functions I needed on my other components. (that's been solved with the 32, but i'll write a review on it once i've watched it a little more)

I hate to weigh down a rating on a great looking set, but hauling it back to the store was a major pain in the ass. Breaking down 1 month in is unacceptable.

I'd give it 4 stars when i works, none when it doesn't, so halfway is 2.

Picture Quality
Numerous inputs and outputs
Price
Picture presets

None.

I bought this TV for it's picture quality and price. The only comparable set is made by Panisonic, which costs hundreds of dollars more. The picture on this TV is better than any Sony or Panisonic TV. Not to mention a better warrenty.
One minor but surprising thing I like about the Toshiba is it's depth, or lack of. I loved the easy hookup of this set to my surround system, flawless.
Don't be fooled by flat screen. The only benefit of flat screen is reduced screen glare from making the glass thicker on the sides. The horizontal lines on flat screens are not straight. Toshiba does a great job of making a flatter screen to resemble a movie screen, instead of a fish bowl, while not compromising picture quality.
I saw some rather low reviews regarding this set, and felt compelled to respond. You will not find a better set for the money.

Similar Products Used:

Sony XBR2. I moved and replaced my XBR2 with the Toshiba Cinema Series. Having used both sets extensively, the Toshiba is better on every level. Although the Sony may have on edge on looks.

Lots of inputs including component for DVD player. Dual tuners with independent dual RF inputs. A/V outputs.

The menu although it's easy to use it gets on the way of the picture especially anoying when making picture adjustments.

Although I have only owned this set for a couple of days I love it and would recommend it. It's not fair to compare it to the Sony Vega, look at the price difference.
I have my digital cable box hooked up to it and the picture is great. The other comparable set was the JVC D series 27" but it was too wide. This set has dual RF inputs, pip, 700 lines of resolution and component inputs - can't find them on any other set. The dual RF inputs can be used very creatively. I set mine up to monitor what my kids watch in the other set. The favorite twelve stations allow you to store from both tuners so you can have one of them be your satellite or your antenna and the others can be cable channels. This set was very flexible. Some comments were made about the picture and I agree it ships with the contrast set high but that can be adjusted down. This is a smart TV, close captions on mute, return power, illuminated easy to use remote. compare the warranty to other manufacturers’. check out this link also http://homeelectronic.about.com/hobbies/homeelectronic/library/weekly/aa030300b.htm

Similar Products Used:

As A cable tech I have played with many...

Excellent video quality

Remote works great but feels somewhat awkward.

With 700 lines of resolution, this TV doesn't dissapoint in the video department. The only TV that looks sharper is the Sony VEGA, but it's almost twice the price. All the A/V inputs on the back of the TV are great. The only feature I wish it had was the online TV Guide.

I've had no problems with the TV what so ever.

Similar Products Used:

Mitusbishi 27"