Toshiba 27AF42

CNET editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Design : 0.0
  Features : 0.0
  Performance : 0.0
  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Peter Barry
• Reviewed on: 11/13/2002
• Updated on: 11/05/2009
• Released on: 05/01/2002

The 27AF42, Toshiba's only flat-screen 27-inch set for the 2002 model year, is a nice-looking TV with a silver finish and speakers in the side panels. Toshiba includes an audio system of 10 watts x 2 for the speakers, plus a SubBass system and surround-sound enhancements, all of which result in good audio performance for a TV.

We tested this unit in the Warm color temperature and the Movie picture mode. The set showed excellent factory setup, with appropriate light output, and the grayscale was uniform--most impressive. It's even nicer that any adjustments made to the settings are then saved in memory. That lets you set up each picture mode for a different source input or ambient light situation, a real plus for videophiles. With settings so accurate, it's no wonder the pictures looked great; colors were right on and had good pop without smearing, and the entire image looked well detailed.

Since it doesn't offer vertical compression, however, the 27AF42 (about $400 online) can't compete with the similarly priced Sony KV-27FS100. Vertical compression allows TVs to display the full resolution of anamorphic DVDs, which makes a big difference in added detail and sharpness. This Toshiba still provides an excellent picture for non-DVD sources, but movie fanatics will probably want a set with vertical compression.

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Recent user reviews

• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 28 reviews
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• Showing 3 of 28 user reviews

• 0.5 stars

  0 out of 5 people found this helpful

  "do NOT buy this TV - or anything else from Toshiba"

  by JackieD on May 11, 2005

• 1.0 stars

  5 out of 15 people found this helpful

  "Do NOT buy this TV - or any other Toshiba product"

  on February 15, 2005

• 5.0 stars

  5 out of 10 people found this helpful

  "Amazing and great value"

  on January 12, 2005

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