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Entered CNET Catalog: 12/06/2002
SKU: 0022265232019
Manufacturer: Toshiba
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Manufacturer description
This is not just a television. It's Toshiba Cinema Series. 34HDX82 Cinema Series television uses the latest technology advances to deliver unmatched picture quality, powerful audio, along with unique convenience features. FST PURE fine pitch "purely flat" picture tube delivers increased viewing angle along with the enhanced picture linearity necessary to produce accurate life-like images. Cinema Mode (3:2 pulldown switch) circuitry identifies original film-based content from DVDs and then reassembles the frame sequence to more accurately reproduce the original 24-frame film-based material. This process eliminates artifacts and results in sharp, accurate full-frame progressive images. SRS WOW - the combination of three signal processing circuits creates a wide three-dimensional sound field from two speakers (SRS 3D), boosts bass frequency perception (TruBass), and raises the sound image vertically to create clearer, more vivid audio. QuickConnect acts as set-up wizard, helping consumers with connection of an antenna or cable box as well as performing initial channel scan, picture preference and other set-up features.Product summary
The good: Solid progressive-scan processing with 3:2 pull-down; 34-inch, 16:9, flat picture tube; 1080i HDTV-compatible; independent memories for each input; DVI input.
The bad: Awkward user menu; color decoder pushes red.
The bottom line: A reasonably priced, good overall performer, this HDTV misses our highest accolade by only a hair.
Average user rating: from 10 users
3.0 stars
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 01/23/2003
Stereo left and right speakers are located just below the screen, and a flip-down door conceals the front-panel A/V inputs. The universal remote control is illuminated for use in darkened home-theater environments and remains one of our favorites, thanks to a logical and intuitive layout. There's a great new feature called Direct Video Input Selection, which gives you the ability to switch straight to a given input rather than having to scroll through them one by one.
Our main complaint stems from the internal user menus: They're too large and tend to obscure the screen while picture adjustments are being made. Like most other sets of its ilk, the 34HDX82 can display HDTV content in the 1080i format when paired with an external HDTV receiver. The less common 720p format is converted to 1080i for display. Progressive-scan DVD appears natively (a.k.a. without processing) in 480p format, and all other incoming video--from a cable box, a satellite dish, or a VCR--is converted to 480p. The conversion process includes 3:2 pull-down to help eliminate artifacts from video sources that originate on film, such as DVD movies.
Other notable picture-enhancing features include three selectable color-temperature settings and a best-of-breed 3D-YC comb filter for composite-video sources such as VHS. Since you also get the ability to adjust every input specifically for contrast, brightness, and so on, you can properly match each input to the source. Toshiba deserves high praise for allowing scan-velocity modulation--a nasty edge-enhancement circuit that blocks detail rather than bettering it--to be defeated in the user menu.
Among the long list of convenience features is a dual-tuner, picture-in-picture option, which should appeal to sports fans trying to keep tabs on two games at once. Also on tap is a digital noise-reduction function that's said to improve cable-TV reception. A powerful, 33-watt audio system with a subwoofer provides low-bass reproduction. The SRS Wow feature promises a semblance of the surround-sound experience from just the left and right speakers.
The 34HDX82's connectivity options are quite generous. The most important connections are the two sets of broadband component-video inputs, which allow the set to accommodate both a progressive-scan DVD player and an HDTV set-top box. Nearly as pivotal is the DVI input with High-bandwith Digital Content Protection system; this jack lets the 34HDX82 connect to next-generation HDTV receivers with copy-protected DVI outputs.
Front-panel A/V inputs with S-Video offer convenient camcorder and/or video-game hookup. On the rear panel, you'll find two sets of A/V inputs (both with S-Video), a pair of A/V outputs, variable-audio outputs, a center-channel audio input, and two RF inputs for cable-TV and antenna hookups. This Toshiba's out-of-the-box performance isn't quite up to snuff. The warm color-temperature setting was fairly close to the NTSC standard of 6,500 Kelvin at the bottom of the grayscale, but measurements at the top were overly blue. Also, during the course of our routine ISF calibration of the set, we noticed that the decoder overaccentuated reds. We had to back down on the color level somewhat to get an accurate palette.
After calibration, the set looked considerably better on both DVD and HDTV sources. Chapter 31 of Charlotte Gray, one of our new reference DVDs, revealed excellent detail and good--but not great--overall color saturation. Chapter 4 of Monsters, Inc. also looked well saturated and was full of fine detail. HDTV sources from a DirecTV HD satellite feed were excellent. Mark Cuban's HDNet, arguably the best HDTV broadcast available today from any source, looked spectacular.
The bottom line: The 34HDX82 is a good performer when properly tweaked. If it weren't for the fact that the color decoder is not quite as good as those found in previous models--Toshiba used to have one of the best decoders on the market--the set would earn a CNET Editors' Choice award. The Sony KV-34XBR800, with its poor out-of-the-box color decoding, at least gives a qualified technician the ability to fix the color decoder in the service menu and eliminate red push. Therefore, the Sony is a better choice as far as performance is concerned.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 User Rating: 
2/10
Worst of the worse customer service
Pros: Picture was good when it worked
Cons: Poor durability, poor customer service
Review: I own 3 TV's, all Toshiba. This was purchased in Nov, broke in Dec and I missed the College Bowl Games and the Super Bowl.
This had a great picture when it worked. Poor customer service, on hold SEVERAL times for 30+ minutes each. TV is assembled in USA, it should not take 8 weeks to get a part. Best Buy was not helpful at all. An extended warranty couldn't help since you have to wait 10 weeks for Toshiba to NOT fix it before they honor that. What a shame, such promise.
This had a great picture when it worked. Poor customer service, on hold SEVERAL times for 30+ minutes each. TV is assembled in USA, it should not take 8 weeks to get a part. Best Buy was not helpful at all. An extended warranty couldn't help since you have to wait 10 weeks for Toshiba to NOT fix it before they honor that. What a shame, such promise.
User Rating: 
6/10
Toshiba has THE worst customer service
Pros: Great picture when it worked, separate picture settings for different inputs
Cons: Broke down month and a half ago, while under warranty. Parts needed for repair have been on back order since feb 10 (today is march 22). Toshiba refuses to replace the TV. Still waiting for parts. I will never buy Toshiba product again.
Review:
User Rating: 
9/10
Incredible picture, AFTER ISF Calibration
Pros: Hands down the best value of competing 34" sets in it's class such as Sony and Panasonic. I managed to find this as an open box special (flawless condition) at Best Buy and paid 1235 for it (plus tax) in August of 2003. The Sony was about 700 bucks more
Cons: Seeing is believing, and to really see the true potential of this HDTV, you have to get this Toshiba calibrated by a professional ISF Calibrator. Once this is done, the picture, colors, shadows, details, are just incredible. There is a marked difference,
Review:
User Rating: 6/10
It has some problems
Pros: Every feature you could want at a decent price.
Cons: Half-inch wide shadow/highlight band slightly right of center of the screen running top to bottom. Started buzzing after three months (caused by defective transformer). Toshiba replaced with new TV and that one did it too. Have since returned to Toshiba f
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User Rating: 
8/10
Best choice out of the 34' Widescreen HDTV's!
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Review: Bought this HDTV after being really dissapointed with the Panasonic TAU 34' Widescreen and returning it. When I recieved this TV the colors and the picture quality (out of the box) were not that great, but after calibrating the set with a AVIA DVD the colours and image quality are superb! After the unfortunate experience with the Panasonic I whent to the store to pick out a replacement, I had two choices, the Toshiba or the Sony... I saw both TV's side by side and in my oppinion the Toshiba was the best! The Sony had colors that were a bit more vivid but not as realistic in my oppinion, but the Toshiba picture overall quality (clarity) was better. I have had this TV for over two months now and I love it! Especialy watching Widescreen DVD's on my progressive scan DVD player. The best feature of this TV (in my oppinion) is that it has "independent input memory". Meaning that you can have different settings (contrast, brightness, color ect...) for different sources, like DVD, VCR, satellite receiver ect... And the TV will remember each setting for each input individualy... When you swich from satellite receiver to DVD, it will automaticaly change the settings for that particular input source. The only bad thing is that it does not remember picture size setting for each input as the Panasonic does. When you change input source you will have to change the picture size for the apropriate input. But then again, the Panasonic did not have indepedent input memory (neither does the Sony), so, you can't have everything. This TV also has a DVI input, a feature which the Panasonic sadly lacks! If you want to buy a 34' Widescreen HDTV, I strongly recomend the Toshiba over the Panasonic and Sony!
User Rating: 
10/10
Picture is outstanding, but the audio is the what makes it BETTER!"
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Review: This is all you need for a long time to come... even compared to a plasma TV my cousin has mine does really well vs. his, we cant see much of a difference. Other then the price...
User Rating: 
7/10
Best of the 34 inch
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Review: After doing a heck of a lot of research, I decided to go with the Toshiba 34HDX82. The picture is really crisp and clear and has great black levels. When I first got it I noticed the Shadow mask was loose and that there was a line down the middle, noticable on light color pictures. After talking with Toshiba they said it was the wire holding the shadowmask in. Well since it was on warranty they recommended replacing the whole tube, So Toshiba just sent me a whole new TV. The new one doesnt have these flaws. I recommend user IrocDIs, call Toshiba and get his replaced with a non faulty one. I love this set and am sure it will last me the next 15 years.
User Rating: 
5/10
Has all the Features you want, Even a ghost line down the middle
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Review: I thought this tv would fit all my needs. It has all the features you can ask for. But from top to bottom right over the "B and A" of Toshiba there is a thick ghost line that goes straight up. It is visiable when the picture has a light colored back round. It can be seen in your DVDs and on Cable. It is less apparent in HDTV signal but its still there. If you can live with the line then this is the tv for you. Personal for the money I spent on this tv its hard not to notice it.
User Rating: 7/10
Great buy in 34inch market
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Review: After taking with Home theater builders, they said out of the Sony, Panasonic and Toshiba to go with the Panasonic or Toshiba, since both are more reliable then the Sony and priced less but better performance. On the Panasonic the only thing was that there wasnt a DVI input so I went with the Toshiba. I havent looked back and am really please with the crisp clear picture. Best value in terms of price and technology.
User Rating: 8/10
Very happy with this buy
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Review: After looking at the Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, 34" models, the toshiba to me was the overall best buy. The Sony has a less detailed/sharp picture but slightly more accurate colours. The panasonic didn't have the punch that the Toshiba did, colours seemed off(and no DVI). And to boot, the Toshiba was the least expensive of the three. I talked to a local service manager at a high end audio shop here. He said all three were good performers giving equal billing to the sony and panasonic but a edge up to the toshiba. I'm sure you'll love it.
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