User Rating: 
3/10
TV tuner stops working 2-5 yrsby vasavasri - December 26, 2007
Pros: Picture quality is great while tuner is actually working.
Cons: Toshiba 50HX81: TV is not viewable except for HD channels -- tuner problems
Review: Do not buy this TV unless you're prepared to replace it in 2-5 years. The Toshiba 50HX81 TV tuner stopped working for non-HD channels for us and another family we know (same exact model). In our case it worked for 5 years and in their case, 2 years.
About a year ago (4 yrs into purchase), the TV needed a "warm up" time before we could watch DVDs, or order a show ON DEMAND or PPV. Now, it never actually warms up. It becomes fuzzy and un-viewable over time.
When it did work, it is a really nice TV....just be prepared to replace tuner/TV if you choose to buy a Toshiba 50HX81.
User Rating: 
1/10
built to crap outby mondak12 - July 5, 2007
Pros: none of hand
Cons: thought it was the best, not
Review: Our "top of the line" Toshiba cinema series 50" tv just crapped out after less than 4 years. The convergance went and so did $500
Does anything last?
User Rating: 
8/10
Good Overall Projection TVby - July 26, 2004
Pros: Easy to setup, Good picture if used with a digital cable system.
Cons: Does not come with Digital Video Inputs for use with HDTV DVD players
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User Rating: 
4/10
BURN IN PROBLEMby - April 26, 2004
Pros: Great picture when it was new, but it doesn't last.
Cons: Watched a Minimum of analog (4:3) TV (I have a HDTV tuner) and serious side burn-in occurred after about 7 months. Toshiba said any TV viewing except in widescreen is abusing the TV and they are Not Responsible...Be Careful
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User Rating: 
7/10
Great colors due to superior decoderby - October 29, 2003
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Cons: Had this set almost two years now and the convergence keeps drifting dispite having the convergence board replaced shortly before it went off warantee. Otherwise, I like it very much.
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User Rating: 8/10
A solid decisionby - August 3, 2003
Pros: Product has worked flawlessly since it was installed over a year ago. Highly recommended.
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User Rating: 7/10
Giddyup - great TV for the priceby - January 15, 2003
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Review: I've had this TV for 6 months now and love it. the picture quality totally depends on the source. Some TV channels are OK, while others such as HBO and Showtime are much better. When in HDTV, the picture is stunning - I never want to watch regular football games again. DVD picture (progressive scan) is great, but again it depends on the DVD, some have a cleaner picture than others. For the $$ this is a great Projection TV
User Rating: 
5/10
Be careful with this oneby - January 4, 2003
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Review: I have owned this set for almost a year now... It was bad coming out of the box, misaligned picture, bad convergence, and an intermittent reddish problem. After several (4 times) to the shop Toshiba finnaly agreed with me and gave me a store credit so I can get a replacement. I will not get another Toshiba although everyone recommend it, I will probably go with Hitachi SWX series which is also highly recommended.
User Rating: 8/10
I like the picture, but hate the cabinet!by - November 2, 2002
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Review: My one-line description just about says it all. I have the same complaints as a few others, the front flip-up door sucks. The other things I've noticed so far: The screen is warped, the trim around the screen is warped, and the cabinet is constructed out of hot glued together cardboard. So my only complaints have to do with the cosmetics of the cabinet, but if you can hide it in a entertainment center or frame it into something, you should take a look at this TV.
User Rating: 
2/10
bad picture, bad serviceby - November 1, 2002
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Review: I have a really bad experience with this Toshiba 50H81, which is supposed to be a HDTV, but actually has a very poor picture quality. I always can see the red and green line on the shape. But the service person told me that it's normal that all big size TV has this problem. Is it right?
User Rating: 8/10
I love this TVby - October 29, 2002
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Review: I read the reviews on CNET, and the choice seemed clear. This Toshiba is excellent! I would recommend it to anyone looking to set up a home theater. The colors are good, and I particularly appreciate the 5 separate viewing modes (1 full- and 4 widescreen). This allows you to select the best fit based upon the DVD. The only reason I have a 3 for support is that I have not needed it yet.
User Rating: 7/10
Great TV, odd remote; occasional errors.by - September 15, 2002
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Review: Watching cable I frequently get "Error 03" and Error 04" messages and the screen blanks out for a few seconds. Never happens on DVD, Can't get in touch with Toshiba to identify/reconcile the problem. Overall: great picture quality (wow!), in a size that doesn't dominate the room, and can be comfortably viewed from fairly wide angles. (Although convergence is an issue to the sides.)
User Rating: 5/10
Why would anyone pay so much for a hdtv with no DVI input?by - September 10, 2002
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Review: I hope all you people out there know that Hollywood has pretty much agreed that they will only allow true 1080i hdtv copyrighted programming in the future with Digital Video Interface and built in high def copy protection. Get the Hitachi SWX, it has it. Anyone getting a hdtv without it will be limited to dvd quality for movies. . .
User Rating: 7/10
good value for under 2k.by - September 9, 2002
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Review: get the proper back lighting lighting for your new home theatre. mounting 2, 15 watt 18 inch fluorescent "t-8 westinghouse" bulbs to the wall behind the toshiba, just out of sight when viewing and shining upwards, made such an fantastic difference in picture color/quality...well i was amazed. the lights are listed KELVIN=6500, CRI=94. these are good numbers for true color lighting. the lighting fixtures were $8.00 each, bulbs $6.00 each, so there is no excuse not to try this type lighting. this type lighting continues to impress all who have seen the difference between it and the halogen lights i still have but rarely use now.
User Rating: 
9/10
"awesome"by - August 23, 2002
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Review: Have had mine for almost a year now and have not had one problem or compaint from the moment it was unpacked. I had to wait three weeks for delivery due to its poularity but when that first progressive-scan DVD was viewed, it was worth any wait. I based my decision mostly on buyer's reviews from this site and felt that I should gush as well.
User Rating: 9/10
Great HDTVby - August 15, 2002
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Review: This is my first HD ( Ready ) TV ,I have recently hooked a HD Box to it and the picture quality is outstanding. Movies on DVD are a joy to watch, and even when I am not using my surround sound equipmentthe speakers from the tv are also very good. I did my homework for 4 month before buying this set, and it blew the doors off a comparable ( but overpriced SONY. Go get one if you are a DVD movie nut like me , or want to check out HDTV in all it's glory.
User Rating: 9/10
This TV is da bomb!by - August 8, 2002
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Review: Ok, so my last TV was a dinky standard TV, so it's just plain HUGE in comparison-- but I honestly had no idea how nice the pictures would be. The sound is VERY nice... for the money I paid (under $2000 delivered), there is no better set out there.
User Rating: 9/10
Excellent TV!!by - June 25, 2002
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Review: This is my first big screen TV. I thought all big screens had poor looking pictures compared to tube type sets. Not this one. Excellent, crisp picture especially with DVDs. I also considered Sony but felt this sets picture was superior. I plan to buy a progressive scan DVD player. For more information on this set and other RPTV, try hometheaterspot.com, excellent information from a bunch of people who know a lot about home theater. I can't comment much on support because I haven't needed it.
User Rating: 7/10
Great Bang For The Buck!by - June 19, 2002
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Review: A few cosmetic flaws with the cabinet, like the control panel door not shutting all the way. The picture is great though. I've had it for one week now, and so far no complaints.
User Rating: 7/10
Awesome Performanceby - June 17, 2002
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Review: In the past, I viewed RPTV as a large format, medium quality image vehicle that could not compete with CRT monitors for resolution. After an extensive search, the Toshiba 50HX81 won me over with its picture quality, features, and affordable price. I bought this 16x9 widesreen in September 2001 from a local dealer who delivered and set it up at 29% below MSRP - plus no sales tax here in Oregon and I found a smokin' deal. Satellite performance and HDTV reception have been awesome with this product. Now that last year's models are being replaced with this current one, and prices are coming down, I recommend you place this home theater anchor on your list of contenders.
User Rating: 
10/10
Outstanding Televisionby - May 29, 2002
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Review: Once I made up my mind to buy a big screen TV my wife and I shopped around for months before deciding on Toshiba. We looked at all the brands side-by-side and the toshiba won hands down. I was actually allowed to take home a Sony 51" High Scan for a month while I waited for the Toshiba to be deliverd because the dealer was out of stock. The Sony had a pretty good picture and was very user friendly, and for a moment I vacilated on my decision on whether to buy the Toshiba. But, once the Toshiba arrived all bets were off, it blew the Sony away right out of the box, both picture and sound. I have no doubt that I made the best decision.
User Rating: 10/10
Incredible TV!!by - May 21, 2002
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Review: I previously had the TW40H80 and loved that TV. At the time I bought it nothing could compare with the image quality with DVDs, not to mention it was the first 16:9 TV. Then I ordered the 50HX81. I had no idea that it would be so much bigger, or even more importantly that the image quality of both normal TV (DSS) and DVDs was a big improvement over their earlier models. Even my wife who normally doesn't care about these things commented "wow! the picture is so nice". You can't go wrong with this television!
User Rating: 10/10
Best TV Everby - May 21, 2002
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Review: Nice TV bought at local Best Buy with four years of warrenty. Great Picture. Lots of Bells and Whistle. Would recommend for anyone looking for big screens.
User Rating: 8/10
Absolutely excellent pictureby - May 17, 2002
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Review: Superb progressive scan DVD picture, excellent off air TV and HDTV. Very good feature set. Bright clean colors.
User Rating: 8/10
Great pictures and features.by - May 14, 2002
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Review: I bought it at a local store for $2,300 Three year service contract tax & delivery incl. Also bought the Toshiba SD5700 Progressive scan DVD at a very good price. both are excellant.
User Rating: 7/10
Nice TV but POP is limitedby - May 8, 2002
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Review: I love the TV, however Picture on Picture doesn't work if you are using the component inputs. So if you get HDTV you can't use POP period. I believe the Sony widescreen allows one of the pictures to be component. I hate having features that don't always work. Otherwise it's a great RPTV.
User Rating: 10/10
Exellent Pictureby - April 24, 2002
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Review: I just recieved this unit.Once I set up with a progresive scan DVD. The pictuer is unblievable clear and bright. It is the best choice in the 50" size range of RPTV. It is even better than sony 51" KP40W. I am glad I made right choice.
User Rating: 7/10
Terrible picture for everything but HDTV, DVDs are OK, Regular Cable or Sat Terribleby - April 24, 2002
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Review: The picture is terrible with regular cable, otherwise its great. If you are buying this for mostly regular TV think again.
User Rating: 9/10
My Wife is hookedby - April 14, 2002
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Review: Great television. My wife refused to get a big screen for years, because she said the room was to small for one. After she watched the Toshiba 50HX81, she will never go back!
User Rating: 10/10
Stunningby - April 3, 2002
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Review: Purchased 1/15/02 from Sears. Used their internet pricing and purchased for under 1900, including tax. They also threw in a free DVD player. Picture quality is awesome. Cable analog signal was the best I saw in side by side comparisons with Sony, Hitachi, and Mits. This set was also the best for channel surfing (speed). Has awesome picture with digital signals as well. Highly recommend it.
User Rating: 9/10
Best tv on market today.by - April 3, 2002
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Review: Affordable big screen TV with all the quality and performance from any manufacturer.
User Rating: 9/10
Best value on the market!by - March 31, 2002
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Review: I've had this TV since November 2001 and the picture has improved with age. I highly recommend getting any rear projection set calibrated although anyone with a little technical savvy can do lots of tweaks him/herself. One great site that you can get lots of do-it-yourself stuff is the hometheaterspot.com. I have also scheduled a professional calibration since many others report a huge improvement, especially on the Toshiba HDTV models. HDTV is stunning and regular satellite is acceptable. The set looked great out of the box, but after doing a service convergence after the first month or so, it improved tremendously. The sound is fantastic but I recently added a home theatre system which makes the viewing a more enjoyable experience. Others have reported serious problems such as red lines and awful focus out of the box. The folks who have dealt with their retailer and/or Toshiba have had mixed results. I recommend you support your local retailer and try to get a discount by bringing prices off of the web. If you do end up getting a "bad set" you may more trouble if purchased on the web. Overall, this set is a great value. Highly recommended!
User Rating: 8/10
Great picture.... easy to set up.by - March 19, 2002
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Review: I had been looking for and HDTV-compatible set for about 6 months. It came down to the Toshibas (50", 57") and the new Sony XBR 40". Though i thought the Sony had a stunning picture, as would be the case with a quality direct-view over a RPTV, I bought the Toshiba 50" (size constraints in my viewing room and have not been disappointed. In conjuntion with my Toshiba DST-3000 DSS receiver, it deliversgreat picture.
User Rating: 9/10
Its pimpin!!!by - March 19, 2002
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Review: I love it, it makes me wish I had HDTV. With my progressive scan DVD player, its better than the movies.
User Rating: 10/10
Terrific buy!by - March 18, 2002
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Review: This is my first RPTV-widescreen, and I couldn't be happier with the quality, features and performance. The picture is very good with digital cable, and even better with DVD's! Especially progressive ones!
User Rating: 10/10
one of the best hdtv'sby - March 14, 2002
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Review: i've had this tv for almost four months now and the picture just seems to get better with age, Dvd's look awesome and the satellite signal looks great too. the only regret i have is that i didn't get a 57" instead.
User Rating: 10/10
My step to a large screen is a sure footed oneby - March 6, 2002
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Review: had little prombles setting it up with the kenwood home audio system and getting dvd to work but it's all working now regular tv can be streched for 16:9 looks good but you can tell that image is streched ton of features
User Rating: 8/10
Olympian Qualityby - February 21, 2002
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Review: After months of shopping I received my 50Hx81 during the 2002 Olympics. Wow! Picture out of the box was very good and after some initial, easy to do tweaking it became breathtaking. Next best thing to being there. Picture quality on DirecTV is sharp, colorful and bright. Cable picture also very good. Picture looks good from a variety of viewing angles. My wife had resisted a big screen for years due to poor picture quality but she's hooked. The stretch mode technology used by Toshiba is the best out there...barely noticeable. Can't wait for true HDTV programming. If you've been looking for a widescreen you can't beat Toshiba for picture quality.
User Rating: 10/10
great tvby - February 13, 2002
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Review: Love the picture quality especially in DVD w/ progressive scan. Many options for viewing. Best universal remote I have encountered.
User Rating: 1/10
Horrible quality, major flaws! Avoid at all costs!by - January 27, 2002
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Review: Upon delivery from a reputable television retailer in my area, the Toshiba's blue gun was defective, displaying a blurry line during convergence. Horrible focus. Technician came and deemed it bad, took it away, replaced with same model, different set. Thirty days later, TV won't turn on. Technician came, worked on it for 3 hours, removed electronics chassis, took to shop and eventually deemed the entire television shot. The retailer tried to replace the television a third time but I INSISTED that I did NOT get another Toshiba. Went with a Hitachi Ultravision 53" HDTV Widescreen. So far so good...I absolutely love it. I can understand getting a dud...but two in a row?? DO NOT SPEND MONEY ON A TOSHIBA WIDESCREEN.
User Rating: 9/10
Very happy with Toshiba 65HX81by - January 24, 2002
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Review: Got the 65" version. DVDs with progressive scan are excellent. I have HDTV satellite and the pictures in HDTV will blow you away. I find it hard to justify going to a movie any more.
User Rating: 9/10
Simply the best for under 3Kby - January 23, 2002
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Review: The color and detail are almost plasma-like. Better than the Sonys at that price range
User Rating: 10/10
Absolutely superb!by - January 10, 2002
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Review: In side-by-side comparisons, the Toshiba had a noticeably better picture, especially picture focus/sharpness than the competition.
User Rating: 9/10
Compares to my Sony XBR HD 32" Tubeby - January 8, 2002
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Review: I was going to by the 51" Sony High Scan but by fluke saw a Toshiba 50HX81 right beside the Sony and was amazed at how much brighter and clearer the picture was on the Toshiba. We tried everything to get the Sony to look the same, but couldn't. The 4:3 to 16:9 conversion is better than anything else out there, the picture doesn't even look stretched at all! The variable audio output is switched on while the TV speakers are also on, unlike my Sony XBR HD 32" that only allows one or the other at one time. The slim fit of the 50HX81 at 18.75 inches allows for more options for placement in smaller rooms. I sit only 12 feet from the screen because of the small room size. The only problem I had was the bottom cover wouldn't stay clipped tight to the TV (so I had to manipulate the plastic guides on it to make it stay).
User Rating: 9/10
best value for the moneyby - December 25, 2001
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Review: great 16:9 picture. unbelievable picture with dvd. only problem is the same with any 50inch tv with sports, far away pictures are a little blurred. need a full spectrum of hdtv channel (including nfl sunday) from direct TV
User Rating: 9/10
Changed my mind about projection TV!!!by - December 20, 2001
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Review: This is the greatest projection TV for the money. Just ordered the 57" though because of the value. Got a great deal from Crazy Eddies!Never would have even considered projection TV before, but with digital broadcasts, it really is stunning, just like being at the movies!!! I'm like a kid ! I can't wait for it to get here!
User Rating: 10/10
BEST BANG 4 THE BUCKby - December 17, 2001
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Review: I own the 65HX81 its the best period! Absolutely stunning DVD with Toshiba SD5700 progressive scan player. Digital cable looks great too, can;t wait for the HDTV signal to become available to me.
User Rating: 8/10
The Best for the Money andThen Someby - December 17, 2001
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Review: I compared this set with more expensive models and the 50HX81 won hands down.Great picture,easy to use remote!
User Rating: 8/10
Awesome TV - Great Theater "Like" Experienceby - December 16, 2001
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Review: Recommend this TV for the following reasons: 1. Picture Quality - Family compared picture with competitors in showroom and 50H81 won the comparison. Analog channels are good, digital channels are great and HD channels are awesome. 2. Sound - SRS 3d Sound and sub-bass system give a very good theater like sound experience. So far, I've liked the sound quality from the TV enough to hold off purchase of a home theater system. 3. HDTV - HDTV ready. IDSC Pro (540p/1080i). HD Channel picture quality is wonderful. 4. TV Features - Multiple "stretch" modes to stretch the 4:3 conventional program to 16:9 widescreen 3 different ways is nice. Owners manual will get your VCR,DVD,Cable/satelite, etc equipment connected without "easter egg hunting" through the manual. Back lit universal remote can be programmed to replace your cable and DVD or VCR remotes easily. Multiple sets of component video, s-video and a/v inputs and a front panel a/v/s input. 5. Rated support average because I haven't had to contact Toshiba for support so I really can't comment. Shortly after buying the TV I bought a Panansonic DVD-RP91 progressive scan DVD player and I have been extremely impressed by the picture quality of the HD widesceen DVDs I've been renting. Not sure why CNET put this in "The Bad" review section.
User Rating: 7/10
Best start to high dev / DVD 16:9 experience.by - December 12, 2001
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Review: The price / performance of the set is unbeatable. Color and detail out of the box is top notch... when you spend time to calibrate (as any good set should), performance raises to a new level. The stretch mode (showing 4:3 to fit the new 16:9 size) is the best going - many would not even know that the image was stretched. There are plenty of inputs!
User Rating: 2/10
The 61" is more of this fine productby - December 10, 2001
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Review: I've had one for 6months the 61" HDTV Toshiba and i't a great Deal
User Rating: 10/10
EXCELLENT HDTV!!!by - December 10, 2001
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Review: The picture quality is great-even on regular cable. I really love the 'Favorites' button where you can actually see what's showing in 18 (9 little boxes per press of the button) other channels that you program. No more 'surfing' through these channels.
User Rating: 10/10
OH YEAH!by - December 10, 2001
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Review: Awesome tv, seen it in action! My buddy told me he's bout to divorce his wife to marry his Toshiba LOL
User Rating: 8/10
Love this TV!by - December 10, 2001
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Review: I actually got the bigger version (57") and it's been great. Normal signals look even better than I expected (I think it does a better job than the Sonys, which are much more money). HiDef and DVD looks stunning.
User Rating: 10/10
Nothing comparable in price rangeby - December 9, 2001
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Review: I had an authorized video technician come tune the tv for extra accuracy. It's light night and day. He even said the tube blows away anything under $10,000.00 That includes the Elite, and all the SONY's. That's not my opinion, that's the professionals!
User Rating: 10/10
This TV has it all!!!by - November 21, 2001
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Review: When I first started shopping for a TV (a year ago)I realized right away that I wanted a HDTV widescreen with progressive scan. I started with the toshiba 40 projection set. Although I like the set I was still a bit disappointed with the picture quality compare to a tubed TV. The wife an I went back and forth between the 34inch direct view widescreens and the Projection wide screens. Finally we decide that the direct view were over priced and too small for our rooom. This past summer we start looking at the new models of projection TVs that were being releaesed. After talking with several sources about manufactors we decided to go with the Toshiba. It was the right choice. The picture is as good as a direct view (as long as you in the vertical plane of the screen) Toshiba has the largest view angle at 165 degress (Horizontal). The remote is user friendly and for the price of $2199 it was well worth it.
Behold II Smartphone with Android
The good: Great picture; comprehensive connectivity; video processing with 3:2 pull-down; excellent color decoding; good value.
