So back in 2002 I purchased a Toshiba 50H81. At the time is was the most amazing display I had ever seen. When I connected an HD source it showed me details I had never seen before. I ended up selling it to my sister about 3 years ago. I currently own a Pioneer 600m, and love it. However, when I visit my sister I notice the old Toshiba looks dull and blurry, nothing like I had remembered. I performed the 56 point conversion with very marginal improvement. I even removed the screen and cleaned off all the dust on the mirror and the lenses (being very careful of course). The picture is better, but still nothing like i remembered.

Is there anything else I can do to restore the display to its former glory?

Am i just accustomed to the "look" of a flat panel now?

Is it all in my head?

I should point out that the TV is currently hooked up to HD satellite for TV and a PS3 for movies and gaming. Both are configured for 1080i. Neither input has the "pop" I remember or currently have on my plasma. My sister and her husband seem happy with the TV, but I still feel something isn't right.

check the tubes for "gundge growth".

Since according to the following link the TV had a max resolution of 540p it does not look as good as newer 720p or 1080p models.

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-50H81-50-Inch-HDTV-Ready-Projection/dp/B00005NGRU

Actually it says 1080i max, which is not distinguishable from 1080p by humans.

You are correct I misread the details.
Do you know if the unit uses 7" guns or 9" guns. With 9" guns CRT RPTVs have an effective resolution of around 1600x950 and with 7" guns the effecctive resolution is a lot less due to less phosphers on the guns themselves.
Only recently have fixed pixel digital TVs come close to having the PQ of 9" guns CRT units that can scan at 1080i and which are well calibrated.

check the tubes for "gundge growth".

I presume you mean grunge growth and by tubes you mean the lenses on the guns? I cleaned the lenses with a microfiber cloth and they look perfectly clean now.

You also need to remove the lens barrels and clean the bottom of the lenses, as well as the coolant cups. You do not have to disassemble the lens assembly. Be careful not to unscrew the coolant top cover!

Your coolant might also be contaminated. Not sure how common a problem that is but it does happen.Something grows in there aka grunge growth(alge?) causing the coolant to be murky.