What is the difference in Toshiba 62HM195, 196, 116. Costco is about to have a sale on the 196 version including the stand. I've read that the 116 is the same as the 195. Where does the 196 stand?

After reading other threads, it seems that the 116 is the same as the 196, but with the stand. I think now that this is the one offerred by Costco. Can anyone set me straight?

I believe the 196 has additional picture controls for calibration. Please note that none of those models accept a 1080p input via HDMI -- they only accept 1080i.

The just announced 197 models will accept 1080p.

From what I've read, I'm not concerned about the set having a 1080p input. Apparantly 1080i input upconverted to 1080p is indistinguishable from true 1080p input.

From what I've read, I'm not concerned about the set having a 1080p input. Apparantly 1080i input upconverted to 1080p is indistinguishable from true 1080p input.That's only the case if the video processing in the unit is capable of locking on to the 3/2 cadence. I don't know whether that is the case on the Toshiba 2006 models.

In the next month or so, Silicon Optix will release their HDTV HQV test disk (first on HD-DVD, then on Blu-ray). That disk includes a test to determine whether the video processing in the display can do the above.

That's only the case if the video processing in the unit is capable of locking on to the 3/2 cadence. I don't know whether that is the case on the Toshiba 2006 models.

In the next month or so, Silicon Optix will release their HDTV HQV test disk (first on HD-DVD, then on Blu-ray). That disk includes a test to determine whether the video processing in the display can do the above.

FYI: The following is from "The Perfect Vision" Winter 2007 Magazine - Review Toshiba 72HM196 by Scott Wilkinson (some notable quotes) ...

page 84
Looking at a pixel-phase test pattern (which indicates the relationship between the imager's actual pixel structure and the pixels in the processed image), Dave and I determined that the NATURAL aspect-ratio setting looks like a 1:1 mode -- that is, we were able to easily discern each pixel in the imager.

Conclusion
The importance of a 1:1 mode cannot be overstated when it comes to 1920x1080 content -- without it, whatever scaling the processor does definitely degrades the image. This is one reason the 72HM196 looked so good displaying HD DVDs (as long as its NATURAL aspect ratio was selected). Another factor is its apparent use of inverse telecine to deinterlace 1080i content, resulting in smooth, artifact-free motion.

page 83
The Last Word
- 1:1 mode makes 1920x1080 content look exceptionally detailed and sharp
- Excellent deinterlacing
- 12-bit processing results in smooth brightness gradients

Phil

The 195 is last year's model.

The 62HM116 and 62HM196 are this year's model, and are totally identical. The 116 is simply a 196 packaged with the matching stand, available in Costco and other warehouse clubs.

The 196/116 has some significant improvements over the 195. Better blacks, a new 12 bit video processor that virtually eliminates color gradation banding and other problems, better standard definition picture, and an improved (and hopefully more reliable) lamp.

I have the 116 and it is awesome. A huge improvement over the two 720p Samsung DLP's I've owned. 1080i sources are simply de-interlaced for 1080p display, and I have not seen a problem with 2:3 pulldown with film sources. It looks amazing. There is no difference in frame resolution between a 1080p source and a 1080i source... they are both 1920x1080. The 1080i signal has two 1920x540 interlaced fields per frame, and the 1080p signal has a single 1920x1080 progressive field per frame. It's still 1920x1080 picture elements per frame either way.

Thanks for the clarification. The 116 goes on sale at Costco for under 2000 on the 22nd. It's on my todo list...

Thanks for the clarification. The 116 goes on sale at Costco for under 2000 on the 22nd. It's on my todo list...

You should then change your screen name to Toshi62HM116man :)