NEW 2008 Toshiba Regza XV540 series.

dasher123 · 03-09-08, 06:48 PM

As the interest in the XF and XV series is growing, and due to the fact that we should be seeing these TVs soon in stores in the US, I thought a separate thread for the 2008 Regza XV540 series would be appropriate, esp for those who do not want to pay more for the thin bezel XF550 series. I personally am very interested in the XV540 series (specifically 42"), if I decide not to go with the XF550 series.

Please contribute with whatever technical/availability information you find here. Thanks.
I personally am very curious to know what type of panels Toshiba uses in the XV540 series, to determine if they still suffer from green push. Also, there has been speculation that Toshiba might use Sharp panels, which might suggest that there might be banding problems. Let's hope that neither exists in the XV540 series, though...
Here is the info as posted on crunchgear earlier this year:

"The REGZA XV540 is aimed at the sports and action enthusiasts with 1080p resolution, 120Hz frame rate with film stabilization and 5:5 pull-down for fast and clear video. Also included is the 14-bit PixelPure 4G tech with 10-bit CLD panels for 16,384 levels of gradation. On top of all that is ColorBurst, which boasts 108 percent of the NTSC color gamut as well as four HDMI 1.3 inputs."

specs for 42", 46" and 52"(Thanks, supersam; from the 550 series thread):
http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/tacpasse...v540u_spec.pdf
http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/tacpasse...v540u_spec.pdf
http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/tacpasse...v540u_spec.pdf

darkninja67 · 03-09-08, 07:20 PM

The 540 bezel looks pretty slim too. If this is a S-LCD panel and it a lot cheaper than the 550, it may be an option for me.

dasher123 · 03-09-08, 07:29 PM

see prices for all Regza lines here... (I don't know how accurate these are):
http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/06...cds-one-av500/

SaltwaterCat · 03-09-08, 08:46 PM

dasher,

I'm like you, either a low priced 177 or the 540

dasher123 · 03-09-08, 08:48 PM

saltwatercat,
beware that LX177 suffered from the green push...it might have been corrected in the latest batches, but don't know for sure...
Here's hoping that it doesn't appear on XV540 series.

SaltwaterCat · 03-09-08, 08:49 PM

BTW, found th 52/540 for 2099 online typical bait and switch shop. I'm going withn Invision instead

DavidOH · 03-09-08, 09:07 PM

I don't need the thin bezel either. For me it's not worth the cost.

jpep13 · 03-09-08, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaltwaterCat

BTW, found th 52/540 for 2099 online typical bait and switch shop. I'm going withn Invision instead

Where is invision? online??

Quaxtros · 03-09-08, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpep13

Where is invision? online??

Invision Displays. They are a forum sponser. Their link is at the top right of this page.

DavidOH · 03-09-08, 10:44 PM

They're listed on Amazon. Funny they have a 52XF550 for less than the 52XV540. If the prices keep going the way they are I may be looking at the 52 instead of the 46.

jpep13 · 03-09-08, 11:19 PM

I guess i have to call invision to get the price of the lcd i want that is not in stock??

Superdad · 03-09-08, 11:54 PM

I was told this past week (by Invision I think) that the XV540 series will not be shipping until May. That makes some sense since the XF550 series was slated for February in Toshiba's original press release and actually started landing on dealers' docks early March--while the XV540s (at least the 42" and 46") were announced for March in the same press release (guess that is a month more lag than the XF550 range).

Even more interesting is that I was told that the actual MSRP of the 42XV540 when it ships will be $1,499.99 NOT $1,699.99 as Toshiba's press release states. By the way, that press release (still on the Tosh. America site) is still the ONLY source of product information available--unless one corners a knowledgeable field rep.
Several of us have tried to in vain to get info from the sales and technical staff at ToshAmer. but they have nothing.

And with regards to picture quality/performance differences between the XF550 and XV540 lines, I don't think any have yet been definitively identified, though I do suspect that the ColorMaster fine tuning will be more limited on the XV540 series like it was last year on models just below the LX177 line.
And of course we may be (likely?) looking at a different make of panel.

I posted a lot on the earlier long anticipation thread about the 2008 XF550/XV550. And I have for all this time been on the fence about getting the 42" XV540 versus the 40" XF550--to fit in my 40.5" opening. Certainly I'd much prefer the larger screen size and to pay several hundred less since the bezel width is not important (only the overall).
But given that that the 40XF550 is here now and people are liking it, and the XV540 is a real unknown at least a couple months out, I don't think I'll make my family suffer any longer (with my somewhat dim 24" NEC computer monitor doing duty as a TV since my 36" ISF calibrated Princeton died from power supply failure).

So if anyone has some solid facts related to panel brand, ship date, and possible other performance differences, I'll be interested. Otherwise I think I'll pull the trigger within the next week or so for the 40XF550.
Ciao!

jpep13 · 03-09-08, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidOH

They're listed on Amazon. Funny they have a 52XF550 for less than the 52XV540. If the prices keep going the way they are I may be looking at the 52 instead of the 46.

They dont list the 550u as 120hz, we know it is though

dasher123 · 03-10-08, 12:13 AM

actually the XV 540 coming later suits me perfectly, as that's the time I am hoping to be financially ready for the new LCD anyway (wifey out of college and starts working as a pharmacist)...I have planned it for May/June...and even if I have to wait for reviews and prices to drop, etc I will just wait, although $1499 is in my budget anyway...
I really do hope that it's a good panel...and with the money I save by getting the 540 instead of 550, I can enhance the A of my A/V arrangement a bit...and IF I see info/reviews the 540 is a crappy panel or have some problems, by the time I find out, the 550 40" will be widely available and probably a bit cheaper than now...

although this is just my personal situation, this is what I would advise someone who does not mind waiting a few more months...wait and see what the 540 is like, and if you don't like it, go with the 550 and get it cheaper (probably) than the current prices...

remember, we're almost in the middle of March, and May is only like 1.5 months away...

jhsfosho · 03-10-08, 12:41 PM

Can anyone tell me the differences between the 550 series and 540 series, besides the 1.5'' bezel vs. the 0.9'' bezel?

Amazon has the 42'' 540 and it says shipping in 2-5 weeks, but they don't have any 550 series that I can find. I would like to purchase a 42-46'' set around June this year and am looking for any advice.

SaltwaterCat · 03-10-08, 02:12 PM

From all the posts I've read here, they are almost the same model with the 550 having a smaller bezel. Also, the 550 has 1 less hdmi port.

By june, these tv's will be all over the place...should be easy getting a good deal

FRANK43 · 03-10-08, 03:49 PM

thanks for the new thread! Hope we get some great info on the 540 model. If it has the sammy panel the 42 inch sounds good and will fit my cabinet with room to spare. I am really curious why the 550 model is $300 more and has only 3 hdmi's must be some real cuts some where.

SaltwaterCat · 03-10-08, 03:54 PM

550 has the side hdmi input removed because of the thin bezel. More interesting is that the 550 is about 20lbs heavier than the 540???

dasher123 · 03-10-08, 04:24 PM

and I have a feeling (no proof of this, just the way Tosh's top line always have been) that the 550 might have more color adjustments, etc, but dang, even the bottom of the line tosh's have great variety of those, so I'm not worried about that...the 540 is just 2nd from the top-line...
no idea why the 550 is heavier...

AlexInvision · 03-10-08, 04:25 PM

I thought I would come over here and chat with you guys on this unit. I have only seen the 550 unit so far, I should have more info on the 540 units very soon.

jpep13 · 03-10-08, 05:14 PM

Thanks Alex for your input. Look forward for the info on the 540 series.

HondaF1Fanatic · 03-10-08, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexInvision

I thought I would come over here and chat with you guys on this unit. I have only seen the 550 unit so far, I should have more info on the 540 units very soon.

What are your exact thoughts on those as compared to last year's "top models", namely the Sammy 71 series and XBR4 as those have been lauded by critics the most and are non-LED so a more fair comparison than say the 81 series Sammy?

dasher123 · 03-10-08, 05:31 PM

welcome Alex, to the 540 thread

...I'm sure all of us here will find your input valuable.

AlexInvision · 03-10-08, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaF1Fanatic

What are your exact thoughts on those as compared to last year's "top models", namely the Sammy 71 series and XBR4 as those have been lauded by critics the most and are non-LED so a more fair comparison than say the 81 series Sammy?

As of right now it is hard to compare these models. Have to give the Toshiba more run time and more avs reviews. Those other models were out for a while and where picked clean from every angle. Like I said above the 550 has looked great in the early stages and I will be commenting on the 540 when it is in stock. Too early to make comparisons.

HondaF1Fanatic · 03-11-08, 02:30 PM

I just talked to a CSR at Abt and they said they will be getting the 540 in late April, and according to the Toshiba Rep he called (because I was asking lots of very specific and picky questions lol) it will not be available at CC, BB, or Sears. Good news for the site sponsors, this should push customers their way, I like that move by Toshiba.

Superdad · 03-11-08, 03:50 PM

HondaF1Fanatic: Glad to know that you asked lots of good questions. So did you get lots of good answers? Such as the most important ones we all want to know: 1) Whose panels will they be using in the 540 series?; 2) Why the BIG weight difference between the 540 and 550 series?; 3) What performance elements or adjustability differences are there going to be between the 2 series which could affect PQ?

I think it was Invision who told me that the MSRP of the 42XV540 has been lowered by Toshiba to $1,499.99 (from original announcement of $1,699.99). That makes it $500 less than the $1,999.99 list price of the smaller 40XF550. A lot extra to pay for a thin bezel unless there is going to be some PQ delta!

jpep13 · 03-11-08, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaF1Fanatic

I just talked to a CSR at Abt and they said they will be getting the 540 in late April, and according to the Toshiba Rep he called (because I was asking lots of very specific and picky questions lol) it will not be available at CC, BB, or Sears. Good news for the site sponsors, this should push customers their way, I like that move by Toshiba.

How do you know that cc, bestbuy won't carry the 540 series? Only the 550 series those stores will carry? Thanks for your input

Russ_K · 03-11-08, 04:01 PM

Amazon has all three models on there site for sale with free shipping. They do however say that the items usually ship in 2 to 5 weeks.

jhsfosho · 03-11-08, 04:07 PM

Does anyone else have input on the price difference between the 540 and 550 series? I am all for getting a 42'' for less than a 40'', but I'm hesitant as to why the 40'' is much more expensive. Surely there isn't $500 worth of manufacturing the smaller bezel. So what are we loosing out on? Hopefully its not important stuff like PQ adjustment, or a lower quality processor, or worse glass.

FRANK43 · 03-11-08, 04:26 PM

One difference, I noticed on the spec sheet or what there is of it, that was posted on the 550 page is that the 550 has the "sound strip 2 with SRS/Wow and the 540 "Sound Enhancement SVB". What the difference between them is, I don't know.

03-09-08, 06:48 PM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
dasher123 Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 693	NEW 2008 Toshiba Regza XV540 series. As the interest in the XF and XV series is growing, and due to the fact that we should be seeing these TVs soon in stores in the US, I thought a separate thread for the 2008 Regza XV540 series would be appropriate, esp for those who do not want to pay more for the thin bezel XF550 series. I personally am very interested in the XV540 series (specifically 42"), if I decide not to go with the XF550 series. Please contribute with whatever technical/availability information you find here. Thanks. I personally am very curious to know what type of panels Toshiba uses in the XV540 series, to determine if they still suffer from green push. Also, there has been speculation that Toshiba might use Sharp panels, which might suggest that there might be banding problems. Let's hope that neither exists in the XV540 series, though... Here is the info as posted on crunchgear earlier this year: "The REGZA XV540 is aimed at the sports and action enthusiasts with 1080p resolution, 120Hz frame rate with film stabilization and 5:5 pull-down for fast and clear video. Also included is the 14-bit PixelPure 4G tech with 10-bit CLD panels for 16,384 levels of gradation. On top of all that is ColorBurst, which boasts 108 percent of the NTSC color gamut as well as four HDMI 1.3 inputs." specs for 42", 46" and 52"(Thanks, supersam; from the 550 series thread): http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/tacpasse...v540u_spec.pdf http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/tacpasse...v540u_spec.pdf http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/tacpasse...v540u_spec.pdf Last edited by dasher123; 03-09-08 at 07:05 PM..

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dasher123 Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 693	saltwatercat, beware that LX177 suffered from the green push...it might have been corrected in the latest batches, but don't know for sure... Here's hoping that it doesn't appear on XV540 series.

03-09-08, 10:44 PM	#10 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
DavidOH Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 102	They're listed on Amazon. Funny they have a 52XF550 for less than the 52XV540. If the prices keep going the way they are I may be looking at the 52 instead of the 46.

03-10-08, 12:13 AM	#14 \| Link
dasher123 Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 693	actually the XV 540 coming later suits me perfectly, as that's the time I am hoping to be financially ready for the new LCD anyway (wifey out of college and starts working as a pharmacist)...I have planned it for May/June...and even if I have to wait for reviews and prices to drop, etc I will just wait, although $1499 is in my budget anyway... I really do hope that it's a good panel...and with the money I save by getting the 540 instead of 550, I can enhance the A of my A/V arrangement a bit...and IF I see info/reviews the 540 is a crappy panel or have some problems, by the time I find out, the 550 40" will be widely available and probably a bit cheaper than now... although this is just my personal situation, this is what I would advise someone who does not mind waiting a few more months...wait and see what the 540 is like, and if you don't like it, go with the 550 and get it cheaper (probably) than the current prices... remember, we're almost in the middle of March, and May is only like 1.5 months away... Last edited by dasher123; 03-10-08 at 01:11 PM..

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jhsfosho Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 46	Can anyone tell me the differences between the 550 series and 540 series, besides the 1.5'' bezel vs. the 0.9'' bezel? Amazon has the 42'' 540 and it says shipping in 2-5 weeks, but they don't have any 550 series that I can find. I would like to purchase a 42-46'' set around June this year and am looking for any advice.

03-09-08, 07:20 PM	#2 \| Link
darkninja67 Monitor Audio fan Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Boston Posts: 1,221	The 540 bezel looks pretty slim too. If this is a S-LCD panel and it a lot cheaper than the 550, it may be an option for me.

03-09-08, 07:29 PM	#3 \| Link
dasher123 Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 693	see prices for all Regza lines here... (I don't know how accurate these are): http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/06...cds-one-av500/

03-09-08, 08:46 PM	#4 \| Link
SaltwaterCat Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 501	dasher, I'm like you, either a low priced 177 or the 540

03-09-08, 08:49 PM	#6 \| Link
SaltwaterCat Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 501	BTW, found th 52/540 for 2099 online typical bait and switch shop. I'm going withn Invision instead

03-09-08, 09:07 PM	#7 \| Link
DavidOH Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 102	I don't need the thin bezel either. For me it's not worth the cost.

03-09-08, 11:19 PM	#11 \| Link
jpep13 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 215	I guess i have to call invision to get the price of the lcd i want that is not in stock??

03-09-08, 11:54 PM	#12 \| Link
Superdad Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Mariposa, CA Posts: 100	I was told this past week (by Invision I think) that the XV540 series will not be shipping until May. That makes some sense since the XF550 series was slated for February in Toshiba's original press release and actually started landing on dealers' docks early March--while the XV540s (at least the 42" and 46") were announced for March in the same press release (guess that is a month more lag than the XF550 range). Even more interesting is that I was told that the actual MSRP of the 42XV540 when it ships will be $1,499.99 NOT $1,699.99 as Toshiba's press release states. By the way, that press release (still on the Tosh. America site) is still the ONLY source of product information available--unless one corners a knowledgeable field rep. Several of us have tried to in vain to get info from the sales and technical staff at ToshAmer. but they have nothing. And with regards to picture quality/performance differences between the XF550 and XV540 lines, I don't think any have yet been definitively identified, though I do suspect that the ColorMaster fine tuning will be more limited on the XV540 series like it was last year on models just below the LX177 line. And of course we may be (likely?) looking at a different make of panel. I posted a lot on the earlier long anticipation thread about the 2008 XF550/XV550. And I have for all this time been on the fence about getting the 42" XV540 versus the 40" XF550--to fit in my 40.5" opening. Certainly I'd much prefer the larger screen size and to pay several hundred less since the bezel width is not important (only the overall). But given that that the 40XF550 is here now and people are liking it, and the XV540 is a real unknown at least a couple months out, I don't think I'll make my family suffer any longer (with my somewhat dim 24" NEC computer monitor doing duty as a TV since my 36" ISF calibrated Princeton died from power supply failure). So if anyone has some solid facts related to panel brand, ship date, and possible other performance differences, I'll be interested. Otherwise I think I'll pull the trigger within the next week or so for the 40XF550. Ciao!

03-10-08, 02:12 PM	#16 \| Link
SaltwaterCat Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 501	From all the posts I've read here, they are almost the same model with the 550 having a smaller bezel. Also, the 550 has 1 less hdmi port. By june, these tv's will be all over the place...should be easy getting a good deal

03-10-08, 03:49 PM	#17 \| Link
FRANK43 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: North East El Paso by Fannin ES Posts: 352	thanks for the new thread! Hope we get some great info on the 540 model. If it has the sammy panel the 42 inch sounds good and will fit my cabinet with room to spare. I am really curious why the 550 model is $300 more and has only 3 hdmi's must be some real cuts some where.

03-10-08, 03:54 PM	#18 \| Link
SaltwaterCat Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 501	550 has the side hdmi input removed because of the thin bezel. More interesting is that the 550 is about 20lbs heavier than the 540???

03-10-08, 04:24 PM	#19 \| Link
dasher123 Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 693	and I have a feeling (no proof of this, just the way Tosh's top line always have been) that the 550 might have more color adjustments, etc, but dang, even the bottom of the line tosh's have great variety of those, so I'm not worried about that...the 540 is just 2nd from the top-line... no idea why the 550 is heavier...

03-10-08, 04:25 PM	#20 \| Link
AlexInvision AVS Special Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,312	I thought I would come over here and chat with you guys on this unit. I have only seen the 550 unit so far, I should have more info on the 540 units very soon.

03-10-08, 05:14 PM	#21 \| Link
jpep13 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 215	Thanks Alex for your input. Look forward for the info on the 540 series.

03-10-08, 05:31 PM	#23 \| Link
dasher123 Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 693	welcome Alex, to the 540 thread ...I'm sure all of us here will find your input valuable.

03-11-08, 02:30 PM	#25 \| Link
HondaF1Fanatic MMA & F1 Fan Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hudsonville, MI Posts: 45	I just talked to a CSR at Abt and they said they will be getting the 540 in late April, and according to the Toshiba Rep he called (because I was asking lots of very specific and picky questions lol) it will not be available at CC, BB, or Sears. Good news for the site sponsors, this should push customers their way, I like that move by Toshiba.

03-11-08, 03:50 PM	#26 \| Link
Superdad Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Mariposa, CA Posts: 100	HondaF1Fanatic: Glad to know that you asked lots of good questions. So did you get lots of good answers? Such as the most important ones we all want to know: 1) Whose panels will they be using in the 540 series?; 2) Why the BIG weight difference between the 540 and 550 series?; 3) What performance elements or adjustability differences are there going to be between the 2 series which could affect PQ? I think it was Invision who told me that the MSRP of the 42XV540 has been lowered by Toshiba to $1,499.99 (from original announcement of $1,699.99). That makes it $500 less than the $1,999.99 list price of the smaller 40XF550. A lot extra to pay for a thin bezel unless there is going to be some PQ delta!

03-11-08, 04:01 PM	#28 \| Link
Russ_K New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Baldwinsville, New York (just northwest of syracuse) Posts: 4	Amazon has all three models on there site for sale with free shipping. They do however say that the items usually ship in 2 to 5 weeks.

03-11-08, 04:07 PM	#29 \| Link
jhsfosho Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 46	Does anyone else have input on the price difference between the 540 and 550 series? I am all for getting a 42'' for less than a 40'', but I'm hesitant as to why the 40'' is much more expensive. Surely there isn't $500 worth of manufacturing the smaller bezel. So what are we loosing out on? Hopefully its not important stuff like PQ adjustment, or a lower quality processor, or worse glass.

03-11-08, 04:26 PM	#30 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
FRANK43 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: North East El Paso by Fannin ES Posts: 352	One difference, I noticed on the spec sheet or what there is of it, that was posted on the 550 page is that the 550 has the "sound strip 2 with SRS/Wow and the 540 "Sound Enhancement SVB". What the difference between them is, I don't know.