The OFFICIAL Toshiba 32" and 37" HL95 HLX95 LCD TV Thread... - Page 7

Has anyone considered the possiblity that it is the 32HL95 that is a misprint, and that it has a 600:1 contrast ratio as well? Personally, I can't see a difference between any of the sets, but I can't find any mention of the contrast ratio in my manual, which is a dual manual for the 32HL95 and the 37HL95.

I remember a lot being posted about Orion manufacturing the Toshiba CRT's. I also thought I remember hearing that Orion manufactured SOME of the LCD's up to a certain size. Anyone have the info on that?

I am considering the 32HL95 and I looked at the back of one today and it said made in Mexico. Thanks.

Well, I gotta hand it to Toshiba for their speedy reply, anyway, if not for the answer itself. Here's the response:

"Thanks for writing! We appreciate your interest in Toshiba. The contrast ratio for that model is 600:1."

That's it. No acknowledgement of an inconsistency, no elaboration as to why there is a difference. For all I know, he just looked it up on the website like we all did, so it could still be a misprint.

I talked to a Crutchfield rep, who seemed to think it was a misprint. He said, and I'm paraphrasing, that they checked out that model, and it has an 800:1 contrast ratio like the other similar models. How they go about verifying a contrast ratio I'm not sure.

So I guess we're left to wonder what exactly the contrast ratio is. But then, does it really matter? From what I've read, the eye can't discern contrast ratios greater than a few hundred-to-one anyway, and I've never read any reviews of the 37HL95 that complained in any way about the PQ.

Rerics

Well I too just received a response back from Toshiba regarding the VGA input resolution and the User Manual is incorrect. Here is a quote from Toshiba to my inquiry:

"The resolution supported on that model is WXGA: VESA 1366x768 @ 60Hz. This is the resolution that you need to set your computer output to."

Hope this helps anyone considering these models.

Anybody using a DVR with a 32/37hl95. I just bought the 37Hl95 this weekend and connected my Pio 533 using component cables but the PQ is poor - washed out and grainy looking.

On my old 27" Sony trinitron I couldn't tell the difference between a program recorded on the 533 and one viewed directly from the antenna.

Any suggestions as to where to look? I've played with all the picture settings on both the DVR and the LCD and improved it a bit but still have very poor PQ.

Thanks

I researched this purchase to death. My old 32" Sony XBR2 tube TV is dying -- and, good riddance. I will finally be rid of that 200lb behemoth that I have had to move umpteen times.

I compared the 37HL95 to the 40" Samsung and the 32 and 40" Sony. To my eyes the picture was definitely a tad better (particularly the blacks) on the Sony than the Toshiba, but not enough that I wanted to pay more for a 32" screen than for the 37" Toshiba. Like many, I found that the 37HL95 was the largest unit that would fit in my entertainment center (an armoire).

Other things I liked:

Very sharp picture and SD picture looks really good -- better than the 40" Sony
Mute system (first 1/2 mute, than full mute and when on full mute closed caption automatically comes on -- nice touch)

I also ordered my system with the Directv HR20 receiver. Does anyone have recommendations for the best setting on the TV and HR20 for best picture?

I replied back to the Toshiba rep thanking him for answering the first part of my question, but for curiosity's sake, I reiterated the second part of my question (which he did not answer), namely, why does the 600:1 contrast ratio of the 37HL95 stand apart from other like models which have 800:1. Here's his response:

"Thanks for writing! I do not know the reason why the contrast ratio on that model is 600:1."

Equally concise and equally unhelpful as his first response. And I'll wager he didn't spend any time trying to find the answer to my question before replying.

Rerics

Thanks Scraper, I was just about to discombobulate my media computer setup, and I was hoping I was going to have to find the front porch/back porch timing info to force a resolution.

SC

In order to find out the real story, you would have to gain access to somebody
in engineering. Mostly, the customer service guys read from the same spec. sheet
you do.

wb

I'm about ready to order this since it has all the inputs I need and seems like the best value. One last thing I need to verify is: Does the Toshiba 37HL95 have a L/R audio out? The specs that I have seen only list Optical Digital Audio out. I do think I see L/R audio outs below the video out at the bottom of the side access panel and would like to verify with a present owner. I presently send my audio to a surround sound system via L/R audio.

There is a L/R audio output right where you see it in the manual .I use it in additon to the digital optical

Yes it does, right below the video out.

Thanks D.R.Archer and brettski for the quick replies! Just wanted to be sure...

Hey all:

I've been researching and comparing lcds for a week or so.
Its down to the Sony 32"xbr and the Tosh 32 hlx95.

So far I like the PQ on both sets, but each is in a different store so its hard to compare side by side.
This set will be mainly used for x-box 360 & DvD.
Does the Tosh sets still have grey 4:3 bars like they did a few yrs back? That would drive me nuts.

How much of a difference in black levels and detail (black crush) between the 2 sets?

Looking at Toshiba's website, I noticed that the 32HLX84 has an MSRP $300 greater than the 37HLX95. However, the less expensive model is newer, bigger, has an HDTV-integrated tuner, and has a higher contrast ratio. Anyone know why this is? I must be missing something very obvious.

Thanks,

Rerics

Naxos, I am I to assume from your above comment that you have seen both the 32HL95 and the 37HL95? And that the PQ is comparable? I know you have a 32HL95, and that is the only model that I've seen displayed. I would like to see the 37HL95 since that is my first choice right now, but I'm leery about buying it based on my opinion of the 32HL95 (which is very favorable).

Thanks,

Rerics

Regarding the never-ending saga (at least for me) of the 600:1 or 800:1 contrast ratio of the 37HL95:


This issue was bugging me to such an extent that I called up Crutchfield again to get another opinion about the contrast ratio issue. I've never been dissappointed by Crutchfield's customer service, so I figured I'd ask another rep what he thought.

The new rep echoed the first reps statement that Crutchfield tests the models to verify that the specs listed are accurate (at least they do with contrast ratio; I'm assuming they probably test other features as well). Being primarily a sales rep, he didn't now how they specifically test contrast ratio, but I'm aware of various methods to do so. The second thing he said (and this is after he briefly put me on hold as he went to get the documents), was that Toshiba themselves gave Crutchfield the figure of 800:1 for all four of the 32(37)HL(X)95 models. To make sure I wasn't misunderstanding any of this info, I went over it all again with the rep. He was really nice and I have every reason to believe he was giving me the straight scoop. Based on this, I believe that the 37HL95 has a CR of 800:1 like the others, but that's just my take on it.

Rerics

I went & looked at the Tosh agian tonight after work. I brought with me the original Dune.
I noticed a lot of black crush while scanning scenes.
Is there a setting I can adjust or is this just the way it is?

For hahas' I've been watching Dune on my 21" Dell crt monitor and the black detail is much better than what I saw on the Tosh.
I'm going to compare it to the xbr tommarow.

Oh my, you aren't comparing black levels from a CRT to a LCD panel are you?

Also, for your earlier question, you can change the colors of the sidebars. I have mine at black, but I think that grey is also an option, along with a dark grey, I think, but I'm not sure.

SC

My new question has to do with the timing values. I can't seem to get the 1366*768 60Hz to work yet.

SC

Well, it's running at 1360(Vid card divide by 8 thing)*768 ~60Hz. I spent hours upon hours trying to figure out the Porch values to move the screen just one pixel to the right, and to make it two pixels narrower. Turns out, it's in the PC Settings menu!

SC

the size works for my armoire, and my wife hates wires and mutliple remotes, so that's why I added the inboarded DVD player. Anyone who can comment on the DVD player and how well it works with the TV? I assume it will be equivalent to a digitally connected dvd player such as through HDMI or DVI. I will be connecting a Comcast high def digital cable box with DVR capability because haven't had good luck with cable card on other tvs

I'm really at odds right now as to what set to get. The 37" will fit my room perfectly, but I'm having issues with the amount of black crush on the Tosh.

I tested Dune on the Sony xbr and Mits' 37 and the amount of difference in detail of the black/grey levels was huge.
The grey border around the narrators collar inthe opening scene is completely lost on the Tosh and in parts indistinguishable between the background of space.

I was really hoping this would be the set for me because the colors are vubrant and it fits my space well.

I guess its back to researching other 37" tvs. The 40" sony is too big and the 32 too small.

I just recently purchased the 37HL95 and so far am very, very happy with it. It really shines over the competitors when you watch standard definition signals. It does great. No bad pixels, great menu, and really makes DVDs look super. ALSO - and this is important to me - absolutely NO blur due to motion (of importance to you sports fans).

I also have a copy of Dune, and just put it in my player to see if I could see what you were talking about. I do see the gray in the narrators collar just fine. What kind of connection are they using from the DVD player to the TV? I am using component cables. Sounds to me like some setting may need to be adjusted. Dune looks quite fine to me.

That said, the weakest thing about all LCDs is the black levels. The 40" Sony does seem to do a bit better in this area, but it also does not do as good showing Standard Def TV (at least to me). The 40" Sony and the 40" Samsung both use LCD's from their new factory - and are the only ones using this LCD. (by the way, this factory does not put out a 37" version of this LCD -- thats why there is only a 40" available in the new Sony models).

I just love the Toshiba so far, and I think it is a good choice. I got the 37" Toshiba for less than the price the stores wanted for the 32" Sony.

The DVD player used was the built in on the Tosh cinema series.
I'm glad you can see the grey border. The other scene that was bad was the shot of the ships off loading. No detail at all.
It was really bad on the display floor & a huge dissappointment because I think the set looks great other wise.

How is this set for gaming? That will be its primary use.

Any other Tosh owners have any input as to black & grey level detail?
Also, how is the latency for playing games? Any issues?
My intended use is for x-box360 & sports

What LCD does black level good? None, they all crush blacks, including the Bravia. I need some opinion on the Toshiba PQ, HD and DVD's, I return my Sammy 329D because it seem a little out of focus and always looked as though it had a veil or haze over the picture.

I think the PQ on my 32HL95 is outstanding for the LCD field. One of my main concerns was graininess, which was a reason I returned at Philps 32" model from Costco. The SD broadcasts come in great (Time Warner cable, no box or cable card), and I have several HD channels that look amazing as well, whether it be 720p or 1080i broadcasts. Of course, what looks good to my eye may not be good enough for another, but I am pretty picky about the PQ in general.

I have an upconverting 720p/1080i Toshiba DVD player through my HDMI input, and it looks great as well. I actually tested it out with another standard DVD player, and the improvement in PQ was substantial.

Another great feature of the TV previously mentioned in a post is the absence of blur during motion. I agree with this comment, as this was also a concern for me in the Philips that I had purchased, and the Toshiba has performed well.

I did have an issue with the cable card. Time Warner installed a Scientific Atlanta cable card for me, and every time I switched to FOX HD or MTV, the thing would shut off and reset itself. Really annoying. I am currently in the process of seeing if Time Warner can switch out this card for another brand. I will also call Toshiba as soon as I can to see what they have to say about it.

Works great with our Gamecube. Absolutely stunning picture. Another idea for when you view the Toshiba 37HL95 in the store. Make sure the picture mode is set in "Standard Picture" mode. It sounds to me like the set you viewed must have been either in a "movie" mode - or a "sports" mode - or worse yet, in a Custom mode which was played with by a previous customer.

DVDs look amazing. I hooked my Sony 400-disk DVD/CD carousel to the 37HL95 using component cables and set to progressive scan. The pictures look amazing. Also, standard definition signals from cable (non-digital, just plain cable, at 480i) look much much better than I expected to. Better than any other LCD screen I looked at. I haven't gotten a chance to view HD signals yet except in the store because I'm waiting for the new Directv dish to become available in my area before switching to Directv and my cable company does not offer HD and I'm outside the range for an indoor antenna to work. *sigh*

The ONLY weakness I have seen with this TV is on black levels. And this is true for ALL LCD TVs.