Toshiba 42HPX95 Impressions anyone?  

I could be totally wrong on this but I'm almost 100% sure I read that Toshiba buys their screens and most of the internal boards from Panasonic anyway. So basically when your buying a Toshiba plasma, it's basically 99% panasonic components. Anyone else have any more info on this?

The Toshiba 42HPX95 is on the top of my list (1st plasma purchase) but I prefer to read the manual before buying. The 42HPX95 owner's manual is not available on Toshiba's US site but it can be found on the Canadian site (ca instead of com). Navigate to the 42HPX95 page and click on downloads.

The TV has some impressive features including the ability to email the TV to start recording (if you have a DVR) and PC connectivity. I was disappointed to see that the POP feature will not work with both Antennas at the same time but work-rounds are possible using the other Video inputs.

Bryant

I noticed on the HP v Panny thread that the 42HP95 seems to be comparable to the Panny 42px500u and the 42HPX95 equates to the 500U. Does that seem to be the way that these Toshibas are configured?

The panel on the Toshiba 42HPX95 is made by Panasonic. The internal components are still Toshiba. This is a good unit. I say it's better than the Samsung and LG plasma sets.

Sorry about the mixup with the Panasonic nomenclature but you hit the nail right on the head.
It would appear then that the 42HPX95 is indeed a step up on the Panny 500U. I suppose thats added value if you want/need the network feature.
Interesting dilema, Toshiba v Panasonic.

Would that be the same scenario for the 42HP95 as well do you think?

Could this be why Panny is out of stock? Selling the panels to Toshiba? :confused:

nm

All Toshiba panels are made by Panasonic.

In addition to Jodeus, does anyone have any viewing time or comments on picture quality of the Toshiba 42HP95/42HPX95 versus the Panny 42PX50U? A local store is offering both the 42HPX95 and the 42PX50U at nearly the same price. I like the extra features on the Toshiba but everyone raves about Panny picture and I don't want to sacifice PQ for bells and whistles. In the store they both look great, but.... Any comments?

Hi all, a noob at AVS here. A friend of mine told me about this great site! Reading up in the past few days, it's time to post some specific questions ;)

This thread is asking the very same question I am now facing! I have finally decided it's time to pull the trigger on a HD plasma set. 42" 1024x768 sets are the screen size I am set on.

I have been defaulting on the Panny TH-42PX50 because of all the great things I read/hear about Panny's PQ. But a local store gives me the exact same price quote on this and the Toshiba 42HPX95. I realize the panel on these both are same and built by Panny. The Toshiba has more "extras" which are hard to ignore.

So really I am just repeating the question techNOtim asked... how is the PQ on the Toshiba compared to the Panny?

I am hoping Toshiba has done a good enough job on the internals dealing with the scaling/interpolating, etc. to make the PQ as good (or almost as good) as the Panny. :D

The panels might be the same but I've noticed that the Toshiba has a bit more video noise and does not handle SD content nearly as well as the Panasonic. If PQ isn't your top priority, the Toshiba's offer a whole lot of other things at a very competitive price. Check out DTV City.

Thanks for the input. I have expected there to be difference... but if the PQ on the Panny is the "100%" mark, how much % would you rate the Toshiba PQ at?


I know the best way is to view both units in action in person to judge for myself... I don't have picky eyes, so if the difference is not dramatic, I should probably go for the Toshiba... the extras are high priority, but always nice to have...

oh forgot to ask... is DTV City a website? I am such a noob :D

I too have tried to spread the word about Toshibas in the past. I have the 42HP84 (one year old) and it is wonderful. A good plasma to be sure. I believe its screen was made by NEC, so this newer model with its Pany glass should be even better. Too bad so many on this forum have "tunnel-vision", and see only the Panasonic nameplate. There are so many other very good plasmas out there.

Mike52

Yeah it's a website.

How would the Toshiba 42HPX95 do if I plugged a computer into the HDMI and tried playing Doom, World of Warcraft, etc on it? Also XBOX 360, would it handle these without any issues?

Thanks just checked it out...

The spec listed on DTV City for this Toshiba 42HPX95 says 16.7Million colors!? But the Panny is 8.58Billion... can the internals of the Toshiba make less use of the panel and be able to display less colors??

Also, how's the display mode options on the Toshiba for 4:3 input? Does it have something like the "Just" mode on the Panny?

Thanks all!

I have a question about the Toshiba 42HPX95 black finish... as I have yet to be able to see one in person :(

Is the frame (bezel) around the screen a glossy black? I know the Panny 42PX50 has a somewhat matte finish on the frame. I hope the Toshiba one is a bit on the glossy side. Please advise.

Oh, I thought they would already have the 42HPX95 in the US well before in Canada...

Thanks for the input. I have Googled up a bunch of sites and have seen that wordings on Crutchfield as well. In addition, I saw the Toshiba press release dated back in May, 2005 posted on several different sites, the wordings seem to indicate they do have a high-gloss black finish on all the Cinema Series (which HPX95 IS) and the LCD-DVD TVs.

I guess I could be one of the first to see the 42HPX95 in person... I will report on what I see ;)

Cheers!

That is interesting... well, I just started my serious plasma shopping research last week so both HPX95 and HP95 are already on the Toshiba Canada site. Not that I started my research on the manufacturer's sites though ;)

Another thing I find interesting is that from the Toshiba press release (dated back May'05 as mentioned earlier), it's mentioned that the 42HPX95 would be available around Aug'05... then how come they won't be in showrooms until maybe this week? Is it because these are all made in Japan and shipped by boats across the Pacific?

By the way Jody, you have the HP95 instead of the HPX95, right? I know the diff is really small between these two. Is your unit made in Japan?

Oh to answer your question, I am planning to actually buy it 3-4 weeks from now.

My parents TV was ruined by Hurricane Rita. They were going to buy the Phillips plasma with "ambi lighting" (is that actually a cool thing or is it annoying?) but the BB didn't have it in stock. The only one they had in stock was the Toshiba 50HP95 but it was not on display. Needless to say that is what they purchased.

They are not picky about things but just liked the thin factor of the Plasma. After getting the set home and hooking up a DVD via RGB cables the picture seemed "grainy" on the "Chicago" DVD we used and a slightly grainy on the "Terminal" DVD. (These are the only things available to watch as they are displaced because of Hurricane Rita and the Dish Network hasn't come to hook up the service yet)

So my questions are:
1) Is this picture supposed to be "grainy" on the set or specifically that movie?

2) We set the display on the DVD to 16:9 and 480p but the set still put the bars on the left and right. We changed the display to Full and that filled the screen. Is that the correct setting? Does this set not automatically switch like my Samsung DLP?

I'm just worried because the set doesn't look as clean and crisp as the ones on display did. The display ones shouldn't look better with customers messing with them and all being split from the same feed. Once again, they bought the Toshiba sight unseen.