The OFFICIAL Toshiba 56MX195/62MX195/72MX195 OWNER'S THREAD - Page 12

I'd say he doesn't want to check with anyone,just a guess though.

It's interesting... I used the Silicon Optix HQV to look at the picture quality of DVD playback. What I noticed was that both of my DVD players (one is the HK DVD25) performed really crappy with upscaling to progressive output. When I turned off progressive, the TV performed very well. However, I played a couple of real DVDs and noticed heavy color banding with progressive turned off. Once I turned it back on, it almost completely went away. Strange result... I played around w/ all of the DNR, noise reduction, and dynamic contrast settings with no change.

I think I have access to the Video Demystified DVD, so I'll try that and let you know how it performs.

Sounds like it's also equipment depended!

I only use the Panasonic S77s HDMI upconverted 1080i > 56HM195 1080p and all DVD pictures are great!!! Especially ALL the Digitally transfered DVD's (Star Wars Ep. 2 & Ep. 3; Spy Kid's, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, The Legend of Zorro - HD transfer, etc.) are near HD quality and the only DVD's where I will see occasional very light color banding are older DVD issues.


For DVD playback, I recommend that you turn-off the DNR, noise reduction, dynamic contrast settings and SHARPNESS = 0** to make sure that you don't introduce some video noise into the picture.

**An ISF Calibrator that Calibrated one of the first 56HM195 last year said that anything higher than SHARPNESS = 0, introduced video noise.


That's a start but to really nail down the Video Calibration w/accuracy on your digital HDTV, I'd recommend Digital Video Essentials for $16.48 w/FREE SH @ DeepDiscountDVD!!!

Phil

Please clarify? Who doesn't want to check with anyone?

This guy

Guys, From past couple of days the DNR settings is disabled. Any reason as to why it gets disabled and also, I am trying to tune my TV Guide, but it does not show any option other than ANT1 and Video1. I actually run the component cables from the HD box to TV and the other component slot is connected to the DVD. ANT1 is connected to my VCR. This is on my 56MX195.

My 56" rear projection Panasonic just died after 7 years, my only complaint was convergence issues--which were not that bad except for HD around the edges. Sadly and off topic, I discovered maintenance mode then trying to resurrect the TV--there WAS finer grain convergence control by screen region--impressive.

Instead of repairing I opted for a new 56MX195 from a local retailer. I was impressed with the HD output and online customer reviews were also good. For $3500 (with stand and 5 year maintenance, ~1/2 of what I paid for the Panasonic 7 years ago) it appeared to be a good option. But, the output of non-HD looks like crap. Unfortunately when buying an HDTV all that is displayed at local retailers is HD content. I wrongly assumed that SD and DVD would look the same as it did on my old Panasonic.

My setup:

SD CableBox/TiVo on Video 1
DVD (7 year old composite Panasonic) on ColorStream HD 1
HD/SD CableBox on ColorStream HD 2

Problem:

HD looks great, couldn't ask for anything better, but SD and DVD looks like the TV is in 8 bit mode or that there is very bad MPEG compression. Watching Law and Order (lots of black suits) it appears that the TV cannot do more than 2 or 3 shades of black and they get grouped together (remember paint by numbers?). Not TV technical, but I think the term is color banding. Others on this forum appear to have similar complaints.

I know that there is nothing wrong with the content. The same DVD my 27 CRT or 30 LCD looks fine. The TiVo content downloaded to my PC or PDA/iPod also looks just fine. The PDA/iPod content has to undergo aggressive MPEG4 compression and it still looks better.

I can live with the crappy SD until Feb 2007 (was told that all broadcasts will be HD) or HD/CableCard TiVo (Fall 2006 perhaps?). I don't watch much TV (SD or HD) but watch a lot of DVDs and the current output is unacceptable.

I need some help with the following questions:

1. I was told I have 2 weeks to return it, but I have been busy and am now at day 11. Is there something physically wrong with my set? If I return what do others recommend? I should mention that another reason I opted for the Toshiba + stand is that is was a physical match to my Panasonic, so my customized entertainment center did not need to be customized again. So, I'd like to keep it.

2. Should I pay a professional to tune my TV? Are there advanced setup options not available to users? I have tried messing with just about every permutation of video and advanced video options. I have improved the situation, but not enough. Perhaps a call to warranty repair or maintenance? What would I tell them is wrong? TV technical terms?

3. Perhaps an HDMI DVD player? Has another switched from analog composite to HDMI and seen/solved this same problems? Some of the messages in this thread suggest that. But, why does HD/analog composite not have this problem?

4. Why would a modern TV have a problem like this? When I initially saw this at home I assumed it would just be a minor setup issue. Sadly, I was wrong.

Thanks.

I've noticed that DNR settings for a specific input (i.e. ANT-1) will get reset if you go into the ADVANCED PICTURE SETTINGS menu while viewing an HD program and change the DYNAMIC CONTRAST setting. You'll notice that in this scenario the MPEG NOISE and CABLECLEAR options are greyed out and disabled, so if you save the new setting it apparently resets those DNR settings to OFF. Keep in mind that each input has it's own Video and Audio settings.

As for the TVGOS input, there is a limitation on which inputs you can use. Here is the note in the manual:

Note: TV Guide On Screen program data is available through the ANT-1 and ANT-2 antenna inputs and also through the VIDEO 1 inputs if you
have a cable box connected to VIDEO 1. TV Guide On Screen program data is not available through any other inputs on this TV. See the
connection information on pages 13-25.

try running AVIA software before you go ahead and invest in professional calibration...i have a 72MX195 and SD was terrible before AVIA and it made a heck of a lot of difference - Oscars last night in SD looked as good as it does on my 36XBR450 SONY. Good Luck,

Rajiv

Thanks. Now I recall to have read that line from the manual for the TVGOS.

Did you not watch the same on HD?
Because I saw on both SD and HD. ABCHD made lot of difference on my 56mx195.
All advertisements I have seen for AVIA says "The AVIA Guide to Home Theater ". Does it include the tuning for DH content also? Where did you buy and how much did it cost. Did you any time compare with DVD Video esssentials ? Please post your comments.

Thanks
HSSR

Yes, I watched on HD but wanted to compare the SD quality on the two TV's and drove my wife nuts in the process. Needless to say, HD was outstanding and boy the Bulls_Cavs game was something too ..

Rajiv

Well, you were told wrong. First off, analog TV will shut down in Feb. 2009, not 2007. Secondly, everything will be "digital" then, but not necessarily HD.

Forgive me for not reading through all the posts to see if this answer exists..but I have a new 56mx195 on the way and I'm obviously concerned w/the whole lamp issue.
Are the more recent units having the same issues, or has Toshiba made attempts to resolve?
I'm especially concerned b/c I won the TV through a Super Bowl party w/relatives out of state, so I can't buy an extended warranty locally
Thanks

I could be wrong but can you not buy just the bulb warranty separately? It retails for less than $100 and is good for two bulbs. Good Luck,

Rajiv

Rajiv that would be perfect, do you know where the bulb warranty is offered?

Thx

http://www.partstore.com/ProductDeta...ModelID=610415 More than I paid for display AND stand combined.

http://www.bestbuyplasma.com/Plasma/...X_Sku_Y_RMLMP3
I don't think you'll ever find a warranty for $100.

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?...id=4597&store= I think this is the warranty the other poster was relating to.Must be bought at time of sale at their place of buisness only.

I have a 56HM195 and am curious what the latest version of software is for this tv? I would like to call and get the latest version if I am not already on it. Can anyone help me?

1.3.1......dated Feb. 1 '06

Thx enmoco..Don't you have to buy this repair master warranty together w/the TV at the same place, or is this still something they would sell me even if I did not get the TV there? Tvauthority said no go when I inquired about purchasing a warranty for the tv through them b/c. I did not get it there and it would not be on the same receipt? Thanks again for your help.

enmoco:

I did find such a warranty and I have purchased it but I did buy the TV from the same source and that may be why I got it at what I got it. Let me clarify that with the merchant before posting details.

Rajiv

Thank you.

I got my 56MX195 on Jan. 1 or Jan. 2, 2006.

The bulb blew by the end of February, unfortunately. We watch the set a few hours every day, but it's not on constantly or anything.

I called Toshiba for a replacement, and they had it on my porch 7 days later. They told me it was "officially" backordered for 10-15 days, but the CSR was telling me on the side that I really wouldn't have to wait that long, and she was right.

Thanks for the feedback, please keep us posted on how the new bulb works out. Did you have your settings on 'low' lamp?

My bulb blew out last weekend. Bought it last October, so it last 4 - 5 months, no way I used it for 6000 hours. I always used the low setting. I called Toshiba Monday afternoon, and it arrived today. I am back up and running now. Has anyone gone throught 2 bulbs yet? I wonder how long the second bulb will last. Good thing I have an extended warranty for 5 years, at this rate i'll go through about 15 bulbs!

By the way, if you notice the screen going dark, call Toshiba right away. Mine went dark about two days before it blew.

I guess if anyone needs to switch to LED DLP it's Toshiba as this sounds like the thread for the race to see who has the shortest lived bulbs.

I didn't think the extended warranty covered bulbs.

That's what they are saying but I doubt they will be able to make that date.