Toshiba 50HM66, 56HM66 Discussion

Hi Kieran. I too am interested in the 50HM66. I've been trying to find the dimensions of this guy, but it appears that Toshiba has not released a spec sheet yet. I've called a few of the online retailers that are advertising stock on these DLPs, but no one can tell me the dims. I'm looking for a low profile set (limited in height), and DLP seems the way to go for me since plasma is so expensive for a nice 50" set. If you know the dims on the 50HM66, please post them here. Thanks!

they aren't set to be released into retail stores until late June early July.

Where did you get this information? Everything I've heard has been April for the 50HM66 and May for the 56HM66. Also, I know that the local Best Buy stores and HH Gregg stores in Atlanta have the 50HM66 in their warehouse stock for sale, but they are not on display yet.

does anyone know if these have PIP and 1394?

Eggcelent hint, Kieran! Also, thanks for posting those specs. I had seen all of the specs you posted with the exception of the dims. Thanks again!

i like this model, but it's 1/4 inch too wide (47" wide entertainment center nook). i guess samsung and sony are the only ones that realize the importance of making small cases.

Most of the American TV stores in the midwest have them in stock and on display - No PIP on them - did not notice firewire, but was not really looking for it either.

Nice picture on it and nice styling- hoping they release an all black cinema series - that'd provide an even more appealing cabinet.

An all black cinema series would be sweet! So how would you compare the picture to the 2005 HM series? I haven't seen any on display yet in the Southeast. The video processor is supposed to be better with these new 2006 models.

At the BB here we have 200 of thed 50HM66 in stock at our warehouse.

Yeah that seems to be the consensus here in Atlanta as well. Everyone has 100 to 200 of the 50HM66 in their warehouses, but none have been allocated to physical store locations for display.

Yeam im trying to get all the new sets in.If i wasnt going with my SXRD i would go with the Toshiba DLP as of right now.I like LCD bright and clarity but in my eyes the Toshiba has both for a TV in its price.

Would have been nice if there was a 1080P model.

Yeh thewre only making the 1080p toshibas in 56,62,and 72. The models are 56HM195,62HM195,and72HM195.

Just curious. Has anyone picked up the 50HM66? I'm still trying to locate a store in the Atlanta area that has this tv in stock so I can check out the picture quality. I know it's in stock and for sale at several popular online retailers. Also, Toshiba just updated their website to include the spec sheets on these new 2006 models. Apparently, there will be a 42" version as well, although it doesn't have the same look as the 50HM66 and 56HM66.

http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/televisions/dlp.asp

The specs on the web page do not match the printed spec sheets for the 50" and 56" units. Example - sizes are different, and the web page specs mention POP and 1394, where the printed spec sheets only show those features on the HMX models.

If anyone can sort this out, please post.

Retract my statment.They will be 56HM196,62HM196,72HM196.

Just saw one of the 50HM66 sets at HH Gregg in Atlanta. Very nice picture. They had it next to the new JVC 52" LCOS set, and to me, the picture on the Toshiba was slightly better. The 50HM66 does not have any firewire ports or PC input. Just has the 2 HDMI inputs and the remaining typical I/O options with nearly every set. I like the styling a lot. It's hard to believe that you're looking at a 50" set because the width and height are so much smaller compared to other 50" sets.

Now, I'm wondering about the 50HMX96 shown on Toshiba's website. I believe this set will be the Cinema Series version of the 50HM66, adding the PC input, 1394, RJ-45 networking, etc. (and of course, the black cabinet) Anyone heard of availability on the new Cinema Series?

And now.... the 2006 models are no longer listed on the website as of today.

I just bought one of these from Besy Buy. Having it delivered on Tuesday. The HD PQ looked good in the store, but I'm really wondering what it's going to be like with SD. I exchanged a Samsung 5667 which had a great HD picture, but so-so on SD and a terrible stretch mode. I've always liked the Toshiba stretch modes.

Yeah the overall design of the new set is sweet.Speakers are on the bottom and there the thin little strip that the Toshiba HP95 plasmas had last year.Has very intense colors that dont bleed over and fine detail for a DLP.Very nice color accuracy as well.

Videoguy i was on the website when i was posting aboput 20min ago to confirm something and i noticed that as well.

Let us know your opinion once you get the set in place/calibrated. I'm thinking of getting this same set. I want to check out the new Samsungs first though. The thing that appeals to me most about this Toshiba is the low height.

Got my 50HM66 delivered today and have had a couple of hours to play with it. First off it's a very nice looking TV. That's important to me anyway. The screen just about fills out the whole TV. You see all picture and very little (maybe 1.5 inches) bezel surrounding it - I like that. Fairly decent remote too. I like the picture size button. Also has a direct input button. You hit input and press 0 through 7 and it goes right to it. O is for the antenna/cable. One thing I did not realize is that it does not support TV Guide. Bummer. I have it hooked up with a cablecard and I don't get any listings. My previous Samsung and RCA both had it. A found a quirky issue with the stretch modes. On analog channels Theater Mode 1 is very good. However, if I go to a digital cable station is looks like it turns into a zoom/panoramic stretch which is bad. But in TM 2 and TM 3 it has a scrolling function that allows you to increase the stretch or decrease it. Not for TM 1 though, which would have been nice. You can use thee stretch modes in HD, but I don't know why you would want to. For now, I'm keeping it in full mode so I don't get a discrepancy in the picture going from an analog station to digital. Geometry on the side bars is very slightly bowed. Noticeable, but not too annoying - I can live with it compared to my Samsung which was really bad.

I did not calibrate it so I'm viewing an out of the box picture. The analog PQ is fairly decent. Better than both my Samsung and RCA (both DLP's), but not as good as my 64" Pioneer CRT. Very watchable on my cable system (Wide Open West). The digital channels are naturally better quality. That stretch mode issue bugs me a little though. I don't get why it does that. My RCA did not have that issue. Actually, it had a very good stretch mode.

I have a Panasonic 97S hooked up via hdmi and sampled legally blond 2 (not a great transfer) and Spy Kids 3 (not the 3-d version). It handled LB2 well and SK3 was very very nice. Excellent detail, very bright colors, little to no MQ noise. DVD's on a half way decent player will be a delight on this set.

Finally, the HD picture. Superb. Right now I am watching Shark Tale in HD and (I know it's animated) the colors are phenomenal. Blacks look very good. I'm very impressed. Just saw a promo for Herbie and Lindsay Lohan's skin tone looked good. Skipping around the HD channels and at times I see a tinge of red, but I haven't played with the settings much, just turned the contrast down to 60 and backed off the sharpness some. Out of the box skin tones are very acceptable. I am very impressed with the smoothness of the picture, much better than my Sammy and RCA.

I would have no problem recommending this TV to a friend and I think that's the real test. Now, that said, I know the majority of AVS members probably consider themselves video/audiophiles so you may be more critical than me. However, I've looked at a lot of DLP's in the past month (returned both the RCA and Samsung - thank you for your return policy Best Buy - I know BB takes a beating on this thread but they guys there were very accommodating and friendly - no I don't work there!) and the PQ on this set rivals anything I've seen. It's a keeper.

bslep - did you compare to the Sony KDF-E50A10? I'm trying to decide between the Toshiba 50HM66 and the Sony. Thanks.

Yo go with the Toshiba HM66 dude you will be happy.We set them up the HM66 up the other day right next to the Sony.Even though your comparing a new TV to a older set the Toshiba is nice.The colors were just as intense if not more than the 50A10 and DLPs are known for better blacks because of the absence of light.MRSP is $100 cheaper.50HM66 also has two HDMI inputs.Sharpness was about the same on both.So hands down i would go with the Toshiba,and thats coming from someone who pushed the Sony's alot.

No I did not and I really don't remember if Best Buy had one when I bought the Toshiba.