Toshiba 50HM66, 56HM66 Discussion - Page 2

Does the manual for the 50HM66 mention anything about using the HDMI inputs for a PC connection? Or have you tried this yet? I was hoping that Toshiba would include a PC input on this set, but it looks like there's just the 2 HDMI inputs and 2 component inputs.

I'll check tonight when I get home.

It has an analog RGB/PC 15 terminal connection that displays the following resolutions: VGA: 640x480 @60Hz; SVGA: 800 x600 @60 Hz; XGA: 1024 x768 @60 Hz. It also says, never connect a PC to the HDMI port, so I guess the answer to your question is that you cannot connect a PC via HDMI.

It also has an ethernet input (RJ-45).

That's interesting...the one set that I've seen didn't have any of those inputs. Where are they located? I assume they're on the back of the set, but I didn't see any of those. Is the cabinet of your set in black? I'm wondering if you have the 50HMX96 instead of the 50HM66.

I bought this tv one week ago. I have my PS2 hooked up using the Colorstream component inputs. I'm sending out a 480i signal from my PS2 and playing Guitar Hero. As anyone who has ever played this game knows, any lag would destroy the experience. There is no lag, and this is even without using the Toshiba's game mode (which is supposed to decrease lag).
So there you go, if you're worried about lag in DLP's, this is your tv.

I took that info from the manual and actually didn't check the back of the set. I'll check the set tonight and let you know for sure.

Pexley I have the 50HM66 and it does NOT have the PC input. I was looking at the installation guide which is for the HM66 series, HMX series, HM1 series, MX1 and MZ1 series. I apologize for the misinformation.

I've had the 50HM66 for a day now and am probably going to return it due to the fact I'm seeing the rainbow effect. I had read about the rainbow effect and when deciding on the set, I looked for it in the showroom. It never came up, and figured it was taken care of in the newer models, etc... I first noticed it when watching Return of the Jedi. I really expected to see it in the space battle scenes, but in those I didn't. First time I noticed it was when Vader arrived on the Death Star, it would flicker off his helmut. Then in a scene with Luke, the Emperor and Vader, usually would see it when there wasn't much action on the screen. I just realized if the room is dark, blinking of my eyes would induce the rainbow effect!

The SD channels are okay, nothing to right home about.

Now there are some really nice features on the Toshiba, such as being able to set the video settings for each component. The remote control layout is really nice (on a side note, none of the codes would work my Motorola settop cable/DVR box), and the menu system was easy to follow. It's a great looking set, very light in weight (even as bulky as it is, could probably move it myself).

If you can't see the rainbows, it's a really good set to have.

Has anyone heard when the HMX version of this set may be in stores? I'm guessing that the HMX version of this set will actually have all of the features that Toshiba was touting in the first place (i.e., PC input, RJ45, 14 bit video processing, etc.). I'm trying to decide if I should wait for the HMX or go ahead with this set now.

Cinema 50s will be shipped to distributors at the end of May. 1080p models will be in 62 and 72 inch sizes only. 720p will be 42, 50 and 56. Cinema will not have the 42.



Dick

Has anyone else bought this tv and want to comment on how the picture quality is? I am deciding between this tv and the new HLS5087W Samsung 1080P. I really liked the Toshiba when I saw it at HHGregg.

anyone want to comment on this tv if they have recently purchased it?

Actually, I'm wondering the same thing. I really like the cabinet of the 50HM66 as it minimizes wasted space. I've seen this TV at a couple of different B&M stores here in Atlanta. In one, it was next to the new Samsung HL-S4266w. Picture quality was almost identical. I thought the Toshiba had better colors overall, and better blacks. However, it seemed that the Samsung was a bit more detailed. Granted, this is comparing a 42" to a 50" in the worst possible setup (brightly lit store). I checked out Toshiba's TheaterWide modes as well for SD content. It actually worked quite well in terms of adapting the picture to the widescreen format. There was definitely some noise in the SD picture, but I thought the stretch mode worked really well on the Toshiba. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to test this on the Sammy.

The other store had the 50HM66 next to the new JVC 52" HD-ILA. Again, I think the colors were slightly better on the Toshiba, but the JVC seemed to have a little more detail (not much more...you probably would never miss it after setting it up properly in your home).

Take my comments lightly though, as I'm just a novice. I'm currently shopping as well, and right now, the 50HM66 is on the top of my list because of its cabinet, good picture, and value.

I have had my 50HM66 for about a week now.
I'm new to the big screen so my comments might be like a kid with a new toy...... We are using it for general tv and movies.
One thing that really impresses me is the colors. They are so bright and sharp that it's hard to believe what we watched before. Watching DVD's is amazing. Very good picture.
For the input signal, we do not have satelite or an HD box. We just have plain old basic cable and the picture is still quite good. Definitely not worth running out and upgrading my cable signal. NHL playoffs are awsome to watch now.

I am no expert by no means but I have seen a lot of big screens in other peoples houses. Just from what I have seen and learnt, this one has one of the best pictures.
So far I have not had time to fool around with all the setting, but out of the box it is amazing.............I'm happy with the purchase.

Does anyone have this TV connected to a PC using the HDMI port? I have been considering either this TV or the new Samsung but after a recent trip to best buy and lots of callibration the Toshiba just looked a lot better to me then the Samsung. Hopefully I won't have too much trouble connecting my HTPC to this set.

No, you can't connect a PC to this tv using the hdmi. It does not have a pc input. I agree that it has a great picture. HD is just fabulous.

Well without being able to connect a pc via hdmi or having a pc input kinda rules it out for me. I just wonder why toshiba designed their hdmi ports to not work with a pc.

I am interested in either the Toshiba 50HM66 or the 56HM66, the new DLP models from Toshiba. I'm wondering if anyone can answer a question about the inputs on these models. It has 2 HDMI and 2 Component Video jacks on the back. Are these inputs (all 4) input of each other and indiviually selectable? I'm concerned about this because on the back panel there is a line drawn connecting between each HMDI connector and one of the Component jack areas.

I intend to connect two HMDI and and Two component inputs to this set at the same time, is that possible?

Also on other related topic has anyone seen any rainbow effect (try a black and white movie) on either one of these sets?

According to the manual the HMX model does have a PC input, although not through hdmi.

The component and hdmi inputs are independent of each other for video, however the digital audio is somehow connected. I noticed that when a component input is used the corresponding hdmi input has the digital audio option greyed out. I'm not sure why that is.

I'm not sure exactly what the rainbow effect is. On previously owned RCA and Samsung DLP's I noticed on sports action a kind of sparkling trail sometimes (that's the best that I can describe this). On the Toshiba, I have not noticed this at all. Maybe I just can't see it since another poster claims to have noticed it. But, I have not seen any picture distortion at all. However, this TV is in my basement and I probably haven't watched it more than 10hrs or so - mostly Cav's games and one movie.

I think I can live with that. To do the big test for rainbox effect take a good black and white DVD (I use John Frankenhiemer's Masterpiece "The Train") with you to the showroom and then jerk your head around like you're a physco or something and see if you can see it. I know SAMSUNG increased the spin rate of the wheel to 14000 with a 5 segment wheel with their HD5 sets to further diminish the effect. I'm not sure if Toshiba did the same, but I do believe they are using a 5 segment wheel on their's as well. Internal techincal details are a little shadowing on this unit so far (got to get a hold of a service manual).

For the owners of the new 50HM66, how is standard def picture quality? I know that most people buy an HDTV for the purpose of viewing HD sources and DVDs, but let's face it, there isn't that much HD programming out there. I was thinking of getting this TV and just using the QAM tuner to pick up the unencrypted local HD channels for now. I live in Atlanta and have Comcast cable. For HD service, they charge $11.99/mo in addition to the standard cable monthly rate. And really, that only gets you a few more HD channels than just using the QAM tuner to pick up the locals, so to me, I'm not so sure that it's worth it right now. So, this is why I'm interested in the picture quality of this TV on standard def signals. From what I've seen, plasma and LCD seem to have a slightly better picture on standard def. However, I've yet to see the 50HM66 or any other DLP handle standard def.

I jusrt received my 50HM66 yesterday afternoon. Have Directv HD package H20 receiver, Toshiba DVD, Yamaha 5850 AV receiver. Using component connections from DVD and HD receiver to my AV receiver. Have the sound turned off at tv to utilize digital surround from my AV usytem.
The HD picture is absolutely great. The colors and brightness of the picture is awesome. The SD picture is quite good also except for a couple of channels (Disney channel) colors are way intense. I'm sure I need to adjust some of the settings. Haven't had time to do much of anything.

I have a question about HDMI for all the experts out there.
If I run HDMI directly from my AV receiver to DLP and run my sound (optical toslink) from HD receiver to AV receiver will that work or not. I'd rather have the picture going through HDMI and the sound going through my Yamaha AV receiver.

I just purchased the 50hm66 from HHGregg here in Florence, Ky. for $1800 with the Toshiba stand.

It is being delivered tomorrow.

I shall post later.

Mike

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Attn pexley

If I'm reading you correctly, I think I'm in the same boat. I was warned at stores that if I didn't have an HD source, that the picture wouldn't be very good. Mind you, this was on all kinds of sets. I never saw the 50HM66 before I bought it. (how scary is that).
I was already to go spend another few hundred $$ to upgrade to my input signal.

Anyways, I have been watching my new 50" for a couple weeks now, and the regular channels are actually quite good. Some channels say that they are broadcast in HD but I have no idea if my TV is picking that up. I thought we had to buy a box from the local cable company ($200) and then pay the additional monthly fee to get HD. We just have the bare bones basic cable. We were thinking of going to satelite or digital cable but at this point we are in no rush to change.

Anyways, to answer your question, the standard picture is very good......IMO

I have had the TV now since Thursday and the standard def is very good. It is better than any Samsung, Sony, or Hitachi set. I actually heard before I bought it that the standard def is handled really well on this tv.

Can anyone tell me what the settings you are using for this tv?

I calibrated with the Avia disc (kind of) and have the following settings:

contrast: 50
brightness: 50
color: 39
tint: +11
sharpness: 20
temperature setting - warm
noise reduction off

The sharpness setting acording to Avia was actaully 0, but that just looked too soft to me. After fooling around for quite awhile with the settings I found brightness and contrast too difficult to gauge and just kept them at the "movie" settings. The tint and color settings took the slight red push out of my picture. I'm pretty pleased with the skin tones and overall colors with these settings.

I am also considering the 50hm66 and will watch SD as well. How do these sets compare to the Sony 50a10, or the Sammy's 5086, or the 5087.

for anyone out there, i noticed this morning that on toshibas website they have the cinema series 50hmx96. Looks like somewhat of the same TV just black borders. Curious if there is any other major differences....

HHGregg delivered the 50hm66 yesterday and I set it up myself last night.

I am very impressed with the picture quality on sd and hd.

We have the Toshiba 46hm95 also.

Mike